Sikkim setting example for other States: Dr Jitendra

NEW DELHI, Dec 12: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said here today that Sikkim is setting an example for other States of India and though being one of the smallest and youngest States of Indian union, it has important cues and motivations for others to follow.

Addressing a meeting of the representatives of the Eleven Indigenous Ethnic Communities of Sikkim (EIECOS) led by Shiv Kumar Rai, Dr Jitendra Singh said, Sikkim was the first State of India to be officially declared ODF (Open Defecation Free), even though by its culture, tradition and lifestyle, it has always been ODF. Similarly, he said, Sikkim has set an example for other States by banning the burning of leaves which would act as a safeguard against pollution or smog and forest fire, and at the same time, also enable “waste to wealth” processing of the leaves for recycling.
Sikkim also gets the credit of being the first “Organic State” of India, said Dr Jitendra Singh and added that the Ministry of DoNER has been instrumental in showcasing the incredible organic produce of Sikkim, both within the State as well as in other parts of India.
While Sikkim has a high literacy rate in India, Dr Jitendra Singh said, among the smaller States, its GDP is comparatively of very high level and also higher than the average national GDP.
After detailed interaction with the representatives of the indigenous communities who have traveled all the way from Sikkim to meet the Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh said, he had noted down their demand to be included in the list of Scheduled Tribes and said that since the issue pertains to the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, he will forward their case to the concerned Ministry for its views. Meanwhile, the representatives of the indigenous communities organization told the media persons that the communities already included in the Scheduled Tribes from the State had a similar socio-economic background as they have, and therefore, they had approached the Government of India for correcting this anomaly.