Saturday, Sep 21, 2024 06:45 [IST]
Last Update: Saturday, Sep 21, 2024 01:04 [IST]
GANGTOK,: Christopher Tilak, the newly appointed AICC secretary for
Northeastern States, has emphasised on development of multiple road
connectivity on priority for Sikkim as NH 10 disruptions have severely impacted
the Himalayan State’s economy and tourism.
The AICC
functionary was speaking to the media here on Friday during his Sikkim visit
after touring Manipur and Nagaland. He held meetings with the Sikkim Pradesh
Congress Committee (SPCC) president and party workers.
“It has
come to our notice that the State’s socio-economic development is at stake. The
regional party in power here has an excellent relation with the BJP-led Union
government but to my surprise, the question is what special developmental
package has been facilitated to Sikkim and Sikkimese by that relationship.
Rather I am informed that taxes are on a rise causing hardships for the people
here,” said the AICC secretary.
Tilak
informed that the Congress would be visiting all the six districts of Sikkim
starting October and meet the people to take stock of their issues and
grievances. We appeal to the people to support Congress if they want holistic
development in Sikkim as we have seen that unrest takes place in whichever
State the BJP has been involved, he said.
The State
government and the Centre must focus on improving and multiplying road
connectivity to Sikkim as its economic development is dependent on an
all-weather transport system, said the AICC functionary.
SPCC
president Gopal Chettri also raised the issue of NH 10, the lifeline of Sikkim.
The NH 10 is in a deplorable condition and was closed for months that severely
affected the State and its economy…we demand the Centre and the State
government to extend fullest priority to the NH 10 with improvement of multiple
alternative routes to Sikkim, he asserted.
Chettri
maintained that the hike in taxes on various services and products have caused
further hardships on the people at a time when business activities in Sikkim
are already affected due to the highway closure and market inflation. Taxes are
important for development but the hike has been extreme…if the rise in
transport taxes was for good roads then it was acceptable but the roads across
Sikkim remain pathetic, he said.
The SPCC
president also commented on the recent restriction imposed on government
medical doctors from doing private practices. “Priority must also be given to
improve healthcare management by ensuring timely diagnostic, clinical and
pathological facilities. We feel that if the healthcare management is improved
then imposing restrictions on government doctors is not required,” he said.
“Today
the ruling party has an absolute mandate but they must not demean the
opposition as opposition is the backbone of a democracy. We came across the
recent statements of the Chief Minister against the questions raised by the
opposition parties where he was undermining the opposition. Absolute majority
is a blessing only if it is utilized for the holistic welfare of the people but
if used wrongly, it will turn into a curse. Sikkim’s political history stands
as evidence which the ruling party must not forget,” said the SPCC president.