Budget
Speech,Sikkim Legislative Assembly
June 26, 2012
Hon’ble Speaker Sir and
Hon’ble Members of this August House
I rise to present the Budget for
2012-13
However, before presenting the budget, my heart
reaches out to those who lost their dear and near ones and properties
during the devastating earthquake of September 18, 2011 last year. I
also convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families on the
tragic loss of their loved ones and pray to the Almighty to grant
them fortitude and endurance to cope up with the great loss that they
have suffered. We know that calamity like earthquake is beyond human
control and we put the best possible human effort for relief and
rehabilitation measures after the catastrophe. I thank the Central
Government and all individuals and organizations for helping us in
time of our calamity to help us restore normalcy.
Hon’ble Speaker Sir,
Just about three months back I had the privilege to
present the Interim Budget for 2012-13. It is an honour that I have
been called upon to present the regular budget in this August House,
today.
The Budget represents the earnest efforts of the
Government to put the economy of the State to a higher path of growth
to meet the aspirations of the people, to strengthen developmental
and regulatory structures and to deliver adequate services to the
people.
Since taking charge of the Government in 1994, my
party has made every effort to translate into reality our promises to
the people by transforming the lives of the people for the better. We
have channelized our energy and resources to fulfill the commitments
made in our party manifesto. Our commitment is not targeted towards
economic development alone, which is a priority sector but along with
it, we have made sure that preservation of our ecology and
environment as well as culture and tradition, proceeds hand in hand
with education, social and spiritual advancement. The aim has been to
maintain a holistic approach to our development strategy so as to
achieve the desired peace and prosperity which are all encompassing.
In synchronization with important developmental
activities, we have introduced many
innovative schemes with economic, social and educational dimensions.
Various welfare measures under different sectors have been taken up
as unique schemes which are the first of kinds in the Country.
The policy decision to allocate 70% of annual
outlay for rural development way back in 1994 has remained the
cornerstone of our development philosophy. Based on this decision, we
have ensured that development initiatives are evenly distributed and
an even spread possible for inclusive development.
Mukhya Mantri Awaas Yojana (MMAY) has been launched
in the state in 2008. This scheme offers a modern house of bricks
with GCI roof, toilet and electricity at the cost of Rs. 3.97 lakhs
for the poorest of the poor rural people of State. The cost has been
revised to Rs. 4.81 lakhs in 2009-10. So far 1,188 rural poor
families have benefitted from the scheme.
Free distribution of text books, exercise books,
school uniform, school-bags, raincoats, shoes and socks for all
Government Primary School Children is the unique scheme, first time
in the Country.
Free scholarship launched under Chief Minister Merit
Scholarship where over 350 bright students of rural poor families
have been placed in top private and public schools within and outside
the State.
Full scholarship under Chief Minister Special
Scholarship launched to facilitate any Sikkimese student who
qualifies to study in any of the top twenty universities of the
world.
Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Annual and
Total Checkup for Healthy (CATCH) Sikkim programme launched on 26th
August 2010 to provide systematic and comprehensive health check-up
annually reaching right up to the doorsteps of the poor and the
needy, the first time anywhere in the Country. Under CATCH program,
almost 50% of Sikkim’s populations have been screened. We hope
to achieve 100% coverage by 2015, to make Sikkim one of the
healthiest States of the country.
Free supply of electricity to BPL families up to 50
units. Free BPL connection being 7,800 in the year 1994 has increased
to 18,973 in 2011.
Land Bank Scheme, launched by the SDF Government in
1996-97 is a unique programme to provide land to the domiciled
landless Sikkimese. So far a total of 1203 Sukkumbasi Sikkimese have
benefitted under this scheme.
Appointment on compassionate ground introduced by
the State Government is applicable to the non-gazetted employees.
This is based on humanitarian ground wherein the scheme provides for
appointment of persons belonging to immediate family members in the
event of untimely demise of the earning member. Till 2010, a total of
715 persons have been recruited under Compassionate Ground.
Sikkim has emerged as the first
State to institute Directorate of Capacity Building and Institute of
Capacity Building in the Country. It provides opportunities to
unemployed youths and school drop-outs to acquire meaningful skills
to seek jobs or for self employment. The Institute also runs networks
of 34 livelihood schools located in each Constituency. The target
would be to train another 17000 youths by the next two years.
Sikkim has provided a new
dimension in promotion of pilgrimage tourism by locating all Char
dhams of the Country at one place. The dhaam known as Sidheswara Dham
was formally consecrated by Jagatguru Shankaracharya Swami
Swarupananda Saraswati on 8th November
2011 and opened for Darshan. This is unique and the only such
pilgrimage centre in the entire Country and I would say in the entire
world.
Installation of Skywalk on
top of Bhaleydhunga in similar fashion as found in Grand Canyon will
also go down as the most unique project in tourism development in the
Country. However, ours at over 10,000 feet would be at higher
alleviation than found elsewhere. The Ministry of Environment,
Government of India has cleared our proposal and the actual
construction will commence soon.
We are developing all our
urban habitation and rural areas in the line of eco-city concept with
comprehensive socio-economic infrastructure. This way we want to
promote Sikkim as the Eco-city State in the Country. We are also
going to be the first kutcha house free and slum free State in the
Country.
Under environmental sector,
some of the far reaching policy initiatives have been Harit Kranti
Varsha, Harit Kranti Dashak, Smriti Vans, Green Mission, 10 Minutes
to earth. In addition, we have successfully enforced ban and
prohibitions on grazing in reserved forest, killing of wild animals,
use of plastics, felling of green trees so on and so forth.
Recognizing our contribution, Environmental Sustainability Index 2011
released by Centre for Development Finance has categorized Sikkim as
‘dark green’ state, signifying that the State scores in
the 80-100 percentile category. And I quote, “Sikkim has been
in the forefront in conservation of natural resources and
environmental initiatives. The Himalayan State leads the way in
prioritizing environmental conservation through policy level
initiatives”.
To sustain fragile
ecosystem, the State decided to promote organic farming and make
Sikkim a Model Organic State in the country. We are the only State in
India undertaking such ambitious program. At present 8,185 hectares
of area is fully certified organic and 38,492 hectares is under
different stages of conversion. By the year 2015 an area of 58,128
hectares of available cultivable land will be certified to make the
State fully organic State of the country. I am happy to inform this
August House that SIMFED has been awarded 700 hectares of land in
Odisha for establishing Internal Control System for organic
certification.
Land Revenue & Disaster Management
In order to provide immediate relief and
rehabilitation after 18th September
Earthquake, the Central Government had released Rs. 200.38 crores
from National Disaster Response Fund and Rs. 1.18 crores from PM’s
Relief Fund. The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India had visited
Sikkim after the Earthquake and announced special relief package of
Rs. 1000 crores for reconstruction and rehabilitation. This amount
will be utilized to take up the following projects:
SlNo.
|
Particulars
|
Sanctioned
Cost
|
Amount
Received From GOI
|
Remarks
|
1
|
Reconstruction
Secretariat
building at
Tashiling,Gangtok
|
Rs
193
|
Rs
100
|
of
State Civil
|
2
|
Reconstruction
of
7972 Rural
Houses
|
Rs.
391
|
Rs .100
|
--
|
3
|
Renovation
and Re Building of
State
Roads &
Bridges
a.
PWD Roads & Bridges
b.
Rural Roads &
Bridges
|
Rs.
200
Rs.
16
|
--
--
|
--
--
|
4
|
Retrofitting
of
State
Government
Buildings,Schools,
ICDS
Centres,Rural Health Centres,
Dispensaries
and
State
PowerProjects.
|
Rs.
170
|
--
|
--
|
5
|
Renovation
of
Drinking
Water &
Sewerag Scheme.
|
Rs.
30
|
--
|
--
|
|
Total
|
Rs.1,000.00
|
Rs.200.00
|
|
First instalment amounting to Rs. 200 crores was
released towards reconstruction of the Civil secretariat building and
for reconstruction of 7972 rural houses during the fag end of the
last financial year. Owing to time constraint, the State was able to
incur expenditure to the extent of Rs.22.89 crores only. For the
current financial year the Planning Commission is committed to
release further amount of Rs. 200 crores making a total of Rs. 377.11
crores including the un-spent balance of
Rs. 177.11 crores available from last year. I assure this
August House that the reconstruction and restoration work will be
taken up in right earnest utilizing the special package fund granted
by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. Following the earthquake,
instructions have been given to the technical departments that all
constructions must now be made earth quake resistant.
Under National Disaster Response Force
(NDRF), the State Government received a
sum of Rs. 200.38 crores in 2 instalments. Rs. 50.00 crores was
utilized for relief and rescue during earthquake and balance Rs.
150.38 crores allocated to different departments and the details are
as under:-
(Rs. in crore)
March 2012
Srl
|
Name of Department
|
Sanction Amount
|
Exprnditure upto
|
Ongoing Schemes
|
1
|
Agriculture
|
10.8
|
1
|
9.8
|
2
|
Animal Husbandry
|
5
|
0.1
|
4.9
|
3
|
Building & Housing
|
8
|
2.82
|
5.18
|
4
|
Culture
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
5
|
Ecclesiastical
|
5
|
0
|
5
|
Srl
|
Name of Department
|
Sanction Amount
|
Exprnditure upto
|
Ongoing Schemes
|
6
|
Energy & Power
|
5
|
4.15
|
0.85
|
7
|
Fire & emergency Services
|
1
|
0.01
|
0.99
|
8
|
Health
|
5
|
0.75
|
4.25
|
9
|
HRDD
|
5
|
3
|
2
|
10
|
IPR
|
0.5
|
0.12
|
0.38
|
11
|
Irrigation
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
12
|
Land Revenue
|
40.98
|
22.34
|
18.64
|
13
|
PHE
|
3
|
3
|
0
|
14
|
RMDD
|
4
|
0.5
|
3.5
|
15
|
Roads
|
30
|
11.52
|
18.48
|
16
|
Sikkim Milk Union
|
0.1
|
0
|
0.1
|
17
|
Sikkim Police
|
5
|
0.16
|
4.84
|
18
|
SNT
|
5
|
0
|
5
|
19
|
Social Justice
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
20
|
Tourism
|
5
|
1.75
|
3.25
|
21
|
UD & HD
|
8
|
5.36
|
2.64
|
|
Total
|
Rs.150.38
|
Rs.57.58
|
Rs.92.80
|
The total receipt of fund under NDRF/ SDRF during
2011-12 is Rs. 253.13 crores and the expenditure is Rs. 157.39 crores
and the total ongoing schemes is
Rs. 111.16 crores under NDRF/SDRF.
Human Resource Development
Education is one of the most basic components of
human development. The main focus of the State Government is to
ensure larger access to educational facilities to all the children in
the state above the age of five years. State’s Education sector
has witnessed an enormous expansion during last decade. The
decentralized process of planning and the involvement of the
Panchayati Raj Bodies in the management framework has added new
dimension to the process of reforms in the existing system of
education management.
Over the decades, the SDF Government has introduced
some unique programs and some rare incentives to make education more
accessible and affordable. In fact, the per capita expenditure on
education was Rs. 9551.24 during 2010-11, which amply reflects the
commitment of the State Government. Some of the major policy
initiatives since 1994 have been:
Healthy mid-day meal served to all Government
students up to Upper Primary level.
37 Education Guarantee Scheme (ESC) centres
introduced for out of school children.
Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education
Rules, 2010 successfully implemented in 2010 by the State Government
fulfilling all the provisions laid thereto.
Introduction of Vocational Education in 44 Senior
Secondary Schools with eight different subjects.
Special emphasis has been
laid to increase girl student ratio in school attendance to bridge
gender inequality. In fact, the 2011-12 enrolment data informs of
higher number of girls than boys in every corresponding classes from
primary to the senior secondary levels.
Teachers’ Retirement age has been extended
from
58 years to 60 years since 2006.
