'Viksit Sikkim Se Viksit Bharat @2047' workshop concludes; CM lauds collaborative efforts

GANGTOK, (IPR): The two-day workshop on “Viksit Sikkim Se Viksit Bharat @2047” concluded today at Manan Kendra, Gangtok, with a series of departmental presentations.

The workshop, organised to commemorate the government formation day at the Centre and the State, brought together officials and stakeholders in a collective effort to align state-level planning with the national vision for 2047.

Addressing the valedictory session of the two-day workshop, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang extended his heartfelt gratitude to the people of Sikkim for entrusting him and his party, with their mandate for the second consecutive term. He praised the dedication and valuable input of government employees, who have played a pivotal role in the successful implementation of several government policies. He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to party workers for their unwavering support and dedication.

The Chief Minister expressed delight over the active participation from 41 departments, six district collectors and six superintendents of police throughout the workshop and lauded the event as a unique learning platform for young officers. He recommended such workshops be held biannually to align with the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to the welfare of its people and the progress of the state, he highlighted key achievements across multiple sectors. He stated that the administration upholds the dignity and independence of government employees, ensuring they work free from political interference. He also spoke about the government’s continued efforts to strengthen the local economy by actively promoting entrepreneurship, while preserving the state’s rich cultural heritage.

In healthcare, he cited the upcoming 500-bedded Namchi Hospital as a major milestone. In education, he pointed to infrastructure improvements, digital learning and model schools like the recently-inaugurated Chief Minister's Model School at Assam Lingzey. He also mentioned that the first phase of the permanent campus of Khangchendzonga State University at Temi Tarku is nearing completion.

The Chief Minister also praised the tourism industry’s growth, attributing it to improved infrastructure and policy reforms that have greatly benefited stakeholders of the sector. He also outlined various employment and entrepreneurship initiatives, including 'One Family, One Entrepreneur' and 'One Family, One Job,' that have created thousands of new job opportunities.

The Chief Minister stated that state revenue has increased significantly, owing to the government’s effective financial systems to stop leakages. He further highlighted key social welfare initiatives such as AamaYojana and added that the forthcoming Shravan Kumar Award seeks to promote and preserve traditional family values.

Support for sportspersons and various employee welfare measures including DA releases, extended leave benefits, cadre reviews, promotions, and regularisations were also detailed. He further reiterated the government's appreciation for its employees, affirming that justice is being ensured through regularisation efforts and timely promotions.

Additionally, departments have been urged to fast-track regularisation processes for employees who fall under the ambit of the four-year regularisation policy, with delays permitted only due to incomplete documentation.

Citing Sikkim’s strong national standing in areas such as sustainability, National Education Policy (NEP) implementation, and low levels of multidimensional poverty, he outlined significant economic growth and improvement in per capita income of the state and highlighted the considerable increase in the state budget over the last six years.

He called for teamwork, transparency, and timely follow-ups. He urged departments to submit detailed reports to shape the Viksit Sikkim 2047 vision document and reiterated the goal of building a Viksit Sikkim as a proud contributor to a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

During his comprehensive presentation, Chief Secretary R. Telang delved into various key administrative aspects. He informed the audience that Sikkim currently has a total of 99,479 government employees, while highlighting the importance of ensuring this team's productivity and aligning their goals with the state's development.

The Chief Secretary presented detailed data on department-wise budget allocation and expenditure for 2024-25, noting a net utilisation rate of 81.93%. He also touched upon revenue receipts and other financial aspects of the state administration.

He stressed the importance of measurable outcomes, inter-departmental coordination, and citizen-centric planning in the state's journey toward becoming a developed state, marking the end of two days of focused dialogue, collaborative visioning, and strategic planning aimed at building a future-ready Sikkim. He encouraged all stakeholders to look beyond routine governance and begin envisioning structural and policy-level changes that will define Sikkim's development path over the next two decades.

The second and concluding day of the workshop featured detailed presentations by various government departments and district administrations, covering sectorial achievements, future roadmaps, and alignment with national priorities under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.Presenting departments included Cooperation, Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, Science & Technology, Skill Development, Social Welfare, Sports & Youth Affairs, Tourism & Civil Aviation, Ecclesiastical, Transport, Urban Development, Water Resources, Women, Child, Senior Citizen and Divyangjan Welfare and DESME. The DCs and SPs of Pakyongand Namchi high lighted the ongoing district-level developmental initiatives.