Sikkim: Former CM Pawan Chamling to ramp up Corona Testing

Opposition Sikkim Democratic Front party chief Pawan Chamling on Thursday led a delegation to Governor of Sikkim Ganga Prasad seeking attention on various issues. Issues include setting up the COVID 19 Laboratory Testing Facility immediately on a war footing, the COVID 19 frontline warrior to be ensured with Insurance of Rs 1 crore and paid a double salary during their line of duty, the farmers engaged in Agriculture, Diary, Floriculture, Horticulture, Fishery, Poultry livestock, etc. are to be provided with minimum support price and compensation/relief as per the damage to their products. In addition to this, they should be provided the necessary relief materials from time to time as to be distributed by the authority. In the case of commercial vehicles RS. 20.000/to be provided as relief to the owners of heavy commercial vehicles per month and Rs. 10000 per month to be provided as relief to the owners to light commercial vehicles.

All taxi drivers/ commercial Vehicles drivers to be provided an amount of RS. l0.000/per month as a relief. In addition to this, they should be provided the necessary relief materials from time to time as to be distributed by the authority.

The neighbouring Districts of West Bengal bordering Sikkim has been declared as Red Alert Zone areas. Therefore, proper investigation and disinfection processes must be carried out to all the essential food items, medical items, hardware materials. etc. before being allowed to enter Sikkim.

All those persons engaged in Pharmaceutical companies and other essential service providers to be paid three times their basic salaries. Complete medical facilities and health care to be provided to all the individuals working in such sectors. In addition to this, they should be provided the necessary relief materials from time to time as to be distributed by the authority.

All loans obtained by the people from any Nationalised Banks, State Bank of Sikkim. Sikkim Industrial Development Corporation (SIDICO), Sikkim Schedule Cast, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Class Corporation (SABCCO) and other Financial Institutions are also to give a moratorium till the stability of the economy is achieved. All interests accrued on such loans to be waived off. The aforesaid reliefs to be also applied or consider to all the others loans obtained under the State Government policies and programmes such as, Chief Minister’s Self Employment Schemes(CMSES), Education loan, Chief Minister’s Start-up Scheme, etc.

Many of our local students and persons working in different sectors are living outside the State. As informed many of them due to certain difficulties desire to return back to Sikkim and some of who are presently undergoing financial and other difficulties. Based on their individual choice and difficulties the State Government should provide immediate relief for sustenance.

Many of our students are undergoing higher studies and training courses within Sikkim and outside. As a result of this Lockdown, such students and persons are facing acute financial difficulty. We request that such students and persons undergoing courses be provided relief of Rs. 300/per day or relief amount of Rs. 10,000/per month.

As a result of the Lockdown, there has been a shortage of several essential commodities and reports of hoardings. We request that strict action should be taken to regulate the supply of essential commodities and to protect consumer interest.

In order to mitigate and substantially meet the ongoing and future challenges, the State Government should immediately set up the Medical Advisory Committee and the Economic Advisory Committee to be represented by eminent personalities in the respective fields.

While later Pawan Chamling, addressing the media said we don't want to play politics at this crisis hour but we have few suggestions to the government for the welfare of people of Sikkim which should be addressed.