PTI

GANGTOK: The Centre has released a grant of over Rs 1.21 crore to Sikkim as additional Central assistance in 2000-01 fiscal for promoting the welfare of the scheduled tribes and also to raise the level of administration of the scheduled areas in the state.

Official sources said on Monday that the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry released the fund for four new projects in tribal-dominated areas of north Sikkim district.

The Ministry alloted Rs 71.77 lakh for renovation of Myong Chu mini hydel project (2X2 mw), Rs 38.87 lakh for Lachung micro hydel project (2 X 100kv), Rs 4.5 lakh for providing protective work and Jhora (water spring)training work at Mangan power colony and Rs 6.14 lakh for similar work at a transmission tower in north district, the sources said.

Sikkim also recieved a grant of over Rs 1.96 crore for 2000-01 fiscal as additional Financial assistance from the Tribal Affairs Ministry.

Out of the amount, Rs 9.75 lakh was the payment of the second and final instalment of the total amount of Rs 19.5 lakh sanctioned earlier. The remaining amount of over Rs 1.87 crore was given for carpeting of roads and constructing of rope-ways in different places in East, South and North Sikkim districts, the sources added.