The Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Pawan Kumar Chamling called on the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in New Delhi and held an over half-an-hour meeting to discuss wide range of issues including the various developmental projects in the State. 

Dr Jitendra Singh conveyed to the Chief Minister the need to complete the ongoing work of the Airport at Pakyong near Gangtok and expressed the hope that the same would be a game changer for tourism, revenue and job generation. 

Lauding the government and the civil society of Sikkim for maintaining high literacy and growth rates over the years, Dr Jitendra Singh appreciated the smooth rollout and implementation of the GST in the State. He also hailed the positive and cooperative approach with which the State of Sikkim has adopted the “One Nation, One Tax” reform of GST. 

Shri Pawan Kumar Chamling conveyed to the DoNER Minister his concern over the blockade of the vital Rangpo-Siliguri (NH10) road link caused by the Gorkhaland protesters leading to breakdown of the only road link that exists between the State of Sikkim and the rest of India. He appealed for certain remedial measures to prevent such blockade from happening time and again. 

Dr Jitendra Singh took note of all the points raised by the chief minister. He said, he would deliberate on all these issues within the DONER Ministry as well as with the other concerned Ministries.