K. T. Gyaltsen

User Rating:  / 1

K. T. Gyaltsen

  Mr. K. T. Gyaltsen whose name means ‘banner of victory’ in the Lepcha dialect practiced law for 7 years until he joined mainstream politics in 1992-93. He completed his BA from St. Stephens College, New Delhi and LLB from Campus Law Center Delhi. He is the son of late T. S. Gyaltsen (former Chief Secretary to the Government of Sikkim). He is a former Tourism Minister of Sikkim and now holds the post of Speaker of the Sikkim Assembly. The following excerpts of his interview with Eastern Panorama:
E.P -What differentiates Sikkim from the rest of the North East?
K.T.G - This question can be answered in many ways. Sikkim is much younger in the entire process of democratic governance. We joined the mainstream only in 1975. We are much younger then the other Northeastern states. The difference I would say is that Sikkim is small but beautiful and at the same time we have been very fortunate and lucky by way of stable governments and a visionary leader Mr. Pawan Chamling. We are on the 4th term of the present SDF (Sikkim Democratic Front) government and we have managed to maintain peace along with development and progress. At the same time  we are at very difficult position because we have almost three international borders China (Tibet) Bhutan and Nepal and of course West Bengal on the other side. With our limited resources, we have been able to do pretty well as far as overall development is concerned, I see Shillong has a lot of natural resources. So in that aspect, unlike Assam or Meghalaya or even other North East states we don’t have so many natural resources.
E.P - What do you think can lead the North East states to a better future?
K.T.G - I think that first and foremost, for any state or nation to develop, peace and tranquility is very important. Peace is an important instrument in the overall development of the state or nation. Next comes an assurance that the dreams and aspirations of the people of the respective states are fulfilled first and foremost and the governments must come up with very good pro-poor, pro-active policies and programs. Secondly, the programs must be strictly and properly implemented and finally, the programs which must be implemented must be well monitored. So once these basic duties are fulfilled by the state, the government and the representatives, I think the difficulties will be slowly overcome.
E.P - Are you saying that the monitoring and implementation in other states are not being one properly?
K.T.G – No, I did not say that. Genuinely there are states where insurgency is a problem because of which development can not take place. But let us look at the overall context. If there is insurgency we have to find ways and means to control it. At the same time if there is no insurgency we have to make sure development and progress takes place in the state so that insurgency is not invited. So it needs a thorough study and differs from state to state. I think policies and programs must be made appropriate to the situation in that state.
E.P - What are your future policies with regard to Sikkim?
K.T.G - In Sikkim we have taken a lot of pro - poor policies, positive pro-active policies and to start with we have given top priority to education; quality education. Health is another thing that we are taking top priority on and simultaneously tourism which is a part of this entire thing is also coming up very well. So basically the programs we have taken up are in all fields, and they are coming up very well. Now we are at the end of course which is also the main object of the government for the policies. We are trying our best to create proper infrastructure, create all supporting factors which are required to increase the happiness index of every individual in the state. We are trying to do this in every aspect of life.
E.P - Any possibility of direct trade with Bhutan and Nepal through Sikkim?
K.T.G - Actually we already have border trade with China (Nathhula) which is coming up. I would not like to comment much because moment we talk about a foreign country it becomes a very high national and international matter. I am sure the executive or the state government is definitely looking into this and it is very much in the pipeline.
E.P - Do you think that the Look East Policy will meet its deadline?
K.T.G - I think it should if the people of the North East understand the genuine good intentions of the Central Government. The Central Government looks into the entire problem and difficulty of all the Northeastern states in the right prospective and right policies are made which of course should be with a human touch. I am sure nothing is impossible, it is very much possible.