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Frequent Highway bandhs proving to be expensive for the State: CM
GANGTOK, August 08: The Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today said that the signature campaign for a separate state of Gorkhaland, which was carried out by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) in Sikkim does not make sense at all in the State and should instead be carried out in Darjeeling and other parts of the country.
He was speaking during the Tendong Lho Rum Faat celebration at the Sikkim Government College auditorium here today.
While condemning the GJM-imposed bandh of the National Highway 31A yesterday, the Chief Minister said that Sikkim has been bearing the brunt of frequent bandhs called by poltical outfits from neighbouring states since 1986 with huge revenue loss.
“The Gorkhaland demand is purely a matter between the West Bengal Government and the Central Government. We have nothing to say on this and we should not be unnecessarily harassed in the event,” he said.
“The State suffers a loss of Rs 3 crore, 7 lakhs every day whenever the NH31A is forced closed,” he said.
On the seat reservation issue, Mr. Chamling maintained that no one will snatch away the 12 Bhutia-Lepcha reserved seats.
The Chief Minister also informed of his recent visit to New Delhi during which he met with the UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and brought before them the immediate issue of Limboo and Tamang seat reservation.
Talking about the construction of an express highway in the State, the Chief Minister informed that the State Government has written a letter to the American Embassy in India requesting for a report on the authenticity of the Star Universal Inc, the company who has been shown interest in the mega project.
Mr. Chamling said that the Prime Minister has assured that Rs 1800 crores would be sanctioned for the double laning of the National Highway. The construction of the airport will also begin shortly, he said.
On the efforts of his government towards conservation of the State’s cultural heritage, Mr. Chamling talked about the construction of the ‘stairway to heaven’ in Daramadin, West Sikkim and said that the work is incomplete as no engineers could provide a design of his expectation. At the same time, the Chief Minister called for more research works from the Lepcha youth in terms of culture, tradition and literature. “The State Government has also plans to set up a Lepcha museum near the structure of the stairway, he added. (Sikkim Express)
Filed under: Sikkim | Tagged: Bandh, PawanChamling, Sikkim | 1 Comment »
Massive turn-out at the Gorkhaland signature campaign
FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS
GANGTOK, August 7: The signature campaign organized by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) for a separate State of ‘Gorkhaland’ here in Capital today generated a massive response from sections of the society. The signature campaign launched by GJM in Sikkim today was the first state in the Northeast region. Hundreds of people today turned up at the Titantic Park here today in support of the signature campaign. [Inset: Former Sikkimese Chief Minister Bhandari Signing The Gorkhaland Signature Campaign Poster]
Cutting across political lines, major political parties from the State participated in the campaign, which was perhaps the first of its kind held in the State for the Gorkhaland Statehood demand. The first two persons to sign on the ‘Gorkhaland’ banner were former Chief Ministers of the State. Former Chief Minister and currently the Advisor to the Chief Minister, BB Gooroong was the first to sign on the banner who was followed by another former Chief Minister and presently president of Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee, Nar Bahadur Bhandari. [Inset 2: A resident of Gangtok signing the Gorkhaland Signature Campaign]
After signing the banner, Mr. Bhandari said that the demand for a separate state by the people of Darjeeling hills is justified and well within the ambit of the Constitution. “Those who oppose Gorkhaland demand has no right to stay in Sikkim”, he said. Recalling the all round and ‘practical’ efforts launched for the national recognition of Nepali language in 1992, the SPCC chief said that similar strategy should be adopted for Gorkhaland demand. “The recognition of Nepali language was a step towards paving the way for creation of Gorkhaland,” Mr. Bhandari said. The separate state of Gorkhaland can be created by Parliament only and the focus now should on garnering support in the Parliament, he added. He also pointed that Sikkim has been contributing towards Gorkhaland movement since the 1980’s agitation.
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From Himalaya Darpan 9-8-8
Morcha lays siege, accused 14 kept off court – Protest for pramila
Filed under: News | Tagged: Darjeeling, GJM, Gorkhaland, Pramila Sharma | Leave a comment »