Sikkim Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Parliament House in New Delhi on July 30 and submitted a memorandum seeking the Centre’s intervention on several long-pending issues, including Scheduled Tribe status for 12 communities, improved connectivity, higher education institutions and the resumption of commercial flight services at Pakyong Airport.
During the meeting, Subba conveyed greetings from the people and the Government of Sikkim and thanked the Prime Minister for the Centre’s continued support towards the state’s development.
Prime Minister Modi also enquired about the recent tunnel accident in Sikkim. The MP briefed him on the state’s response to the incident and expressed gratitude for the Prime Minister’s concern and support extended to the affected families.
In the memorandum, Subba sought the inclusion of 12 left-out communities in the Scheduled Tribe list and requested amendments to the Representation of the People Act, 1950, to enable reservation of seats for Scheduled Tribes in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly. He said the move would address the long-pending aspirations of the Limboo and Tamang communities.
The MP also requested the Centre’s support for the proposed visit of the 17th Karmapa to Sikkim.
Highlighting infrastructure priorities, Subba urged the construction of a Greenfield highway parallel to National Highway-10, away from the Teesta valley, to ensure reliable all-weather connectivity. He also called for the development of a strategic all-weather road along the Indo-Nepal border in western Sikkim and better road connectivity to Border Outposts.
Among his other proposals were the restoration of scheduled commercial flight operations at Pakyong Airport, the establishment of an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) or an extension campus of an existing IIT in the state, and the setting up of a National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) to strengthen Sikkim’s handloom and textile sector.
