MoS visits Nathu La, hold meeting with HoDs at Tashiling Secretariat

GANGTOK, (IPR): Nityanand Rai, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, visited Nathu La today on the second day of his three-day official visit to Sikkim.

He was accompanied by S.K. Meena, DIG, Sector Gangtok, ITBP; Ravindra Yadav, Commandant, ITBP 48 Battalion; Gopal Pathak, APO(LO), along with officials of Sikkim Police.

The Minister of State was warmly received by Brigadier Amit Sharma, Commander, 63 Brigade (DIG), along with Colonel Sanjeet Phougat, Commanding Officer, 13 Mahar Regiment, and other officers of the 13 Mahar Regiment upon his arrival. Army officers provided a comprehensive briefing on the current border status, emphasizing key developments and operational preparedness.

Thereafter, he visited Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple, where he offered his prayers and proceeded to the ITBP Camp at Sherathang.

At the ITBP Camp, an interactive session with the elected representatives and locals of the area was held.

Gangtok collector Tushar Nikhare and assistant collector Sandeep Kumar along with zilla and gram pancahayats, ITBP officers and residents were present.

During the session, the district collector briefed the MoS about the progress and initiatives under the Vibrant Village Projects.

He encouraged the panchayats to brief the MoS about the lifestyle and challenges of living in high-altitude areas. He also asked to provide feedback on the existing schemes and to highlight any additional needs or support required in their regions.

Addressing the gathering, the MoS emphasized the significance of the Vibrant Village Programme, a centrally-sponsored scheme aimed at developing identified villages to enhance the quality of life for their residents. He highlighted that the programme seeks to identify and develop economic drivers based on the villages’ local, natural, and other resources. Additionally, leveraging tourism potential through the promotion of local culture, traditional knowledge, and heritage was underscored as a key focus.

He further noted that numerous flagship schemes under the Prime Minister’s vision are designed to support development, create employment opportunities, and improve the overall well-being of the people. The MoS emphasized that Sikkim’s unique traditions and culture will play a vital role, with the Central Government striving to bring substantial development under the Vibrant Village Programme.

He concluded by expressing his gratitude to the locals and elected representatives for the warm welcome and productive discussions. He commended their efforts to make their Gram Panchayat Units (GPUs) plastic-free and stressed the importance of sustainable tourism development. He remarked that the collaboration between locals and officers has made border areas safer and reiterated the purpose of the Vibrant Village initiative, which is to ensure the inclusive development of border villages.

Earlier, the MoS was presented with a token of appreciation by the 13 Mahar Regiment and ITBP, Sherathang.

Following the session, the MoS departed for Tashiling Secretariat, where he was received by chief secretary R. Telang. He chaired a meeting with the heads of various State government departments.

The meeting aimed to appraise him of the progress and challenges faced in implementing key initiatives and to explore avenues for better coordination and support from the Central Government.

During the meeting, an officer from Soreng district delivered a comprehensive presentation on the “SAMBHAV” mission-mode programme, highlighting its key objectives and progress. Similarly, the heads of the Agriculture and Health departments presented detailed briefings to the MoS, showcasing their respective departmental initiatives and programmes being implemented across the State.

Likewise, the head of Education department presented a report on the Samagra Shiksha programme in the State. He informed that the State boasts the highest literacy rate in the country and provided an overview of the budgetary allocations and the scheme’s implementation.

The MoS emphasized the importance of ensuring that all schemes effectively benefit the people and urged the officers to assess their impact thoroughly. Suggestions and feedback from the attendees were duly noted by the MoS and the participating officers, fostering a collaborative approach to addressing the concerns raised.

The discussions were wide-ranging, with the heads of departments sharing their work and providing valuable insights into the implementation of various schemes. Emphasis was placed on ensuring that these initiatives reach the citizens effectively and that their benefits are widely understood.

Several concerns were raised during the deliberations, prompting in-depth discussions led by the MoS and the Chief Secretary. The session provided an opportunity to address key issues, streamline efforts, and strengthen the coordination between departments for better outcomes.

The meeting concluded with the chief secretary providing a brief overview of the State’s geographical significance and the importance of the year 2025, as the State will celebrate its 50^th Statehood day in May.

After that, the MoS proceeded for Bara Khana hosted by ITBP, Lingdum.