Creation of the post of language teachers in
different state recognized languages like Sherpa, Gurung, Newar,
Tamang, Manger, Mukhia and Rai.
Government Degree
College established in Namchi, Rhenock and
Gyalshing.
Directorate of Technical Education under Human
Resource Development Department created in 1998.
Sikkim University, a
Central University, has been established in 2007 to promote higher
education in the State.
National Institute of Technology has been
established at Ravangla, South Sikkim.
Bhutia, Lepcha and Limboo languages are being taught
upto Graduate level since 2000.
Matric Scholarship: student securing 70% and above
in Class XII Board Examination can avail this scholarship to pursue
any undergraduate course of his/her preference.
General Scholarship: students securing below 70% but
above 50% subject to fulfilment of the eligibility criteria for
pursuing Diploma/Degree of Post graduate Level.
Merit Scholarship: awarded to students of Government
schools securing First, Second and Third position in the Qualifying
examination from class VI to XII.
Fellowship Grant of Rs. 6,000 per month along with a
contingency grant of Rs. 12,000 per annum for local student and
Fellowship Grant of Rs. 3,000 with contingency grant of Rs. 12,000
per annum is being given to In-Service candidates serving State
Government for a maximum period of three years/completion of course,
whichever is earlier.
Comprehensive education loan scheme can be availed
of, for higher academic study for professional course outside the
state at the rate of Rs.10 lakhs and Rs. 20 lakhs for abroad.
Quality education has always been a major concern of
the Government and we have been making consistent effort to
prioritize education sector with emphasis on quality at all levels.
The Right to Education Act, 2010 calls for overhauling the school
education management system. Much effort is needed to restructure and
revitalize the system. This is a major challenge facing all concerned
with management of school education in the country. The State has
achieved admirable progress in its quest to make the entire
population literate. Sikkim University, our higher seat of learning,
need to be suitably developed in the earmarked land at Yangang. A sum
of over Rs. 25,90,54,391 has been already released and disbursed
among the land owners. However, the displaced families need to be
suitably rehabilitated before their land is parted for construction
of University complex.
According to 2011 census figures, 82.20% of our
people are literate as against the figure of 56% in 1994. With
more and more people coming out with educational qualifications, the
Government has to play a greater role to provide requisite earning
and employment avenues for productive engagement of these new
entrants. With this objective in view, Rs. 122.47 crores has been
proposed in the current financial year for the education sector.
Health
We have made substantial progress in the health
sector over the past years. The critical indicators of health,
including Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), MMR, disease prevalence,
morbidity as well as mortality rates have shown consistent decline
over the last 15 years. These achievements are the cumulative result
of improved coverage and efficiency of public health delivery system.
(i) The infant
mortality rate per 1000 population live births which was 46 in 1994
has reduced to 30 in 2010-11.
(ii) TB cure rate which
was less than 70% in 1994 has now increased to more than 85% in
2010-11.
(iii) Crude death rate per
1000 population which was 6.9 in 1994 has reduced to 5.6 in 2010-11.
(iv) Life Expectancy in
Sikkim has increased by over 3-5 years on average compared to 1994.
(v) Hepatitis B
vaccination coverage today stands at 91% as against nil in 1994.
(vi) Mukhya Mantri Jeewan
Raksha Kosh scheme introduced in 2009 to provide necessary financial
aid for treatment against life threatening diseases outside the state
with financial grants upto Rs. 2 lakhs which was only Rs. 5000 before
1994.
(vii) Mukhya Mantri Sravan Shakti
Samridhi Yojana introduced in 2009, for people suffering from
congenital and acquired hearing impairment wherein, Behind the Ear
(BTE) hearing aid upto Rs. 7,000 will be provided free of cost on the
recommendation of ENT Specialist.
(viii) Mukhya Mantri Netra Jyoti Yojana
has been introduced in 2009 for the people suffering from Amblyopic
(refractive error), spectacles being provided free of costing upto
Rs. 1500.
(ix) Mukhya Mantri
Antodaya Upachar Bima Yojna has been established in 2009, to provide
health insurance to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
(x) Free
MMR vaccine for children launched on 15th August
2009 under Immunization Programme of the State.
(xi) Mobile Medical
Units introduced taking health care at the doorsteps of the public
across the state.
(xii) Deworming, Iron
Folic Acid and Calcium Supplementation Programme was launched on
15th August, 2009 to provide better
nutrition to children and pregnant women.
(xiii) Mukhiya Mantri Sishu
Suraksha Yojana Avam Sutkeri Shayog Yojana launched on 15th August,
2011. This provides for one time Maternity Allowance of Rs. 3,700 at
the time of delivery in hospital and Rs. 300 as Nutrition Allowance
for new born child for the initial period of six years.
(xiv) Sanction of honorarium to
Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), a flag ship programme of
the central government.
These are some of the indicators which have positive
bearing on the programmes initiated by the Government to improve the
health of the people.
The work for construction of 575 bedded Multi
Specialty Hospital located at Sichey Busty already commenced. The
cost of construction, furnishing and medical equipments is estimated
to be Rs. 735 crores. The hospital is likely to be completed by 2014.
The Government of India had sent a team to make on the spot
assessment and the team returned back, satisfied with the progress
and the quality of work. To ensure completion of the project within
the stipulated time frame, I have earmarked Rs. 5 crores for the
current financial year. The Government is also keen that the hospital
will also serve as a Medical College once the required infrastructure
is in place.
To continue on the path of transforming the heath
scenario of the State for the better, I propose to allocate Rs.
150.84 crores for the health sector in the current financial year.
Rural Development
In accordance to the proviso contained in the
73rd and 74th Constitutional
amendments Act, the State has fully empowered grass root
functionaries and urban local bodies through effective transfer of
funds, functions and functionaries. Since 1995-96, the State
Government has been allocating 70% of its Plan outlay to the rural
development sector. This vital sector has benefitted greatly from
good governance and innovative policy of the government, in its urge
to transform the lives of the rural people. Financial grants
are being provided to convert all the kutcha houses to pucca houses
under the Chief Minister’s Rural Housing Mission to make Sikkim
kutcha House Free state by 2013. The scheme is now being implemented
dovetailing all the existing national housing programmes like Indira
Awas Yojana and the fund under PMs Earthquake reconstruction and
rehabilitation package being provided for re-construction of damaged
rural houses. Under this arrangement, a total of 13,972 houses shall
be constructed within 2013. This will ensure building of earthquake
resistant houses which will be free from recurring expenditure and
safe as well.
During the last eighteen years, we have initiated
various important programs under the rural development. Some of the
major programs are:
Decentralization of Power to Panchayats ensuring
their participation at the grassroot level.
As per our commitment, we have announced
Discretionary Grant for the panchayats at different levels and
appropriate grants have been provided for in the coming budget also.
Panchayat Recommendation has been made mandatory for
final payment of bill against projects, schemes commissioned under
the Gram Panchayat Unit.
The Traditional System of Dzumsa in Lachung and
Lachen villages in North Sikkim, have been duly protected by the
Government.
The Adhyakshas and Upa- Adhyakshas of Zilla
Panchayats have been given status of Minister of State and Deputy
Minister, respectively.
In a recent move to further
decentralized financial power to the grass root level, the Government
has decided to award tender to the tune of Rs. 20 lakhs at the
Panchayat Level, Rs. 50 lakhs at Block Level or at the A.E, Rs.
1 crore at the sub-division level or at the level of D.E and Rs. 2
crores at the district level or at the S.E Level.
Rural housing scheme (RHS) is being implemented
allotting 30 numbers of GCI Sheets along with a grant of Rs. 15,000
for upgradation and immediate house repair, extending housing
facilities to all poorest families. From the period of 1994-95 to
2009-10, 14,895 families have received the benefit and 51,255
beneficiaries have been enumerated.
Water supply scheme total 5671 schemes have been
sanctioned with the total cost of Rs. 286.43 crores.
Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) was launched in
Sikkim in April 1999. The programme successfully achieved 100%
sanitation coverage in rural household, schools, aganwadis,
institutional and community hall and toilets in 2008 itself. Sikkim
became the first Nirmal Rajya of the country, for successfully
implementing the programme. We received Nirmal Rajya Puraskar for
achieving this very unique feat from Her Excellency, the President of
India, in Pune, on 8th December 2008.
Village Development Action Plan has been launched on
14th September 2010, to strengthen Gram Panchayat Planning and
Budgeting in Sikkim.
For better delivery of services to villagers, the
State Government has established 29 Block Administrative Centres
since 2005. The Block administration has two sections –
Ministerial and Line Section. The Ministerial officers are related
with Administrative and Line officers are engaged with field works.
To encourage rural people’s representation,
the State Government has instituted “Panchayatshri”
award.
Sikkim created a
landmark reservation of 50% in the State for women under Panchayati
Raj Institution.
Promoting sports at rural level ‘Panchayat Khel
Abhiyan has been constituted providing Rs. 1,00,000/- each to
Gram Panchayat level for conducting village level games and Rs.
3,00,000/- to Zilla Panchayat Level for District level.
Development Grants to Panchayat has been provided
every year of Rs. 10.00 lakhs each to Gram Panchayat and Rs. 60.00
lakhs for Zilla Panchayat.
Management & functioning of Primary Schools,
Primary Health Centre, VLO Centre, Library, Community Information
Centre, Village Tourism, Small Irrigation Projects, Community
building and ground have been transferred to Panchayats.
Sikkim Panchayat Mahila Evam Yuva Shakti Abhiyan
implemented since 2006.
Block Development Committee
has been assigned the responsibility of the overall development of
the constituencies within its jurisdiction.
District Technical Support
Committee has been created to prepare and execute all decentralized
plans by providing technical support.
Gram Planning Forum (GPF)
has been constituted on 19/08/2006, in order to perform the duties
and responsibilities assigned to the forum.
The Gram Panchayat has been
authorized to issue and cancel Trade License since 2011.
With a view to generate
employment, post of ‘Panchayat Accounts Assistance’ has
been created in every Gram Panchayat Units since 2010.
135 numbers of GPUs have
constructed Panchayat Ghars called Gram Prashasan Kendras.
Panchayat Hostel has been
constructed in all district headquarters to provide cheap and
comfortable accommodation to the Panchayat members.
In an effort to enhance rural water security,
Dhara Vikas programme under MG-NREGA has been successfully initiated,
to revive springs, streams and lakes, especially in drought prone
areas of the State. Under the Chief Minister’s Rural Universal
Financial Inclusion Project launched on 15th August
2010, doorstep banking is now becoming a reality making it possible
to disburse wages, subsidies and other payments of the villagers
using biometric cards. 70,000 rural families in the state have
benefited by opening savings bank account in the name of the mother
of every nuclear family.
Community recreation center are long standing
demands of the rural public. During my village to village tour
demands for 160 community halls/ centers were received from the
Public and Panchayats. I plan to fulfill these demands, phase wise.
The cost for each centre having a seating capacity of 224 nos. with a
parking yard is estimated at Rs. 52.83 lakhs and it will also have
facilities for indoor games like carom, table tennis, badminton and
volleyball as well as E-library. In the first phase, fund amounting
to Rs. 8.10 crores was provided in the 1st Supplementary
demands of 2011-12. During the current year, a sum of Rs. 3.50 crores
has been proposed.
We have created Separate Demands for Grants for
Panchayati Raj Institution and Municipalities from the financial year
2011-12 and have started transferring funds under Non-Plan as per the
formula prescribed by the 13th Finance
Commission and 3rd State Finance
Commission. In the current financial year it is proposed to transfer
Rs. 275.34 crores under the Non-Plan for these local bodies.
There is no doubt that all these initiatives have
transformed the lives of the rural people for the better as borne out
by the fact that percentage of BPL households has come down
significantly from 30.9% to 13.1% during the period 2004-05 to
2009-10, according to the figures furnished by the Planning
Commission for 2012. This 17.8% rate of poverty reduction is the
second best in the country. In appreciation of the good works done,
the State Government has been conferred with as many as 14 National
awards under rural development from various Ministries of the
Government of India over the years.
