Empowerment of Rural People through Panchayati Raj

Speech delivered on the occasion of State Level Panchayat Sammelan on 12th August 2002 at Gymnasium Hall, Gangtok

I extend my warm welcome and greetings and seek your permission to place my address before you,Today is a day of introspection about the things accomplished and many things undone. We have to go with a renewed inspiration and strength to serve the interest of the people of Sikkim from here today. Time is so consuming, 1997 looks so remote now. But the year of 1997 was full of troubles, more so because the opposition moved to the court to protest against reservation of women, ST/SC and OBC in the elections. But finally truth triumphed; the Sikkimese women registered a victory. Seventy percent of the Panchayat won on party tickets and the 30 percent independent merged with the SDF party. Today, we have 100 percent Panchayat members from our own party. In the last five-year, you have been able to serve people as per party's policy and program. I congratulate you all. .

Previous speaker Ms. Kavita Chettri told us that women got an opportunity to assert themselves because of the emergence of the SDP party. They could now speak from the dais on the well being of the Sikkimese people as a whole. And she congratulated the SDP for this transformation. We want to promote the cause of women, want to see them playing a pivotal role in the state's development process. We want competition from them in all positive and good things. We have, therefore, reserved 33 percent seats in the Panchayati system. Today their number accounts for 38 percent of the total strength in the system. I honor our Panchayat President in my Gram Panchayat Unit, who is a lady. Majority of those who were felicitated today were women. We have started this culture and this has to continue for all time to come. Women in society are coming forward. We in the government and the Panchayats exist for the sake of people. We will do all such things beneficial for the people. We are only the means. All the Panchayats should also shoulder their responsibilities. We want to delegate maximum possible power to Panchayats, but they need to be responsible and accountable to the people in the first instance. Being a Panchayat entails grave responsibility. We want decentralization of power.

Previous speakers talked about the advent of Panchayati Raj. I say that after the next Panchayat election, Panchayati Raj should be introduced in body as well as in the actual functioning in every village of the state more vigorously. Cooperative societies will collect electricity fee in villages, it is proposed. In fact, as per 73rd Amendment Act, the Panchayat should also be empowered to collect revenue on land, private holding. Panchayat has to become an accomplished government at the village level. We are democrats. We would love to see you actually running the administration of village.

The SDF government has given due honor to Panchayat. We want to further give to the Panchayat the power of self-determination. The village Panchayat can finalize schemes at the local level as per the requirement of the village and implement them on their own. Many of the schemes at the village level were undertaken in the interest of the contractors. This should no longer happen. Where there was no paddy field, they built canals, bridge without any river or stream. The aim of involving common people directly means avoiding such duplicating. Let government money and resource spent in the interest of the Sikkimese people.

We run the government and you have been empowered. What has made this possible? This is because of democracy. We have fully restored democracy in the state. We can express our opinion; there is freedom of press. People can move court against the government. We have given full protection to Article 371F. Party, government, panchayat and the opposition cannot scrap it. You have to be clear about all these issues. In 1997, people were confused when the opposition blamed us on the question of Employment Exchange Act, 1959. You have to analysis whether the Act is beneficial to us. The previous government introduced 200 Central Acts in Sikkim. We, on the other hand, have introduced but five in the last seven and half years. This is a fact, and I only speak the truth.

Our government has introduced the die-in-harness schemes in the state. If the earning member under the non-gazette category dies, alternative employment will be provided to the next of kin of the deceased one. In the last five years, about 500 have benefited from this scheme. Sikkim has been included in the North Eastern Council in principle, and contrary to opposition's misgivings, Sikkim has largely benefited economically. Gymnasium and school buildings are being built at the cost of Rs. 60 crores. We have constructed three hundreds concrete school structures in the state. Ropeway at Deorali is almost complete. Provision of safe drinking water is being made from all the non-­lapsable pool of resource coming from the Council. The practice of serving liquor in all official functions starting from the very Mintokgang has been abolished. This has also to apply in all meetings of the Panchayats as well. Gambling has to stop.

