Sikkim Assembly Budget Session 2024-25: A Vision for Sustainable Growth and Innovation

The Sikkim Legislative Assembly Budget Session 2024-25 began today, emphasizing resilience and strategic planning. Governor Om Prakash Mathur highlighted the state's progress despite recent challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Lhonak Lake burst. Key focuses include economic growth, sustainable development, healthcare, education, tourism, and digital transformation. Major bills on e-stamping, online gaming regulation, and tourism were introduced.

Posted by by Ajay Gupta Political journalist August 6, 2024 1:32 am 5 Min Read
Sikkim Legislative Assembly Budget Session 2024-25: A Vision for Sustainable Growth and Innovation
Sikkim Legislative Assembly Budget Session 2024-25: A Vision for Sustainable Growth and Innovation

GANGTOK, August 06, 2024: Sikkim Legislative Assembly Budget Session 2024-25 commenced today at the SLA Secretariat, marking a pivotal moment for the state. Presided over by Speaker Mingma Norbu Sherpa, the session opened with Governor Om Prakash Mathur’s address, emphasizing resilience and strategic planning amidst recent challenges.

Governor’s Address Sikkim Assembly 2024-25

Governor Om Prakash Mathur addressed the assembly, noting the impressive 83.4% voter turnout in the recent elections. He acknowledged the significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Lhonak Lake burst of October 4, 2023, on Sikkim’s economy and infrastructure. Despite these challenges, the governor highlighted Sikkim’s substantial progress in sustainable development, health, education, and environmental sustainability.

Sikkim Legislative Assembly Budget Session 2024-25 Economic Resilience and Growth

  • GDP and Economic Forecast: Sikkim’s GDP is projected to exceed Rs 52,555 crore for FY 2024-25, an 85% increase since 2018-19. The per capita income for FY 2023-24 stands at Rs 7,07,181, marking a 64% rise from 2018-19.
  • Fiscal Management: The budget outlines a gross expenditure provision of Rs 14,490.67 crore, with a net outgo of Rs 14,002.69 crore after recoveries amounting to Rs 487.97 crore.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Sikkim has emerged as a top performer in NITI Aayog’s SDG assessment, underscoring its commitment to equitable and sustainable growth.

Sectoral Achievements Sikkim Assembly Budget Session 2024-25

  • Sikkim Assembly Health and Education: Sikkim ranks 7th in the gross enrolment ratio at 38.6%, surpassing the national average. Significant improvements in healthcare were also noted.
  • Sikkim Assembly Tourism and Agriculture: Sikkim continues to enhance its tourism sector and implement innovative practices in agriculture and food processing.
  • Digital Transformation: The state ranks 4th in digitalization among states with a population under 1 crore, according to the State of India’s Digital Economy 2024 report.

Sikkim Assembly Strategic Focus Areas for 2024-25

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, who also serves as the Finance Minister, presented a detailed budget emphasizing key development sectors.

  • Employment and Youth Development: The budget aims to improve employability through targeted training and education programs.
  • Healthcare and Wellness Hub: Initiatives to develop Sikkim into a healthcare and wellness hub were highlighted.
  • Tourism and Infrastructure: Significant investments are planned for enhancing tourism infrastructure and promoting Sikkim as a premier destination.
  • Civic Amenities and Social Infrastructure: The budget focuses on improving civic amenities and social infrastructure, ensuring comprehensive development.

Bills Introduced in Sikkim Assembly

Three major bills were introduced to Sikkim Budget Session 2024-25.

  1. The Sikkim Court Fees and Stamps on Documents (Amendment) Bill, 2024: Proposes the introduction of e-stamping to streamline the payment of stamp duty, enhancing security and ease of verification.
  2. The Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2024: Aims to redefine terms and impose penalties for unlicensed operators, ensuring better regulation of online gaming.
  3. The Sikkim Registration of Tourist Trade Bill, 2024: Establishes a legal framework to regulate tourism activities, promoting safety, quality, and ethical practices.

Vision for a United and Prosperous Sikkim

Governor Mathur emphasized the importance of unity in achieving the state’s ambitious goals. Aligning with the National Agenda of Viksit Bharat 2047, Sikkim’s strategic focus remains on electricity, water, and roads, crucial for sustained economic growth.

Pathway to Sustainable Development

The Sikkim Legislative Assembly’s Budget Session 2024-25 sets a robust framework for growth and transformation. The state’s commitment to sustainable development, technological advancement, and comprehensive sectoral improvements positions it for continued success. As Sikkim moves forward, the collaborative efforts of its government and citizens will be pivotal in realizing its vision of a prosperous and resilient state.

For more details, visit the Sikkim Legislative Assembly website.

 

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Ajay Gupta Political journalist
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my goal is to explain the complex world of politics in a clear and understandable way. For over twenty years, I have been writing about politics, sharing my thoughts and analyses in well-known national and international publications. I believe in providing a balanced and thorough view of political issues, helping my readers understand the full picture. Through careful research and engaging writing, I aim to make complicated topics easy to grasp, offering fair and unbiased insights. My work is meant to be a reliable guide, helping readers navigate the political landscape with confidence and understanding.