“During the 12 years of Peoples' rule, I tried to alleviate the masses from inherent poverty"
On 12th December 2006 the poor and down-trodden people of Sikkim will commemorate the 12th year of their victory over the anti-democratic forces. SDF Government was essentially formed for the cause of the people especially for the suppressed lot. During the 12 long years we devoted our time, energy and thoughts wholeheartedly working for their safeguard and development. We did it strict discipline. Looking back we feel twelve long years passed off like 12 months.However, I must let the people of Sikkim know that the ideological revolution, which I had started, was aimed at changing their mindset and to empower them fully. The goal to create a new and self reliant Sikkim is yet to be achieved. I have neither forgotten this avowed goal set by my party and the government nor veered away from it even for a moment.

The Government we took over twelve years ago was financially in bad shape with very meager resources left for the developmental works. Moreover, the government was steeped in more than RS.500 crores of debt and other severe financial liabilities. The erstwhile Government had also stood guarantor for loanee organizations like; Sikkim Jewels, Rural Electrification Corporation, NABARD, HUDCO and Sikkim Vanaspati etc .. Most of the industries in the state during that time were sick. We gradually came out of such a deplorable and hopeless stage. We emerged victorious as we followed stringent financial discipline and creative approaches. This included curtailing of all unnecessary governmental expenditures; creation of new sources of revenue ,generation without imposing additional taxes on the masses; exploring new ere areas of productive activities including floriculture and horticulture, giving a boost to non-traditional activities like - tourism and hydel power, management of productive goal oriented projects; and the increase in the purchasing power of the people which bailed out Sikkim and led it towards the path of self reliance and development. The result was commendable. Annual revenue of the state in 1993-94 was amere Rs.41.30 crores, today it is more than 300 crores. But the path was not strewn with roses, we were time and again badgered by the reactionary forces while working for the development of the state. Yet our struggle continues as we would like to deepen the values of democracy to the bottom rock of Sikkimese land.

A number of times, the anti- people forces and vested interest under different guise and political forms ventured to sully the faith reposed by the people in the name of the SDF party. But they did not realize that nothing can overcome the ideological revolution which is the main source of peoples' strength. Those who consider politics as a seasonal harvest are the ones who live in delusion of being in the centre of public faith. In fact, we have greatly realized that only if an organization and leadership becomes a vehicle of unwavering policies and ideology that can alone be the custodian and champion of peoples' trust and confidence. This unmatched quality was in the SDF's collective leadership and it will remain so. We were able to render our services to the people of Sikkim to this extent even after struggling against ideological enemies, anti-Sikkimese people and anti-government forces

During the last 12 years, the political demands of each and every citizens and ethnic groups have been fulfilled. The entire Nepali community has been included in the OBC list; Limboos and Tamangs have been accorded the status of Scheduled Tribes and the existing Scheduled Tribes viz., Bhutias and Lepchas, have been assured a secure and honorable position. Besides these, social justice is also guaranteed to the Scheduled Castes. Besides, Sanskrit, Bhutia, Lepcha, Limboo, Rai, Gurung, Tamang, Mangar, Sunuwar, Newari and Nepali languages are being further developed. Sikkim has been able to attain the first position in the development of Nepali language in the country.

An administration based on justice and equality has been established. Sikkim is a forward looking state today. We are the darling of all the peace loving people. The economic conditions of poor people, who were in the lowest rung of the society, have considerably improved. We have created a democratic milieu in Sikkim so that the people belonging to lowest strata of society could be uplifted socially, economically and politically. Therefore, I stand here today for the cause of the poor and downtrodden and not for the rich and privileged ones. I have enough potentiality and self control and determination to drive and nothing can deter me. This potentiality is a manifestation of omnipotent force of a deprived and downtrodden people of Sikkim. I have been constantly inspired and empowered by them to struggle for seekingjustice, equality and prosperity for them.

