People of Sikkim today stand empowered: Chamling

Gangtok, Aug 15 (UNI) Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today said the people of Sikkim had been empowered in the thriving democracy and overall development of the state.

In his Independence Day message, the Chief Minister claimed that indicators during 1993-2007 had proved that Sikkim had moved ahead by leaps and bounds.

Highlighting the state of affairs prior to the SDF government, Mr Chamling said his government undertook the task of correcting the ''historical inadequacies'' which included identifying the root cause of underdevelopment, poverty and illiteracy and devising competitive means to address them.

''In the true sense, things started working as per democratic norms and principles only after 1994,'' he claimed.

Inclusion of Sikkim in the North East Council, reopening of Nathula trade and recognition of Limboo and Tamang communities as STs were the achievements made by the SDF government, the chief minister said.

UNI