Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Dec 11: Governor of Sikkim, Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh at his office here and discussed a wide range of issues including the Prime Minister’s probable visit to the State early next year.
Dr Jitendra Singh conveyed to the Governor, Centre’s keenness to ensure that the airport at Gangtok becomes functional at the earliest. He said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also taken up this issue with the Chief Secretary of Sikkim during the “Pragati” meeting and was personally following up the progress of the work. He said, Chief Minister of Sikkim had, during his recent visit to Delhi, conveyed that the process of shifting the families from the vicinity of airport to an alternative site had begun, which will enable the work for setting up airport to get expedited.
It is a matter of pride, said Dr Jitendra Singh, that the State of Sikkim, though small in size and population, was going to be declared as the first “organic” State of the country. This will not only give a boost to the economy of the State but will also open up the opportunity for trade with other countries across the Eastern borders and thus also make Sikkim an important participant in India’s “Act East Policy”, he said.
Governor Shriniwas Dadasa-heb Patil extended an invitation to Dr Jitendra Singh to visit Sikkim, in response to which the Minister said that it is a part of his responsibilities, as a DoNER Minister, to undertake regular visits to Northeastern States and that he is planning his next visit to the State of Sikkim in the month of January itself. He also assured the Governor that the State Government will be duly informed as soon as the date of the Prime Minister’s visit is finalised.
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