To continue focusing on the Rural development sector,
I have proposed outlay of Rs. 70 crores for current financial year
under Mission Poverty Free Scheme.
Roads and Bridges
Hon’ble Speaker Sir,
Further, we are totally committed to improve the road
connectivity by improving road geometrics for better road network.
The total length of road maintained by the State PWD
till 1994 was 1889 Km and 123 Nos. of minor and major Bridges. Now
the total length of road has gone up to 3,672.32 Km and bridges to
216 numbers which are categorized as under:
Category
of Roads
|
Unit
|
Length of Road
During 1994
|
Length of Road
During 2012
|
Increase in
Length.
|
State Highways
|
Km
|
178.71
|
178.71
|
0
|
Major District Roads
|
Km
|
675
|
744.77
|
69.77
|
Other District Roads
|
Km
|
799.29
|
1090.52
|
291.23
|
Other Category Roads
|
Km
|
236
|
1658.32
|
1422.32
|
TOTAL
|
KM
|
1889
|
3672.32
|
1783.32
|
Minor and Major
Out of the total sanctioned road connectivity under
PMGSY, 1004.73 km of roads have been completed. That together with
2250 kms under state sector of Roads & Bridges totals 3672.32 kms
of new road construction completed in the State. Total number of
minor and major bridges constructed so far under PMGYS and state
Roads & Bridges since 1994 is 216 nos. Similarly surface
carpeting of a total of 1102.1 kms of roads has been completed.
The other important roads in the State are maintained
by the BRO which are like NH31A, North Sikkim Highways, Gangtok
Nathula Road and other strategic roads.
Surfacing
works for some of the length of the following roads have been
completed:
1. Ranipool Pakyong Road
2. Phongla – Mamring
Road
3. Ganju Lama VC
Road
4. Mayabazar Melli Road
5. Legship Gyalshing
Road
6. Soreng Sombaria
Road
7. Nayabazar Reshi
Road
8. Reshi Mangalbaria
Road
9. Legship Rabongla
Road
10. Nayabazar Namchi Road
11. Namchi – Manpur
Road
12. Rabongla – Zarrong Road
Other
major projects which have been completed and ready for traffic are:
1. Goskhan Dara Bridge at
Singtam in East Sikkim.
2. Makha Tanak Bridge at
Makha in East Sikkim.
3. Gour Bridge at Lower
Dzongu in North Sikkim.
4. Rabi Khola Bridge along
Melli – Phong Road in South Sikkim.
5. Bungling Bridge near
Rongli in East Sikkim.
Besides above, there are numbers of bridges which
have been completed recently and functional are: BB Lall Bridge,
Rathong Bridge, Rimbi Bridge, Rangang Bridge, Rolu Bridge, Rinzi
Khola Bridge, Bermelli Bridge, Takcham-chu Brige, Khedum Bridge, Ben
Khola Bridge, Khundrukey Bridge. There are many minor bridges and
cross drains which have also been completed.
The State Government has taken initiatives for
replacement of week bridges. Some of the bridges are: Lawang
Khola Bridge, Salelay Bridge, Dew Khola bridge, Bala Khola Bridge,
Bridge over Rangit Khola at Tashiding, Bridge over Ramam River at
Salangdang, Tharey Khola, Seti Khola, Phamtam bridge etc.
My Government has also taken the initiative for
geometric improvement and widening of various roads. Some of the
roads are: Pelling Dentam Road, Rimbi Yuksam Road, Namchi –
Damthang – Ravongla Road, Dentam Utteray Road, Duga Pendam
Road, Rehnock Simanakhola Road, Ralong Phamtham Road.
In addition, we have many schemes for further
improvement and upgradation of state highways in Sikkim:
(i)
Road widening and double-laning of
Singtam-Ravangla-Legship-Geyzing-Pelling. A total of
81 kms. for Rs. 637 crores under SARDP-NE.
(ii) Road
widening and double-laning of Melli-Manpur-Namchi for Rs. 153 crores
under SARDP-NE;
(iii) Road
widening and extension of Namchi-Sikip Road;
(iv) Road
widening and extension of Chakung Road via Naya Bazar.
(v) Road
widening and double-laning of Naya Bazar-Sombaria Road.
(vi) Road
widening and carpeting of Namchi-Phong-Mamring.
(vii) Upgradation and
carpeting of Rongli-Rorathang Road.
(viii) Upgradation and
carpeting of Legship-Rinchenpong Road.
(ix) Pakyong
Machung – Rolep Road.
(x)
Chujchen Rolep Road.
(xi) Tareythang
Mamring Road.
(xii) Pabong –
Simchuthang Yangang Road.
(xiii) Melli – Phong
Road.
(xiv) Melli Payong road to
Melli Dara.
(xv) Gurassey road from
Bio-diversity Park.
(xvi) Radong –
Khimchithang Road.
(xvii) Chuba Perbing Road.
(xviii) Ramam – Phambong –
Sombaria.
(xix) Sophaka to
Chewabhangyang Road.
(xx) Kaleej Khola
to Jhankridhunga Road.
(xxi) Kholaghari –
Jaubari Road.
(xxii) Approach Road to
Budang Gadi.
(xxiii) Ranka Sichey Road.
(xxiv) Double Laning of Tarku –
Damthang – Namchi road.
(xxv) Double Laning of
Nayabazar – Legship road.
(xxvi) Widening of Manpur Jorethang
Road.
(xxvii) Widening of Jorethang –
Namchi Road.
On completion, this would ensure smooth connectivity
amongst all the District Headquarters.
My Government has taken initiative for construction
of bypass including widening of National Highways and improvement of
road connectivity to the State Capitals with District Headquarters.
They are:
1. Double Laning of Gangtok -
Nathula Road.
2. Construction of bypass Road from
Ranipool to Burtuk.
3. Construction of diversion road
of 9th Mile along NH31A.
4. Construction of road from
Sophaka to Chewabhangyang: Connectivity to the International Border
of Nepal to ensure national security has been taken up by the
Government to boost tourism industry in that sector.
5. The Government has also
committed to provide connectivity to the remotest part of the state
connecting South – West District via Chongrang – Labdang
– Yangtam – Phokari – Phamtam – Ralong –
Rabong and is likely to be completed within the current financial
year.
6. The opening of the Rongli Bazar
to Tal Kharka road which was closed for a decade is one of the
important achievements. The Karzee to Pokhari road also been opened
after its closure for quite sometime.
Construction of the Gangtok Bypass road
via Ranka to decongest Gangtok Town is under way and is likely to be
completed by 2014.
During my 42 days tour, 47 numbers of roads
have been sanctioned with a total estimated cost of Rs. 114.18 crores
in the 1st phase. Most of the works
are in progress and few have been completed. The remaining works
shall also be taken up in the 2nd phase.
For the 12th Plan
projection, it is proposed to take up 377.76 km of New Cutting road
which will cover the remaining 81 habitations. Carpeting of the
remaining 1231.80 km of the remaining road is also to be taken up
within the next five years.
About 450 km of road which are not in the core
network is also proposed to be taken up from the 12th Plan
and the total cost has been projected to
Rs. 225 crores. We have already done much to create network of road
connectivity but still a lot of investment is needed to upgrade and
improve the condition of roads. With this objective, I have proposed
allocation of
Rs. 112.44 crores in the current financial year.
Buildings & Housing
Hon’ble Speaker Sir,
Infrastructure development of various categories
including institutional buildings and other public utilities have
been constructed all over the state. In fact, Sikkim has emerged as
the conference capital of the North-East Region including many of the
sporting facilities. Various infra-structures taken up by the
Government and completed are, upgradation of Rongyek Jail, Guest
House & Allied works in Mintokgang complex, Teacher’s Guest
House at Syari, renovation and upgradation of New & Old Sikkim
House, New Delhi, Sikkim House at Kolkata, Sikkim House at Gawahati,
All India Services Quarter, Guest House for C & D employees at
Gurpisey, Namchi, Composite Check Post at Melli, South Sikkim,
Composite Check Post at Melli.
The ongoing projects include Construction of
Tashiling Secretariat Annexe II, Car-Park at Tashiling Secretariat,
Security Fencing at Raj Bhawan, D.C Quarter at Pentok, Mangan, New
Raj Bhawan, Vidhayak Awas Block (A,B,C), Udhyog Bhawan at Tadong and
Ex-Servicemen’s Guest House at Heegoan, West Sikkim.
Water Security & PHE
Hon’ble Speaker Sir,
The supply of drinking water and sanitation in the
urban areas are being implemented under various programmes. The State
Government lays emphasis on quality water supply and demand
management, waste water management, institutional effectiveness and
creating an enabling environment, which includes regulatory
frameworks and motivated workforce.
In urban habitations covering Gangtok Municipal Area,
Six major towns of the state, Forty one sub-urban towns and Sub-Urban
Towns (Rural Marketing Centres), the State Government has been
supplying quality drinking water to the people.
The earthquake of 18th September, 2011 has caused
immediate damages due to jolt of the earthquake and damages caused by
other natural calamities triggered by the earthquake.
For immediate mitigation of the problem, the
department resorted to temporary measures like tapping raw water from
the nearby available source through flexible pipes, supply water
through tankers and temporarily restore the supply from the source
through every available means. However, the measures adopted are
purely temporary for immediate mitigation of the problem.
Permanent restoration work involves various
reconstruction works like headworks & intake structures, pressure
break tanks & reservoirs, treatment plant structures and
protection works along the pipe route with anchorages apart from
laying of pipeline. In sewerage system; the restoration works
includes the reconstruction of damaged manhole chambers, replacement
of pipes and reconstruction of STP structures apart from other
protection measures like river training works, etc.
The total number of water supply and sewerage schemes
which needs long term restoration works is forty eight; of which six
are sewerage schemes and the rest water supply schemes.
Energy and Power
As part of the Central Government policy, the State
Government has been trying its utmost to contribute towards
hydro-power generation to fulfil Country’s need for clean
energy. The Central Government has also recently decided to give
major push to infrastructure creation including increase in power
capacity by another 18,000 MW.
Sikkim is
bestowed with rich natural wealth in the form of hills and snow
capped mountains, forest, rivers, lakes, glaciers, flora and fauna
etc. which are potential sources of revenue generation in the State.
Since there was limited scope for generation of revenue from other
traditional sectors, the State Government took a conscious and timely
decision to develop the vast hydro power potential in the State. The
total Hydro Power Potential of Sikkim as assessed by Central Water
Commission, Government of India is around 8,000 MW, out of which
around 2,000 MW is in the Micro, Mini and Small Hydro Category.
Remaining 6,000 MW would fall either in the small or mega size hydro
scheme.
Therefore,
with the aim to develop the hydro power potential in the State as has
been done in the State of Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Jammu &
Kashmir and other States of the Country for earning more revenue and
to make Sikkim self reliant and uplift the economic condition of the
people together with the overall development of the State, the State
Government has given major thrust towards development of the Hydro
Power Projects in the State. In order to invite prospective
entrepreneurs to harness the vast natural potential of the State,
Investors Meets were held in metropolitan cities like Kolkata on 10th
January 1997 & 29th May 2001 and in Delhi on 27th December 2000 &
22nd February 2001. Thereafter, the prospective entrepreneurs
interested in setting up Pharmaceuticals Units, Hotels/Resorts,
Excise Units, Hydro Power Units etc. visited Sikkim and expressed
their interest for development.
With the
view to harness the immense hydro power potential of the State, the
Government of Sikkim in the year 2004 constituted the Hydro Committee
headed by the Chief Secretary vide Notification No. 54/Home/2004
dated 15.06.2004 to examine the various aspects related to hydro
power development and make recommendations for early implementation
of the hydro power projects. Accordingly, the Hydro Committee
formulated a set of terms & conditions for development of hydro
power projects through participation of the Private Power Developers
under Joint Venture. The set of terms & conditions framed by the
Hydro Committee were in line with the provisions of the Electricity
Act 2003 of the Government of India and also the National Electricity
Policy under Section 3 of the said Act.
