DISHA meeting reviews welfare and development schemes across Gangtok district

GANGTOK, (IPR): The District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting for Gangtok district was held at the conference hall of Zilla Bhawan, Gangtok today.

The meeting was chaired by Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) and DISHA chairman Indra Hang Subba, in the presence of Roads and Bridges minister Nar Bahadur Dahal (Chettri), MLAs Kala Rai, Samdup Tshering Bhutia and Tenzing Norbu Lamtha and Gangtok Zilla Adhyaksha Balaram Adhikari.

The meeting reviewed the implementation and progress of various Central and State government schemes and development programmes being implemented across the district.

In his keynote address, MP and chairperson Indra Hang Subba appreciated the active participation of all members in the meeting. He urged all departments to take into account the suggestions and observations of the DISHA Committee while implementing Centrally Sponsored Schemes.

He directed the concerned departments to submit written replies, along with definite timelines, on issues that could not be adequately addressed during the meeting. He also instructed departments to specify the reasons for delays in ongoing projects and outline the corrective measures being taken to ensure their timely completion. He clarified that the committee's objective was not to find fault with departments but to strengthen accountability, improve coordination and enhance public service delivery. He added that regular monitoring helps identify implementation gaps and enables departments to take timely corrective action.

Highlighting the importance of the DISHA Committee, Indra Hang Subba stated that the forum plays a vital role in monitoring the effective implementation of government schemes to ensure that their benefits reach the intended beneficiaries. He emphasised that welfare schemes are designed to reduce socio-economic disparities and improve the lives of the poor, vulnerable and marginalised sections of society.

The chairperson said that public representatives and government officials share the responsibility of ensuring transparency, accountability and the efficient implementation of development programmes. He urged departments to proactively assist eligible beneficiaries facing difficulties due to a lack of awareness or incomplete documentation so that no deserving person is deprived of government support.

Appreciating the efforts of the Commerce and Industries department, he called for greater emphasis on skill development and entrepreneurship. He said the success of training programmes should be measured through tangible outcomes such as employment generation, enterprise creation and improved livelihoods.

He further called for a more coordinated and people-centric approach to development. Reiterating that public representatives and government officials are accountable to the people, he urged every department to remain responsive to public concerns and ensure effective delivery of government services.

Concluding his address, Indra Hang Subba underscored the importance of preserving Sikkim's unique identity and called upon everyone to work collectively with dedication and commitment towards the inclusive and sustainable development of the State.

Speaking during the meeting, Upper Burtuk MLA Kala Rai emphasised the need for departments to work in close coordination to ensure the timely and effective implementation of government schemes. She urged officials to adopt a collaborative approach in addressing implementation challenges and strengthening service delivery so that the benefits of various welfare and development programmes reach every eligible beneficiary across the district.

Earlier, the programme commenced with a welcome address delivered by Gangtok ADC (Development) Rajani Sharma.

This was followed by a presentation on the highlights of the minutes of the previous DISHA meeting and the significance of the committee by Gangtok ADC Sisum Wangchuk Bhutia.

During the meeting, the Rural Development department, Agriculture department, Social Welfare department, Health and Family Welfare department and the Commerce and Industries department delivered PowerPoint presentations on the implementation and progress of various flagship Central and State government schemes under their respective departments.

The Rural Development department presented the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), which aims to provide Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to every rural household, the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) for providing all-weather road connectivity to eligible rural habitations, and the Dhara Vikas initiative for spring-shed development and sustainable water resource management.

The Agriculture department highlighted the implementation of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) for promoting agricultural growth, enhancing farmers' incomes and strengthening agricultural infrastructure. The department also presented the progress of the Krishi Unnati Yojana, an umbrella scheme aimed at increasing agricultural productivity, promoting sustainable farming practices and supporting the overall development of the agriculture sector.

The Social Welfare department presented the progress of projects being implemented under the Ministry of Minority Affairs, including the construction of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and the 300-bedded hospital at Singtam. The department also highlighted initiatives under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, including the construction of toilets and a 50-bedded girls' hostel at Samdong. In addition, it reviewed projects under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, including the construction of a 100-bedded Scheduled Caste boys' and girls' hostel at NBBGC.

The Health and Family Welfare department presented the implementation and progress of the Nikshay Poshan Yojana, the Treatment Supporter Honorarium for tuberculosis patients, Nikshay Mitra Food Basket. The epartment presented the implementation and progress of the Nikshay Poshan Yojana, Treatment Supporter Honorarium for tuberculosis (TB) patients, Nikshay Mitra Food Basket Distribution, Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) and the National Health Mission (NHM).

The department also highlighted the implementation of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme for the prevention and control of dengue, scrub typhus and malaria, along with snakebite management initiatives. It also reviewed the progress of the National TB Elimination Programme, National Quality Assurance Standards, National Mental Health Programme, National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), programmes for the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases, including hypertension and diabetes, the National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE), and the National Programme for Control of Blindness.

The department further informed that training programmes on mental health, menstrual hygiene and other public health issues had been conducted to strengthen awareness and capacity building. It also reviewed the progress of ongoing infrastructure projects under Centrally Sponsored Schemes, including the Block Public Health Unit at Sang PHC and the Primary Health Sub-Centre at Marchak.

The Commerce and Industries department presented the implementation of the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), a credit-linked subsidy scheme that promotes self-employment through the establishment of micro-enterprises. The department also highlighted the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) programme for enhancing the competitiveness and productivity of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. It further presented the UNNATI initiative for promoting entrepreneurship, skill development and sustainable livelihood opportunities, besides reviewing the implementation of the Prime Minister's Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, PM Vishwakarma, and other initiatives aimed at strengthening the MSME ecosystem and generating employment opportunities in the district.

An open discussion followed, during which members reviewed the status of various developmental programmes and deliberated on implementation challenges, inter-departmental coordination and measures to improve service delivery. Members of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee also shared their observations and suggestions for the effective implementation of Government schemes and programmes across the district.

The meeting was attended by gram panchayat presidents, panchayats, senior officers from various line departments, block development officers and officials of the district administration.