Sonakshi Sarkar

Vijay Bhusan Pathak, a retired IAS officer, has been appointed as the Chief Administrator-cum-Cabinet Secretary of Sikkim, effective January 1, 2025. Pathak, who retired as the state's Chief Secretary in December 2024, will now hold a role equivalent to a Cabinet Minister. Known for his administrative acumen, Pathak is expected to leverage his vast experience to strengthen governance in Sikkim. His appointment marks a significant step in ensuring continuity in leadership and expertise at the highest level of the state administration. Meanwhile, IAS officer Ravindra Telang has taken over as the new Chief Secretary of Sikkim, succeeding Pathak. Telang, a…

Sikkim has secured the top spot in Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) for both rural and urban areas in 2023-24, according to the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey released by the Union Ministry of Statistics. The survey reveals that Sikkim's rural MPCE stands at ₹9,474, while its urban MPCE is ₹13,965, significantly exceeding the national averages of ₹4,122 and ₹6,996, respectively. Even with imputed values from social welfare goods, national averages of ₹4,247 (rural) and ₹7,078 (urban) fall far behind Sikkim's figures. Sikkim’s MPCE outpaces even the top 5% of India’s population, whose rural and urban averages are ₹10,137 and…

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on December 28 announced the promotion of Ravindra Telang, IAS, as the Chief Secretary of the Government of Sikkim. The Chief Minister lauded Telang’s elevation as a recognition of his unwavering dedication, expertise, and commitment to public service. In a congratulatory message, CM Tamang said, “Heartiest congratulations to Shri Ravindra Telang, IAS, on his well-deserved promotion as Chief Secretary of the Government of Sikkim. This remarkable achievement is a testament to his dedication, expertise, perseverance, and resolute commitment to the ideals of public service. During his tenure, I am confident that Sikkim will scale…

In a significant boost to tiger conservation in the Eastern Himalayas, Sikkim’s Forest and Environment Minister Ren Pintso Namgyal Lepcha handed over critical resources, including a patrolling van, high-altitude field gear, and safety equipment, to the Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary (South Range) on December 26. The initiative is part of the “Investigating & Addressing Tiger Conservation in Sikkim – The Eastern Himalaya” project, designed to enhance conservation strategies and strengthen the operational efficiency of frontline staff. Held in collaboration with the Global Tiger Forum, the event emphasized the government’s commitment to preserving tigers and maintaining the ecological balance of the Eastern…

The Citizen Action Party - Sikkim (CAP-Sikkim) has praised the Union Ministry of Environment’s Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for its cautious approach towards the redesign of the Teesta-III Chungthang Dam. The dam, which suffered significant damage during the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in October 2023, has raised concerns over its structural integrity and environmental risks. The EAC recently deferred approval for the proposed redesign, citing serious concerns about the dam's resilience to future natural disasters, including potential GLOF events. CAP-Sikkim applauded the committee's thorough evaluation, calling for more stringent safety measures, expert consultations, and comprehensive site assessments before moving…