1. The first cabinet meeting began with a two-minute silence for Majhua village landslide victims.
2. The meeting took place at the secretariat after CM Prem Singh Tamang’s swearing-in ceremony.
3. Chief Minister Tamang chaired the meeting.
Gangtok, June 11: Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang announced that the first cabinet meeting was held at the secretariat following the swearing-in ceremony.
The meeting commenced with a solemn two-minute silence in honor of the victims of the recent landslide in Majhua village, Yangang, Namchi District.
This respectful gesture underscored the government’s commitment to addressing the disaster’s aftermath with empathy and decisive action.
In response to the tragic event, the cabinet decided to grant ex-gratia payments according to the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms.
Additionally, they resolved to construct a house for each affected family under the Sikkim Garib Awas Yojana (SGAY) scheme. This measure aims to provide immediate relief and long-term support to the families who have lost their homes.
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The cabinet also commended the swift response from various departments, local administration, NGOs, and individuals involved in recovery, evacuation, and relief efforts.
Their dedication and prompt action were acknowledged as pivotal in mitigating the disaster’s impact.
Several significant recommendations were made during the meeting. Firstly, the cabinet proposed the appointment of MLA Sanjeet Kharel as the Pro-tem Speaker by the Governor of Sikkim.
This appointment is crucial for overseeing the initial proceedings of the newly elected legislative assembly.
The cabinet also announced that the first Assembly session would commence on 12th June 2024.
This session will include the administration of oaths to the Members of the Legislative Assembly and the election of the Speaker.
These proceedings are essential for establishing the legislative framework for the new government.
A notable decision made by the cabinet was the approval of a 4% increase in the Dearness Allowance (DA) for government employees and the Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners.
This increase raises the DA from 42% to 46%, effective from 1st July 2023, as per the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) recommendations.
This hike is expected to have a fiscal impact of ₹174.6 Crore in the current financial year, reflecting the government’s commitment to addressing the financial needs of its employees and pensioners.
Furthermore, the cabinet directed relevant departments to conduct a comprehensive review of the state’s Own Tax and Non-Tax Revenue collection.
This review aims to identify potential areas for increasing revenue, thereby enhancing the state’s financial health.
In addition to these measures, the cabinet recommended a grand celebration of the 50th year of Sikkim Statehood.
The Home Department was tasked with preparing and meticulously executing a calendar of activities for this significant milestone. This celebration is expected to foster a sense of pride and unity among the people of Sikkim.
To improve the functioning of the Education Department, the cabinet decided to subdivide it into two sections: School Education and Higher Education, Technical and Medical Education.
Each section will be headed by a Secretary under the overall charge of the Additional Chief Secretary. This reorganization aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the department’s operations.
The meeting concluded with the cabinet expressing gratitude to the people of Sikkim for their dedication and support, resulting in the country’s highest voting turnout percentage.
This acknowledgement highlights the government’s appreciation for the active participation of its citizens in the democratic process.
Overall, the first cabinet meeting under Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang’s leadership was marked by a series of impactful decisions aimed at disaster relief, fiscal policy adjustments, and organizational improvements, all geared towards the betterment of Sikkim and its residents.
