News & Announcement
ITS Consults Former Legislators on Long-Term Development Vision for Sikkim
Gangtok, August 18 (IPR): A consultative meeting of the Institute for Transforming Sikkim (ITS) with the Former Legislators’ Federation of Sikkim (FLFS) was held today at Teesta Lounge, Tashiling Secretariat, Gangtok, as part of the ongoing stakeholder consultation for the State’s long-term development vision.
The meeting brought together former legislators, former Ministers, Advisors and representatives of the Institute for Transforming Sikkim to deliberate on key developmental and socio-economic challenges confronting the State and to seek the benefit of the experience and insights of former public representatives.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice Chairperson of ITS, Mr CP Sharma welcomed the former legislators and stated that their extensive experience in governance and understanding of grassroots realities would be invaluable in shaping the State’s long-term development vision.
The Vice Chairperson informed that ITS has been engaging with various government departments and stakeholders to develop clear strategies and long-term roadmaps, while emphasising the need for greater continuity and accountability in governance. He stated that ITS follows a bottom-to-top approach, having undertaken consultations across all six districts to understand ground-level challenges and identify areas requiring intervention.
Highlighting the underutilisation of several government-built assets across the State, he stressed the need to revive and put such public infrastructure to productive use. He also identified youth unemployment, human capital retention, rural economic development and sustainable livelihoods as key challenges requiring long-term solutions.
The Vice Chairperson further drew attention to concerns relating to declining fertility, substance abuse and dependence on Central assistance, emphasising the need to strengthen Sikkim’s own economic and social resilience. He called for greater focus on agriculture, rural livelihoods and creating opportunities for the State’s educated youth.
He stated that the Institute would also engage with registered political parties to seek recommendations on issues of long-term importance to Sikkim. He informed that ITS has also been entrusted with project monitoring and evaluation to ensure effective implementation of development initiatives.
The Vice Chairperson urged the former legislators to share their experience and recommendations, which would be incorporated into the State Vision Document, stressing that their institutional knowledge and grassroots understanding could contribute significantly towards shaping a sustainable and inclusive future for Sikkim.
Addressing the gathering, ITS Member, Ms Namrata Thapa gave a brief overview of the proposed Viksit Sikkim Vision 2047, stating that the State is preparing its long-term vision in alignment with the Government of India’s Viksit Bharat Vision 2047. She informed that the Chief Minister has constituted a Steering Committee and an Executive Committee to guide the process, with the Institute for Transforming Sikkim (ITS) represented on both committees.
She highlighted that the vision seeks to establish a prosperous, resilient, technologically advanced and sustainable Himalayan Sikkim, balancing economic growth with ecological security and improved quality of life.
Ms Thapa outlined key focus areas including employment and livelihoods, agriculture and rural economy, tourism, youth and skill development, infrastructure and connectivity, environmental and climate resilience, resource security, and governance reforms. She emphasised the need to diversify the State’s economy, create quality employment opportunities, retain youth and human capital, strengthen rural livelihoods and make productive use of underutilised public assets.
Highlighting the importance of the consultation with former legislators, she stated that their extensive experience in governance and understanding of grassroots realities would provide valuable institutional memory and practical insights for the preparation of the Vision Document.
Ms Thapa also sought suggestions from the former legislators on the State’s key challenges, future economic opportunities, policy priorities and areas requiring sustained attention beyond political and electoral cycles. She stated that the inputs received would help ITS formulate a practical, people-centric and sustainable roadmap for Viksit Sikkim 2047.
The former legislators were requested to deliberate on the issues raised during the consultation and submit their recommendations in writing. It was informed that the presentation made during the meeting would be shared with the concerned legislative office to facilitate further discussion and submission of suggestions for incorporation into the State Vision Document and other strategic planning initiatives.
The meeting was also addressed by members of the Former Legislators Association of Sikkim, who shared their experiences, observations and recommendations drawn from their years of public service. They emphasised the need for development planning to remain rooted in grassroots realities, with greater consideration of constituency-specific needs, local knowledge and community aspirations. The members also suggested that the experience and institutional knowledge of former legislators could be effectively utilised by ITS in strengthening constituency-level assessments, policy formulation, monitoring and implementation, thereby ensuring that development interventions remain practical, inclusive and responsive to the needs of the people.
Earlier the welcome address was presented by Mr Bharat C Basistha and the Core Objectives and Core Mandate was explained by Dr Neeraj Adhikari.
The meeting was attended by members of the Former Legislators’ Federation of Sikkim, including former Ministers, former Members of the Legislative Assembly and Advisors, along with Members of the Institute for Transforming Sikkim, Dr Sangay Dorjee Bhutia, Dr Bharat Chandra Basistha, Dr Neeraj Adhikari, Mr James Saring Lepcha and Dr Shiva Kumar Sharma.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by President FLFS, Mr GM Gurung and Member ITS, Dr Sangay Dorjee Bhutia.
