Budget session of Sikkim assembly begins

The four-day long budget session of the Sikkim Assembly commenced today with the customary address by Governor Shriniwas Patil.
He said that during the fiscal 2017-18, the state government is committed to focus on roads and housing projects.
"Besides roads, my Government is also committed to making Sikkim a Kutcha House free state by building more than 3000 more houses during the year. My Government has declared 2017 as the year of development," he stated.
Speaking on the reservation of seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, the Governor said that the state government has been vigorously pursuing with the Government of India, the demand for provision of seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly for the Limboo-Tamang communities which has been pending for more than 14 years.

He also put on record that the state government has been able to convince the Government of India for permitting His Holiness, the 17th Karmapa to come to Sikkim.
Earlier, the Governor began his address by conveying condolence on behalf of the House and the people of Sikkim on the demise of former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Late J.Jayalalithaa, former member, Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Late Dilli Ram Basnet, and former Governor of Sikkim, Late P Shiv Shankar.
After the Governor's address, Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling who is also the leader of the House, moved the motion of thanks on the Governor's address.

The Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Ugen T. Gyatso seconded the motion of thanks on the Governor's address.