Sikkim govt gives financial assistance for construction of religious places of worship: CM... EPCS Church inaugurated

Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPCS) at PNG Complex 

SAJAL PRADHAN, EOI, Gangtok, 19 Feb 2019: Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling Tuesday claimed that his government provides financial assistance for construction of religious places of worship in the state.

"Sikkim is the only state where religious places of worship are constructed with financial aid from the state government," he said at a function after inaugurating the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPCS) at PNG Complex here.

The state government also provides grants and assistance for maintenance of places of worship of all faiths and communities, Chamling said.

Describing Sikkim as a model of secularism where every citizen has the right to profess the religion of his/her choice, the chief minister claimed that there has been no communal tension and unrest during his tenure of nearly 25 years.

No person is discriminated or marginalised based on caste, creed or religion in the state, Chamling said, adding the state government has provided two per cent reservation in jobs and education to the Scheduled Caste Christians by categorising them as weaker section.

The Christian community in Sikkim gets all the respect and dignity that they rightly deserve and there is complete protection of their identity as minority community, the chief minister added..

Talking on the progress that the State has witnessed in the last two and a half decades, Chamling highlighted a few of the key achievents-

- Per capita income has increased from Rs.9,000 (1994) to Rs. 3,41,000 which is 2nd highest in the Country.

- Growth rate has increased by 5,000 times.

- Basic minimum needs of the people have been fulfilled.

- Life expectancy of the people has increased by 11 years.

- Sikkim has witnessed the quickest reduction of poverty after World War II.

- Literacy rate has increased to 96.72% -the best in the Country.

- Highest road density.