Sikkim achieved a growth rate of 8.95 per cent during 11th Plan, higher than national average, the Chief Minister, Mr Pawan Chamling said. He claimed that the State would become totally organic by 2013, and added that out of the cultivable land of 58,168 hectares, about 8,168 hectares had already been certified as organic by accredited institutions.
Mr Chamling, who was in the Capital last week to finalise the Annual Plan, said the poverty level in Sikkim had been reduced from 30.9 per cent in the year 2004-05 to 13.1 per cent in 2009-10. He said the State had 8,000 MW hydro electric potential, of which 5,000 MW had been allocated to the Central and private sectors.
In the next three years, the State will generate annual revenue of Rs 1,500 crore, with tourism emerging as the largest service industry, he said in a release.
Sikkim's Annual Plan for 2012-13 has been fixed at Rs 1,500 crore, which is Rs 100 crore higher than last year. Mr Chamling said that the Planning Commission would release additional Rs 377 crore under the Prime Minister's Relief Fund to help the State rebuild its infrastructure that was damaged in the earthquake last September.
aditi.n@thehindu.co.in