Interview

“SDF regime is the golden period in Sikkim’s history”: Pawan Chamling

North East News Agency: You have completed a decade in power. Last year you were voted back to power with an overwhelming majority. What would you attribute your success to?

Pawan Chamling: I will not claim that I have taken Sikkim to pinnacle of success. But our achievements in the last ten years have surpassed those under Nar Bahadur Bhandari rule. No tall claims, but the SDF regime is the golden period in Sikkim's history. During the past decade our government has politically empowered the people. Decentralisation of power through democratic means is our mantra. Today Sikkim is emotionally integrated to India and the most peaceful state in the region free from insurgency. Our human development indicators in education and health are positive and healthy. I am grateful to the people of Sikkim for reposing faith in me.

NENA: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front has extended outside support to the UPA government like it did to the previous NDA government. Many have termed this as opportunistic. Your Comments.

P.C.: This is not opportunism. Sikkim is a small State with limited resources. We need Centre's support to run the affairs of the State. Therefore we will support any party which comes to power at the Centre. SDF is a regional party with a nationalist outlook. We are supporting the Congress-led UPA government in the best interests of the state. We would support any Central government to strengthen the bonds of national integration.

NENA: What are your future plans?

P.C.: Sikkim received an award instituted by the India Today for the being the best state in education in the small State category last year. The SDF government aims to make Sikkim the best State in India by 2015 -- economically self-reliant and free of poverty. We are striving to increase the per capita income of the common Sikkimese. The State Government is determined to develop the human resource. The State has tremendous hydel-power potential which needs to be exploited. We are also planning to promote eco-friendly tourism. Our aim is to make Sikkim the knowledge capital. I am hopeful that Sikkim will emerge as a self-reliant state capable to face any challenge and avail any opportunity.

NENA: Are you satisfied with the Central assistance to a small State like Sikkim? What are your other demands?

P. C.: We are grateful to the late Prime Minister Narasimha Rao for his support. We also received that adequate attention from Deve Gowda, I K Gujral and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. We have urged Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel for an early funding for the proposed airport at Pakyong which would boost tourism. We have requested Tribal Affairs and DONER Minister P R Kyndiah to ensure reservation of seats in the state Assembly for Limbu and Tamang communities and also inclusion of groups like Gurung and Mangar in Schedule Tribe List and inclusion of Newar and Sanyasi communities in OBC list.

We have also urged the Centre to increase the seats from 32 to 40 in the State Assembly. Our other demands are reservation of seats for the Sikkimese Nepali Community in the Assembly along with declaration of Sikkim as a tribal State to protect various communities. I have also urged the Union Home Minister to include Bhutia, Lepcha and Limboo languages in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution, raise five more India Reserve Battalions comprising Sikkimese, to set up a Central University and funds for the 500 bedded hospital. Our biggest regret is that no Sikkimese has so far been either made a Union Home Ministry or Governor. The Centre should actively consider to appoint Sikkimese in such positions.

NENA: How would Sino-Indian trade through Nathula Pass transform Sikkim's economy?

P.C.: We want Nathula Pass to be the economic instrument for Sikkim's development and would not only transform the economy of Sikkim but also the region. Reopening of the Nathula Trade is therefore the need of the hour. However, the state government will accept whatever decision is taken by the Centre in the earliest operationalisation of the Sino-Indian Agreement for reopening the trade route through Nathula. Infrastructure like building of ware houses and widening of roads are necessary for the commencement of bilateral trade.

NENA: The plan outlay for Sikkim has been fixed at Rs 500 crore. Are you satisfied? P. C.: The Annual Plan for Sikkim for 2005-06 has been finalised at Rs 500 crore, including an one time assistance of Rs 13-crore for projects related to the specific problems of the State which an increase of 11.34 % than previous year. Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia has complimented us for the steps taken to improve resources and accelerate development. He said the state has been achieving high growth rate and expenditure realisation has been satisfactory. He also assured Planning Commission's support for the airport project. Dr Ahluwalia said the state should further improve tourism related infrastructure as it could become an engine of growth. Restructuring of primary education system with greater emphasis on technical education, setting up of micro and mini hydel projects and empowerment of women were also recommended as possible thrust area. I informed him that my government has been working towards making Sikkim a model state and efforts were on to improve rev enue generation through introduction of user charges and phased reduction of subsidy in transport, education and tourism. Greater transparency and accountability was being introduced and efforts are on to improve institutional capacity. The state was likely to reach 10 per cent growth in GSDP by the end of the Tenth Plan.

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