Sikkim's environmental protection policy exemplary for nation: CM

Gangtok, May 21 (UNI) Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today said the state government's measures towards environmental protection were 'exemplary' for the nation.

''The State Green Mission that we have started is the first in the country,'' Mr Chamling said at the third government formation celebrations here.

Stressing on the government bid to transform the mission into a people's movement, the Chief Minister appealed the government machinery to work towards that direction.

Launched in the year 2006, the three-year State Green Mission envisages avenue plantation to transform the state into a garden state. The state government has banned grazing, wildlife hunting and collection of medicinal plants.

Sikkim Democratic Front had taken charge of the government on May 21, 2004 for the third successive term under Mr Chamling's leadership.

The Chief Minister also highlighted on several measures taken up by his government in the past 13 years. Prominent among them were decentralization of power, allocation of 70 per cent of state budget for rural development, allocation of 20 per cent of budget expenditure on education and recognition of Sikkim as a number one state among the northeastern states.

Looking ahead, Mr Chamling said that the capacity-building and skill-empowerment of the Sikkimese people is a big priority.

Apart from establishing a Directorate of Capacity Building, various state government departments have been allocated funds for capacity building programmes.

The Chief Minister requested the government departments to embark on the capacity building mission immediately and stressed that the programmes must be result-oriented.

Other priority areas were to enhance the State Legislative Assembly to 40 seats from the present 32, increasing the number of MPs to two in each House of the Parliament, exemption of direct income taxes to the Sikkimese people and recognition of Sikkim as a tribal state.

All these demands were pending before the Centre, Mr Chamling said.

With Sikkim being included in the new NE industrial policy, the Chief Minister urged the government to cash on the initiative.

Several industrial firms have shown interest in Sikkim and we must give land lease for 99 years, he said. He also added that the departments must ensure that the local people get full benefits from the upcoming industrial ventures.

UNI