CM chairs coordination meeting to enhance collective efforts, collaboration in governance

GANGTOK,(IPR): A coordination meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay with all the heads of departments/secretaries, all District Magistrates, District Superintendents of Police, all officers in the rank of joint secretary and equivalent and above in and around Gangtok, was organised by the Department of Personnel here at Chintan Bhawan today.

The meeting had the presence of Raj Kumari Thapa, Deputy Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Council of Ministers, MLAs, Advisors, V B Pathak, chief administrator cum cabinet secretary, and R Telang, chief secretary.

In his address, the Chief Minister expressed hope that the attendees had gained a clear understanding of the shortcomings within various departments. He emphasised the critical role of coordination in governance and stressed the importance of reviewing and analysing discussions from previous meetings. He suggested that such coordination meetings should be held regularly to track progress and ensure effective implementation of decisions.

The Chief Minister urged all departments to work in coordination under the banner, Team Sikkim, fostering collaboration and collective effort. Additionally, he elaborated on the Child Care Leave initiative introduced by the State government, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to employee welfare.

Furthermore, he underscored that public service should remain top priority, highlighting the need for efficient communication between government officials and the public. He encouraged officials to proactively address public grievances, simplify administrative processes, and implement governance at the doorstep.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the importance of monitoring the influx of people entering the state, to maintain proper records. Additionally, he addressed key concerns raised during the meeting and expressed hope that the departments would acknowledge and make necessary improvements.

VB Pathak delivered a comprehensive presentation, emphasising the State finances and revenue realisation to ensure the effective utilisation of the State budget. He also provided insights into the Union Budget 2025-26, highlighting its implications for the State.

He underscored the significance of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and Central Sector Schemes in the State’s financial planning, urging all departments to stay informed about the central funds available for the State government. He elaborated on the flow of CSS funds, reviewed the fund distribution process, and analysed the key factors contributing to the decline in CSS allocations.

Additionally, he presented an overview of CSS receipts for 2024-25 across various departments, stressing the importance of strengthening financial oversight, optimising fund utilisation, implementing cost-control measures, and ensuring fiscal prudence. He also discussed government land management and documentation, the need for proper records of high-value infrastructure, cost-saving strategies, and policy recommendations. Furthermore, he provided an analysis of revenue receipts for the financial year 2024-25 up to January 2025 across various line departments, highlighting trends and areas for improvement.

In his address, R Telang outlined the primary objectives of the meeting, emphasising the importance of efficient time management, maintaining a comprehensive leave register, and effectively utilising the E-Office system to enhance future administrative processes. He stressed the need for improved interdepartmental coordination and urged a thorough review and reinvention of the department’s role to align with evolving governance demands.

Additionally, he highlighted the necessity of submitting detailed tour reports after every government-sponsored exposure visit to ensure accountability and knowledge-sharing.

Telang also underscored the significance of evidence-based governance, advocating for data-driven decision-making to enhance transparency, efficiency, and policy effectiveness.

Rinzing Chewang Bhutia, secretary, Department of Personnel, in his welcome address emphasised that the coordination meeting aims to enhance communication and improve policy-making. He also elaborated on the Child Care Leave and congratulated the Chief Minister for being recognised as the most popular leader in the India Today Mood of the Nation poll.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Labour Management web portal and mobile app, developed by the Labour department for labour registration. Additionally, the State government allocated land to ESIC (Employees' State Insurance Corporation) beneficiaries for the construction of a 100-bedded hospital at Mamring.

Following the session, the Chief Minister and the chief administrator cum cabinet secretary, engaged in a Q&A session, seeking clarification on key points, which were promptly addressed by the relevant departments.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Mahesh Sharma, additional secretary Department of Personnel.