Prem Singh Tamang, popularly known as PS Golay, has emerged as a transformative figure in Indian governance through his role as the Chief Minister of Sikkim. His leadership is characterized by an innovative approach that seeks to combine economic empowerment, social justice, and environmental sustainability. This article offers an analysis of Golay's key initiatives and their broader implications, focusing on the replicability of his policies across other Indian states. By examining the diffusion of these policies and their potential national impact, this study positions Golay’s governance model as a case study for transformative leadership.
Introduction
PS Golay assumed office as the Chief
Minister of Sikkim in 2019, and under his leadership, the state has witnessed
significant socioeconomic progress. Golay’s approach to governance is deeply
rooted in inclusive development, focusing on creating opportunities for
marginalized communities, fostering youth entrepreneurship, and ensuring
environmental sustainability and providing job security. His governance model,
encapsulated in the slogan “Sunaulo, Samriddha, Ani Samarth Sikkim” (Golden,
Prosperous, and Capable Sikkim), reflects a commitment to holistic development,
positioning Sikkim as a leader in several key sectors.
This article analyzes Golay's
governance, exploring the key policies implemented, their outcomes, and their
influence on broader governance trends in India.
Economic
Empowerment through the ‘One Family One Entrepreneur Scheme’
One of the most impactful policies
introduced by PS Golay is the ‘One Family One Entrepreneur Scheme,’ launched in
2021. This program seeks to address unemployment and economic dependency by
transforming Sikkimese youth from job seekers to job providers. Under this
scheme, over 30,000 youth have received financial and technical support to
launch entrepreneurial ventures. The government has allocated approximately Rs.
240 crore to fund these initiatives, underscoring the state’s commitment to
fostering a culture of entrepreneurship.
The core objective of this scheme is
economic decentralization, enabling every household in Sikkim to have at least
one entrepreneur. This initiative is significant not only in addressing youth
unemployment but also in reducing reliance on government jobs, which have
traditionally been seen as the primary form of employment in the state.
The success of this initiative is
evident in its replication by other Indian states. In 2024, Andhra Pradesh’s
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu adopted a similar model, demonstrating the
broader applicability and impact of Golay’s policies. The adoption of the 'One
Family One Entrepreneur Scheme' in a larger state like Andhra Pradesh
highlights Golay's role as a policy innovator, whose initiatives have the
potential to address nationwide challenges related to employment and economic
growth.
Women’s Empowerment and Social Welfare: The Aama
Sashaktikaran Yojana
PS Golay’s governance is also
notable for its focus on gender equality and women’s empowerment. The ‘Aama
Sashaktikaran Yojana’, one of the largest women-centric welfare programs in
India, provides an annual grant of Rs. 40,000 to mothers in Sikkim. Additionally,
under the ‘Aama Sahyog Yojana’, households are provided with four free LPG
cylinders annually. These initiatives are aimed at reducing the financial and
domestic burdens on women, thereby promoting their socio-economic independence.
Golay’s approach to women’s welfare
is distinguished by its focus on direct financial support, which empowers women
to manage household finances and reduces their economic vulnerability. Such
policies align with global discourses on gender equity, which emphasize the
need for structural interventions that provide women with greater control over
financial resources. The success of these initiatives positions Sikkim as a
leader in gender-sensitive governance, offering a model for other Indian states
to follow.
Healthcare Reform: The CM Medical Assistance Scheme
Healthcare has been a central pillar
of PS Golay’s governance, with the ‘CM Medical Assistance Scheme’ serving as a
key initiative aimed at ensuring universal access to healthcare. The scheme
provides up to Rs. 20 lakh in financial assistance for medical expenses, making
healthcare more accessible to Sikkimese citizens. In addition, the proposed
‘Mukhyamantri Sanjeevani Yojana’ is expected to provide health insurance
coverage of up to Rs. 30 lakh per family, making it one of the most
comprehensive healthcare packages in India.
