Every Sikkimese will be a crorepati-CM

Sikkim CM Mr. Pawan Kumar Chamling has promised to make every Sikkimese a 'crorepati' if she or he votes for their Sikkim Democratic Front in the April 12 Lok Sabha Election, inviting criticism by his opponents.

"We will work diligently in your coming days to make every Sikkimese a crorepati in this future role, " claims the manifesto on the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF).

At Rs  1, 42, 625 in 2012-13, the per capita income on the land-locked Himalayan state is among the highest in the continent and way before the national average.

SDF leaders declare that if voted to power to the fifth time inside a row, the government will now try to take the per capita income with a staggering Rs a single crore.

"It could be because of our continuous development work the state has accomplished well economically. Now we have a vision to help make Sikkim financially protected and independent in the near future, " SDF spokesperson Bhim Dahal told PTI here.

Politics opponents, however, say the 'crorepati' dream is nothing lower than utopian.

"Their party leaders have grown crorepatis as they are neck-deep in data corruption. The government failed to allow the CBI for you to enquire against Chamling's assets 2-3 years back when there has been a complaint next to him, " Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) standard secretary Jacob Khaling alleged.

He pointed out that since the outgoing Assembly does not have any opposition member, there seemed to be no check and balance in the functioning of the government. SDF had received all 32 Assembly seats within the last few election.

Former Sikkim Fundamental Minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari also laughs with the 'crorepati' dream.

"It is funny that they're claiming such points. Chamling is a lot into corruption that once he loses power he'll go to offender. He has quit the CBI by enquiring against them. After he is going of power, nothing will eradicate the CBI by enquiring into their unaccounted assets, inches Bhandari charged.

SDF leaders say when the party led by Chamling reached power in 1994, the per capita revenue of Sikkim was merely Rs 9000.

Ever since then the state federal government has improved agro-production, horticulture, floriculture and proven new industries and also eco-tourism initiatives to enhance revenue generation.

Simply by going organic, agriculture and horticulture production has increased and farmers recover prices. With beneficial road connectivity, many tourists spots came up in hawaii giving locals the chance to earn, specifically through homestays.

In line with official figures, tourism now is the reason almost 8 % of the point out gross domestic product. Sikkim’s industrial foundation comprises fruit running, brewing and distilling and also pharma companies. Besides it has approved of around 25 hydropower projects to generate additional revenue.

Still depending on central transfers, Sikkim has relatively high level of capital expenditure which has sometimes resulted in huge fiscal deficits.

In line with budget estimates regarding 2012-13, the state’s economical deficit stood at 3. 5 %.