FEATURED ARTICLE

‘DEVELOPMENT’ -   AN ILLUSION OR  A REALITY?

Shanti Sharma

Our Chief Minister concluding the two day long assembly session gave a statement that Sikkim stands third in the National Suicide rate. And in the first two months of 2013, around 20 suicides were reported with victims ranging from students, housewives and minors. So, the question which strikes the mind of every Sikkimese citizen is that why did the Government never tried to focused upon this issue earlier.We are well aware of the fact that our state is listed  in the topmost position when it comes to suicidal rates. Should not government take steps to deal with such sensitive issues relating to the Fundamental Rights under Article 21 of our Constitution? “Article 21 assures the right to live with human dignity, free from exploitation. The state is under a constitutional obligation to see that there is no violation of the fundamental right of any person, particularly when he belongs to the weaker section of the community and is unable to wage a legal battle against a strong and powerful opponent who is exploiting him. Both the Central Government and the State Government are therefore bound to ensure observance of the various social welfare and labour laws enacted by Parliament for the purpose of securing to the workmen a life of basic human dignity in compliance with the directive principles of the state policy.

In this era of Globalization, Privatization and Liberalization state is expected to act as an agent of transformation and development. But 18 years have passed;  and now suddenly the government has wake up and started thinking about the innovative approach. It is sad to even express that we, the People of Sikkim do not want innovation. First let every person of this state enjoys its Fundamental and Human Rights. We want better health facilities, good conditioned road connectivity, employment to our educated youths and measures to curb the level of corruption.

Further, in his Vote of thanks speech, Mr. Chamling said that “when the under-construction hydel power projects here are commissioned, Sikkim would be a tax free State and State with no debts.”But, the then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on 13 Aug 2011 said that there would be no more tax-free zones in the country. And Renewal of tax free zone Status of Sikkim would be reviewed on the basis of the socio-economic conditions of that state at that time(Courtesy:www.indianexpress.com). So, is the State Government planning the take the burden of paying the taxes that would be levied by the Central Government too?

Moreover, the statement that if the under-construction hydel projects being commissioned can be countered by the report submitted by one of our reputed national party i.e. BJP. Under the “Memorandum to the President of India by Shri Nitin Nadkari on the scams in North East” (18 Feb 2011, www.bjp.org), the scam in Sikkim has reached to Rs. 3,000 crore.

Following are the scams listed on the aforesaid Memorandum:

·        Siphoning of Entertainment Tax, Sikkim

·        Scam of Nayuma Cable (NC), Sikkim

·        Smuggling of red sandalwood to China, Sikkim

·        Sikkim Power Development Corporation scam, Sikkim

·        Ranka Tourist Villa Scam , Sikkim

·        Sikkim Khadi Board Fraud, Sikkim

·        Kanchandzonga Tourist Villa Scam, Sikkim

·        TB Medicine Scam, Sikkim

·        Fake / Stolen Bank deposits Scam, Sikkim

·        Rs.150Cr Fraudulent Bank deposit scam, Sikkim

·        Hydel power scam, Sikkim

·        Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Scam, Sikkim

·        SGRY Scam, Sikkim

·        NREGA scam, Sikkim

·        Midday meal scam, Sikkim

·        PDS scam, Sikkim

·        Rajiv Gandhi Vidyutikaran Scam, Sikkim

Thus, when our Chief Minister says that state government has achieved fast development in a span of his tenure of 18 and half years, we fail to understand what exactly he mean to say by “all sectors”. Health is being ignore the condition of our roads can be very closely seen when we move towards District Court via Palzor Stadium. Students do not get uniforms and books on time, regarding which even the Honourable High Court has taken suo motu action. And if he wants to ensure that Law and Order is under control , the incident of 11^th February 2013 clearly speaks about the maintenance of peace and security within the State where innocent people were brutally assaulted  by a topmost public servant.