Ward Panchayats take office, select office-bearers

East welcomes 290 new panchayats

GANGTOK, 28 Nov: The 290 Panchayats of the 290 Wards falling under the 52 Gram Panchayat Units [GPUs] of the East District took their oath at the District Administrative Centre situated at Sichey here today. The oath was given to them by D Anandan [District Collector, East]. After their swearing-in ceremony the Panchayats of their respective Wards then elected their President, Vice President and General Secretary for their GPUs, respectively.

While all the GPUs had their respective president, vice president and general secretary, the post of general secretary of Budang Kamerey GPU went vacant and the post of vice president of Rongyek Tathangchen GPU also went vacant.

Speaking after the elections, one of the elected presidents, SP Machongpa of Martam Nazitam, Martam Rumtek constituency informed that it was for the second time he had been elected as Panchayat uncontested. He stated that the reason for being re-elected un-contested was that the facilities and schemes facilitated by the state government for the welfare and benefit of the people were dispatched transparently by holding a Ward Sabha.

He also expressed his gratitude towards the ruling party and the voters of his ward for believing in him and re-electing him for a second tenure.

North Panchayats awarded portfolios 

MANGAN, 28 Nov: The newly elected Panchayats of three constituencies of North Sikkim were awarded with their portfolios here at Mangan community hall today. The portfolio nomination process for the 20 GPUs of North district; 11 from Dzongu, 05 from Kabi-Lungtsok and 04 from Lachen-Mangan was conducted by ADC (Development) RM&DD, CG Bhutia, SDM Mangan, PW Lepcha and BDOs of different BACs.

The ADC (Development), in his address informed about the Panchayat portfolio process for nomination and election. He also stressed that after the declaration of the portfolio process the panchayat executive members have to meet their respective BDOs to submit their specimen signature for approval.  

Speaking on the pending MGNREGA daily wages due to the Panchayat election, he said that they have to be now released as soon as possible as per the official process.  For the MGNREGA 2013-2014 tenure, Gram Sabha has to be conducted by Panchayats before the Lossoong festival.  He further warned that the Panchayat’s proxy signature would not be entertained from now onwards.

All the GPUs’ Panchayat portfolio results were declared uncontested and the programme concluded peacefully.

South Panchayats sworn in

NAMCHI, 28 Nov: The swearing-in ceremony for the newly elected local self government of South Sikkim was held today here at Indoor Gymnasium Hall, Namchi. The ceremony was chaired by the District Collector, South, AK Singh while it was also attended by Zilla Adhyaksha South, CL Gurung, Upadhyaksha Devi Maya Baraily, ADC (Dev) DK Pradhan, SDMs and other officials of South district. 

On the occasion, the elected Panchayat President, Vice President and Sachivas were presented with their respective certificates while the members also received their certificates.

Of 55 GPUs, consensus still awaited on Presidents for 2 in West Sikkim

GYALSHING, 28 Nov [IPR]: The newly elected Gram Panchayat members of West District took the oath of office in a function held at the Community hall, Gyalshing today. 

The DC West, L P Chettri presided the election procedure for the post of Presidents, Vice Presidents and Secretaries of 55 GPUs out of which 53 presidents were unanimously accepted by the other members. President for Sangadorjee GPU and Kongri-Labdang GPU did not receive the majority and is due for further declaration. 

One post for Vice President of Arithang-Chongrang GUP also remained undeclared due to the lack of majority among the members.

During the oath taking ceremony, the DC West in his brief note congratulated all the Gram Panchayat members and also urged them to provide the best service to the people.