CM announces 2% DA and DR hike for State employees and pensioners

GANGTOK, (IPR): Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang today announced a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for State government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners, applicable for the period from January 1 to June 2026, with the arrears to be paid before Dashain 2026.

The announcement was made during the Chief Minister’s address at the State-level celebration of the 80th Independence Day held at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok, where he also outlined the State government’s development priorities and reiterated its commitment towards building a Viksit Sikkim @2047 in alignment with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

The Chief Minister stated that the State government had decided to follow the centre’s revision of DA and DR, highlighting that Sikkim has consistently increased and disbursed DA and DR for its employees and pensioners in line with revisions made by the Government of India.

Earlier, the Chief Minister hoisted the National Flag at the venue, followed by the National Anthem. He thereafter inspected the parade, comprising contingents from the ITBP, SSB, Assam Police, SAP, 2nd IRBn, 3rd IRBn, Sikkim Police (Male and Female Platoons), Forest Department, Home Guards and Civil Defence, NCC and participating school contingents from Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School, TNA, Modern Senior Secondary School, Paljor Namgyal Girls Senior Secondary School, Enchey Senior Secondary School, West Point Senior Secondary School, Tadong Senior Secondary School and Deorali Girls Senior Secondary School, along with the Sikkim Police Band. The 7th Assam Police Battalion participated as the Guest Platoon.

The parade was commanded by Additional Superintendent of Police, Santosh Baniya, with Police Inspector Manish Gurung serving as the Parade 2IC.

Following the March Past, the parade contingents peeled off.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister paid tribute to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for India's independence and expressed gratitude to the armed forces, central armed police forces, border guarding forces, Sikkim Police and all security personnel for their service in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty, unity and security.

Highlighting Sikkim’s strategic importance as a sensitive border State, he said national security remained a priority for the State Government. He informed that 20% reservation each has been ensured for ex-Agniveers in the recruitment of Constables in Sikkim Police and Forest Guards in the Forest and Environment Department.

Emphasising the importance of border development, the Chief Minister said that the border should not be viewed as the last part of the country, but as the place where India begins. He stated that infrastructure development was being undertaken in 46 border villages of Sikkim under the Vibrant Villages Programme, stressing that vibrant villages, roads, schools, healthcare, communication, employment opportunities and confident citizens were equally important for a strong border.

Recalling Sikkim’s contribution to the freedom struggle, he paid tribute to freedom fighters Savitri Devi, also known as Helen Lepcha, and Trilochan Pokhrel, popularly remembered as ‘Bande Pokhrel’ or ‘Gandhi Pokhrel’. He stated that the state had honoured their legacy by naming the Medical College after Helen Lepcha and Pakyong Airport after Trilochan Pokhrel.

The Chief Minister also highlighted Sikkim’s recent achievements during its Golden Jubilee year, including the conferment of the prestigious President’s Colour upon Sikkim Police by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu. He expressed gratitude to the President, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India for their support and participation in the state’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.

On the State’s economic progress, the Chief Minister said that Sikkim’s real GSDP growth had averaged more than 12.6% over the past eight years, while the state’s GSDP had increased from Rs 28,402 crore in 2018-19 to approximately Rs 62,973 crore in 2026-27. He said the State was targeting an annual average economic growth rate of more than 13% in the coming years towards achieving Viksit Sikkim @2047.

The Chief Minister also announced several initiatives and highlighted achievements across key sectors.

In healthcare, he announced the launch of the Kidney Transplant Programme at STNM Hospital, while adding that Helen Lepcha Sikkim Government Medical College had received permission to admit 100 MBBS students annually from 2026-27. He also highlighted progress in cancer treatment, dialysis and specialist healthcare services.

In education, he highlighted Sikkim’s achievement of being declared a fully literate State in May 2026, making it the fifth State in the country to attain the status. He also highlighted the implementation of the Kindergarten System in all government schools, the Chief Minister’s Model Schools, the Special Numeracy Programme and the Chief Minister’s Mentorship Programme.

Speaking about youth and employment, he highlighted Sikkim INSPIRES, the Skilled Youth Start-up Scheme, Mukhyamantri Yuva Udhyamsheelta Vikas Yojna (MYUVY), SIKKIM RISE and Niyukti Kendra, acknowledging the growing number of MSMEs and employment opportunities for young people.

On agriculture, the Chief Minister announced that eligible farmers who repay their KCC crop loans on time would effectively receive loans at an interest rate of 1%, with the government bearing the interest component. He also highlighted the "Mero Elaichi, Mero Dhan" initiative for the revival of large cardamom cultivation.

