Thursday, Oct 01, 2026 00:00 [IST]
Last Update: Wednesday, Sep 30, 2026 18:21 [IST]
GEYZING,: Chief Minister P.S. Golay on Wednesday expressed concern over the declining fertility rate in the State, saying the figure of 1.01 children per woman requires immediate attention.
Addressing a pre-Gandhi Jayanti celebration organised by Gyanodaya Sansthan of Reshi in Rinchenpong constituency, Golay said the State government was considering introducing a scheme to reward couples who have at least two children before attaining the age of 24.
He said the government has already introduced IVF facilities for childless couples and enhanced maternity leave and increment benefits for government employees having more than one child.
“The figure of 1.01 children per woman is worrisome,” Golay said, adding that the declining number of children was also affecting government schools, with several institutions facing the prospect of closure because of falling enrolment.
The Chief Minister also announced that monetary benefits under Aama Sashaktikaran Yojana would be distributed on October 3 and 4 through constituency-level programmes across all 32 constituencies.
He asserted that mothers who could not be included in the list of beneficiaries this year would be covered under the scheme next year. He further stated that mothers who did not receive the benefits under any scheme would be given priority for other government benefits, including house upgradation and similar assistance.
The Chief Minister stressed the need for transparency and accuracy on the part of the agencies concerned while identifying genuine beneficiaries under the scheme. He called for a correct and verified list to ensure that all eligible mothers are included in the beneficiaries’ list.
“Genuine mothers should receive the benefits under the Aamaa Sashaktikaran Yojana, and the responsibility for ensuring this rests with the scrutiny team,” he said.
Golay also asserted benefits for low-income government employees including assistance for construction of kitchen and other infrastructures. “Everybody would have ample and equal opportunity for growth,” he said.
Appreciating the growth of the education sector in the State under the SKM government, Chief Minister P.S. Golay said the progress was reflected in the increasing number of Sikkimese students clearing some of the country’s toughest entrance examinations for higher studies.
He said the investments made by the present government in the education sector had started to bear fruit and added that a significant number of students clearing competitive entrance examinations were from government schools.
“The parents should give importance to government-run institutions, as they are equally capable of producing efficient human resources. However, I am not saying that private institutions are not good,” he said.
On employment opportunities in the government sector, Golay informed that vacancies for 400 police personnel and 100 junior engineer posts have been opened.
He claimed that 1,100 youths from Rinchenpong constituency, the highest among constituencies in the State, have so far secured employment in various sectors of the State government.
Speaking about developmental initiatives in Rinchenpong constituency, Golay said the constituency, once dubbed one of the most backward in the State, has made significant progress under the SKM government and has been moving forward in recent years. He also stated that several students from the constituency have secured seats for MBBS courses this year.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the longstanding drinking water crisis faced by areas including Suldung-Kamling, Mangalbaria and Rinchenpong would be addressed soon. He said the government has already sanctioned the budget for projects aimed at resolving the drinking water shortage in the constituency.
“We have allocated the budget for the projects to address the drinking water problem in Rinchenpong constituency,” Golay said.
Responding to the demands of establishing healthcare facilities in Rinchenpong constituency, Golay maintained that the land on which Rinchenpong Primary Health Centre (PHC) has been established belonged to former speaker D.N Takarpa and the State government has allocated required budget for the land acquisition and establishment of a hospital. He further shared that along with a hospital in Rinchenpong, Rs 10 crore each for the establishment of three other PHCs at Chyakhung, Bermiok and Namthang have been sanctioned by the State government.
“Development of health sector is our higher priority and the State government has been working to take health services to the doorstep of the people,” Golay said.
The Chief Minister also infomred that for the upgradation and development of Reshi-Rinchenpong and Kaluk road would be undertaken soon and that sufficient budget had been sanctioned to that purpose. “The development of Reshi-Rinchenpong and Kaluk road is important as the route is vital for the people of the constituency,” he said.
The event also saw felicitations of individuals from different walks of life for their contributions towards the society.
Area MLA Erung Tenzing Lepcha was also present along with other dignitaries.
