GANGTOK
— Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Monday sought 'tailored'
support from the 16th Finance Commission in view of the Himalayan state's
unique challenges, achievements and aspirations.
The full team of the 16th Finance Commission, led by its
chairman Arvind Panagariya, met the Sikkim chief minister at the state
secretariat.
"I emphasised Sikkim's unique challenges, achievements
and aspirations while calling for tailored support from the 16th Finance
Commission to ensure sustainable growth for our people", Tamang said in a
social media post after meeting Panagariya and the members of the Finance
Commission team.
Tamang said that he highlighted Sikkim's remarkable
progress, including the highest per capita income in the region, significant
growth rates, and the state's role as a global custodian of biodiversity and a
hub for climate change mitigation to seek additional financial support from the
16th Finance Commission.
The Sikkim CM also underlined critical challenges like road
connectivity issues with NH-10, the sole road link of the state with the rest
of India remaining highly vulnerable to disruptions, particularly during the
post-monsoon period.
Sikkim, a border state, has only 709 km of national highways
which is significantly lower than other northeastern states, Tamang said and
rued that the infrastructure projects, including railways, airports and digital
connectivity, have faced considerable delays.
He also asked financial compensation for the revenue Sikkim
has forgone due to the commitment to green economy initiatives and that the
Himalayan state is India's first fully organic farming state.
"Sikkim has earned global recognition as an organic
state, but we must build on this success by introducing QR codes for organic
products to enhance transparency and traceability and transforming Sikkim into
India's first Green Capital through green policies, institutions, and
investments," he said.
Tamang asked for financial compensation for revenue forgone
due to the commitment to green economy initiatives.
The Sikkim chief minister apprised the Finance Commission
team about the devastating flash floods triggered by the Glacial Lake Outburst
Flood (GLOF) in North Sikkim in October 2023 which had caused widespread
destruction, including damage to critical infrastructure and hydropower
projects, severely affecting our revenue and demanded a substantial financial
aid for rehabilitation and reconstruction.
"There is a need for financial support to address
non-traditional disasters like Glacial Lake Outburst Floods and zoonotic
diseases, which pose national security risks," Tamang said.
He demanded Chewa Bhanjyang Multimodal Corridor to boost
trade and connectivity under the "Act East Policy", a satellite
township to ease pressure on Gangtok's existing infrastructure, monorail or
cable car network to enhance mobility in the state, a state-specific planning
body to align development goals with 'Viksit Bharat 2047', a cutting-edge
research institution for the Eastern Himalayas and neighbouring regions, a
state university that is focused on developing technical, medical, and
non-technical education tailored to Sikkim's needs.
The Sikkim CM also demanded greater flexibility in taxation
policies to maximise revenue benefits for the state from the pharmaceutical
sector as Sikkim has emerged as a major pharmaceutical hub, driving economic
activity.
Tamang said that he has urged the Finance Commission to
adopt a flexible, state-specific approach and necessary support to address
Sikkim's unique challenges and aspirations.
"This meeting reflects our collective commitment to
achieving sustainable development while preserving Sikkim's natural and
cultural heritage," he said and urged the Finance Commission to provide
financial support to make Sikkim a model for green and inclusive growth in
India.
