Sikkim ex-CM Pawan Chamling details SDF's achievements slamming criticism over his government

GANGTOK: Former Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, whose 24.4 years term is the longest ever by a CM of any Indian state, and the President of Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) has responded to the accusations against his government of being good-for-nothing and taken criticisers at gunpoint.

Chamling said that only frustrated supporters of ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) are spreading rumours against his government to cover up their own failures. Chamling termed it as "a cactus calling a marigold thorny" like situation.

Chamling also alleged that these are the same people who tried to take benefit from the SDF government and now since they're voted out hence they are trying to milk out from the SKM government.

"When you criticize the SDF government, the SKM will buy you," said the SDF chief.

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Chamling also suggested the "self-righteous, self-styled analysts" being critical of his governance to get their eyes checked "If anyone who claims to be politically neutral and yet fails to see such a massive heap of evidence of the SDF government’s achievements."

SDF chief Chamling has also detailed a few achievements by the SDF government in the last 25 years and said that The extreme poverty level decreased from 41 percent to 8 percent way back in 2011. According to the World Bank, this was a record for the fastest poverty reduction in the world after World War II. He also believes that by 2019 it must have reduced to nearly 2 per cent.

The little-known Sikkim became a globally acclaimed tourist destination. Sikkim is now not only one of India’s best tourist destinations, but it was also recognized by Lonely Planet. The tourists footfall increased from 92,000 (domestic) and 6888(foreign) in 1994 to nearly 20 lakh (domestic) and 71,172 (foreign) in 2018. Rural tourism (homestays) in Sikkim has become a national example, said Chamling.

Sikkim is the only organic state in the whole world. Sikkim won the Future Policy Gold Award.

"But right now, Sikkim is ruled by leaders who think that such a prestigious prize can be bought with money," said Chamling taking a jibe at the SKM party.

The SDF has detailed a few other achievements through a communique issued and they are put below as it is-

Sikkim is India’s first Nirmal Rajya (2008) and First Open Defecation Free and Cleanest State.

Sikkim became India’s greenest state way back in 1998.

Sikkim’s per capita income rose from ₹8457 to ₹ 3,41,000 which was the third-highest in the country.

Our GSDP increased from a mere ₹377.43 lakh to ₹ 23000 crores. The GSDP grew 5159 times. In 2010-11, Sikkim recorded a GSDP growth of 26%.

Sikkim’s internal Revenue generation increased from ₹42.72 crore to ₹1500.71 crore.

Sikkim’s power production increased from a mere 32 MW to 2743 MW during our governance.

Our literacy rate rose from 56.94% to 96.72% and life expectancy increased from 62.7 years to 73.15 years, which is the highest in India. There were 2 colleges in 1994 and now we have 28 colleges. The number of universities went from 0 to 7.

There were only a few industries till 1994 such as Temi Tea, Sikkim Distilleries, Yuksom Brewaries, SITCO and Sikkim Jewels. Now there are 56 pharmaceutical factories and 3 distilleries in Sikkim. What is more significant is that there are hundreds of agro-based entrepreneurial ventures like poultries, piggeries, fisheries, dairy farms as well as cottage industries of many kinds started by Sikkimese people with varying levels of success. Trout fishery in Sikkim has been a huge success.

Many promising, talented and educated Sikkimese youth were returning to Sikkim to seek their fortune leaving their jobs and business outside Sikkim. They saw hope, prospects and opportunities in Sikkim. It all changed overnight after 2019.

Many Sikkimese people became crore-pati and many more became lakh-pati during the last 25 years before 2019.

The road network increased from 1889 km to 10,000 km in 2018-19. Electrification increased from 65 to 100 percent. Drinking water from 60 to 100 percent. Nearly 50 percent of houses were kutcha with thatched roofs before we formed the government. Under CMRHM, we converted almost all kutcha houses to pucca houses. We could have reached the 100 percent mark by 2020. The number of government employees increased from 20,000 (Adhoc and MR included) to one lakh 10 thousand under our governance. We made Sikkim a tax (state and central) free state. We granted OBC (State List) to Bahun, Newar and Chettri communities. We secured Scheduled Tribe status for the Limboo and Tamang Communities. We successfully lobbied with the Centre to include Sikkim in the North East Council in 2002. The SDF government granted recognition of state official languages to all the left out ethnic languages in Sikkim and introduced them in government schools.

Sikkim was the first Indian state to have opened a Directorate for Capacity building and livelihood schools, way back in 2003.

We created an example of a green economy with several eco-friendly initiatives. Our forest cover increased by 4 percent. Sikkim is the only state to have achieved such a feat. Khangchendzonga National Park was recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016.

It was during our time that we lobbied with the Centre and opened the Nathula pass for trade with China. Route to Kailash-Mansarovar from Sikkim opened in June 2015.

Sikkim was the poorest state till 1994 and became India’s third richest state. Sikkim became India’s number one state in peace, social justice, cleanliness and Panchyati Raj Institution. Sikkim won several national awards in Good Governance, Environment Protection, institution building in higher education, innovations and all kinds of toursim. Sikkim is the best among NE states in most of the development indicators. A least known Sikkim became nationally and even globally well-known state during our 25 years of governance. If that’s nothing, we have nothing else to say to convince the desperate nay-sayers.

During our 25 years of governance, we fully protected Article 371 F. Sikkim’s image, prestige, dignity and local protection had been our highest priority. Same can’t be said of the present govt today. Drug smuggling, suicide and depression is increasing. The national media is reporting about drug smugglers and children traffickers arrested on Sikkim. The noise of Sikkim-Darjeeling merger is becoming louder. Some leaders from outside Sikkim are openly saying that Article 371 F has to be abrogated. Some are demanding all the special privileges reserved for Sikkim Subject Certificate and COI holders to be extended to all Aadhar card holders.

Sadly, federal system has experienced a shocking and disturbing change in Sikkim. Never had such a ridiculous thing happened in Sikkim.

These figures and facts have not been generated by the SDF party. They have been generated by national and international organizations. Moreover, it is not possible to include all the achievements of the SDF government. Finally, let me add that the most significant thing was the overall quality of life in Sikkim. People were much happier, securer and more satisfied. Sikkim was one of the fastest developing states with some of best indicators. Sikkim enjoyed win situation during 25 years under the SDF government. Peace, prosperity, security, happiness and freedom marked Sikkim. Everything changed since the last election. Sikkim is experiencing a nightmarish pariwartan/ change since 2019.”

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