The state government has once again laid
greater emphasis on education and tourism.
According to official reports, the proposal for the printing
of a departmental textbook for the academic session 2007-2008
was put forward at a recent cabinet meeting of the state government
here. The textbooks are to be provided free of cost to students
of pre-primary to Class V and at a 50 per cent subsidy to
students of Class VI to Class XII. The total estimated cost
is Rs over Rs 1 crore. Another grant-in-aid amounting to Rs
76.5 lakhs will also be made to non-government schools. At
the meeting, officials also discussed means to improve tourism
in the state.
A proposal for the development of a Community Park at Bhojey
and a Water Garden at Hee-Pul under Integrated Development
of Tourism in West Sikkim was put forward. The total cost
of the project is estimated at over Rs 4 crore.
As per the report, a proposal for the transfer of funds amounting
to Rs 2.63 crores from the department of social justice empowerment
and welfare to the rural management and development department
was also considered at the meeting.
The Cabinet also chalked out strategy for introduction of
an airport at Pakyong.