While going through the phases of ongoing revolution, I am committed to impregnate the social, political, and economic facade of our society with ideological revolution that are both progressive and people oriented. I am not alone in my crusade. I am with my determined coo strugglers. Some of my compatriots have forgotten their promises made to the people. Selfish and self seeking attitudes have overwhelmed them. We have to struggle even against their negativity. Owing to such vested interests I had to face difficulties in running the government. Even today, I am struggling against such elements, who hail from different political organizations and whose only agenda is to denigrate me. From the day we formed our government, these elements have indulged themselves in campaigns of vilification and all types of conspiracies against me and my government. They have used all available means to tarnish my image. These anti- people elements are bent upon opposing the revolution which I am leading day and night

We have therefore tried to codify our experiences in the form of this book which chronicles achievements and development of the Sikkimese people in the course of the last 12 years of r ideological campaign and revolution. I think it is the bounden duty of every citizen to go through - is historic document.

During 12 years of my popular government, I tried to free the people from the bondage of here poverty and used my wisdom and energy in their favour. I never wasted time, rather every moment was utilized for meaningful purposes. I always considered Karma (deed) as the greatest Dharma (religion). I always pray to the Almighty to make me the medium of peace and channel of love, so that I may be able to utilize my entire energy in mitigating their sufferings and enabling me "'0 work continuously to serve those who are sick, indigent and needy.

The people voted me to power for an extraordinary task at a time when the state was in dire straits. From this vantage point when I review the past, introspect upon and when I consider the denigration and derogatory activities of the anti- people elements, I feel there is a need for a constructive destruction. And there is a need to constantly fight against such elements to ensure free expression of the subjugated voice of the millions of the poor. Unless those unjust, autocratic elements are intellectually defeated and socially made irrelevant, it is impossible to provide justice and freedom to the people.

We introduced Sikkim and made her famous in the nation and to some extent in the world. I joined politics only with an aim to make Sikkim and her people self reliant. The 1973 revolution brought democracy into Sikkim yet the legacy of former regime continued. Inspire of being a member of Indian Union, the democratic system was in paper only. At that time Sikkim was passing through an era of "Democratic Deficit". Such paper democracy was not able to bring changes among the people, rather it harmed them. Poverty was mounting and their political, economic and human rights were crushed and stunted. As such the people of Sikkim had to harrowingly wait for a real democracy until the SDF party led a second democratic movement in early nineties.

After the formation of SDF Government, people of Sikkim got a new lease of life. Public consciousness and aspirations were like a bird flying freely in the azure sky. Today, each and every individual has  freedom, growth and peace. With the efforts of the Government, Sikkim today has become a most prosperous and peaceful state, where the people are fully endowed with rights And privileges. Owing to development oriented policies and good governance, Sikkim today is assing through an era of 'Democratic Profit'. However, our work, our revolution and our promises are yet to be completed and fully achieved. Our revolution is on. Considering our effort, sincerity and transparency, the Sikkimese people must repose the faith of their prowess and creative energy  in creating new and prosperous Sikkim. Today, Sikkim has become a land of opportunities. The government has created a conducive -atmosphere for trade, commercial and social ventures in the state. A number of service sectors, i e: tourism, floriculture, horticulture, hotel, industry, hydel power etc. have been opened and the future generation, especially the youth should avail maximum benefits from it. In order to avail of these opportunities there is a need to enhance the capabilities and knowledge base of our youths. Our government has created both opportunities and the means for utilizing them. The youths are being encouraged to undergo various skill development and capacity building training and orientation programmes to enable them to avail of these huge opportunities. The Government has launched "Youth Mission" and the time has come for the youths and the people to step forward to take up these new vocations.

One must realize that inspite of sixty years of independence; poverty is still endemic in our country. This should not however discourage and defeat us. In advanced countries like America and Cuba, poverty still persists inspite of 300 years and 60 years of their independence, respectively. Sikkim was under 330 years of monarchical rule, 6 years of Kazi government and 14 years of Bhandari's autocratic rule. As such, it may be mentioned here that the real democracy dawned into Sikkim only after 12 December 1994 when the SDF government took over the rein of the state

Within the last 12 years of our governance we successfully completed those tasks which had been neglected duringthe past350 years. Hence, we have tried to chronicle our achievements of the past 12 years in the form this book. It is a book that places facts before the people to evoke their memories. This is a document that gives us confidence to do more work. It is a document of Sikkimese people's victory over injustice, tyranny and mal administration. We call upon the people of Sikkim to go through it. We request the people of Sikkim to evaluate and judge themselves whether the promises and commitments which we made before coming to power, have been fulfilled.

A well wisher of Sikkimese people.

Pawan Chamling
Chief Minister of Sikkim