Workshop on ‘Lab to Land’ initiative held at Sumbuk BAC

SUMBUK, 08 Jan: A workshop on ‘Lab to Land’ initiative of the Ministry of Rural Development was conducted on 07 Jan at the Sumbuk BAC, organized by the State Institute of Rural Development Karfectar.
The programme was attended by all Panchayat representatives of Sadam-Suntaley, Mellidara- Payong, Turuk- Ramabung, Lungchok- Kamery and Sumbuk –Kartikey Gram Panchayats Units of the Block.
Altogether there were 74 participants in the workshop including representatives from Turuk Development Society (NGO), Indreni Pariwar (NGO), members of Young Orchid NGO, ASHA Workers, AWW, Teachers and members of JFMC, VHSC, VWSC.

Block Development Officer of BAC Sumbuk, Dinesh Pradhan, in his address, highlighted the importance of the initiative and urged the elected representatives to be serious while recruiting Bharat Nirman Volunteers (BNV). The BDO stressed that ‘Lab to Land’ is a new feather in the crown of rural developmental schemes to increase participation and derive more benefits.
Field Facilitator of BAC, Kaluk, Pen Norbu Sherpa, the main Resource Person of the day explained the concept of ‘Lab to Land’ and its necessity in our country. The Central and State Governments have prepared a number of schemes for the people even though the poverty level in the country is very high but there is a lack of knowledge regarding the schemes, he mentioned.
In the ‘Lab to Land’ initiative the Bharat Nirman Volunteers are the key agents who will facilitate poverty elevation at various levels, he added and further informed that SIRD Sikkim earlier adopted Jorethang BAC under this initiative and this year all wards under Kaluk, Sumbuk, Rhenock and Passingdang BACs have been adopted.
Field Facilitator of BAC Sumbuk, Suren Mohra, another Resource Person gave a presentation  on the objective of recruiting BNVs, terms and conditions, role and responsibilities of BNVs, BNV diary, Rural Reporting , trainings to BNBs  and expected outcome of the initiative.
In the feedback session, Panchayat President Melli-Payong GPU, Ganesh Kr. Rai suggested that the District Level Committee of the initiatives, Zilla Panchayats have to be included and expressed happiness in Sumbuk BAC being selected for this initiative. He further assured to give all kinds of inputs and support to make this initiative successful.
Panchayat President of Turuk- Ramabung GPU, Sarat Pradhan in his feedback thanked SIRD for this opportunity to Melli BAC and informed that BNVs are going to be resource tanks for the villages.
It was decided in the workshop that by 15 December 2012 the recruitment of BNVs will be completed at the block level. [from SUREN MOHRA]