State Government will continue to stand by its commitment : Chief Minister
विकास कुनैपनि स्थितिमा नरोकिने मुख्यमन्त्रीको अडान
Gangtok,August16: The Prime Minister in his Independence Day message to the Nation has stressed on implementation and development of Hydro Projects to generate 1 lakh Mega Watt of power and the State Governments have also been requested to initiate actions immediately to meet this target. Shri Pawan Chamling, Chief Minister of Sikkim in his Independence Day address has also reiterated that the State Government will continue to stand by its commitment and will not compromise on the ongoing power projects which are in the overall interest of the State and its people. Sikkim is endowed with abundant Hydro-Potential which is estimated to be around 8,000 MW and the State Government in order to tap this potential has initiated a number of Hydro Electric Power Projects for sustainable economic development of the state and its people. The State Government has however, taken cautious steps with regards to environment and ecological balance by choosing to implement river type projects inspite of the Government of India’s preference for multi purpose large dam storage type hydel projects. Moreover, the implementation of these Hydro Projects will bring about multifaceted development in the state. Apart from boosting the state economy, the Hydro Projects will also generate employment and usher in business opportunities to the local populace. The Project also ensures local area development specially the remote and far flung areas in the state by bringing in road connectivity, Schools and Primary Health Centres. The developers of this Project by adopting villages in the vicinity of the Project sites will provide all civic amenities required as per the concept of a model village. The State Government has also taken steps to mitigate the problems arising out of these projects. All possible risks have been sufficiently addressed. Inspite of the mandatory clearances from the Ministry of Environment and the full consent of the people of Dzongu, ACT has gone for Satyagraha against the Power Projects in Dzongu. The Projects have been envisaged for the development of the area and its residents, which has been welcomed by a majority of the people. The Chief Minister, Dr. Pawan Chamling during his Independence Day address said that Satyagraha in its true meaning relates to “Truth – Force”. Satyagraha is a relentless search for truth and a determination to teach the truth through nonviolent means. The truth lies in the fact that the people of our state needs economic prosperity and development which can be possible through these Power Projects. The state Government has chosen to develop hydel schemes to utilize its available natural resources to attain self reliance, which will bring about socio-economic upliftment of the Sikkimese people and shall generate adequate revenue for the state to usher it to the 21st century. However, while doing so all possible risks have been sufficiently addressed. The State Government has very categorically stated time and again that ACT should call off their hunger strike and create a congenial atmosphere and thereafter come forward for a dialogue in this regard. Therefore, once again ACT is requested to call off the hunger strike immediately in the interest of the State and the people. Sikkim is considered the most peaceful border state and the most happening state in the country and such non-issues have been unnecessarily tarnishing the image of the state.