The meeting brought together former legislators, former Ministers, Advisors and representatives of the Institute for Transforming Sikkim to deliberate on key developmental and socio-economic challenges confronting the State and to seek the benefit of the experience and insights of former public representatives.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice Chairperson of ITS, Mr CP Sharma welcomed the former legislators and stated that their extensive experience in governance and understanding of grassroots realities would be invaluable in shaping the State’s long-term development vision.
The Vice Chairperson informed that ITS has been engaging with various government departments and stakeholders to develop clear strategies and long-term roadmaps, while emphasising the need for greater continuity and accountability in governance. He stated that ITS follows a bottom-to-top approach, having undertaken consultations across all six districts to understand ground-level challenges and identify areas requiring intervention.
Highlighting the underutilisation of several government-built assets across the State, he stressed the need to revive and put such public infrastructure to productive use. He also identified youth unemployment, human capital retention, rural economic development and sustainable livelihoods as key challenges requiring long-term solutions.
The Vice Chairperson further drew attention to concerns relating to declining fertility, substance abuse and dependence on Central assistance, emphasising the need to strengthen Sikkim’s own economic and social resilience. He called for greater focus on agriculture, rural livelihoods and creating opportunities for the State’s educated youth.
He stated that the Institute would also engage with registered political parties to seek recommendations on issues of long-term importance to Sikkim. He informed that ITS has also been entrusted with project monitoring and evaluation to ensure effective implementation of development initiatives.
The Vice Chairperson urged the former legislators to share their experience and recommendations, which would be incorporated into the State Vision Document, stressing that their institutional knowledge and grassroots understanding could contribute significantly towards shaping a sustainable and inclusive future for Sikkim.
Addressing the gathering, ITS Member, Ms Namrata Thapa gave a brief overview of the proposed Viksit Sikkim Vision 2047, stating that the State is preparing its long-term vision in alignment with the Government of India’s Viksit Bharat Vision 2047. She informed that the Chief Minister has constituted a Steering Committee and an Executive Committee to guide the process, with the Institute for Transforming Sikkim (ITS) represented on both committees.
She highlighted that the vision seeks to establish a prosperous, resilient, technologically advanced and sustainable Himalayan Sikkim, balancing economic growth with ecological security and improved quality of life.
Ms Thapa outlined key focus areas including employment and livelihoods, agriculture and rural economy, tourism, youth and skill development, infrastructure and connectivity, environmental and climate resilience, resource security, and governance reforms. She emphasised the need to diversify the State’s economy, create quality employment opportunities, retain youth and human capital, strengthen rural livelihoods and make productive use of underutilised public assets.
Highlighting the importance of the consultation with former legislators, she stated that their extensive experience in governance and understanding of grassroots realities would provide valuable institutional memory and practical insights for the preparation of the Vision Document.
Ms Thapa also sought suggestions from the former legislators on the State’s key challenges, future economic opportunities, policy priorities and areas requiring sustained attention beyond political and electoral cycles. She stated that the inputs received would help ITS formulate a practical, people-centric and sustainable roadmap for Viksit Sikkim 2047.
The former legislators were requested to deliberate on the issues raised during the consultation and submit their recommendations in writing. It was informed that the presentation made during the meeting would be shared with the concerned legislative office to facilitate further discussion and submission of suggestions for incorporation into the State Vision Document and other strategic planning initiatives.
The meeting was also addressed by members of the Former Legislators Association of Sikkim, who shared their experiences, observations and recommendations drawn from their years of public service. They emphasised the need for development planning to remain rooted in grassroots realities, with greater consideration of constituency-specific needs, local knowledge and community aspirations. The members also suggested that the experience and institutional knowledge of former legislators could be effectively utilised by ITS in strengthening constituency-level assessments, policy formulation, monitoring and implementation, thereby ensuring that development interventions remain practical, inclusive and responsive to the needs of the people.
Earlier the welcome address was presented by Mr Bharat C Basistha and the Core Objectives and Core Mandate was explained by Dr Neeraj Adhikari.
The meeting was attended by members of the Former Legislators’ Federation of Sikkim, including former Ministers, former Members of the Legislative Assembly and Advisors, along with Members of the Institute for Transforming Sikkim, Dr Sangay Dorjee Bhutia, Dr Bharat Chandra Basistha, Dr Neeraj Adhikari, Mr James Saring Lepcha and Dr Shiva Kumar Sharma.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by President FLFS, Mr GM Gurung and Member ITS, Dr Sangay Dorjee Bhutia.
