PAKYONG: The Institute for Transforming Sikkim (ITS) convened a coordination meeting for Pakyong District at the conference hall of the District Administrative Centre (DAC), Pakyong on Monday.
The ITS is the Government of Sikkim’s newly established state think tank functioning under the direct leadership of the Chief Minister, Prem Singh Tamang. It brings together senior policymakers, retired experts, and stakeholders to strengthen evidence-based policymaking, development planning, and implementation across the state.
During the meeting, Vice Chairman ITS, Chandra Praksh Sharma, mentioned that Pakyong District was chosen after Gangtok as it is a newly established district and the Institute wished to understand its requirements, noting that the district officials are closely connected to the grassroots and have a clear understanding of the ground realities.
He briefed on the objectives of ITS and added ITS will formulate policies, strengthen planning and budget mechanisms, prepare constituency-level development plans, monitor projects and will guide the State towards the vision of a Viksit State through main thematic areas.
He further outlined the need to pay attention to construction works, timelines, costs and priorities based projects, and also highlighted government structures lying unused, suggesting that such spaces could be put to better use, along with various works under the district.
He also directed departmental representatives to submit reports on the utilisation of district infrastructure.
During the open discussion session, Member ITS, Namrata Thapa, thanked the officials present, describing them as truly committed to the transformation of Sikkim. She sought updates on the infrastructure left after the closure of units under the District Industries Centre and requested the department head to prepare a report on all the industrial units in the district.
Likewise, Member ITS, Dr Bharat Chandra Basista, emphasised the need for thorough monitoring and focus on public-oriented work, and urged the departmental representatives to work with seriousness towards the progress of the State.
Member ITS, Ganga Devi Pradhan, stressed that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index and its indicators, must be achieved in alignment with sustainable policies and government plans, and emphasised the need to establish a system where these priorities are integrated.
ITS directed all Heads of Departments to update reports with data-driven ground information, manpower details, employee qualifications, and problems with proposed solutions.
Additional District Collector (Development), Robin Pd Sewa, provided updates on the activities of the RDD, the progress of the Friday Field Day initiative, and the Connect Earth initiative.
Likewise, CMO Pakyong, Dr Madanmani Dhakal, highlighted issues in the health sector such as staff rationalisation and the need-based and demand-based projects. He also outlined a plan to strengthen mental health services for men in the district by designating and training one male employee at the ward level as ‘Bharosa’ to serve as a counsellor.
Joint Director, Education Department, Poonam Pradhan, highlighted disparities in teacher deployment, with some schools overstaffed and others understaffed relative to classes and students.
Earlier, Joint Director, Planning and Development Department, Palden Pazo presented a PowerPoint introducing ITS and its objectives. With an objective of functioning as a think tank for the Government of Sikkim, the Institute seeks to sustain the development gains achieved so far and to carry forward the momentum. In addition, he also spoke about the terms of reference and the verticals of the Institute.
The meeting was attended by Zilla Adhyaksha, Laden Lamu Bhutia; Zilla Upadhyaksha, Prabha Pradhan; Additional District Collector, Pakyong, Sangay Gyasto Bhutia; Members of ITS, Dr Sangay Dorjee Bhutia, Dr Neeraj Adhikari and James Saring Lepcha; Heads of Department under the district and departmental representatives.
- IPR Report
