Union Budget brings new opportunities for Sikkim: Indra Hang

GANGTOK,: Indra Hang Subba, the lone Lok Sabha MP from Sikkim, has wholeheartedly welcomed the Union Budget 2025-26 which was presented in the Parliament on Saturday. He also congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for tabling a visionary and transformative Union Budget for the people of India.

“As the Union Budget has been presented in Parliament, I wholeheartedly welcome its provisions and the significant reforms it proposes. This budget is forward-looking, focusing on national development, social inclusion, support for youth in entrepreneurship and skill development, and transformative reforms,” said the Sikkim Lok Sabha MP in a media statement.

Representing Sikkim and its people, Indra Hang was present at the Parliament to witness the presentation of the Union Budget 2025-26. He would be attending the Union Budget session and use every available opportunity to present Sikkim’s aspirations and stake in the Union Budget 2025-26, as directed by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, the release mentions.

“This budget also brings new opportunities for States like Sikkim, where tourism is the primary industry contributing to the State's revenue. The focus on skill development in hospitality management will help improve tourism services. The announcement of MUDRA loans for homestays will provide additional capital investment, complementing the Mega Homestay Project of the Sikkim government. I am confident that these initiatives will greatly benefit the people of Sikkim and contribute to the overall development of the State,” said Indra Hang.

Speaking on the Union Budget’s highlights, the Lok Sabha MP expressed that the budget rightly emphasizes strengthening agriculture, MSMEs, investment, and exports, with inclusivity as its core principle and reforms as the driving force for a developed India.

Agriculture has been given top priority in this budget. The PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishna Yojana aims to implement targeted interventions at the district level.

“The decision to set up post-harvest storage facilities at gram panchayat and block levels under this scheme is a welcome step. Since most farm produce is perishable and storage facilities are often unaffordable without government support, this initiative will benefit farmers significantly,” said Indra Hang.

“It is also encouraging to see that the modified UDAN scheme will now support helipads and small airports in hilly, aspirational, and Northeastern districts. This will greatly improve connectivity in Sikkim,” he added.

Indra Hang hailed the enhancement of investment and turnover limits for classifying MSMEs—raised to 2.5 times and 2 times, respectively—as a positive move. This will help MSMEs adopt better technology and gain easier access to capital, he added.

The Lok Sabha MP shared that the Union Budget announces a new scheme to provide term loans of up to Rs. 2 crore over the next five years to five lakh women, SC, and ST first-time entrepreneurs. This initiative will help marginalized groups create wealth and contribute to the economy.

“The budget also focuses on youth skill development and innovation. The plan to set up 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in government schools over the next five years reflects a strong commitment to fostering innovation. Additionally, the government will provide broadband connectivity to all government secondary schools and primary health centers (PHCs). This will be particularly beneficial for Sikkim, enhancing digital infrastructure for both education and healthcare,” said Indra Hang.

Indra Hang, also a research scholar, welcomed the Union Budget’s provision for establishing a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for Education, with an allocation of Rs. 500 crore. This is a forward-thinking initiative that will keep India's education sector aligned with technological advancements, he said.

“The announcement of Day Care Cancer Centres in all district hospitals is another pro-people step, making cancer treatment more accessible. Given that Sikkim has a high number of cancer patients, having a dedicated care centre will be a major relief for affected families. It is commendable that the Union government has decided to allow private sector participation in the nuclear energy mission, aiming to develop 100 GW of nuclear energy by 2047,” highlighted the Lok Sabha MP.