Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Tuesday convened his first cabinet meeting at the secretariat following the swearing-in ceremony. The session began with a two-minute silence to honor the victims of a recent landslide in Majhua village, Yangang, Namchi District on Monday.
In response to the disaster, the cabinet resolved to provide ex-gratia payments in line with State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms. Additionally, the construction of houses for each affected family under the Sikkim Garib Awas Yojana (SGAY) scheme was announced.
The cabinet commended the swift and coordinated response of government departments, local administration, NGOs, and individuals involved in recovery, evacuation, and relief efforts.
Several significant recommendations were made during the meeting:
- The cabinet recommended the appointment of Hon’ble MLA, Shri Sanjeet Kharel, as the Pro-tem Speaker by the Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim.
- The cabinet proposed the commencement of the 1st Assembly on June 12, 2024, for the oath-taking of Members of the Legislative Assembly and the election of the Speaker.
- A 4% increase in the Dearness Allowance for government employees and Dearness Relief for pensioners, raising it from 42% to 46%, effective from July 1, 2023, was approved. This increment, as per the 7th CPC recommendations, will have a fiscal impact of ₹174.6 crore in the current financial year.
- Relevant departments were directed to conduct a comprehensive review of the state’s Own Tax and Non-Tax Revenue collection.
- The cabinet recommended a grand celebration to mark the 50th year of Sikkim’s statehood.
- The Home Department was tasked with preparing and meticulously executing a calendar of activities for the statehood celebration, acting as the nodal department.
- The cabinet decided to enhance the functioning of the Education Department by subdividing 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.
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