One day long SLA Winter Session held today

One day long SLA Winter Session held today
Rel. IPR

One day long SLA Winter Session held today

21 Dec, Gangtok: One day winter session 2011 of Sikkim Legislative Assembly presided over by the Speaker SLA Mr K.T.Gyaltsen was held, today at SLA Secretariat. The session began with the obituary reference to late Padam Bahadur Gurung, former member Sikkim Legislative Assembly and condolence message on 18th September earthquake victims.
The Chief Minister Mr Pawan Chamling, who is also the Leader of the House and Speaker SLA Mr K.T.Gyaltsen in their obituary reference to late Mr P.B.Gurung said that with the passing away of Late Mr Padam Bahadur Gurung, the State has lost a philanthropic and visionary leader. His death has created a void not only in political arena but also State as a whole. He will always be missed by the people of Sikkim.
Late Mr Padam Bahadur Gurung, was born on 4th February 1945 at Piuretar Okhray, West Sikkim. He passed away on 5th October 2011 at the age of 72 years after a prolonged illness. Late Mr Gurung set out his political voyage with the formation of Sikkim Janta Parishad Party founded by Mr N.B. Bhandari in 1978. He contested elections from Daramdin Constituency in 1979 and was elected to the second Sikkim Legislative Assembly and was inducted in the Ministry. He was elected from the same constituency for two consecutive terms i.e. Third and Fourth Legislative Assembly in the year 1985 and 1989 respectively and served as a Minister in various capacities in the Sikkim Sangram Parishad Government.
He was a social activist and founded the association “Dukha Niwaran Samiti” to mitigate hardships in the society.
In the condolence message on 18th September, 2011 earthquake victims, the Chief Minister said that it is with deep sorrow and anguish he recalled the fateful night of earthquake that struck the State, which left the people helpless. Extensive damages were reported within seconds that claimed several human lives, properties and damages to the infrastructures. The catastrophe has taken the State back by 5 to 7 years in terms of development. The State Government has also submitted a report to the Government of India for grant of Rs 6890 crores for relief and rehabilitation process.
The Chief Minister also added that the State Government is thankful to the Prime Minister for visiting the State in the hour of need and for announcing an immediate relief package of Rs 1000 crore to the State Government. Similarly, he also thanked the Union Home Minister Mr P. Chidambaram for visiting the state and announcing a grant of 50 crores as well as the Congress General Secretary, Mr Rahul Gandhi and host of other dignitaries for their support to the State.
He also mentioned the name of the States like Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and other states and Institutions, State Government Undertakings for their contributions to the State. The Leader of House also expressed his gratitude to the Army, Paramilitary Forces including BRO and State Government Officials, NGOs in joining hands to provide rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures to the affected people. To make an assessment of the damages caused by the earthquake, the Chief Minister had personally toured the State and saw the extensive damages inflicted by the earthquake and distributed immediate relief to the victims. He called upon the people to respond collectively in rebuilding the State. The House also expressed their condolences for the earthquake victims.
A two minutes silence was also observed in memory of Late Padam Bahadur Gurung and those who lost their lives in the earthquake.
During the Legislative Business Hour, Mr Pawan Chamling who is also the Minister-in Charge for Finance Revenue and Expenditure Department introduced the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Amendment Bill, Bill No. 20 of 2011 which was unanimously passed by the House.
Mr C.B.Karki, Minister for Rural Management and Development Department presented the Annual Technical Inspection Report of Accountant General, Sikkim for the year 2009-10 on Panchayat Raj Institutions, Government of Sikkim. Thereafter, Speaker Mr K.T.Gyaltsen announced the presentation of Annual Reports of the Government Departments and Commissions.
While presenting the vote of thanks, Leader of the House thanked the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Members of SLA, Chief Secretary, HoDs, State Government officials and all others involved in smooth functioning of the winter session.
Adding further, he said that this year, the State is extensively damaged by the earthquake and quick and immediate relief and rehabilitation were provided to the people. The State Government is committed in rebuilding the State keeping mind the developmental tempo of the State and will be able to put Sikkim back on its feet.
Mr Chamling further informed that the State Government announced an ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased person and Rs 20,000 each to the injured persons during the Rangchang Bridge collapse on 19th December, 2011. He also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the victims and ordered for an immediate enquiry on the bridge collapsed. The Chief Minister also stressed that the quality has to be prioritized in all State Government policies and programmes. Lastly, he also wished the people of Sikkim a Merry Christmas, Lossong and Happy and a prosperous New Year 2012.
Similarly, the Speaker also presented his vote of thanks and extended his greetings to the people of Sikkim and later on adjourned the House Sine -Die.