The
prospective developers who expressed their interest for developing
hydro electric projects in the State made presentation to the Hydro
Committee. The Hydro Committee recommended the developers whose
financial and technical capabilities were found to be best amongst
the intending developers which were later approved by the Cabinet and
Letter of Intents were issued to them.
The State
Government had signed Implementation Agreements for 32 numbers of
hydroelectric power projects with a total installed capacity of
around 4300 MW to various Independent Power Producers (IPPs)
including NHPC. While there is no equity participation in the
projects being developed by NHPC, the projects with Installed
capacity of above 100 MW allotted to private developers are being
developed under Joint Venture with 26% equity shares by the State
Government.
As per the
Clauses enshrined in the Implementation Agreement (IA) entered into
with the developers, certain deadlines had to be achieved by the
developer.
Since the
developers were not able to adhere to the deadlines specified in the
agreement due to resistance to the development of the projects by the
local people on religious/social/environmental grounds, the following
projects whose Agreements had been signed have been
scrapped/cancelled:
(1) Teesta Stage – I HEP - 280 MW.
(2) Lachung HEP – 99 MW.
(3) Bhimkyong HEP – 99 MW.
(4) Bop HEP – 99 MW.
(5) Lachen HEP - 210 MW
(6) Lethang HEP – 96 MW
(7) Ting Ting HEP – 99 MW.
(8) Suntaleytar HEP – 40 MW.
(9) Rangyong HEP – 117 MW.
(10) Rolep HEP – 36 MW.
(11) Ralong HEP – 40 MW.
(12) Chakungchu HEP – 50 MW.
In additions to the above, 30 MW Rathongchu HEP being
developed under State Sector and Lingza, Rukel and Ringpi HEPs whose
Implementation Agreements had not been signed have also been
scrapped/cancelled. Thus 16 (sixteen) numbers of Projects have
been scrapped/cancelled as on date.
Therefore, as on date, the Implementation Agreements
stand valid for only 20 nos. of power projects of which two
projects namely – 510 MW Teesta-IV HEP and 60 MW Rangit-II HEP
have been already commissioned and the remaining 18
projects with total installed capacity of 3774.50 MW are under
various stages of execution. The following are the details of the
cost of these 18 projects presently under development:
Srl
|
Name of the project
|
Installed Capicity
(MW)
|
Name of the developers
|
Project cost as
per TEC
(Rs. In crores)
|
Remarks
|
1
|
Teesta
Stage – II HEP
|
330
|
Himurja
Infra Pvt.Limited
|
--
|
DPR
under
preparation
|
2
|
Teesta
Stage Limited.
|
1200
|
Teesta
Urja
|
5705.55
|
– III
HEP
|
3
|
Teesta
Stage Limited.
|
520
|
NHPC
|
3594.74
|
– IV
HEP
|
4
|
Teesta
Stage
|
500
|
Lanco
Teesta
|
3283.08
|
– VI
HEP
|
5
|
Panan HEP
|
300
|
Himagiri HydroEnergy
Pvt. Ltd
|
1833
|
--
|
6
|
Rongnichu HEP
|
96
|
Madhya Bharat Power
corporation Ltd.
|
492.32
|
--
|
7
|
Sada Mangder HEP
|
71
|
Gati Infrastructure Ltd.
|
335.9
|
--
|
8
|
Chujachen HEP
|
99
|
Gati Infrastructure Ltd.
|
448.76
|
--
|
9
|
Bhasmey HEP
|
51
|
Gati Infrastructure Ltd.
|
297.76
|
--
|
10
|
Rangit-II HEP
|
66
|
Sikkim Hydro Power Ventures Ltd.
|
498
|
--
|
11
|
Rangit-IV HEP
|
120
|
Jal Power corporation Ltd.
|
726.16
|
--
|
12
|
Dikchu HEP
|
96
|
Sneha Kinetic Power Project Pvt. Ltd.
|
499.02
|
--
|
13
|
Jorethang Loop HEP
|
96
|
DANS Energy Pvt.Ltd.
|
402.12
|
--
|
14
|
Tashiding HEP
|
97
|
Shiga Energy Pvt. Ltd.
|
494.44
|
--
|
15
|
Kalez Khola
|
27.5
|
Cosmic Infra Pvt.Ltd.
|
--
|
DPR under-I HEP
Powergen preparation
|
16
|
Kalez Khola-II HEP
|
54
|
Pentacle Power Pvt. Ltd.
|
--
|
DPR under Preparation
|
17
|
Rechu HEP
|
26
|
Green Lake Development Pvt.Ltd.
|
--
|
DPR under power
preparation
|
18
|
Rahikyoung
|
25
|
Sikkim Power Pvt. Ltd.
|
--
|
DPR under Engineering
preparation
|
|
Total
|
3774.5
|
|
19595.61
|
|
Thus, it is clear that the total cost of the
projects which are presently under various stages of implementation
and for which Techno-Economic Clearance (TEC) have been obtained is
Rs. 19,595.61 crores. It may be mentioned
that the first IPP project to be commissioned would be Chujachen HEP
(99 MW) which is likely to commence generation from August/September,
2012. The Teesta Stage – III (1200 MW) is also in advance stage
of completion and the project is scheduled to be commissioned in
August/September, 2013. Besides, the Jorethang Loop HEP (96 MW) is
also likely to be commissioned by 2013.
Further, the ongoing hydel projects being developed
by IPPs have also been affected badly due to the massive earthquake
which hit the State of Sikkim on 18th September, 2011. The
commissioning of several projects has been pushed back by at least 18
months which will have a serious impact on the revenue generation of
the State. Similarly, the hydel projects in the State Sector
having total installed capacity of 35 MW have also been severely
damaged due to the earthquake.
The vision of the Government was to earn
revenue to the extent of Rs. 1500 crores
per annum by commissioning all the hydel projects allotted to IPPs by
the end of year 2015. However, due to scrapping of some of the hydro
projects together with the impact of the earthquake, the revenue
generation is expected to be only
around
Rs. 900 crores per annum (assuming average
tariff @
3.00 per unit) by the end of the 12th Five
Year Plan.
The bulk of power that shall be generated in the
State has to be evacuated to other regions of the country. For this,
a well planned and efficient evacuation system has to be put in
place. For this, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (PGCIL)
proposes two major Pooling Stations at New Rangpo and New Melli. The
power will be evacuated through 400 KV Double Circuit lines. The
acquisition of lands fro both these Pooling Stations has been
completed and the preliminary survey/construction works have already
been started by PGCIL.
Hon’ble Speaker Sir,
Over the decades, the State Government has put a lot
of stake to develop hydro potential of the State. In the meantime, we
have also initiated some welfare schemes to support our people
together with generating as much power as possible and have initiated
the following steps:
Sikkim Power Development
Corporation Ltd. (SPDC) has been constituted in 1998-99 for the
development of the Micro, Mini, and Small Hydro Power Project in the
State.
Two Points free electricity
connections is being provided to the poor rural households in all
parts of the State.
Rajiv Gandhi Grameen
Vidyutikaran Yojaja (RGGVY) has been launched in 2005 to further
electrify every hamlet of the State.
The Government has maintained a low tariff rate for
domestic consumers while providing free power to the rural consumers
having consumption level below 50 units per month. Hon’ble
Speaker Sir, I am delighted to inform you that the existing tariff
available in Sikkim for both domestic and commercial consumption per
unit is the cheapest in the entire country followed by Jammu and
Kashmir.
Animal Husbandry
The development of animal husbandry and dairy
sector is vital for sustainable income to farmers. Fulfilling the
promise made earlier, the State Government has launched a scheme
under which milch cows are being provided free of cost to the rural
poor. Induction of high yielding cows from the other States has
contributed substantially in augmenting the milk production of the
State. Under the Dairy Mission, the department has already achieved
the target of 50 metric tonnes set for the 11th Plan
period. In the last financial year, the Government distributed milch
cows to 285 beneficiaries in milk deficit villages across the State.
This flagship programme will be continued during this fiscal year
also with plans to distribute milch cows to another lot of 600
beneficiaries.
Under the Poultry Mission, the focus has been
on broiler meat and egg production to attain self sufficiency which,
I am happy to announce has been achieved in the case of meat
production. Effort is on to set up layer farms at Nandugaon,
Rhenock, Mangan, Karfectar, Chujachen, Kamling and Bermiok to act as
demonstration units. Further, to optimize poultry farming in the
rural areas, the back yard poultry schemes is being implemented in 30
constituencies to meet the nutritional requirements and increase
poultry products to meet the local demands. The egg production during
the 11th Plan period reached 33.5
lakhs as against 17 lakhs recorded during the 8th Plan.
Effort is also on to set up a Poultry Estate at Mangalbaria-West
Sikkim, the first of its kind in the country, for broiler production
on a co-operative basis. Besides, the department is also
involved in promoting and propagating piggery and fishery as well as
in providing veterinary services to thwart the ingress of dreadful
animal diseases. A sum of Rs. 8.72 crores has been allocated for the
department in the 2012-13 budget.
Under Animal Husbandry, we have set our target to
make Sikkim self-sufficient in meat production for at least domestic
market. Over the decades, the Sikkim Democratic Front Government has
undertaken large number of schemes to benefit our people. Some of
them are:
The Production of meat (Pork) has
increased by 65%.
The department has 5 Nos. of
existing Piggery Farm. During the year 2009-2010 department
established 2 Nos. of 50 Sow unit piggery farm under R.K.V.Y scheme
at Assam Lingzey, East District & Mellidara in South District.
Creation of seed stock of
qualitative superior bulls to form nucleus germ-plasm pool for
improving dairy cattle.
Encouraging young educated
entrepreneurs to take up commercial goatery activities on large
scale, high meat yielding variety goat development programme has been
launched on 18th December 2011.
The department has developed the
following fodder farms at Karfectar, Nandugaon, Dodak, Upper
Sombaria, Mangalbaria, Chujachen and Rorathang since 1995
Sikkim Hatcheries Limited
constructed in 1997 for the supply of hatching eggs.
Modern state of art poultry
processing unit set-up at Mellidara, South Sikkim for providing
marketing know-how to the local farmers.
Seven Disease Investigation
Laboratories established in each district and also at Karfectar,
Dentam and Chungthang.
Rapid Response Teams
constituted for preventing the outbreak of Bird Flu in 2006.
Poultry Mission launched on
15th August 2009 for the year
2009-2012 with the aim to achieve poultry consumption at par with the
developed nations of the world.
Sikkim Anti-Rabies and Animal
Health (SARAH) Programme launched in 2005 in collaboration with
Bridgette Bardot (France) and Australian based NGO Veterinary.
Modern Mother Dairy Farm
established at Karfectar, South Sikkim with a total cost of Rs.
310.00 lakhs, the very first of its kind in the
entire north east region.
Tourism
Speaker Sir, tourism has now become the largest
service industry in Sikkim. Our long term goal is to develop Sikkim
into a leading domestic and international tourism destination and
promote tourism as the new profession of the 21st century
Sikkimese and the main stay of the State’s economy. As it has a
multiplier effect with many benefits by way of employment potential
and revenue generation, the State Government has acknowledged tourism
as one of the thrust areas for development in the 12th Five
year Plan. Over the decade, we have completed some extraordinary
projects to promote tourism sector in Sikkim.
Border trade outpost of
Nathula opened for tourists in 1999.
Single window system
introduced for issuing permit to Nathula and Tsomgo, important
tourist destinations since 2001.
Casino launched in the state in
2006.
Tourists Centres being
developed in each constituency.
Sikkim Registration of
Tourist Trade Rules launched in 2008 declaring the whole state as
Tourist spot.
