CM seeks continuation of organic farming scheme, raises NH-10 concerns at NEC meet

GANGTOK, :Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang attended the 73rd Plenary Meeting of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong, Meghalaya today. The meeting was chaired by Union Home Minister and NEC chairman Amit Shah, in the presence of Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Governors, Chief Ministers, and senior officials from the North Eastern States.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister highlighted Sikkim’s key development priorities aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, focusing on organic agriculture, tourism, education, skill development, MSME growth, innovation, and infrastructure development, informs a CMO release. “He (Chief Minister) emphasized the need to strengthen agricultural value chains and market linkages across the North Eastern Region, sought the continuation of the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) scheme, and requested the extension of benefits under the North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy (NEIIPP) beyond 2027.”

As a convenor of the High-Level Task Force on Agriculture and Horticulture for Addressing Gaps in Value Chains and Market Linkages in the North Eastern Region, Tamang also presented the Task Force’s recommendations through a comprehensive presentation. The report outlined strategic interventions aimed at strengthening value chains, improving market access, enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting value addition, and fostering sustainable growth in the agriculture and horticulture sectors across the North Eastern States.

The Chief Minister further highlighted the challenges posed by recurring flash floods and stressed the need for a permanent solution to NH-10 connectivity issues. He also called for the early completion of key road, rail, air, and digital infrastructure projects and urged immediate restoration measures for the Chungthang-Lachen road affected in the Tarum Chu area of North Sikkim.

“The deliberations reflected a shared commitment towards unlocking the immense potential of the North Eastern Region and advancing sustainable, inclusive, and resilient development for the benefit of farmers, communities, and future generations,” the CMO said.

The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his visionary leadership and commitment to the development of the North East. He also thanked Union Minister for DoNERJyotiraditya M. Scindia, the Ministry of DoNER, NEC Secretariat, Government of Meghalaya led by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, and the Governments of Assam and West Bengal for their hospitality and support.