We have started good things at the top level; it is taking some time before it reaches the lower strata of the society. It is said old habits die-hard. This will take some time before all the people adjust to the changed situation. We have earmarked 70% of state budget for development of rural Sikkim, which is spent on rural road, electricity and factories. Our government is providing rice at a highly subsidized rate. Children get mid-day meal and senior citizens are provided 10 kilo of rice per month. We build houses for our people. We have undertaken to build model village at the cost of three lakhs each. We are giving LPG connection to 200 households in each constituency, primarily to protect our forest cover.

I appeal to Panchayat members and common people to plant trees. They can grow fruit-bearing plants wherever suitable. Sikkim is called the Indrakil-garden of Lord Indra. Let us preserve our greenery and bequeath to our children a state full of greenery, beauty, resources and overall contentment. Let no land remain barren. Let me repeat that in every Panchayat unit, the members should maintain register to record the names of medicinal plants. People may find me sounding quite strange. But fifty years from now, this will be recorded in our history; people will talk about a visionary leader, Panchayat and be grateful to us for growing so much of plants. Sooner or later, good works are bound to be appreciated some day. Even the great souls like Christ, Buddha or Gandhi were misunderstood during their lifetimes. Many have appreciated my work, so I came back for second successive term. I will still continue to serve.

I request Panchayats to identify landless people for grant of land with requisite documents. We will include this provision in our supplementary budget. Leaders should come forward to lead people in times of trouble and retreat. In times of prosperity. Society will suffer if the opposite happens. Senior citizens are given old-age pension; let them travel by SNT buses freely. Panchayat should help them to take advantage of all these facilities. Free distribution of cows, agricultural tools and seeds is not enough. The people should actually help themselves with such incentives. Panchayat members have great responsibility. They should educate our farmers about the market trends. They should be properly assisted to produce goods, so that they can sell them at local market and export them to the outside world. This will further strengthen Sikkim's economy.

We have granted 50% rebate on electricity charge to the poor. I would like to inform Panchayats that we want to provide free power (electricity) to people living below poverty line, but this will take time. We are constructing the Janata Bhawan at Gangtok. On the recommendation of Panchayats, poor Sikkimese can stay in this building free of cost. You can talk to government employees. We have enhanced their salaries by more than 100%. But are they sincere in their duties, people should be vigilant.

What and who is a Panchayat? This is a shortfall. In parliamentary system, people's representatives stand above government servant. We are people's representatives. In offices, Panchayats should place demands as part of their rights. Government officials should pay adequate attention to what Panchayat say and demand. In common cases in Secretary's chamber, Panchayats keep standing and the officials tend to ignore them. To respect them means respecting the Constitution.

We hold women in high esteem. Maternity allowance is being given to women and maternity leave has been increased to three months. Two extra increments are admissible to lady employees with only two children. You have to inform every one in the village about this. Thirty-three percent of reservation is granted to women in Panchayat and 30 percent in government employment. The wage of laborer has been enhanced by 100 percent. Anything-we have gained all along and not lost anything.

There is at present a widespread speculation on the implementation of Central income tax. There is certain leader playing double standard politics on this issue. The Central Government in itself was not interested to enforce this Act in Sikkim. But the Centre was forced to act in the manner it did. Crores of black money changed hands and were made into white money in the form of gift to cine stars. When the Act was extended to the state the then Chief Minister called for a three-day strike, moved to the court against the decision but sent three communications requesting for enforcement of the same in Sikkim. He tried to fool the Sikkimese people. When we came to the government, we tried our best to explain to Shri Rao and all other subsequent Prime Ministers to see our reason.

After all people from cross-section of society advised us to go for political solution than legal one, we decided to withdraw the case from the Supreme Court. We discussed it in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly and later I led an all-party delegation to meet the Prime Minister to request for the withdrawal of the case from Sikkim. Shri N.B. Bhandari went with me. He was the one to prominently endorse our view in front of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Vajpayee. Afterwards we had a dinner together. He talked, laughed and drank profusely. But after he came back to Gangtok, he blamed the government for the move. He did not even spare the Prime Minister. I am prepared to leave my chair than tell lies.

