GANGTOK, : Sikkim Krantikari Morcha which completed its fifth year in office on Monday outlined major initiatives taken by the P.S. Golay-led government in the first term.
In a press release, the party said the transformative policies implemented by the SKM government have significantly improved Sikkim’s socio-economic landscape.
One major achievement highlighted was the removal of the ‘foreigners’ tag associated with the Sikkimese Nepali community. “The SKM government successfully removed the ‘foreigners’ tag imputed to the Sikkimese Nepali community which had remained unaddressed during the entirety of the previous government which had made it an election issue. It has restored the dignity and equality of the community and has restored their rightful status as citizens of Sikkim,” the party said in the release.
The abolition of party-based panchayat elections was a landmark move, said the party. “The abolition of party-based panchayat system has ensured that local bodies function impartially and serve the community's best interests.”
Furthermore, the regularization of temporary employees who had served over four years brought job security and uplifted workforce morale, added SKM spokesperson Yougan Tamang in the release. “Demonstrating its commitment to the workers' welfare, the SKM government regularised all temporary employees who had completed over four years of continuous service. This step has provided job security and boosted morale among the workforce. In addition to this, all the temporary employees that included teachers, assistant professors, those employed in various projects such as JICA, ASHAs, etc. have also been regularised.”
The release adds that administrative efficiency was bolstered by the creation of two new districts, bringing governance closer to the people. Additionally, the discontinuation of extending service periods for retired government employees opened avenues for younger workforce and did justice to the cadres, Tamang added.
Furthermore, Tamang said that by removing the viva voce component from Group 'C' and 'D' job interviews, the government has promoted transparency and fairness in the recruitment process, focusing purely on merit-based selection. The government also increased labour wages to Rs. 15,000 per month, benefiting the working community, he added.
Educational initiatives included 50 free MBBS seats for Sikkimese students and financial support to students from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
Other achievements mentioned in the release included one-year maternity and one-month paternity leave, scholarships for students, price incentives to farmers for various crops, free medical treatment, and establishment of hospitals and universities.
Internationally, Tamang said, Sikkim gained recognition for the environmental initiative 'Mero Rukh Mero Santati,’ which was showcased at the CoP28 Summit in Dubai. Women empowerment schemes like AAMA, Bahini and Vatsalya also garnered praise for their positive impact on health, education and social security, he added.
“Establishment of sports and art academies including Tarundeep Rai Archery Academy, Jaslal Pradhan Boxing Academy and Bijay Mani Thulung Art Academy reflects the government's dedication to nurturing talents in sports and arts, providing world-class training and opportunities for the youth,” Tamang said, while adding that the implementation of 50% reservation for women in the police force exemplified the SKM government’s commitment to gender equality and security.
“The first term of the SKM government has been a spectacular success can be gauged from the fact that not only did Sikkim win many accolades but also for the first time in Sikkim's history, there was pro-incumbency wave during the election,” the SKM spokesperson added.