Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling on Friday concluded his first phase of West Sikkim tour at Rinchenpong. Addressing the public there, Mr Chamling announced that the Limboo-Tamang (LT) seats are “almost there,” and that the Sikkim Legislative Assembly seats were all set to be increased from the present 32 to 40.

He also said that the LT seat issue is a matter of the Centre and that the state government can only make demands. Not very happy with the central government, Mr Chamling said: “The people of Sikkim are simply demanding their rights as citizens of the country, and not begging for pity.”

He also slammed the opposition parties of the state and asked the public to beware of such “negative forces” and follow those who bring about peace and prosperity to them.

Speaking on the ban on import of inorganic vegetables from outside the state, Mr Chamling said that the protests launched by the opposition parties and vegetable traders are for their own personal interests and that they go against the villagers.

During his three-day long tour of West Sikkim, which is part of his 32-day tour of the state, he made several announcements, including sanctioning in principle of all link/approach/new cutting roads, drinking water supply, construction of playgrounds, protective wall works, and construction of wayside amenities in the region.

During his first day of the tour at Daramdim, he also announced construction of a Limboo Community Centre, sports academy, and multipurpose community centre, while he said the Sombaria Bazaar would be upgraded and beautified.

He also said that an ecofriendly ‘waterfall tourism spot’ would be developed there. He further said that an Organic Tea Garden to would be set up at Hilley, provided that it is taken up by cooperative societies. “The state government will provide food subsidy to the workers of the tea garden,” he said.

During his second day at Soreng, Mr Chamling said all unused government sites will be allotted to the landless people–‘sukumbasis.’ He said that MBBS courses in upcoming Medical Colleges of the state will be free for Sikkimese students.

He also said that free laptops will be provided to all class XII students of government schools. He said financial assistance of Rs. 3000 per month would be granted to TB patients of the state.

Further, Rs 1000 will be given to those who inform/report any case of TB. On the third and final day in Rinchenpong, Mr Chamling announced that he would construct Rabindranath Tagore Memorial Parks and gardens in the constituency.

Among a slew of other proposals and decisions, he said a community hall would be constructed at Mangalbaria, while new temples, Mangkhim (temple of the Kiranti communities), monasteries and churches would be built there.