PAKYONG: Chief Minister cum Area MLA, Mr Prem Singh Tamang-Golay attended the cheque distribution ceremony of Sikkim Aama Sashaktikaran Yojana for Rhenock Constituency, organised by the Women, Child, Senior Citizen and Divyangjan Welfare Department at Titribotey, Rorathang, today.
The Sikkim Aama Sashaktikaran Yojana is a state wide initiative aimed at empowering mothers, strengthening families and promoting their socio-economic well-being. Under the initiative, a total of 32,000 mothers across 31 constituencies and Sangha are being supported through financial assistance, with beneficiaries being reached through the respective Block Administrative Centres.
The day also had the presence of Advisor to HCM, Mr Bishnu Kumar Khatiwada; Zilla Adhakshya, Mrs Laden Lhamu Bhutia; Zilla Upadhyaksha, Mrs Prabha Pradhan; Chairman, Administration Reforms Commission, Mr SD Dhakal; Commissioner cum Secretary, WCSC&DWD, Mr Jigmee Dorjee Bhutia; Secretary, Social Welfare Department and Women, Child, Senior Citizen and Divyangjan Welfare Department; Ms Sarika Rai; DC Pakyong, Ms Pari Bishnoi; SP Pakyong, Mr Tshering Sherpa; Head of Offices from various line departments; along with general public.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister cum Area MLA, Mr Prem Singh Tamang acknowledged the contributions and sacrifices of mothers in fostering a supportive environment for communities. He then underscored that empowering mothers contributes towards strengthening families and communities as a whole.
Speaking on the Aama Sashaktikaran Yojana, the Chief Minister highlighted that 1,169 beneficiaries from Rhenock Constituency are receiving financial assistance under the scheme. He urged the beneficiaries to utilise the assistance judiciously, adding that mothers who make productive use of the assistance would have the opportunity to be recognised through the newly introduced Aama Samman Puraskar and Pragatisheel Aama Puraskar, instituted to acknowledge their progress and contributions.
The Chief Minister further announced that, from 2027, the coverage of the Sikkim Aama Sashaktikaran Yojana would be expanded from 32,000 to 50,000 beneficiaries, with more than 1,500 mothers from each constituency expected to be covered. He also urged beneficiaries to ensure the equitable implementation of government schemes and refrain from availing benefits under multiple schemes when they are not eligible, so that assistance reaches the intended beneficiaries.
Elaborating on the State Government’s initiatives for the welfare and empowerment of women and children, the Chief Minister highlighted various programmes, including the Sikkim Aama Sashaktikaran Yojana, Aama Sahayog Yojana, Bahini Yojana, enhanced widow pension, Mission Vatsalya, Sabbatical Leave initiative, Maternity Leave, Sishu Samridhi Yojana, Shravan Kumar Award, Aama Didi Bahini Bus Sewa, Breastfeeding Pods and free HPV vaccination. He stated that these initiatives seek to address the social, economic and welfare needs of women, mothers and children while strengthening family support systems.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the role and contribution of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in strengthening livelihoods, promoting entrepreneurship and advancing socio-economic development at the grassroots level. He further apprised the gathering of employment opportunities and skill-based avenues being created across the district, while emphasising the need to bring barren and unused land under productive cultivation to promote agriculture and generate sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Earlier, the Chief Minister received a Guard of Honour from the District Police, Pakyong District.
Additionally, Commissioner cum Secretary, WCSC&DWD, Mr Jigmee Dorjee Bhutia highlighted that the Aama Sashaktikaran Yojana seeks to empower women by strengthening their economic independence, self reliance and capacity to contribute towards the well being of their families. He stated that the initiative recognises the invaluable role of mothers and women in society while creating avenues for greater financial security and self-sufficiency, further assuring that the department would provide support to promote the welfare and upliftment of society by strengthening women, families and communities.
As part of the programme, a felicitation ceremony was also held for Mr Pem Tshering Sherpa, son of Late Chettar Sherpa, and his 16-member family from Lashithang Ward, Rhenock Constituency, in recognition of their contribution towards demographic sustainability and strengthening family values in the state.
Likewise, a beneficiary from the region, Mrs Sabitri Biswakarma shared her journey into the challenges faced by women and expressed her appreciation to the Chief Minister for extending assistance and support through various initiatives aimed at promoting the welfare and empowerment of women.
A health camp was also organised by the Jan Kalyan Prakosta and Rhenock CHC to provide medical assistance and basic health services to beneficiaries and attendees.
- IPR Report
