State Civil Services Day: Officers urged to be proactive, adopt technology to enhance service delivery

GANGTOK,  (IPR): The State Civil Services Day organised by the Department of Personnel (DoP) was observed at Chintan Bhawan here today with the release of the State Civil Service magazine titled ‘Sikkim Civil Service Chronicle’.

The minister for Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, and Fisheries Departments, Puran Kumar Gurung, graced the event as the chief guest.

The minister extended greetings on Civil Services Day and acknowledged the contribution of administrators towards public welfare and development. He recalled Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 1947 address to the first batch of Civil Services officers, where Vallabhbhai had emphasised on political neutrality, discipline, and commitment to the law. Sardar Patel described the civil services as the steel frame of India, urging officers to serve the nation with honesty and integrity.

The chief guest stated that the government provides guidance, while civil servants are the core of the administration. He advised officials to remain fair, follow the law, and act with precision.

Expressing concern over substance abuse in Sikkim, the minister called for coordinated departmental efforts for awareness, monitoring, and support. He further directed strict attendance from officials and urged them to assist the public and guide unemployed youth towards appropriate opportunities.

He thanked Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay for his leadership and vision in strengthening Sikkim’s future through clear policies and programmes.

Chief secretary R Telang, in his keynote address, highlighted the responsibility of civil service officers in ensuring efficient and accountable governance. He noted that officers must respond effectively to the evolving expectations of the public, particularly in the digital age, and adopt technology to enhance service delivery.

He reminded officers to prioritise public welfare over personal recognition and to remain solution-oriented and proactive. He stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of challenges to implement sustainable reforms.

PCCF cum secretary Forest and Environment department, Dr Pradeep Kumar, presented the “Mero Rukh Mero Santati” initiative. He explained that the initiative is based on core principles such as emotional bonding, spiritual connection, celebration, collective growth, and carbon neutrality.

Dr Kumar stated that the initiative encourages beneficiaries to plant 108 trees each, a culturally significant number, to foster a deeper relationship between individuals and nature. He further explained that the initiative promotes community involvement and aims to turn afforestation into a collective movement that helps offset carbon emissions and supports sustainable living.

Secretary Science and Technology department, Dr Sandeep Tambe, outlined the State’s approach to mitigating the risks of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF). He highlighted the significance of early warning systems and the resilience of infrastructure.

Dr Tambe explained that Sikkim follows a four-step protocol: preliminary assessment, comprehensive study, mitigation design, and execution. He added that this approach has become a national model, enabling local scientists, engineers, and managers to take the lead in developing long-term, self-reliant solutions.

Secretary Social Welfare department, Sarika Pradhan, shared the progress of the “Nasha Mukt Sikkim” initiative, which is part of the national “Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.” She explained that the campaign focuses on raising awareness, providing rehabilitation, and enforcing laws. She stated that the initiative involves community leaders, educators, law enforcement, and health professionals. She said the goals include reducing the stigma around addiction, encouraging people to seek treatment, and building a drug-free society. Its key activities include public education, counselling, vocational training, and strict enforcement of the NDPS and State laws.

District Collector Gangtok, Tushar G Nikhare, highlighted local initiatives aimed at improving public service delivery and community well-being. He spoke about the Mother Pod, a facility created to support mothers and children in public spaces. It provides a safe, clean, and private area for breastfeeding and infant care, ensuring comfort for mothers while promoting child health.

He made a special mention of Gangtok’s Got Talent, a platform that encourages local youth to showcase their skills in performing arts. He highlighted the installation of Water ATMs, designed to improve access to safe drinking water in urban areas.

The District Collector Gangtok also introduced several digital systems aimed at improving efficiency and transparency in public administration. These include Amin Management System for land records, Token Management System for crowd control, Marriage Registration System for simplified registration, Leave Management System for employee attendance, and a Citizen Tracking Application to monitor service delivery and citizen feedback.

District Collector Gyalshing, Tenzing D Denzongpa, presented the “Smart-Recall” programme, a flashcard-based revision tool designed to improve students’ memory retention in key subjects. He explained that the programme enhances learning by using visual and repetitive techniques to reinforce important concepts.

The District Collector Gyalshing added that the initiative is being expanded through teacher training and integration into the school curriculum. A local digital flashcard repository is also being developed to support wider access and long-term use.

District Collector Soreng, Dhiraj Subedi, spoke about several outreach initiatives aimed at improving public services and community engagement. He highlighted the “Swaccha Pani, Swastha Hami” campaign, which focuses on cleaning water tanks to ensure safe and hygienic drinking water. The initiative involves regular inspections, community participation, and awareness to prevent waterborne diseases.

The District Collector Soreng spoke about “One Day at School”, an initiative to strengthen administrative engagement with schools. Through this programme, officials visit schools to understand challenges, interact with students and teachers, and support improvements in the learning environment. He also discussed “Aanganma Prashasan”, which brings government services to the doorsteps which ensures timely access to essential services without requiring travel to government offices.

The District Collector Soreng introduced the “Companion Box” project, a confidential reporting system for students to share concerns about safety and well-being. He further shared that, in collaboration with the Piramal Foundation, the district is conducting “Mohalla Classes” and reading campaigns. These programmes aim to improve foundational learning among children, especially in remote areas, by bringing education closer to the community.

District Collector Namchi, Anupa Tamling, shared details about the “Prayas” initiative, which supports rural producers and self-help groups by providing them with access to weekly markets through stalls set up in government office spaces. This platform helps promote local products, generate income, and connect rural entrepreneurs with a wider customer base.

The District Collector Namchi highlighted that one self-help group under the initiative has begun converting used plastic banners into reusable grow bags. This effort promotes waste-to-wealth practices and encourages sustainable livelihoods. She stated that “Prayas” demonstrates how local governance can strengthen rural economies and create formal market linkages for small producers, enabling long-term economic participation and growth.

Earlier, the programme commenced with a welcome address delivered by secretary Department of Personnel, Chewang Rinzing Bhutia.

The programme concluded with a word of thanks proposed by additional secretary Department of Personnel, Mahesh Sharma.

Present in the celebration were chief secretary Mr R Telang, Director General of Police Akshay Sachdeva, principal secretary Tourism and Civil Aviation department CS Rao, principal secretaries, heads of departments, State Civil Service officers, officials and staff of Department of Personnel.