New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) Sikkim’s lone Lok Sabha MP, Indra Hang Subba, on Thursday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Parliament House and submitted a memorandum seeking the Centre’s intervention on a series of long-pending developmental, constitutional, and strategic issues concerning the Himalayan state.
During the meeting, Subba conveyed greetings and gratitude to the Prime Minister on behalf of the people of Sikkim and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay), thanking the NDA government for its continued support to the state’s development.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also enquired about the recent tunnel mishap in Sikkim. Briefing him on the situation, the MP informed the Prime Minister about the state government’s response to the incident and thanked him for his concern and support for the affected families.
The memorandum submitted by Subba sought early inclusion of the 12 left-out communities of Sikkim in the Scheduled Tribe list, a long-pending demand in the state.
It also urged the Centre to revisit provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, to facilitate reservation of seats for Scheduled Tribes in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly and address the pending issues relating to the Limboo and Tamang Scheduled Tribes.
Among the key infrastructure demands, the MP sought the construction of a Greenfield Highway parallel to National Highway-10 to improve connectivity and the development of an all-weather strategic road along the Indo-Nepal border in western Sikkim with links to Border Outposts.
Subba also requested the restoration of scheduled commercial flight operations at Pakyong Airport, establishment of an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) or an extension campus in Sikkim, and setting up of a National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in the state.
The memorandum further sought the Centre’s assistance in facilitating the visit of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa to Sikkim.
According to a statement issued by the Office of the Member of Parliament, Subba expressed confidence that the issues raised would receive positive consideration under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and help accelerate Sikkim’s inclusive, strategic and sustainable development.
–IANS
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