Gangtok, June 11: Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang participated in the Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which focused on the theme “Human Capital for Viksit Bharat @2047.” At the beginning of his address, Tamang congratulated the Prime Minister on becoming India’s longest-serving elected leader, calling it a testament to his vision and dedication to nation-building.

Highlighting Sikkim’s progress, the Chief Minister noted that the state was recently declared Fully Literate in the presence of the President of India and now ranks among the top ten states in the Human Development Index. He emphasized that Sikkim continues to perform above the national average in health and child welfare indicators. Environmental conservation, he added, remains central to the state’s development model, with nearly half of its land under forest cover and one of the highest proportions of protected wildlife areas in the country.

Tamang outlined initiatives in education and skill development, including Green Schools, Mero Rukh Mero Santati, Shishu Samriddhi Yojana, the MAYA Mission, and the Bahini Scheme. He also pointed to the expansion of high-speed broadband in schools and the establishment of an AI Centre of Excellence in Gangtok. On youth empowerment, he cited six Khelo India Centres and a State Centre of Excellence that are nurturing sporting talent, alongside entrepreneurship programs such as Sikkim INSPIRES and CM Elevate under the vision of “One Family, One Entrepreneur.”

While celebrating these achievements, Tamang stressed that connectivity remains Sikkim’s greatest challenge. He urged the Government of India to prioritize road, rail, air, and digital infrastructure, noting its importance for both economic growth and national security in the border state. He proposed a dedicated human capital support framework for Himalayan and North-Eastern states, faster implementation of BharatNet 3.0, and greater support for AI-enabled education, telemedicine, tourism, and wellness-based skill development.

The Chief Minister also sought the extension of the North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy (NEIIPP) beyond 2027, underlining its role in attracting investment and generating employment. Reaffirming Sikkim’s commitment to the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, Tamang expressed confidence that collaboration between the Centre, NITI Aayog, and the states would help build a healthy, educated, skilled and empowered India.