GANGTOK: During his last month’s visit to Mangan District, Governor Om Prakash Mathur, pledged to support the socio-economic development of the 15th Chungthang Gram Panchayat Unit (GPU) under Mangan district. This commitment was made in response to a request from the people of Chungthang, who had requested the Governor to adopt their GPU for development during his recent visit, a Raj Bhavan release informs.
As part of his ongoing efforts to guide the villages of Sikkim, the Governor officially adopted the Chungthang GPU for its socio-economic development on November 12 at Raj Bhavan. Present on the occasion were the Governor’s secretary JD Bhutia, Mangan DM Anant Jain, Mangan SP Sonam Detchu, Chungthang SDM Arun Chettri; Panchayat President Diki Lepcha; local Panchayat members; senior citizens of Chungthang, and other community residents from Chungthang.
The Governor assured the gathering that the concerns and demands raised by the Panchayat President on behalf of the people of Chungthang would be coordinated through the secretary to the Governor and District Magistrate of Mangan and the concerned line departments for further discussion and implementation. He emphasized that urgent matters would be addressed promptly.
The Governor also spoke about the Vibrant Village Program, envisioned by the Prime Minister, noting that it aims to halt the migration of the younger generation from rural areas by providing better infrastructure and opportunities. He concluded by affirming that, through collective efforts and cooperation between the people of Chungthang and the Government, the region will continue to develop, contributing to the progress of both society and the nation.
Earlier, the Panchayat President of Chungthang GPU, Ms Diki Lepcha, began her address by expressing her deepest gratitude to the Governor for adopting Chungthang and acknowledging his unwavering commitment to the region’s welfare. She also extended her heartfelt thanks to the Prime Minister for appointing a grounded and accessible Governor, who has shown a genuine interest in reaching out to the grassroots level of Sikkim, the release mentions.
The Panchayat President highlighted the Governor’s recent visit to Mangan District, which included a focus on the border areas, reflecting his concern and dedication to uplifting every section of society. In her presentation, she shared a geographical map of Chungthang, with two rivers at its border and also emphasised its position as the gateway to Mangan District’s most pristine tourist destinations, including the UNESCO-listed Khangchendzonga National Park.
The presentation further outlined the impact of natural calamities on Chungthang, including the 2011 earthquake, the 2012 flash floods, and the recent Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in October 2023, followed by heavy rainfall and landslides. In addition, various proposed projects for the region’s development were highlighted, including the Vibrant Village Programme, along with pending projects and community demands.
A senior citizen from Chungthang also expressed his gratitude to the Governor for adopting the village, calling him the “guardian” of Chungthang, the release mentions.
