Headlines       Vol. 2 Issue 3-4

May 22-June 6 , 1999

Prof. Khusrow tells Sikkim to generate its own resources Chairman of the Eleventh Finance Commission Prof. A. M. Khusrow has urged cash-strapped Sikkim to generate its own resources and increase revenue to tide over the State's teething fiscal problem. The Commission, while assuring the State with all possible help in solving the financial problems, also suggested to the State Government, hitherto dependent on the Centre for its financial assistance, to generate its own resources to raise revenue.Prof. Khusrow, who visited Sikkim recently held detailed discussions with State Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and State Government officials. Highlighting the State's financial problem, Mr. Chamling stressed on the need for 'special' attention by the Finance Commission to this industrially backward State for overcoming crisis on money matters. “With no rail or air link the Himalayan State's only lifeline, the National Highway 31-A, remains disrupted during long monsoon every year”, Mr. Chamling told the commission. The Chief Minister apprised the commission that the State should be connected with air link to overcome the communication bottlenecks. He said that the Tenth Finance Commission had recommended Rs. three crore as a 'special problem' grant for the extension of the existing helipad at Gangtok to accommodate the landing of small aircraft as proposed by the State Government. Incidentally, the Centre reintroduced a chopper service between Gangtok and Bagdogra in neighbouring Darjeeling only recently, Mr. Chamling said. Since the proposal could not materialise following the refusal of the Civil Aviation Ministry to allow single engine aircraft to ply commercially, the Chief Minister requested that the same amount be allowed to be utilised for feasibility study on the State's proposed 'air strip' at Kartok in east Sikkim. Mr. Chamling said,"a greater portion of the Central resources are utilised for creation of infrastructure and providing basic amenities for the people of the State, which merged with the Indian Union in 1975.” While justifying the expenditure, Mr. Chamling said the money was spent for creating the State's infrastructure and providing basis amenities to the Sikkimese people.

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