The trekking route of Dapper to
Bhaleydunga trekking within Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary in South Sikkim
has been declared Mountain Biking Trial for adventure and eco-tourism
in 2008.
Major Destination
Development Project for Gangtok has been launched exclusively for
Sikkim among the North-Eastern States.
To further encourage adventure
tourism in the state, Frey’s peak, Mount Tinchenkang, Mount
Jopuno, Lama Wang Den and Brumkhangse has been opened for
Alpine expedition since 2005.
A large number of Trekking Circuits have been
developed-
Kangchendzonga Trek
Singalila Trek
Kostori Orar Trek
Himalayan Trek
Zandi Dara Treking
Effective training modules have been framed for five
years (2010-2015) to meet the ever increasing demand of skilled human
resources in tourism sector.
Sikkim declared as
Eco-Tourism Destination by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of
India on
6th December 2009.
Construction and
establishment of 135 feet statue of ‘Lotus Born’ Guru
Padmasambhava at Samdruptse, South Sikkim.
Development of Chardhaam Pligrimage Destination,
Solophok, for pilgrimage tourism in Sikkim.
Development of Khangchendzonga Tourist Villa cum
Socio Cultural & Amusement park at Ranka, East Sikkim.
Development of Cultural Complex at Yangang, South
Sikkim.
Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and
Eco-Tourism (IHCAE) made operational at Chemchey, South Sikkim in
2009.
Yatriniwas and Tourist lodges constructed at
Tashiding, Soreng, Lamatar, Chungthang, Choptha, Rangpo and Siniolchu
Lodges in Gangtok.
Promotion of Village tourism, homestay tourism,
ekant vas etc. to diversify tourism business.
Tourist arrival in the State has recorded an
impressive increase from over 123,000 to over 7 lakhs at present. And
the international tourist arrival of over 5,800 has increased to more
than 20,000. Our vision is to increase tourist arrival at the rate of
15% per annum. Though this is a formidable challenge, it is
achievable with a well executed tourism strategy, better planning,
aggressive publicity and creation of requisite tourism
infrastructures. The approach is to create tourism infrastructures
and attractions in different areas of the State with particular focus
on rural tourism and to make tourism a year round hub of activity.
The State has been propagating “morally responsible tourism”
as the ethical code of tourism for Sikkim in order to check the entry
of anti-social elements that are detrimental to the social value
system. Over the past five years there has been impressive growth of
tourist arrivals in the State. The only set back to upset the growth
trend was the 18th September
earthquake which virtually dampened the smooth flow for quite some
time.
We have made consistent effort to make Sikkim a
unique tourist destination, based on nature-culture and pilgrimage
tourism. The construction of Siddeshwara Dham at Solophok and Guru
Padmasambhava statue at Samdruptse has made Namchi a very important
pilgrimage tourist centre. Projects are being taken up to create more
pilgrimage tourist centres at the following places:
Statue of Sakyamuni Buddha
at Buddha Park, Ravangla.
Statue of Chen-ren-zi at
Sangacholing monastery located above Pelling.
Project- Stair way to heaven at Daramdin, West
Sikkim
The effort made by the State Government to promote
pilgrimage tourism by establishing religious tourism circuits was
recognized and rewarded in the category of most innovative tourism
projects. Recently, Sikkim bagged three National Tourism Awards for
being the best State in the category of Jammu and Kashmir and
Northeast States. I had the privilege to receive the awards
from Smt. Pratibha Singh Patil, the President of India. This is the
second time in a row, Sikkim has got this award. We also bagged the
first award for Best State-Clean India Campaign.
Agriculture and Horticulture
(a) Agriculture: The
agriculture sector contributes around 15% towards GSDP and about 64%
of the population is dependent on agriculture with a significant
portion consisting of small and marginal farmers. In the
agriculture sector, our Government has made immense breakthrough with
the introduction of crops like baby corn, sweet corn, etc. bringing
manifold increase in income to the farming community. We are also
focusing on crops which can grow under moisture stress conditions and
which have high global demands of the likes of buckwheat, millet and
such other cereals. Additionally, seed processing units set up at
Jorethang of 70 MT and Majitar of 150 MT capacities have also been
strengthened. Farm Mechanization through induction of power tillers
is another area of focus of the Government to increase farm produce.
(b) Horticulture: On the Horticulture
front we have taken massive area extension programme in the fruits
and vegetables crops covering 13,395 hectares and 14,586 hectares,
respectively in the last decade. The emphasis on promotion of off
season vegetables will continue this year also. We have also made
tremendous progress in the area of medicinal plants, bamboos,
mushroom and bee keeping. I take pleasure to announce that this year
we shall be establishing one integrated Bee Development centre in
Bermiok, South district, at a cost of Rs. 2.50 crores on the pattern
of integrated Mushroom Development centre already set up in Majitar,
near Rangpo.
(c) Floriculture: For
small and marginal farmers, floriculture has emerged as one of the
viable livelihood options. The State has developed a unique model of
floriculture farming by adopting cluster approach involving groups of
20 to 100 farmers. This year we plan to develop 18 clusters of
Cymbidium orchids in 18 constituencies under the Chief Minister’s
Special Orchid Development Programme. To leverage our strength in
floriculture we plan to set up one state of the art world class
flower auction centre and post harvest infrastructure at Pakyong
close to the green field airport. All these initiatives are targeted
towards creation of market for horticulture/floriculture produce
which will ultimately bring benefit to the State’s farming
community.
I would like to present account of some of the major
initiatives undertaken by the State Government the sectors and
sub-sectors of agriculture, horticulture and floriculture since 1994.
Creation of a full-fledged
Department of Horticulture on 12th June
1996.
Area under commercial flowers at
present is 175 Ha which is nine times more than fifteen years ago.
Fruit production has increased
from 10,300 MT from an area of 9,200 Ha in 1995-96 to 18,505 MT from
total area of 12,190 ha during 2009-10.
Carnation introduced in the
year 2000 was a huge success.
The area coverage under commercial
flowers increased from 2 Ha in 1995 to 175 Ha in 2010.
Encouraging marketing of flowers, 50%
transport subsidy throughout the country has been
provided.
Inaugurating Daramdin Rose Village Project on
15th April 2007, we have declared
Daramdin village as ‘Rose Village.’
Promoting cymbidium orchid
in the state, 157 units have been developed covering large areas of
East, West and South districts of Sikkim.
Saramsa Garden upgraded to international
standard and international Flower show has been organized from
14th to 16th March,
2008. As the year has been declared as the year of Horticulture by
the Government of India, we will also be organizing the Second
International Flower Festival from 23rd to
27th February, 2013.
Two Kisan Bazars, one each in
Gangtok and Namchi are being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs.
30 lakhs. The same facility shall be expanded subsequently to all
other districts, down to the sub-divisional level and BDO levels.
14 Apni Mandis have been
established for rural primary market.
An integrated Ginger
processing unit established at Birdang, West Sikkim.
Promoting Cymbidium in
state, Cymbidium Development Centre has been established at Rumtek.
Model Floriculture Centre at
Maniram, South Sikkim has been inaugurated on 16th August
2011 at the total expense of Rs. 178
lakhs.
Co-operative Sector
Under the Co-operative Sector, the focus has been to
strengthen the Rural Credit Structure and to create marketing
linkages between the growers and buyers of Agriculture and Allied
sector. This is being addressed by bringing the agriculture and
allied sectors into the Cooperative Fold. Institutional changes in
Primary Cooperatives and strengthening of Apex Bodies are being
undertaken to encourage cooperatives in priority areas such as
infrastructure development, housing, eco-tourism, poultry, weaving,
small scale industries, handicraft, floriculture, horticulture and
other related sectors. Adequate professional development of
Cooperative Human Resource is also being encouraged.
As part of mass movement, expansion of institutes
under Cooperative sector and larger connect with grassroot
functionaries including the Gram Panchayat Unit has been achieved.
Some of the major initiatives are:
The first ever Sahakari Bhawan
constructed in 1998.
The Sikkim State Cooperative
Bank Ltd. (SISCO) has been set up in Gangtok in 1996, first of its
kind to be registered in the state under RBI license. 9 more branches
in Namchi, Gyalshing, Mangan, Soreng, Jorethang, Singtam, Pakyong,
Rongli and Ravangla have been set up.
The government has taken a policy
decision to have MPCS at every GPU to cater to the consumer and
credit needs of the villages.
Sikkim State Cooperative
Union has been registered in 2002 under Sikkim Cooperative Societies
Act, 1978 at both primary and apex level.
35 existing Multipurpose
Cooperative Societies (MPCS) were recognized and registered in every
Gram Panchayat Unit declaring 2002 as ‘The Year of the
Cooperatives’.
Scheme for ‘Viable and
Sustainable Producers Cooperative” for educated unemployment
youth implemented in 2005-06.
A Book on ‘Sikkim Cooperative Mission 2015’
released on the eve of Republic Day Celebrations 2011 to provide for
comprehensive policy guidelines to achieve our mission.
Sikkim Milk Union has been selected by the Asian
Productivity Organization to be developed as ‘Demonstration
Company’ for quality management and productivity. New ice-cream
Plant of 300 LPD capacity installed and production commenced with
good marketing record.
The Government has released Rs. 2.00 Crores to
Sikkim Milk Union during 2009-10 for the production of two new
products, Flavoured Milk and Ice-cream.
To nurture cooperative culture, the State Government
has taken the initiative to allocate rural specific contract works
below Rs. 3 crores to the registered co-operatives to enable the
rural people to collectively take up contract works in their villages
and thus be in-charge of their own destiny. The idea is to
involve the community to manage their own affairs through peoples’
participation and ownership. It is also a policy to reduce the income
disparity between the rural and urban sectors by providing income
earning opportunities to the villagers. I hope this will bring about
attitudinal reforms among the rural masses making them think and work
positively to improve their living conditions.
E-Governance
Speaker Sir, this Government views e-governance as a
necessary and highly useful tool in making Citizen-Government
interface more friendly and transparent. Building on the various
levels of computerization which have been achieved already, the
Government has decided to select the Departments having high level
Citizen-Government interface, for comprehensive computerization on a
mission mode. The Departments of Police, Finance, revenue &
expenditure (which include Commercial Tax, Treasuries and Accounts,
Pension, GPF) and Civil Supplies have already initiated this process.
Transport, Capacity Building, Forest etc are in advanced stage of
computerization for electronic mode.
The approach to fiscal reform and management entail
reduction in wasteful expenditures on one side and additional
resource mobilization on the other. In an effort to reduce revenue
leakages, the Government has already started implementing Mission
Mode Project in the Commercial Tax Division, from January, 2012 under
which e-payment, e-registration and filing of tax returns is now
being done on-line. We are also working towards computerization of
the activities of the Finance department through Sikkim Integrated
Financial Management System (SIFMS) so that the receipts and
expenditures are monitored through Automated Treasury Management
System. The software would network key components such as the
treasuries, budget, compilation, GPF, GIS, Pension, Accounts and
State Bank of Sikkim and maintain a centralized system of the
database. A treasury portal serving as a common payment gateway
for remittance into the individual accounts will also be put in
place. Similar projects will be undertaken to improve non-tax revenue
collection through technological interventions by way of
computerization and on-line operations. Once these projects are
completed, they will make a positive contribution to improve
efficiency, encourage transparency, reduce harassment and
substantially plug possible leakages. From the current financial
year, we are also introducing e-tendering system in the works
departments. It is obvious that with revolution in Information
Technology worldwide, our job has become more easier and comfortable.
Let me call upon the IT officials and staff to further streamline
assignments to generate, maintain and update Government documents,
statistics, achievement records, policy decisions and various schemes
on user friendly
e-format for easy reference. All the departments should co-ordinate
effectively to prepare database.
