Sikkim Earthquake: Sep 18 earthquake has taken Sikkim back 5-7 years: CM

Gangtok, Dec 21 (PTI) Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today said the 6.8 Richter scale earthquake that rocked Sikkim in September has taken the state back by five to seven years in terms of development. "Sikkim suffered extensive damages in the earthquake which has taken back the state back by five to seven years in terms of development but we are committed to rebuild the state," Chamling told the one-day winter session of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly. Sikkim government has also submitted a report to the Centre for grant of Rs 6890 crore for relief and rehabilitation process, he said. More than 90 people had died in the September 18 earthquake. Chamling thanked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for visiting the state in the hour of need and for announcing an immediate relief package of Rs 1000 crore to the state. He also expressed gratitude to Home Minister P Chidambaram for visiting the state and announcing a grant of 50 crores as well as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and a host of other dignitaries for their support to the state. During the legislative business hour, Chamling who is also the Minister-in Charge for Finance Revenue and Expenditure Department, introduced the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2011 which was unanimously passed by the House. He further said that the state government announced an ex-gratia of Rs one lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased person and Rs 20,000 each to the injured persons in the Rangchang Bridge collapse on December 19.