Gyalshing, 18th February (IPR): The Senior Citizens and Retired Officials of 25th Martam Gram Panchayat Unit under Gyalshing Bermiok constituency were felicitated and honoured in a special felicitation programme organised at Martam Gram Panchayat Unit, today.
Hon'ble Minister-cum-Area MLA Shri Lok Nath Sharma graced the occasion as the Chief Guest in presence of ADC (Dev) RDD Gyalshing Shri Milan Subba and Block Development Officer Hee Martam Smt. Pavitra Tamang.

During the programme, Minister Sharma acknowledged their contributions and handed over felicitation letter along with a shawl to the retired officials including Ret. Secretaries Shri K. B. Kuwar and Shri T. R. Poudyal, Ret. DFO Kharka Bdr. Gurung, Ret. SE Shri K. S. Gautam, Ret. Headmasters, teachers, Ret. ANM Bishnu Maya Chettri, Ret. Supervisor Laxmi Prashad Sharma, Ret. officials from police department.
Minister Sharma presented shawl and felicitated all the Senior Citizens from Ghaiyabari, Martam SiriJunga, Rathong, Sherpa Gaon, Arithang Daragaon and received blessings from the elderly citizens.

Addressing the occasion, Minister Sharma expressed his happiness on being part of the programme to honour Senior Citizens and Retired Officials. He mentioned that the Sr. Citizens have dedicated their lives and guided generations to transform society to new heights of progress and development. He informed that the State Govt. is committed to initiate welfare schemes for elderly citizens and will enhance Old Age Pension from the financial year 2020-21.

Minister Sharma recalled the healthy lifestyle of the people practised before few decades and advised people to adopt agriculture profession actively, to gain sustainable income and good health in return.

Minister Sharma also informed that the State Government is preparing a strategic plan to combat issues of wildlife interference and assured to compensate damaged property after assessment with the implementation of new policy. Further, he added that the entire government machinery under the leadership of the Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri P. S. Tamang, is working tirelessly for overall development of the state and to address public grievances. He urged everyone to put an extra efforts in delivering assigned responsibility to ensure better output.
He also informed that long pending demand of Bermiok Gyalshing road connectivity with the construction of Bridge via Rungdu has been completed successfully within eight months of new government formation. Bermiok Sr Secondary School is all set to begin science stream from new academic session. Minister Sharma also underlined the future roadmap of developmental work in his constituency and urged for their support and cooperation to transform Gyalshing Bermiok into a model constituency in the state.

He also shared the innovations in dairy farming and agriculture by farmers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and also informed on the provision of subsidised loan in the State to encourage farmers towards Agro-entrepreneurship.

Minister Sharma also extended congratulations to the Sr. Citizens and Ret. Officials on behalf of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Sikkim.

ADC Development/RDD Gyalshing Shri. Milan Subba, drew lights on 'Jal Jiwan Mission' and its objectives to ensure water connectivity throughout the targeted area. He also informed on the guidelines and said that the public need to bear 5% of the total expenditure with a motive to develop sense of ownership amongst beneficiaries, that can be paid through cash or in-kind.
During the programme ADC Development Shri Milan Subba, BDO Hee Martam BAC Smt. Pavitra Tamang, Dy. Director Tourism Shri G. P. Sharma and other officials and social activists were also acknowledged for their contributions towards GPU.

Earlier Minister Sharma inspected the take up point of new road connectivity from Central Martam to 15th Mile, Martam via Lepcha Gaon/ Rafong. He also expressed gratitude to the Land donor and instructed contractor to complete the awarded work within stipulated time with quality.

He also visited Central Martam Secondary School and interacted with the school staff and the students. Minister Sharma extended his best wishes and assured to reward the students of Class X for securing marks 85% and above. Minister also assured to address the requirements of the schools at the earliest.