Socio-cultural Recognition
Hon’ble Speaker Sir,
Development
of state and the nation is not complete without socio-cultural
advancement. Sikkim marked by diversity in socio-cultural aspects of
different sections of people is noteworthy. With a view to bring
about comprehensive development, the State Government has been
introducing a large number of social welfare measures to benefit the
people. Some of them are:
Beginning 1994, grants under Old
Age Pension for senior citizens have been revised periodically from
Rs. 100 to Rs. 200, from Rs. 200 to Rs. 300 from Rs. 300 to Rs.
400 and from Rs. 400 to Rs. 600 in 2010.
For the elderly citizens of 80 years,
grants under Old Age Pension has been increased to Rs. 1,000 per
month. Eligibility age reduced from the existing 65 to 60 years.
Life-size statue of Dr. B.R.
Ambedkar has been installed at the Sikkim Legislative Assembly
Premises.
Statue of Kazi Lhendup Dorji
Khangsharpa, the first Chief Minister of Sikkim, has been installed
at Chintan Bhawan complex.
Different Government schools have
been renamed after proud sons of Sikkim to commemorate their valuable
contribution to the society.
16 different roads across
the state have been renamed after renowned personalities of Sikkim.
Sikkim Akademi, an
autonomous literary organization has been established in Sikkim.
World’s tallest statue of Adi Kavi Bhanu
Bhakta has been erected in Gyalshing in West Sikkim.
Sikkim Ratna, the highest Civilian Award in Sikkim
instituted in 2004.
State Civilian Awards including Sewa Ratna, Khel
Ratna, Kala Ratna, Shiksha Ratna, Krisi Ratna have also been
instituted recently and conferred upon individuals contributing
significantly in different spheres like literature, sports, music,
social service and politics.
Tamra Patra carrying cash award of Rs.
10,000 and a shawl presented to the freedom fighters of the state for
their lifelong contribution.
Different community festivals like Guru Rimpoche’s
birthday, Tendong-Lho-Rum-Faat, Losar, Srijunga’s Birthday,
Sakewa, Sonam Lochar, Tamu-Lochar, Barahi Mizong and Labour Day
(restricted holiday) recognized as Government holidays to honour the
culture, tradition and working class people of the Sikkimese society.
Political milestones
The Sikkim Democratic Front Government since 1994 has
pursued socio- political demands of Sikkimese people with full
dedication. As I have said the Sikkimese people has offered a unique
example to define nationalism, integrity and sovereignty by
integrating Sikkim into the Indian mainstream based on collective
choice and common will of the people. Many of the pending political
demands of the people could have been sorted out amicably during the
merger time. However, this did not happened. We are aware that the
Sikkimese society comprises of Bhutia, Lepcha and Nepali and all of
them need to be equally represented in the socio-political platforms.
Nevertheless, the State Government through its sheer determination
was able to convince the central leadership to give us justice with
regard to many crucial political issues. I am thankful to the Central
Government for fulfilling many of our demands in the interest of the
people of Sikkim. Here I want to sound a note of caution to people
not to misuse the exemption permitted by the Central Government which
has been earned by our hardwork. There are certain issues still
pending before the Central Government like reservation of Assembly
seats for Limboo and Tamang communities in the Sikkim Legislative
Assembly, grant of ST status to the left out ethnic communities of
Sikkim and Income Tax exemption in respect of the left-out
communities including members of old business communities.
Today, I am happy to recall that we have been able to
accomplish the following:
Bhujel, Dewan, Gurung, Jogi, Kirat Rai,
Manger, Sunuwar, Thami and Sanyasi communities recognized as Other
Backward Classes at the Central level.
Bhujel, Dewan, Gurung, Jogi, Kirat Rai, Manger,
Sunuwar, Thami, communities recognized as Most Backward Classes in
2000 at the State level.
Bahun, Chettri, Newar communities recognized as
Other Backward Classes at the State level in the year 2005.
Sherpa, Rai, Gurung, Newar, Mangar, Tamang languages
declared as state Languages in 1996.
Inclusion of Sikkim into North East Council as its
eighth member in December 2002 has been one of the biggest
achievements bringing about accelerated growth in Sikkim.
Limboo & Tamang communities included in the list
of Scheduled Tribes in 2003.
The traditional trade transaction between India
and China through the historic Silk Route via Nathu-La reopened on
6th July, 2006 after 44 years, opening
up new vistas of increased socio-cultural interactions and
trans-border trade activities.
I am also
pleased to inform this August House that five new items of import
i.e. ready-made garments; shoes; quilt/blankets; carpets; local
herbal medicines and seven new items of export and that is- processed
food items; flowers; fruits and spices; religious products such as
beads, prayer wheels, incense sticks and butter oil lamps; ready-made
garments; handicrafts and handloom products and local herbal
medicines have been included in the existing list of import-export
items.
The State Government has secured exemption to all
the Sikkimese comprising of Sikkim Subject Certificate holders and
their descendents belonging to Sikkimese Bhutia, Sikkimese Lepcha and
the Sikkimese Nepali from the purview of Central Income Tax by
providing necessary amendment to the Finance Act, 2008-2009.
Annual Plan Priorities
During the 12th Five
Year Plan we aim to achieve faster growth which is inclusive and more
sustainable.
I have identified six objectives that we must address effectively in
the ensuing fiscal year. These are:
Vigorous implementation of schemes under
PM’s package for reconstruction of damaged infrastructures and
rehabilitation of victims of 18th September,
2011 earthquake.
Vigorous implementation of State’s
16 Mission Programmes for the desired result
To generate enough revenue resources to meet
committed expenditure on salaries, wages, interest payment, debt
repayments etc.
Consolidation and completion of projects
already undertaken.
Payment of land compensations.
Making more investment on Land Bank
Schemes.
Completion of Schemes sanctioned during
42 days tour which I had conducted covering the entire State.
GSDP and Per Capita Income
Hon’ble Speaker Sir, the efforts made by
the State Government in every sector has started showing the desired
results. The growth in GSDP and per capita income for the State has
been impressive over the decade, surpassing even the regional and
national averages. The GSDP at Constant Prices rose from Rs.
1739.32 crores in 2004-05 to Rs. 3343.11 crores in 2009-10 and
despite severe earthquake, the GSDP for 2011-12 is likely to grow at
9.15% as per quick estimate. This growth is higher than the all India
GDP at 2004-05 prices which is 8.39%. In the context of Sikkim, the
per capita income of the Sikkimese was only Rs. 9000 during 1994-95
which increased to Rs. 37,202/- during 2006-2007 which is further
increased to Rs. 92,808 during 2010-2011 at constant price. This is
expected to increase to
Rs. 1,96,915 by the year 2016-17. At this rate, within a few years
Sikkim is likely to be the fastest growing State in the country.
Fiscal Consolidation and Reforms
(a) FRBM Act Enactment:
Speaker
Sir, in an effort to bring about fiscal consolidation and reforms, we
have implemented Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM)
Act during the financial year 2010-11. This is in essence, a target
based framework to ensure that Government finances are managed to
achieve equitable, long term macroeconomic stability, consistent with
attainment of the medium term growth. In recognition of this effort,
the 13th Finance Commission has
awarded Rs. 200 crores as incentive to the State to be released
within the period of three years. With the implementation of the FRBM
Act, the state is also entitled for state specific grants for various
projects amounting to Rs. 400 crores for
the award period of 2010-15 along with debt interest relief facility
provided by the 12th Finance
Commission. Thus the enactment of FRBM Act has improved our fiscal
position with larger resource transfer from the Centre.
A separate booklet containing the Medium Term
Fiscal Plan of the State has also been prepared and shall be laid on
the table of the House during this session. It contains detailed
analysis of receipts and expenditures of previous two financial years
with fiscal indicators and three years rolling fiscal target to be
achieved. Our aim is to bring down fiscal deficit to 3.5% of GSDP
during 2012-13 and to 3% of GSDP from 2013-14. Consistent with FRBM
Act provisions, our borrowing limit for financing the current State
Annual Plan, has been fixed at
Rs. 244 crores. As of now we are able
to contain the borrowings at a much lower level than the limit
indicated in the FRBM Act. This makes me optimistic that the limit of
outstanding debt as percent of GSDP projected in conformity with FRBM
Act at 55.9% by 2014-15 will not be exceeded.
In the absence of large corporate, the
Government is compelled to be a major player for generation of
employment opportunities in the State. For a small resource starved
development oriented border State, there is hardly any other option
to provide employment avenues for youths to keep them fully engaged
in constructive activities, other than the Government. This is borne
out by the fact that our financial implication on salary alone is
estimated at Rs.
1300 crores for the current financial year. On health and medication
we spent Rs. 19.80 crores in the last financial year towards
treatment of Government employees within the state and outside the
state.
Although the economic scenario countrywide after the
economic crisis of 2008-09 has put us in difficult situation, the
pro-active governance of the SDF Government to improve the financial
health of Sikkim during the last eighteen years has yielded rich
dividends. The tax revenue which was only Rs. 20.89 crores in 1993-94
has increased to Rs. 279.54 crores in 2010-11 which is a giant leap
of 1238.15%. The Non-Tax Revenue which was Rs. 27.55 crores in
1993-94 increased to Rs. 242.14 crores, an increase of 778.91%. The
Government’s effort in getting grants in aids and share of
Central Taxes from various sources increased from Rs. 176.49 crores
in 1993-94 to Rs. 1630.01 crores in 2010-11, an increase of 823.57%.
The expenditure on social service which
was
Rs. 63.05 crores in 1993-94 has increased to Rs. 816.43 crores an
increase of 1194.89%. The expenditure on economic services has also
shown a dramatic increase from Rs. 71.86 crores to Rs. 497.61 crores
an increase of 592.47%. The expenditure on general services also
increased tremendously from Rs. 53.98 crores in 1993-94 to Rs.
1580.55 crores an increase of 2828.03%. During the last eighteen
years special attention has been paid to the improvement of
infrastructure with the investment in Capital increasing from Rs.
67.28 crores to Rs. 451.07 crores in 2010-11 an increase of 570.44%.
The increase in the various activities of the Government in various
sectors has led to expansion in man power in the Government over the
last eighteen years. The expenditure in salary and wages which was
Rs. 76.82 crores in 1993-94 has increased to Rs. 1297.66 crores in
2010-11 an increase of 1589.22%. The Revenue and the expenditure over
the past eighteen years has made a positive effect on the GSDP of the
State which has grown from
Rs. 402.70 crores in 1993-94 to Rs. 3642.17 crores in 2010-11, an
increase of 804.44%.
(b) Contributory Pension Scheme:
The
pension payment to retired Government employees is also part of
committed expenditure of the Government which is estimated at Rs.
239.66 crores in the current financial year. With longer life span on
account of better health and medication and increasing number of
retirement cases expected after 2014-15, the financial implication
for pension is likely to be twice as much after 2014-15. Thus, we
need to put in place appropriate measures to curtail expenditures and
improve revenue stream to meet the growing revenue expenditure
demands. To reduce future pension burden of the Government, we
have introduced new contributory pension fund scheme for employees
appointed after 1st April, 2006. Under
this scheme, a Government servant is required to contribute 10% of
their basic pay, plus dearness allowance. The Government is committed
to contribute equal share to the employees account. In the current
financial year we will be contributing
Rs. 10.25 crores as state’s share to the pension fund.
(c) Austerity Measures:
The House
is aware of the present economic condition of the country. The value
of rupee has depreciated considerably in the international market and
the nation’s GDP growth for 2011-12 has slumped to 6.5%, as
against 8.4% of the previous year (2010-11). The trade deficit gap is
widening and Foreign Direct Investment has decreased substantially.
These are signs that the country’s economy is slowing down and
its impact is likely to be felt by all the States of the Union. To
tackle the problem, recently the Ministry of Finance, Government of
India has issued certain austerity measures to reduce unproductive
and wasteful Government expenditures. Since the adverse impact of
economic slowdown is a global phenomenon, I am also proposing to put
in place the following austerity measures to rein in unproductive
Government expenditures:-
10% cut in all administrative expenses which
includes, travel expenses, office expenses, etc.
l Sikkim with limited
employment avenues has hit the saturation point. Creation of large
number of white collared jobs is virtually unsustainable. Austerity
Committee has been constituted and in unavoidable cases jobs are
created on the recommendation of the Committee.
