‘Target is to make West Pandam the most progressive constituency in State’
GANGTOK, August 9: In a social experiment on a much larger scale right up to the level of a constituency, the newly delimitated West Pandam constituency has come forward with a unique social intervention that entails the collective cooperation from all the people of the constituency for its development.
The initiative, ‘West Pandam Development Advisory Committee (WPDAC)’, was launched today here during its foundation day programme organized here at Janta Bhavan.
Area MLA and also the minister for Information and Public Relations department, Niru Sewa had presided over the function which was attended by individuals from various walks of the society of West Pandam.
Those attending today’s programme were retired bureaucrats, businessmen and other distinguished personalities who traced their roots to the West Pandam constituency of East Sikkim.
The WPDAC has been formed with an objective to streamline development of infrastructure, human resource and cultural sectors of West Pandam constituency, said Parasmani Dangal, a central committee member of the body.
“The committee will be studying the developments in all sectors that have taken so far in West Pandam and plan for future developments that are required to make the constituency the most progressive constituency in the State”, said Mr. Dangal. He also said that the committee formed could be the first such committee in the State.
“The committee will first give priority to immediate issues and make its suggestions to the area MLA and the State government”, said Mr. Dangal.
In her presidential address, Miss Sewa said that WPDAC is a society based committee for the betterment of the society. The committee will look into all developmental aspects of West Pandam, she said.
Miss Sewa who is also the president of WPDAC further opened the doors of the committee for suggestions from all concerned stakeholders of West Pandam. She also highlighted the need to give attention to cleanliness drive, clearing up blocked roads and creating awareness in the constituency. She also said that the advisory body of the committee should also offer solutions along with suggestions for the comprehensive development of West Pandam.
The advisory body consists of retired government secretary KN Sharma and other senior citizens of the West Pandam.
Seven subcommittees on capacity building, infrastructure, social welfare, natural calamity, anti-drugs, culture & literature and funds were also formed today. All these committees were formed on interim basis.
Earlier, senior government official SD Dhakal took suggestions from all the present members during the programme.
In his conclusion, Mr. Dhakal said that most of the suggestions were for improvement of road connectivity, irrigation and water supply, cleanliness mission and school upgradation in the constituency. These suggestions will be deliberated upon by the central committee, he said.
The works of WPDAC will begin from the next meeting of the body, it is informed.
It may be added here West Pandam is a traditionally agriculture based constituency in the Sikkim. The constituency also includes Rangpo, the gateway to Sikkim and also the hub of industrial growth in the State.
The newly delimitated constituency has around 7000 voters. There is one full fledged senior secondary school, three secondary schools, two junior high schools, around dozen primary schools, one primary health centre and a BAC at Duga in the constituency. The constituency is also exploring its tourism assets by developing Budangadi as a tourism attraction.
