The Sikkim Progressive Youth Forum (SPYF) demanded the Prem Singh Tamang-led government invest in health infrastructure development rather than in other sectors at this time of the pandemic.
Saying that the health infrastructure must be made ready to deal with any possible situation, the party demanded to establish testing labs in the district hospitals across the state. The party also demanded the government to initiate random testing.
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“The Cabinet on May 8 sanctioned Rs 63.83 crore for the construction of pilgrimage center at Central Pendam, East Sikkim. It can be understood that the step has been taken to foster the tourism sector in the state. However, in the present global scenario, up-gradation and strengthening of the health sector is the primary necessity and we feel that maximum resources must be invested in the health sector avoiding any kind of unimportant investment elsewhere,” SPYF stated in a letter dashed off to the CM.
Expressing concern over the rising unemployment rate, the party urged the government to provide a fixed pension for at least six months to the people who lost their jobs due the lockdown. “Funds to provide this aid can be collected by slashing a certain amount from the salaries of all political appointees and government servants having salaries higher than Rs 1 Lakh per month,” they said.
Talking about people of the state stranded in different parts of the country, the party demanded the government to speed up the evacuation process and provide all help they require till they remain stranded.
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