With the exception of the
Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, officers entitled for
a Government vehicle to have one official vehicle only. Heads of
departments responsible for strict compliance.
Tours outside the State to be
controlled and regulated, very strictly.
The Sikkim Government (Medical
Facilities) Rules to be enforced strictly.
Resource Mobilisation
For some years the impact of September, 2011 earth
quake will haunt us as we embark on rebuilding the damaged
infrastructures and rehabilitating the shattered lives of our people.
Our economy, mostly dependent on energy and tourism sectors, too,
suffered greatly resulting in revenue shortfall which is likely to
continue for some years till the restorations works are complete and
the economy is put back on the rails. Meanwhile, we have passed a
policy resolution to create “Sikkim Earthquake Management and
Rehabilitation Fund and Sikkim Land Policy for Private Sector
Development, 2012” with a view to improve our resource base.
Under this policy, all investors wanting to set up hydro power,
hotels, industries etc. are required to contribute and deposit
anywhere from Rs. 5 crores to Rs. 50 crores depending on the cost of
the project, prior to allotment of the land. We are also coming out
with a legislation to levy Earthquake Cess to be utilized for repair
and rebuilding of infrastructures damaged by the earthquake.
Recently, we have also raised the power tariff by 16%. These measures
reflect our determination to improve our resource position. But for a
small State resource starved State, this is a formidable task,
especially after the devastating earthquake. There is an urgent need
of fiscal consolidation to enable the State to keep up the Plan
funding from the Central Government and the pace of economic
development of the State to optimum level despite the setback
received due to the earthquake. We are taking strong measures in
terms of fiscal consolidation in this Budget. One of the important
aspects is to utilize the revenue received including various types of
Cess Funds to plough back in the regular budgetary system duly
amending the various Cess Acts in vogue appropriately.
In the meeting of the North East Chief
Ministers convened by the Hon’ble Union Finance Minister, Shri
Pranab Mukerjee on 5th June, 2012 at
New Delhi, I have demanded special package of Rs. 600 crores for
completion of ongoing projects as well as to bridge the resource gap
and another package of Rs. 150 crores to improve internal road
connectivity. We need the help of the Central Government to put the
growth path back on track to maintain the tempo of development and
progress for which our State is well known.
Hon’ble Speaker Sir, I am quite optimistic
about the future of the state as we have taken up number of measures
targeting revenue generation and employment opportunities to improve
the living standard of the people. We are earnest about our goals and
have identified 16 Missions covering wide spectrum of economic,
education, health and other social sector issues, most of them to be
achieved by the year 2015. This is a road map and all our
developmental activities are oriented towards achieving the mission
goals.
Fresh Development Initiatives
Hon’ble Speaker Sir,
Through both short term and long term programmes, we
have been able to reposition Sikkim into high growth trajectory. I am
proud to say that Sikkim is today one of the most progressive state
of the country and we are recognized nationally as the catalyst for
many socio-economic reforms. In order to further diversify and
consolidate our development effort, I am pleased to announce new
programmes and policy initiatives during this fiscal year 2012-13.
1. Opening of a new college
– As priority sector, we have put the best
effort to promote education with the highest annual allocation of
over 20% in Sikkim. Due to focussed attention on easy access and
quality education our children are passing out of schools and
colleges in large numbers. More than 4,200 students at the All India
Senior Secondary Education level have passed out this year and are
looking for admission in colleges. Therefore, to suitably accommodate
all the aspiring students we will set up a new college in the state.
I am pleased to allocate a sum of Rs. 150.00 lakhs during this
fiscal.
2. Construction of Vidyarthi
Bhawan – A total of over one lakh
twelve thousand school students constitute over 18% of state
population. In order to facilitate larger interactions and
complimentary programmes among the students, we have decided to
construct Vidyarthi Bhawan in the state. I am pleased to allocate a
sum of Rs. 1 crore for the same.
3. College transport- The existing
colleges of Tadong, Namchi and Rhenock cater to the educational needs
of a large number of students spread across the state. In order to
overcome problems faced by the students we will provide additional 2
buses for Tadong college, one bus each for Namchi college and Rhenock
college. For this I am pleased to allocate a sum of Rs. 1
crore.
4. Mazdoor Bhawan –
The Sikkim Democratic Front Government is
basically party of the working people. Over the decades, we have
given special consideration to address the interest of the working
class and their overall development. From the daily wages of Rs. 20
in 1994 we have increased the daily wage by over 800%. Today, they
are paid daily wages of Rs. 190. To further address their collective
interest, we have decided to construct Majdoor Bhawan for which I
allocate a sum of Rs. 1 crore for the fiscal year.
5. Construction of Santa
Kabir Bhawan – As an integral part of
a secular country, Sikkim is home to different faith and belief,
culture and tradition. In order to promote spiritual well being of
Sikkimese people Sant Kavir Bhawan at Lingmoo shall be constructed. I
am again pleased to allocate a sum of Rs. 30 lakhs for the
purpose.
6. Construction of Ramayana
Busty – As part of our effort to
promote pilgrimage tourism we have also taken up a unique project of
development of Ramayana Busty at Barang in east Sikkim. Besides
tourism, this project will greatly boost preservation and promotion
of our ancient heritage as a national treasure. You are aware that we
have established Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya in the adjoining locality and
the establishment of Ramayana village here will further help us in
our effort to promote our culture and tradition. I am pleased to
allocate a sum of Rs. 5 crores for construction of Ramayana Busty
that include land acquisition which is already processed.
7. Construction of Vrindavan - You
are aware that Sikkim has emerged as a premier tourism destination in
the country. With the establishment of many unique pilgrimage
projects Sikkim has already attracted a large number of devotees and
tourist alike. To further expand our scope we have decided to
construct Vrindavan with Gaushalla at Dentam. I am pleased to
allocate a sum of Rs. 50 lakhs for the same.
8. Tantra-Mantra-Jantra
Centre – Sikkim is wildly held as an
ancient land blessed by our local deities. We are the rich repository
of animistic tradition which was part of the major healing system in
Sikkim. We have already recognized the social contribution of our
faith healers like Boongthing, Fadengba, Yeba, Jhakri etc. by
instituting Samajik Sewa Bhatta of Rs. 600 per month. As God fearing
citizens, our people have nurtured deep faith in our tradition.
Further, we have decided to locate Tantra-Mantra-Jantra Center in
Sikkim to conserve and showcase for posterity the rich rituals, local
incantation, religious products, beads, butter oil lamps and prayer
wheels used by our faith healers. I allocate a sum of Rs. 50 lakhs
for the construction of the centre.
9. Statue of Puno Mun Solong
– In order to perpetuate the memory
of the last King of Lepcha Community immediately before the Namgyal
Dynasty, we offer deed regards and decided to construct the statue of
Puno Mun Solong at Passingdang in North Sikkim.
I am pleased to allocate a sum of Rs. 1 crore for the same.
10. Statue of Sleeping Buddha –
Over the decade, the State Government has
experimented on a large number of development programmes. In the
process we have been able to create unique landmarks in
socio-economic spheres. Once again creating a unique concept, we are
going to install the statue of Reclining Buddha. I am sure this will
add a new dimension to the understandings of Buddhist philosophy in
the world. Therefore, I allocate a sum of Rs. 50 lakhs for the
same.
11. Prayer Tower –
Next in our agenda is construction of Prayer Tower
in the state. In a secular state like ours different faiths and
beliefs co-exist. Sikkim has offered a best example of secularism
duly respecting all religions followed by people. Therefore, in order
to facilitate installation of Prayer Tower, I am pleased to allocate
a sum of Rs. 60 lakhs as land compensation during this fiscal year.
12. Village to village tour
Hon’ble
Speaker Sir, as a rare democratic experiment, I embarked upon
village-to-village tour of the entire Sikkim State accompanied by the
elected representatives and senior bureaucrats, during the last
financial year. Stretching over a period of 42 days, the tour begun
on May 17, 2011 and concluded on November 1, 2011, with days of break
in between. The first day begun from Shirde Sai Baba Mandir in South
Sikkim and concluded at Phodong Monastery in North Sikkim. This was
an effort to understand the peoples’ hardships at their door
steps and evolve measures to solve many of their problems. It was
also an exercise to prepare 12th Five
year plan proposals after consulting the peoples’
representatives from the grass root level. The trip was also meant to
take stock of the status of schemes sanctioned for the rural sector.
The decisions taken during the tour has been documented and laid
before the August House in the last Assembly session. This is an
indication of the importance given by my Government to bring about
inclusive growth and development. For implementation of schemes
sanctioned during my tour, a sum of over Rs. 24.09 crores has been
earmarked in the current financial year.
Annual Budget 2012-13
Hon’ble Speaker Sir, I shall now dwell on the
budgetary profile for the current financial year. Our size of the
Annual Plan has been fixed at Rs. 1,877 crores by the Planning
commission of India. The total outlay includes the following
components:
Rs. 377.11 crores - Prime Minister’s Relief
Package (Earthquake reconstruction and rehabilitation).
Rs. 244 crores - Borrowings as fixed by FRBM
Act, 2011.
Rs. 364.87 crores - Additional Central
Assistance (ACA).
Rs. 158 crores - Special Plan Assistance
(SPA).
Rs. 250 crores - Special Central Assistance
(SCA),
Rs. 145 crores - Externally aided project.
In this budget I have proposed total amount of
Rs.
5277.10 crores comprising of Rs. 2540.23 crores under Plan which
includes allocations under the dispensation of North Eastern Council,
Non-Lapsable Pool of Central Resources and Centrally Sponsored
Schemes and a provision of Rs. 2736.87 crores under Non-Plan account
and also includes the provisions made as recoveries which are
adjustable as reduction in expenditure, subsequently.
I have projected the gross revenue of Rs. 4792.91
crores and expenditure to the tune of Rs. 5277.10 crores for the
fiscal year 2012-13. The contribution from tax revenue sources to the
gross revenue receipts is of the order of Rs. 353.35 crores and in
the case of Non-Tax revenue it is projected at Rs. 1025.50 crores A
provision of Rs. 79.67 crores constitute financing under the NEC
dispensation; Rs. 206.57 crores under Non Lapsable Pool of Central
resources; Rs. 321.71 crores under centrally sponsored schemes and
Rs. 2806.11 crores under grants in aid from Central Government. In
respect of specific earmarked schemes an amount of Rs. 364.87 crores
has been budgeted under the Additional central Assistance (ACA)
package.
I shall now present the highlights of the Budget for
the year 2012-13 with a summarized account of the receipts and
disbursements incorporated in the budget:-
A RECEIPTS
Srl
|
RECEIPTS
|
Amount
(Rs in Crore)
|
1
|
State’s revenue
a) Tax
b) Non Tax
|
353.35
1025.50
|
2
|
Share of tax from Govt. of India
|
723.14
|
3
|
Grants-in-aid from Govt. of India
|
2690.92
|
4
|
Loans from Financial Institutions
|
232.26
|
5
|
Loans from Govt. of India
|
14.5
|
6
|
Recoveries of loans and advances
|
0.8
|
7
|
Public Accounts
|
4057.56
|
|
Total
|
9098.03
|
srl
|
DISBURSEMENTS
|
AMOUNT
(Rs in Crore)
|
1
|
Annual Plan
|
1877
|
2
|
Non Plan
|
2601.12
|
3
|
Centrally Sponsored Schemes
|
321.71
|
4
|
Schemes under North Eastern Council
|
79.67
|
5
|
Schemes
under Non Lapsable
Pool
of Central Resources
|
206.57
|
6
|
Spill over provision of previous
year
|
24.39
|
7
|
Public accounts
|
3987.6
|
|
Total Disbursement
|
9098.06
|
C. Budget
deficit -
0.03
D. Opening
balance -
(+)170.88
E.
