The Sikkim government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay), has appointed 11 women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) as Chairpersons of various government departments, while another SHG member has been designated as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Panchayati Raj Department. The appointments mark a bold step toward inclusive governance, positioning grassroots women leaders at the heart of policymaking and public administration.
The initiative is the first of its kind in India, redefining how SHG members—traditionally engaged in micro-finance and local development—can play formal roles in state governance and administration. The move follows a public pledge made by the Chief Minister during the SHG Bharosa Sammelan held in Jorethang on March 3, 2024, where he assured that SHG members would be integrated into the governance framework not just as participants but as equal stakeholders.
The 12 newly appointed women are:
Mrs. Ongkit Lepcha – Chairperson, Horticulture Department
Mrs. Chumila Bhutia – Chairperson, Public Health Engineering
Mrs. Lilly Rai – Chairperson, Agriculture Department
Ms. Nim Chiki Sherpa – Chairperson, Commerce and Industries
Mrs. Bidya Biswakarma – Chairperson, Cooperation Department
Mrs. Khus Maya Tamang – Chairperson, Water Resources Department
Mrs. Kala Pradhan – Chairperson, Food Processing Industries
Mrs. Doma Lepcha – Chairperson, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services
Ms. Shanti Limboo – Chairperson, Sikkim Consumer Cooperative Society
Mrs. Mingma Lhamu Sherpa – Chairperson, Capacity Building, Skill Development & Youth Empowerment
Mrs. Anuradha Gurung – Chairperson, Fisheries Department
Ms. Indra Kala Chettri – Officer on Special Duty, Panchayati Raj Department
What sets this apart is the democratic selection process adopted for the appointments. Instead of political nominations, SHG women were chosen through internal consensus and participatory mechanisms, ensuring credibility, grassroots trust, and genuine representation. For many of the women, this is their first step into formal administrative roles, though they bring with them years of experience in community development, rural entrepreneurship, and problem-solving at the village level. Sikkim is home to more than 5,500 SHGs, collectively comprising nearly 55,000 women. Traditionally, these groups have been instrumental in promoting self-employment, financial literacy, and local development projects. Now, by integrating SHG members into the official decision-making apparatus, the state government is not only empowering women but also ensuring that policies are shaped by those who understand the ground realities.
“This is not just symbolic. It is a transformation—a message that women from the grassroots are ready and equipped to lead,” said Chief Minister Tamang. “True governance must be shaped by those who live the realities of our society.”This landmark decision adds to a growing list of gender-inclusive governance reforms under CM Tamang’s leadership. The state has already seen the election of Sikkim’s first woman Deputy Speaker, increased women’s representation in Urban Local Bodies and Gram Panchayats, and three women MLAs currently serving in the Legislative Assembly.As of now, 23 of 43 departmental secretarial positions in the state are held by women—one of the highest ratios in India. Additionally, the state has appointed over 16 women as Chairpersons, three as Advisors, and ten as OSDs across various government boards and departments.