What Sikkimese expect from SKM govt in 2020
GANGTOK | Jan 02, 2020:
Sikkim has witnessed a sea change in 2019. It all started with the change in government after twenty five years with PS Golay led Sikkim Krantikari Morcha(SKM) forming the government unseating Pawan Chamling led Sikkim Democratic Front(SDF). This change of guard was fueled by the youths who wanted to give a fresh party a chance to come to power. As they say with power comes responsibility, there are humongous expectations from the new government.
For a youth KK Chettri from Pendam village in East Sikkim, the expectations is for an integrated agricultural policy with Sikkim's organic brand being promoted nationally and internationally.
The SKM government had also made a slew of promises before coming to power which includes job generation and regularisation of temporary government employees. Sikkim has one of the highest government employees' ratio to the population in the country and with schemes like "One Family One Job" it is hard for any Sikkimese family not to have someone in regular or temporary government service.
B Sharma is a temporary government employee. When asked about her expectations from the new government, she appreciated the declaration of Saturdays as a holiday but also cautioned the government to fulfill the promise of regularisation. She is not alone, there are many such employees awaiting regularisation. With the bad economic health of the government, it remains a challenge.
Bad infrastructure in transportation also emerged as a reason for the government to worry, many areas of the state face problems due to bad road conditions. "Let them focus in basics like good roads. Development will reach if there is proper transportation," says Anisha Lama, a resident of capital Gangtok who frequently travels to nearby villages for her NGO activities.
Sikkim is heavily dependent on tourism, stakeholders in tourism have also stated that the focus should be on infrastructure development in transportation including alternative national highway to Sikkim, proper road conditions in all four districts, speeding the Sevoke-Sikkim rail line project and an all weather airport(Pakyong airport, state sole airport is dependent on weather). Branding the state to target more domestic and international tourists also featured high among the stakeholders.
Artists in Sikkim are also hopeful that the new government would help nuture the state's vibrant art, culture and talent to make the state a hub for creativity. Sridika Tamang of Organisation of Musicians and Artistes of Sikkim(OMAS) stated that there is a need for a lot of work in creating a proper infrastructure of various aspects of creativity which will require consultation with all stakeholders engaged in music, dance, culture or any other creative profession.
Other prominent demands voiced by the people included quick resolution of Limboo Tamang seat reservation issue, protection and strengthening of Article 371(f), abolishing of Labour contract system in industries particularly in pharmaceutical companies and dams, conservation of the fragile eco system of the Eastern Himalayas including forests and Teesta Rangit river basin, Schedule Tribe status to eleven communities of the Nepalis of Sikkimese origin, Proper town planning of capital Gangtok and other towns, decongestion of traffic in Gangtok, Proper water management across the state, timely implementation/delivery of government schemes, wide addiction of substance abuse, awareness about child protection rights in view of many cases of child abuse, suicide menace, poor health facilities and influx of people from other states of the country to the Himalayan state.
With many issues to address, the new government surely has inherited many good work as well as pending issues which will seal the fate of the new SKM government in 2024.
