Chamling's meeting with Ms. Patil

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling called on the President, Pratibha Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on August 25.

Mr. Chamling, who was meeting Ms. Patil for the first time after she assumed the office, apprised her about the various developmental initiatives made by the State Government in fields like Tourism, Hydro-Power, Horticulture and Floriculture in the State.

He also mentioned the fact that even after having merged with the India Union about three decades back, there has not been a single Minister from Sikkim inducted in the Union Cabinet nor a Governor or a Supreme Court Judge appointed from Sikkim. Despite this, the people of Sikkim are very happy and “emotionally integrated with the national mainstream,” Mr. Chamling told the President.

The Chief Minister also informed Ms. Patil about some of the major demands of the State pending with the Central Government particularly the construction of Airport, Rail link connectivity and reservation of Assembly seats for Limboo and Tamang Communities in Sikkim and sought for her intervention in this regard.

The President gave assurance that she would personally look into these issues for early resolution.

The Chief Minister extended an invitation to the President of India to inaugurate the International Flora Show to be held in March, 2008 here in Gangtok.

The President fondly remembered her recent visit to Sikkim and appreciated the State Government’s concerted steps for socio-economic development of the people of the State especially the empowerment of women.

The Chief Minister also took this opportunity to congratulated Ms. Patil on assuming the highest post in the country.

Mr. Chamling was accompanied by RB Subba, Minister, Commerce & Industry, Hishey Lachungapa, Minister, Health, ND Rai, MP (Lok Sabha), OT Lepcha, MP (Rajya Sabha), RS Basnet, Pr. Secretary to the CM and Anil K Ganeriwala, Resident Commissioner.

Source: Sikkim Express