Closing balance -
(+)170.85
Hon’ble
speaker Sir, I have broadly highlighted some of the major sectors in
the Annual Plan and initiative envisaged during the current year to
utilize the fund. I have already outlined the priorities of the
Government at an earlier stage of my presentation and I do not intend
to repeat other than to emphasize that we need to work hard and
utilize the resources judiciously to put the State back on the track
of progress and development. We have made a commitment to the people
of our State and we are determined to fulfil these commitments to
preserve peace and bring prosperity to the people through
socio-economic and spiritual development.
Hon’ble Speaker Sir,
During the last 18 years we have crossed many
development milestones, achieving some of the extraordinary feats in
socio-cultural and political spheres. Under different sectors we have
large numbers of ongoing schemes. We believe what we need now is the
final push to cross all the barriers and achieve comprehensive and
complete development of the state. With a view to provide a larger
focus, we have announced number of State Missions as our flagship
programmes. We need larger conversion of schemes and complementary
effort by all the departments to achieve our mission. This includes
transforming the remaining 13.1% of BPL families into APL families
and achieve our dream of making Sikkim a poverty free state. And
during this financial year, all our resources shall be invested to
fulfil our targeted goals as mentioned under each of the sixteen
Mission Statements released by the State Government.
Traditionally,
indicators such as per-capita gross domestic product (GDP) and the
Human Development Index (HDI) are the primary metrics in assessing
the progress of nations. However, we are also equally anxious to
ensure that economic indicators as reflected in per capita income and
GDP growth will have to bring about positive impact on the living
condition of our people. What we find today is that nations across
board are identifying new benchmarks to calculate Inclusive Wealth
Index, reflective of people’s well being and happiness. This
includes environmentally and socially sustainable development,
trans-boundary assets, human capital, manufactured capital, natural
capital, and health capital in terms of extensions or reductions in
life expectancy.
The world
is passing through a difficult situation. We are yet to overcome the
global recession of 2008-09 which is being compounded by Euro crisis
in the recent years. In fact, India as the member country of Five
Nations BRICS Bloc has committed $ 10 billion contribution to help
the debt-ridden 17-nations Eurozone and to save the faltering world
economy. During the plenary session of 7th Summit
of the G-20 nations, the Hon’ble Prime Minister expressed his
confidence of bringing back the rhythm of high growth of 8-9% per
annum for the Country by various tough decisions including
controlling unsustainable subsidies to reverse the expansion of
fiscal deficit. In the related development, we as part of the global
communities must work towards bridging the fiscal deficit and improve
our economy through all possible means. We should not let go of our
opportunities to stabilize our economy by consolidating internal
revenue based on the basis of our rich natural resources. We cannot
afford to be destroyed as a consequence of greed and irresponsible
action on the part of some people who seek to disrupt us in our
development path.
There are certain elements in Sikkim whose sole
purpose is to oppose for the sake of opposing on every development
process in Sikkim. Hon’ble Speaker Sir, today is the day to
examine our financial position and our fiscal health and chart out
collective mission to make ourselves stronger economically. To those
who are opposed to our policy, let me refer to what Pandit Nehru told
people in 1948 to justify construction of Hirakud Dam, “If you
are to suffer, you should suffer in the interest of the country”.
In terms of developing the State, let us ask:
(a) Have you made any assessment of what
our development strength would be?
(b) Have you ever made any assessment of
what our potential revenue generating avenues could be?
(c) What and how would you possibly
create avenues to engage all our educated youths in some gainful
employment?
(d) We have identified certain sectors
including hydro-power generation and tourism as our potential
sectors. If you say, we need to close down hydro-power projects, show
us the way forward.
Hon’ble Speaker Sir,
We need to remember that our agreements with all
power developers are only for a period of 35 years on Build, Operate,
Own and Transfer basis. This means that after 35 years, the charge of
hydel projects are returned by the power developers except NHPC to
the State Government free of cost along with leased and surplus land.
However, NHPC at Stage V also returned 60 acres of unused land by
them to the State Government. All the land earmarked for Rathong-chu
Hydro-power project since scrapped has been transferred to the State
Government and re-registered with Ecclesiastical Department. Among
others, BDO Office in Yuksom is running in the same complex.
Hon’ble Speaker Sir,
We can ill
afford to neglect the fact that based on preliminary assessment, the
internal revenue shortfall during the 12th Five
Year Plan will be to the tune of Rs.
1137.53 crores if we close down all our hydro-power projects in
Sikkim. With our targeted aim to host 50 lakhs tourists per annum by
2020, we would require additional 3,500 hotels and 1000 homestays
across villages and the investment required would be over Rs.
250 crores per annum. This is based on our
long-term program and on a conservative estimate of
30 persons per hotel/homestay, we will be able to generate 1,35,000
direct employment and indirect benefit from this service industry and
hospitality sector would be ten-fold more owing to ripple-effect on
every other sector including in transport, agriculture, horticulture,
animal husbandry so on and so forth.
We should
be aware that as welfare state, we shoulder additional responsibility
to pay for social security measures. Like in case of pension payment
alone, we spent a sum of Rs. 247.34 crores for the year 2012-13.
Total expenditure on account of salary payment for employees working
under MR, Consolidated pay, Adhoc and Workcharged establishment is
Rs. 125.32 crores annually. However, on the positive side, if all our
flagship programs including power generation, tourism and organic
farming are properly harnessed and successfully completed, the
cumulative resource generation, based on quick estimate, would be an
impressive Rs. 2064.871 crores during the 12th Five
Year Plan.
Sikkim has
emerged as one of the most progressive states of the Indian Union
bagging many awards and recognition from the Central Government and
other social organizations. Under tourism alone, we have received
over 22 national awards on different occasions. In addition, the
State Government has received a large number of awards and national
recognitions. Some of them include, Best Award in Education, 3rd Best
Performing State in Panchayati Raj, Safe Transportation Award, Skoch
Challenger Award for best use of Information Technology, Cooperative
Excellence Award, Diamond States of India Award in citizens security
and Justice, 4th JRD TATA Memorial Award under health sector, Bharat
Nirman Awards in E-Governance, Bharat Nirman Awards in Rural
Electrification, Bharat Nirman Awards in Rural Roads, Best State in
Investment Environment, Best State Award in ‘Citizen Security’
category, so on and so forth.
Over the
years, leaders from within and outside the Country have also showered
their praises on our development initiatives. I seek your indulgence
to quote Dr. Monteksingh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning
Commission who has appreciated our development model in locating char
dham in Namchi. And I quote, “This is indeed an impressive
project, which when completed, will add a major
tourist-cum-pilgrimage facility to Gangtok and contribute to a larger
flow of tourism. The Chief Minister Chamling deserves our applause
for a truly visionary conceptualization”.
The
Hon’ble Prime Minister during his visit to the State to review
earthquake damages on September 29, 2011 was all praise for the
State. I quote, “You are a great nationalist and I am happy
that the State Government and the central agencies are working hand
in hand to carry out relief and rehabilitation works”
Therefore,
anybody who are opposing our programs are doing great dis-service to
the people of Sikkim and committing a grave crime against the future
of Sikkim and the generations of Sikkimese that will follow. As a
very innovative Government, we are looking 20 years down the line and
moulding our own socio-economic programs to address future needs and
requirements.
General
inflation and price rise including the recent petrol price hike will
put States like Sikkim in great trouble. As a landlocked State, we
are dependent on land transport for all practical purpose and our
people as consumers of goods and products will be at the receiving
end to bear the brunt of price rise. In order that we provide maximum
relief, we are paying our employees the highest salary in the
Country. We wish we could enhance wages and salaries of our employees
and workers by cent percent. There are constraints we face. However,
we are trying our best. In fact, it is widely held that people
entering public service should not even think about the pay. All the
sacrifice and hard work would ultimately benefit the general good of
the public and that itself should be greater satisfaction than any
salary package.
Hon’ble Speaker Sir, it is required of us that
all our programs are future-oriented and tailored to meet the needs
and situation likely to emerge in the future. For example, half of
our population in India is under the age of 25 and 60% is under the
age of 30. As per Business Week Magazine and the World
Bank,
200 millions of young people are unemployed in the world. Statistics
like this throws up challenges which need to be considered just now.
Therefore, issue of youth management and harnessing of their immense
potential is important.
At the state level and speaking nationally also, we
need to introduce educational reforms to correct our defective
education system. While doing so, we need to focus on lack of
transparency, inadequate employment policy and strengthen roads and
communication for easy access. We have challenges, but I firmly
believe that we can create a poverty, illiteracy and unemployment
free Sikkim, if we collectively believe and work on it”.
Our effort to encourage our young children and the
youths to be competitive through different programs is bearing
fruits. The existing Chief Minister Merit Scholarship providing
admission to reputed public schools and the Chief Minister Special
Scholarship for free sponsorship to any student securing admission in
one of the top 20 Universities of the world, have been path-breaking
initiative of the State Government. And many other programs including
Chief Minister’s Self Employment Schemes are all towards making
our youths self-reliant and self-dependent. A substantial number of
large, medium and small industrial enterprises have been able to
generate large employment avenues for our local people.
We are endeavouring to modernise with new
technological intervention through organic farming, off-season
cultivation, green house technology, cottage industry, village
industry, pharma units, distilleries and agro-based industries. While
industrial revolution in the world is over 200 years old, in Sikkim
this has started only ten years ago in real sense when we started to
harness our hydro-power potential and invited investors to invest in
other small, clean industrial units. Many reputed corporate houses
have set up their units in Sikkim including private Universities. A
total of 875.5968 ha of land has been leased out for setting up of
hydel projects, pharmaceutical units, other industries, education
including Universities, hotels, Army/ITBP/SSB/BRO, Railways and for
Transmission Lines. A total of 391 industrial units covering hotels,
pharma units, breweries etc. have been running successfully in the
State. From all these functional units, the people of Sikkim have
benefitted immensely and substantial employment avenues have been
created, which is more than 40,000. This year’s Budget is
dedicated towards encouraging our youths to become more enterprising
and become competitive to participate in the growth stories. In this
context, I call upon all my youths to take advantage of these many
facilities and establish yourselves as the most accomplished
Sikkimese.
Hon’ble Speaker Sir
Martin Luther King once described peace being more
precious than diamonds or silver or gold. Sikkim as the Himalayan
border State, has remained just peaceful all through. Thanks to the
democratic spirit and sense of mutual respect, the people have
redefined the concept of border State as being very peaceful and
progressive. It has been said that there is no peace, because there
is no justice. With people living a fully democratic life with equity
and justice, we are the producers and protectors of peace and
harmony. During the acceptance lecture on June 16, 2012 in Oslo
Norway, Nobel laureate and the pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi,
has made various reference to peace and harmony and I quote,
“Ultimately, our aim should be to create a world free from the
displaced, the homeless and the hopeless, a world of which each and
every corner is a true sanctuary where the inhabitants will have the
freedom and the capacity to live in peace”.
Hon’ble Speaker Sir,
By the same token and the same yardstick, Sikkim
thankfully qualifies to become the land that the leader has dreamt of
and longed for. And I daresay, through decades of hard work and
dedication, the Sikkim Democratic Front Government has been able to
promote new society based on equity, rights, freedom, environmental
integrity and a new sense of kinship and mutual respect as the
rightful citizens of India. However, in our over indulgence, let us
be cautious to ensure that we do not overdo or over step our rights
and not take undue advantage for short term gain, making the future
of Sikkim uncertain.
Towards that aim and resolution, I call upon this
August House and through to all my fellow citizens to be responsible
in our words and deeds to forever safeguard our collective interest
and contribute towards state and nation building process in greater
measures.
Hon’ble Speaker Sir, with these words, I wish
to dedicate this budget to the people of Sikkim.
Thank you
Jai Hind