After we withdrew the case from the Supreme Court, we have formed a joint committee consisting of six representatives from both the state and the Central Government. I have a detailed discussion with the Deputy Prime Minister and the Finance Minister on the issue.

I have heard that people are pleading with the Panchayats to include them in the BPL list. What an irony? We want to make every Sikkimese rich and prosperous. Panchayats should argue that it is sheer foolishness.

We have provided for free education. We have our own medical and engineering college in the state. But seats are granted on the basis of merit. The government cannot obviously recommend people on the pick and choose basis. Let our children know that we have recently started Merit Scholarship, to encourage competitive attitude among our children. I am dedicated to the service of the poor, all because of my lifelong association with the poor and the implication of being poor. We have to change the mindset of the people. All people tend to think negative. This will not help. Let me refer to Fidel Castro of Cuba. After the independence, Cuba stopped getting oil from the gulf country. He acted fast and procured ten thousand cycles. All officials attended their office by covering the distance on cycle. Officials here in Sikkim refuse to attend office if petrol is stopped! Here there is every facility.

The government is moving ahead in area of infrastructure development-road, electricity, water, market etc. People should take advantage of this opportunity. They should be hard working and productive. The government has provided all necessary condition to take up different types of trades.

We have decided in the meeting of the Legislature to invite experts from Holland in floriculture. Our hydropower potential should be tapped in early, in collaboration with NHPC or any other competent company. We have to increase state revenue "to one thousand crores. After we can generate so much, we will surely give vehicles to Panchayats. Development of tourism industry is one of our priorities. Let us invite experts from Switzerland to draft our tourism plan. One airport is coming up. Four helipads are functioning.

Sikkim is a small and peaceful state. Let people from world over know that Sikkimese people live on floriculture, horticulture and export medicinal plants in abundance. Sikkim has so much of natural resources, we are still to wake up and act on this reality. We are getting quite a good amount of money from on-line lottery. Thirty crores have already come in. The State Government is genuinely concerned about the growing unemploy­ment problem and we are on our toes to find all possible alternatives to tackle this problem. We have scores of self-employment programmes including the Chief Minister Self Employment Scheme. If nothing works with our unemployed youngsters, we will grant them unemployed allowance. Our economic position is today strong enough. There are so many works going on allover the state. Let us decide and promise today to make Sikkim prosperous and the Sikkimese the self-reliant citizens of this country.

The State Government has also declared this year as the Year of Implementation. Works are going on war footing. I congratulate the officials, employees, Ministers, MLAs, engineers and Panchayats and all involved for this increased momentum. Let me tell you that a signboard is mandatory at the project site. If there is none, people should question the department. Panchayat should persuade young boys and girls against disfiguring signboard in the villages.

We must be producers. Look at Japan-a conglomeration of hundred tiny islands, a nation wrecked by atom bombs and regular earthquakes. They are number one in many  areas today. Compared to them, we are no less rich in terms of our natural resources but majority of our people are still poor. You have to tell the people to be the producer and no longer consumer. The other important thing is regarding inclusion of Tamang and Limboo in the Scheduled Tribe list. All parties in the state raised the demand. Today, there are people who say that this will encroach upon the rights and privileges of other tribes. This is unfounded and the opposition is crying foul without any reason. They only try to instigate people to fry their own fish. I say-once inside the tribal list, the Limboos and Tamangs will get their rightful place and privileges without impinging upon others. Nobody needs to worry.

This time around, Panchayat election will be held on party basis. Why? Why not if President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, MP, Chief Minister and MLAs are elected on party line? With this comes healthy debate, and democracy could be strengthened and institutionalized to the village level. I thank the Minister, Secretary and other officials in Rural Development Department for this wonderful meeting. I also thank all district Adhyaksha and up-Adhyaksha. May the Almighty protect you along your way to your villages.

With these words, I want to conclude. Thank you.