Chamling completes 12 as Chief Minister of Sikkim

Gangtok, Dec 12 (UNI) Sikkim has changed the general perception of a border state by carving a niche for itself in the national level by using trade, business and tourism as an economic instruement for prosperity, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said here today.

Addressing a rally to mark completion of 12 years ruling of his Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), Mr Chamling said "Generally a border meant terrorism, extremism, insugency and inflitration but, we changed the concept by making the state the most peaceful state in the country".

Mr Chamling said peace prevailed in Sikkim and there was no law and order problem. But he urged the law maintaining authoities to be cautious and guard against the development of any bureaucracy-politician-criminal nexus to keep the paceful and crime free image of this tiny hilly state.

He said during his 12 years in government, the state was included in the North East Council (NEC) and many developmental projects were undertaken.

The Nathu La was reopened for border trade after about 42 years and Sikkim became the first state to launch the Green Mission to improve ecological balance. He said though the state made significant stride, he called upon the people to take the state further on the path of development.

He said the a railway line to link the state has been incorported in the 11th plan period and a Central University would come up here soon. The Centre, Mr Chamling said, had also agreed in principle to open Nathu La for tourism in near future.

But he also lamented that despite the development the Opposition parties were launching a psychological campaign against him and trying to project him as an enemy of the people. He said the Opposition had no issues and were personally targetting him. But he said he had no personal enmity with any one and there was only ideological differences.

The chief minister said he was committed to making all round development of the state and appealed to the bureaucrats to make a paradigm shift in their approach. He wanted them to make a strategy based on the existing natural, human resources and opportunity.

He also announced to privatise the state owned Public Sector Undertakings for their better management and said an independent expert committee would be set up to finalise the details.

He announced to set up a human rights commission in the state and introduce Grameen Bank service for the benefit of the rural folk.

Mr Chamling said he planned to invite Nobel Prize Winner Mohammed Yunus of Bangladesh to Sikkim in this connection.

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