Budget clearly shows our government’s intentions: Bhim Dahal
GANGTOK, August 1: The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) legislature party yesterday called upon the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling who is also the Leader of the House, at his official residence of Mintokgang here.
The Chief Minister’s Press Advisor, Bhim Dahal told media today here at Press Club of Sikkim (PCS) that the SDF legislature party congratulated the Chief Minister for the recent Universal Peace Federation award.
“The Chief Minister was also congratulated for the path breaking budget where there has been 44 percent increase in the allocations for social sector and 15 percent increase in education”, said Mr. Dahal. The budget clearly shows our government’s intentions and our priorities in education, health and rural development, he added.
“The legislature party has noted and appreciated the new concept of village development plan where the services of a Swiss consultancy firm have been used. The government is serious to develop the villages in Sikkim as self-sustainable units in the lines of the villages in Switzerland”, said Mr. Dahal.
The Advisor further informed that the legislature party has desired a streamlined format regarding the presence of students in functions, some of them which are meaningless and waste of the time of the students. “It has been observed that students are engaged in various functions which hamper their studies. The legislature party has desired that the Human Resource Development department should take out a format and create a framework so that students are allowed to participate in only necessary functions including national and State level functions”, he said. That holds good for the teachers also, he added.
During the meet, the legislature party has felt the HRD department should look for other technical institutions in the nation and direct qualified and meritorious students towards these technical fields, said Mr. Dahal. He explained the rationale for this as the medical and engineering seats are limited.
Mr. Dahal further informed that the SDF legislature party has stressed on the need for conduct of interviews by Sikkim Public Service Commission for teachers above primary levels. There should be two separate directorates for primary and higher education, he added.
Deliberations on e-tender for contract works above Rs. 1 crore also took place during the legislature meet.
The Chief Minister in his address called for cooperation from all to have a scientific administration with human touch in the State, it is informed.
“The Chief Minister has called for austerity measures by all departments and to prevent fund leakages. He has also directed the large pool of Muster Roll employees to be used instead of engaging new labour force in various developmental works”, said Mr. Dahal.
The Advisor said that the ruling SDF party will be able to fulfil most of its election promises and works for other promises which are long term based have begun.
