Sikkim: Government Of Sikkim state of India has brought the annual budget in the house.
The Urban Dynamics in the past, particularly before we took over the governance in Sikkim, all the local elections, both urban and rural bodies, were held strictly on a political basis. The ruling political party could be seen everywhere actively sponsoring candidates, politicizing every household and even the individuals. All the oppositions were crushed beyond recognition. Everywhere it was a monopoly of the ruling political party. We have seen, faced and experienced the very diabolical results. Those who did not fall in line were targeted, boycotted, physically abused and mentally tortured and victimized along with their families and friends. How can we forget such dangerous misdemeanourand distortions in the peace-loving society of Sikkim?
Therefore, we have decided to give free and open space to the people to use their democratic rights and fulfil their aspirations. We started party less election for the first time in the recently held Municipality elections in all the districts. Individuals for the first time were involved in clean and competitive campaigns demonstrating their leadership quality and also ability to deliver goods and services to their respective wards. There was no violence,everyone came to vote smilingly as no one was watching their actions and monitoring their movements. Today we have municipality representatives elected by the people and not by a political party. Old habits diehard.This time also we saw desperate attempts by this deeply entrenched vested interest to politicize the urban body elections. People said a big NO to them. We thankyou and congratulate the people and the elected representatives.
Our Government will wholeheartedly support all the elected bodies and members. We appeal to them to work hard and very closely with the people so that we can change the very nature, contents and lifestyles in the urban areas to more healthy, better amenities and well planned units. Please bring the best ideas, relevant concepts and affordable technologies of development from anywhere in the world. Try such successful models like that of Surat in Gujarat.
We have several union Government projects including Smart Cities, AMRUT, Atmanirbhar Bharat,Swachh Bharat etc.
We must make use of them fully and make these projects locally sustainable in spirit and practice. The 15th Finance Commission has set aside a significant chunk of fund for the urban and local bodies. To encourage robust activities in the urban locations,the tax on sale/purchase of Land and Building in themarket area by the business community has the residential certificate is reduced from 10% to 5% making it equal to all categories of citizens.
