Gangtok, May 5: Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, chaired a review meeting in Gangtok to assess the implementation of key welfare schemes under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The meeting brought together senior officials from the central and state governments, including representatives from the Social Welfare Department, Rural Development Department, and allied departments of the Government of Sikkim.
Addressing the gathering, the Union Minister extended greetings to the people of Sikkim on the completion of 50 years of Statehood. He commended the efforts of departmental officials for their commitment to social development and highlighted Sikkim’s potential in tourism and rural development. He appreciated the state’s flagship initiative, the Sikkim Garib Awas Yojana, which aims to provide housing for low-income families in rural areas.
Athawale condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and expressed solidarity with the affected families. He reiterated the Central Government’s continued focus on the development of the Northeast region and affirmed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a strong and inclusive Northeast.
He assured that the concerns raised by the state during the review meeting would be conveyed to the Centre and necessary support would be provided to address them.
Sikkim’s Minister for Social Welfare, Samdup Lepcha, highlighted areas needing urgent attention for effective implementation of social welfare initiatives. He called for increased allocation of resources and reiterated the state government’s commitment to achieving the goals of Viksit Sikkim.
Additional Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Bandana Chettri, presented updates on scholarship schemes for Scheduled Caste students, the implementation of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. She also shared progress under the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) and the National Action Plan for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE).
Secretary of Rural Development Department, Norzing Tshering Shenga, provided details on the Sikkim Garib Awas Yojana’s impact on rural housing. Meanwhile, Secretary of Women, Child, Senior Citizen and Divyangjan Welfare Department, Normit Lepcha, shared updates on the Accessible India Campaign, Atal Pension Yojana, and other welfare programmes for persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and children.
In his welcome address, Special Secretary Satyen Pradhan emphasised the significance of the meeting in enhancing Centre-State coordination and addressing policy gaps in welfare implementation.
Later, in a press briefing, Athawale reiterated the Centre’s commitment to the Northeast and acknowledged the Prime Minister’s directive for Union Ministers to visit states regularly to understand local issues and strengthen coordination. He assured that the Central Government would continue to extend necessary support for the welfare and development of all Northeastern states.
The meeting was also attended by Secretary of Social Welfare Department, Sarika Pradhan, and other officials from both the central and state governments.
