Gangtok, Jan 15: Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Thursday met Suman K. Berry, Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog, at his official residence to review the state’s development trajectory, achievements and future priorities.
 |
| Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang with Suman K. Berry, Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog |
At the outset, Berry lauded Sikkim’s progress, particularly its rise from fourth to first position nationally in per capita income. He expressed interest in understanding the policy framework behind the achievement. Responding, the Chief Minister attributed the success to people-centric governance with sustained focus on health, education and environmental sustainability. He cited initiatives such as Mero Rukh Mero Santati and Sishu Samriddhi Yojana, noting that these programmes contributed to a 2.9 per cent increase in forest cover, reinforcing Sikkim’s reputation as an environmentally responsible state.
Highlighting challenges, Tamang said tourism—the backbone of Sikkim’s economy—continues to be affected by inadequate and vulnerable connectivity, especially road infrastructure. He referred to recent discussions with the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) Managing Director, stressing the need to expedite an alternative highway with a new alignment opposite NH-10 to support long-term growth.
The Chief Minister also reiterated Sikkim’s commitment to remaining a 100 per cent organic state, explaining that organic farming’s low-volume, high-value model requires farmers to receive premium prices. He underscored the need for investments in branding, marketing and cold-chain infrastructure to help Sikkim’s organic produce access major metropolitan markets.
Seeking guidance on urban challenges, Tamang flagged urban overcrowding and emphasised satellite town development and rapid urban mobility. He said alternative transport modes such as cable cars and monorail systems are essential for sustainable urban expansion.
Under the vision of Viksit Bharat and Viksit Sikkim, the Chief Minister highlighted opportunities in border trade and tourism, noting Sikkim’s strategic location with international borders on three sides. With the proposed resumption of Nathula trade from April 2026, he requested support to expand the limited list of tradable commodities. He also called for revitalising cross-border trade with Nepal through the Chewabhanjyang corridor, which could open new avenues, particularly in health and education.
Tamang further raised concerns related to employment-generating sectors, especially the pharmaceutical industry, and sought support for extending subsidies beyond 2027. He acknowledged the consistent support of the Government of India under the leadership of Narendra Modi, saying it has been instrumental in accelerating Sikkim’s development.
The meeting was attended by Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog; Darpajit Sengupta, State Advisor (Sikkim), NITI Aayog; V.B. Pathak, Chief Administrator-cum-Cabinet Secretary; R. Telang, Chief Secretary; M.T. Sherpa, Secretary (Planning); S.D. Dhakal, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister; and Karma Namgyal, Secretary, Chief Minister’s Office.