The significance of Golay’s
healthcare policies lies in their focus on reducing the financial barriers to
medical treatment. These initiatives not only address the immediate healthcare
needs of Sikkim’s citizens but also contribute to broader efforts to improve
health outcomes by enhancing the accessibility and affordability of medical
services. The construction of multi-specialty hospitals across the state,
including a 500-bed hospital in Namchi and a 300-bed facility in Singtam,
further reflects Golay’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure.
Education
and Youth Empowerment: The Creativepreneur Scheme
PS Golay’s administration has also
prioritized education and youth development. The ‘Creativepreneur Scheme’, an
innovative program aimed at empowering digital creators, seeks to position
Sikkim as a hub for creative industries. By providing seed funding to 75,000
young creators over the next five years, the government aims to foster
entrepreneurship in new and emerging sectors such as digital media and
technology.
In addition, Golay’s government has
expanded the ‘Mukhyamantri Scholarship Scheme’, ensuring that more students
have access to higher education. The reservation of 50 free MBBS seats for
Sikkimese students is another significant step toward enabling young people to
pursue their academic and professional aspirations. These educational
initiatives reflect Golay’s broader vision of creating sustainable employment
opportunities for the youth, thereby contributing to long-term economic growth.
Environmental
Sustainability: Mero Rukh, Mero Santati
PS Golay’s environmental policies
have garnered national and international recognition, particularly through the
‘Mero Rukh, Mero Santati’ program. This initiative, which involves planting 108
trees for every newborn in the state, is a powerful example of how
environmental sustainability can be integrated into governance. By linking the
birth of a child to the planting of trees, this program not only contributes to
combating climate change but also strengthens Sikkim’s cultural connection to
nature.
This initiative was lauded at the
COP28 conference for its innovative approach to environmental conservation. By
positioning Sikkim as a leader in sustainable governance, Golay has
demonstrated the potential for smaller states to make meaningful contributions
to global climate goals. His administration’s focus on environmental
sustainability offers a replicable model for other regions seeking to balance
development with ecological preservation.
Replicability of Golay’s Governance Model Across India
The success of PS Golay’s governance
model in Sikkim has sparked interest in its broader applicability across India.
The adoption of the ‘One Family One Entrepreneur Scheme’ by Andhra Pradesh is a
clear indication of the potential for Golay’s policies to be scaled and adapted
to larger, more diverse states. However, while the principles of Golay’s
governance—economic empowerment, social justice, and sustainability—are
universally relevant, the contextual differences between states must be taken
into account. Factors such as population size, economic structure, and
administrative capacity may affect the successful replication of these policies
in other regions.
Conclusion
PS Golay’s leadership in Sikkim
represents a transformative approach to governance, one that prioritizes
inclusivity, innovation, and sustainability. His policies, from the ‘One Family
One Entrepreneur Scheme’ to the ‘Mero Rukh, Mero Santati’ initiative, have set
new benchmarks for public policy in India. As other states begin to adopt and
adapt these policies, it becomes clear that Golay’s governance model offers
valuable lessons for addressing some of India’s most pressing challenges.
Through his visionary leadership,
Golay has demonstrated that even a small state like Sikkim can have a profound
impact on national governance trends. His legacy is one of pioneering change,
offering a blueprint for how Indian states can promote equitable growth and
sustainable development in the years to come.
References
- India Today. (2024). ‘Mood of the
Nation Survey 2024: PS Golay Declared India’s Most Popular CM’.
- Kashyap, P. (2024). ‘What Sikkim
CM PS Golay Envisions Today, India Follows Tomorrow’.
- Government of Sikkim (2021). ‘One
Family One Entrepreneur Scheme: Policy Guidelines and Implementation Report’.
- COP28 Reports (2023). ‘Recognition
of Mero Rukh, Mero Santati Initiative: A Case of Environmental Leadership’.
(Views are personal. Email:
gauravsubba28@gmail.com )
