VIEWPOINT
The recent statewide distribution of Galvanised Corrugated Iron (GCI) sheets across all 32 constituencies of Sikkim is a powerful indicator to pro-poor and pro-people stand of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay. This initiative is not a political or tactical move, nor is it designed to garner votes, as elections are nearly four years away. Rather, it is a genuine response to one of the most persistent demands of the people, voiced consistently during the Chief Minister’s Janta Bhetghat Karyakram, where citizens from every corner of the state expressed the critical necessity of GCI sheets for shelter and security.
It is not a mere administrative milestone either but a moral statement that reaffirms the Government’s unwavering commitment to pro-people governance. Fulfilling this demand is not just an act of delivery, it is a reflection of a government that listens, cares more about addressing genuine issues of the people, going beyond political calculations.
This approach marks a decisive and dignified departure from the past. Under the previous government, GCI sheets and other schemes were used as an electoral tool, often stockpiled and distributed during Janta Mela, timed conveniently close to elections. What truly distinguishes this initiative is not just its scale, but the intention behind it. The SKM Government has embraced a fundamentally different approach, one that rejects appeasement politics in favour of equitable and timely service delivery. The one-time, uniform distribution across the entire state, rural and urban alike sends a clear and bold message: that governance should be a matter of service, not of political opportunism.
The SKM Government, under the compassionate leadership of Chief Minister Golay, has clearly distanced itself from such transactional politics. The current mass distribution of GCI sheets, executed in a single day across the entire state, underscores a new culture of transparent, inclusive, and accountable governance.
The Chief Minister’s decision to deliver these materials now, many years ahead of any election, proves that his actions are rooted not in populism, but in principle. It reflects a government that values dignity over drama, delivery over delay, and people over politics. This act of welfare, carried out efficiently through the State Rural Development Department, is one of the strongest demonstrations yet of the SKM Government’s commitment to equitable development.
What makes this effort really commendable is its inclusivity. The SKM Government has extended this commitment further by ensuring that the distribution reaches all, including the oft-overlooked urban poor, thereby redefining the contours of welfare beyond the traditional rural-centric framework. Moreover, the inclusion of an exclusive quota for the Sarathi Welfare Board, benefitting 300 members of the driver community, highlights the government’s concern for often-overlooked contributors to the state’s economy and connectivity. This thoughtful inclusion reaffirms that the SKM Government’s vision of “One Sikkim, Team Sikkim” is not mere rhetoric, but a lived commitment.
The distribution itself was executed with meticulous planning and fairness: 500 beneficiaries per MLA, along with special quotas for mayors, deputy mayors, Zilla Adhyakshas, councillors, Panchayats, and Zilla members. Each eligible individual received 30 GCI sheets, an allocation that provides tangible, structural support to families across Sikkim. This careful execution reflects a government that doesn’t just announce schemes but it ensures they reach every corner of the state with dignity and efficiency.
This initiative also speaks volumes about the governance philosophy of the SKM Government. Under Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang Golay, governance is not about symbolism, but about service. The Chief Minister has led with empathy and decisiveness, ensuring that government schemes are not hoarded for political theatre but are delivered with fairness and urgency when the people need them most.
Appreciation must also be extended to the Ministers, Advisors, Chairpersons, OSDs, Secretaries, and every official whose collective coordination made this historic distribution a success. Their efforts have translated the Chief Minister’s vision into real, impactful action.
In conclusion, the GCI sheet distribution is not merely a welfare programme, it is a powerful symbol of a government that places its people at the centre of policy and practice. It reaffirms that leadership is not about waiting for elections to do what’s right, but about recognising needs and responding with urgency, empathy, and accountability. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang Golay, Sikkim is witnessing not just governance, but governance with a conscience.
- Yougan Tamang
Press Secretary to Chief Minister of Sikkim
