The Hindu : National / Elections 2004 : Chamling promises Sikkim the sky

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Thursday, Apr 22, 2004

National

National - Elections 2004

Chamling promises Sikkim the sky

Marcus Dam

KOLKATA

The National Democratic Alliance's "feel good" factor seems to pale in comparison with the Sikkim Chief Minister, Pawan Kumar Chamling's "feel proud" slogan for the coming Assembly polls in the State. Mr. Chamling's Sikkim Democratic Front is a constituent of the NDA. And, if India is indeed shining as the BJP claims it is, then the tiny Himalayan State is lustrous. At least that is what the SDF's election manifesto would have one believe.

The SDF, in its manifesto, has set its sights on a future another two elections from now. "Our Vision: 2015" carries with it a plethora of promises, one being the "endeavour to raise the per capita income [of the people of the State] to Rs one lakh." "We shall make Sikkim a zero-poverty State ... fully literate ... a land of opportunity ... the principal tourism destination in South and South-East Asia," the manifesto declares.

The "Vision" also envisages making Sikkim a "pollution and disease-free State ... the best welfare State in the country... a producer State ... the best performing State ... [and one having] the most competitive and efficient mountain economy.''

In the party manifesto is a list of "missions," some apolitical and aimed at moral edification, which the SDF has vowed to undertake. One such mission is "corruption-free Sikkim." There is the pledge "... to create a generation of Sikkimese who are indeed healthy in their moral and inner being." "We are investing in the creation of a new set of ideal Sikkimese who are outward looking, tolerant and morally uncompromising... Therefore our mission is one of making every Sikkimese morally strong," it states.

Also on the agenda "is replacing the traditional system of governance." The manifesto notes: "...corruption ultimately adds to public expenditure and impinges on growth and development." In its bid to make governance more "effective, efficient and transparent" the SDF proposes "to totally mechanise the file disposal system and revamp the entire system of office management."

There is a passing reference to the French Revolution of 1789, which "is said to have caused cataclysmic political and social upheavals resulting in the establishment of the First Republic." The manifesto briefly traces the course of political history to the "... stage where democracy offered a refreshing definition of freedom and equality." But, it observes, "progress is highly subjective in nature [and] granting rights alone may not fully address the question of social distortion and economic disparity..." Hence the "mission" to "promote third generation reforms in human rights."

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