In a landmark step toward citizen-centric governance, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) on Tuesday launched the ‘Connect to CM’ helpline, a new initiative designed to bridge the gap between the government and the people. The launch ceremony, held at Samman Bhawan, marked a defining moment in the state’s ongoing efforts to ensure transparency, accountability, and participatory administration. The service, which became operational immediately after its launch, allows citizens to directly reach the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) through two dedicated numbers — 80016-81188 and 93327-81188. The helpline will remain open daily from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM, including on Sundays and public holidays, enabling residents to voice their concerns, seek assistance, and inquire about government schemes without having to travel to Gangtok or district headquarters. Officials explained that the initiative aligns with the Chief Minister’s vision of “Aangan Ma Sarkar” (Government at Your Doorstep), a governance philosophy that seeks to empower people by decentralising administrative access. The helpline has been seamlessly integrated into the Chief Minister’s Integrated Management System (CMIMS), a comprehensive platform that monitors welfare programmes in sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and self-employment.
During the launch, Depen Sharma, Additional Secretary-cum-Staff Officer to the Chief Minister, elaborated on the technical structure and functioning of the helpline. “The platform is fully internet-based and capable of registering each call in real time. It captures key details like the caller’s name, guardian’s name, constituency, and Gram Panchayat Unit (GPU) before routing the grievance to the concerned department for immediate action,” he said. He further clarified that the helpline is not a replacement for departmental systems but a supplementary communication channel between citizens and the Chief Minister’s Office. “Every call is recorded and monitored to ensure accountability and transparency. Notifications are automatically sent to the relevant officials, and all grievances are expected to be addressed within 48 hours,” Sharma added. To ensure that no grievance goes unresolved, the system also features an automatic call-back mechanism. If a citizen’s call is missed, the system records their details and schedules a follow-up. Callers are also informed about the necessary documents — such as ID proof, voter cards, or Certificates of Identity (COI) — required for the smooth processing of their requests.
Senior officials from the CMO, including Surjay Pradhan (Resource Officer), D.K. Chettri (OSD, CMO), Karma Namgyal Bhutia (Secretary to HCM), Swapna Lama (Joint Secretary), Sherap Chopel Katuk (Director, CMO), Anil Chettri (Assistant Director–IT), and Chewan K. Dahal (Assistant Director–Media & Multimedia), attended the event. The team will oversee the efficient functioning of the new helpline platform. The integration with CMIMS ensures that citizen feedback and government benefits are closely tracked, preventing duplication and ensuring that assistance reaches genuine beneficiaries on time. Officials described it as a transformative step in making public service delivery more transparent and data-driven. “This initiative represents a decisive move toward responsive governance. Every concern registered will be personally monitored by the Chief Minister’s Office,” Sharma said.