Sikkim : CAP vows to end corruption, transform education sector if elected in 2024

Rai pledged to end corruption within three years of a CAP government

With an eye on the 2024 elections, Citizen Action Party (CAP) Sikkim’s chief coordinator, Ganesh Rai has lashed out at the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) government for harbouring and encouraging corruption and money laundering and alleged that corruption has reached unprecedented levels under the present SKM rule. He said this while addressing the Namchi district council meeting on Tuesday.

Rai claimed that every Central agency is closely monitoring the situation in the state, with the Enforcement Directorate already establishing its presence due to suspected money laundering activities.

Rai targeted the proliferation of casinos in Sikkim, stating that the SKM government must take responsibility for their expansion. He criticized the party for campaigning against casinos but later adding more to the state, with no apparent benefit to Sikkim. Rai promised to remove corruption from the system within three years of forming the government.

According to Rai, about 30% of the annual State Budget, amounting to Rs 1800 crore to Rs 2000 crore, is allegedly misappropriated through inflated costs in various infrastructure projects. Projects such as the Bhaichung Stadium, Tashiling Secretariat building, and the new STNM Hospital were mentioned as examples of such corruption.

“Our government will focus on eliminating corruption, aiming to bring it down by 10-15% in the first year itself. This will result in savings of Rs 800 crore-Rs 900 crore, which will be redirected towards service regularization, empowering local self-governance, and other welfare schemes,” stated Rai.

Addressing the concerns of OFOJ (One Family, One Job) and casual employees, Rai assured that his party would empower them as assets and partners in the state’s development. He pledged to regularize all OFOJ, ADHOC, and temporary employees within two years of forming the government.

Rai warned other political parties against threatening or intimidating CAP Sikkim leaders and workers. He emphasized that his party stands against unjust policies and programs but does not engage in personal attacks.

Rai urged the Sikkimese electorate to support CAP Sikkim, asserting that their government would bring positive changes and eradicate the state’s financial challenges.

On the education front, Rai made several promises, including the creation of an “Education Block” in every GPU (Gram Panchayat Unit) to improve education quality. Teachers, assistant professors, and associate professors would be accorded VIP status with corresponding facilities and honour.

The party also announced a student credit card scheme that would offer loans up to Rs 10 lakh to financially constrained meritorious students for higher studies and technical education. No collateral or recommendations from MLAs or party leaders would be required for this scheme.

Regarding the funding for the Student Credit Card scheme, Rai stated that the education cess presently disbursed for other purposes would be redirected to fund the initiative, with the government acting as the guarantor.

The party’s other major promises include establishing residential schools in every GPU, setting up a medical college in Sikkim, providing research grants to universities and colleges, and bringing IIT/IIM-equivalent institutions to the state.

The party aims to transform Sikkim’s political landscape and restore its prestige, promising a corruption-free government that works for the welfare of the people.

Also Read : Sikkim: NIT marks three years of implementing National Education Policy 2020

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