Tourism, infrastructure, urban development and housing were also highlighted as key areas of the state’s development agenda, while outlining various ongoing and proposed tourism projects, including ropeways, the Skywalk, adventure tourism projects and the Holistic Institute of Ayurveda and Wellness Centre.

On women’s empowerment, he highlighted the Aama Sashaktikaran Yojana, Aama Sahayog Yojana, Bahini Yojana and Mukhya Mantri Vatsalya Yojana, besides announcing the expansion of Aama Sashaktikaran Yojana to cover 50,000 mothers from 2027. He also highlighted the Aama Didi Bahini Pink Bus Service, operated by women drivers and conductors, as an example of safe public transport, self-reliance and opportunity for women.

He highlighted increasing participation of women in public leadership, stating that 35 women councillors were elected out of 64 seats in the 2026 Urban Local Body elections, while the Gangtok Municipal Corporation elected its first woman Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

Reaffirming the State government’s commitment to Sikkim’s cultural identity, the Chief Minister said that the languages, traditions, traditional attire, arts and customs of all communities would continue to be preserved and promoted. He also highlighted efforts towards documentation, reconstruction and preservation of traditional Lepcha Ru-Soam or cane bridges in collaboration with UNESCO.

On the environment, he said that Sikkim’s forest cover had increased from 47.08% in 2021 to approximately 47.33% in 2023, while highlighting initiatives such as "Mero Rukh, Mero Santati" and "Mero Bato, Mero Bot". He also informed about the recording of a tiger at an altitude of 3,966 metres in the Kyong-Nos-La area and the designation of Khecheopalri Wetland as Sikkim’s first Ramsar Site.

In sports, he announced plans for the Swarna Jayanti Integrated Sports and Cultural Village, comprising a FIFA-standard football stadium, athletics and field sports complex, indoor stadium, high-performance training centre and sports medicine facilities. Plans for a modern Swarna Jayanti Convention Centre were also highlighted.

The Chief Minister also announced plans to upgrade the existing New Sikkim House in New Delhi, originally constructed as a 26-room facility during the tenure of former Chief Minister Late Nar Bahadur Bhandari, into a modern facility with more than 100 rooms.

Calling upon the people to collectively contribute towards nation-building, the Chief Minister urged citizens to uphold the Constitution and democracy, remain vigilant towards national security, preserve communal harmony, protect the environment and Himalayas, and make hard work, honesty and innovation the foundations of a stronger Sikkim.

He expressed gratitude to the farmers, workers, teachers, doctors, nurses, government employees, police personnel, entrepreneurs, artists, sportspersons, youth, students, mothers and sisters, senior citizens and citizens from all walks of life for their contribution to the state’s development.

The Chief Minister concluded by expressing confidence that through collective resolve, hard work and unity, Viksit Sikkim @2047 would progress proudly alongside the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, and extended his greetings and best wishes to the people of Sikkim and the nation on the 80th Independence Day.

The 80th Independence Day celebration also witnessed the presentation of various awards and honours recognising bravery, meritorious service, academic excellence and achievements across diverse fields.

Additionally, the celebration also featured the release and launch of several important publications, guidelines, products and reports by various departments.

The Education Department released the Reintegration of Out-of-School Children in Sikkim – Operational Guidelines, aimed at providing a structured framework for bringing out-of-school children back into the formal education system.

While the Social Welfare Department released five books featuring translations in five tribal languages of Sikkim, the Information and Public Relations Department (IPR) released the latest edition of Sikkim Today, the department’s flagship publication showcasing the state’s development journey, achievements, culture and emerging opportunities.

Subsequently, three new tea products from Temi Tea Estate, namely, Temi Milk Tea, Temi Guras Tea and Temi White Tea, were also launched during the programme.

The Directorate of Economics, Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation (DESM&E) also released two survey reports, namely the Survey of Hotels and Homestays and the Survey of Industries.

The ceremonial programme also featured a band display by Sikkim Police, followed by a cultural presentation organised by the Culture Department and performed by students from various schools.

This was followed by a band display by Chief Minister’s Model School, Assam Lingzey, and a performance by the Indian Army Band.

Thereafter, the results of the parade competitions were also announced. The 2nd IRBn was adjudged the All-Round Best Platoon in Division A, while the Home Guards and Civil Defence contingent was adjudged the All-Round Best Platoon in Division B. Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School was adjudged the Best School Contingent.

The programme concluded with a mass singing of the national song, led by artists from the Culture Department.