SDF established Panchayati Raj in Sikkim: Chamling

GANGTOK,: Former Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has extended his heartfelt greetings to the people of Sikkim on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day.

On this day in 1993, the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act came into force, granting constitutional status to local self-government. This marked a defining moment in India’s political history, as power was meaningfully decentralised to the grassroots. The first official National Panchayati Raj Day was observed in 2010.

In his message, the former Chief Minister said the SDF government established Panchayati Raj in Sikkim, and in 1997, Sikkim conducted its first Panchayat elections in accordance with the 73rd Amendment.

“From the very beginning, we ensured reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBC, and women. We became the first State in the country to give 50% reservation to women at the panchayati raj level. This ensured meaningful participation of women in grassroots governance. We also introduced party-based elections, strengthening democratic participation and accountability,” said Chamling.

Both Zilla Panchayat and Gram Panchayat elections were conducted, firmly establishing Panchayati Raj in the State. Sikkim became the first in the North East and the second in the country to institutionalise Panchayati Raj in its true spirit, said Chamling, adding that the then SDF government truly established “Janta Raj ma Jantai Raja”.

The former Chief Minister recalled that these progressive steps, particularly reservation policies and party-based elections, were challenged in the High Court of Sikkim by the opposition party. “However, we stood firm in our commitment to social justice and democratic principles. The court upheld our position, enabling us to successfully conduct the first Panchayati Raj elections thereafter.”

Chamling shared that following the implementation of the 73rd Amendment, all 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution - including agriculture, education, rural development, and minor irrigation - were transferred to Panchayats.

“In line with our decentralisation policy, the State Government devolved the three Fs - Funds, Functions, and Functionaries - to every Gram Panchayat Unit. This enabled panchayats to take independent decisions and directly improve the socio-economic conditions of their communities. We also earmarked 10% of the State budget for Gram Panchayats and ensured no interference in their functioning, thereby establishing genuine local self-government.”

The former Chief Minister added that rural governance was strengthened and empowered at every level including tenders for works up to Rs 50 lakh being executed at the Panchayat level, and salary disbursement for teachers up to Junior High School level and payments to village-level functionaries done by the panchayats.

“Our commitment to rural empowerment was further reflected in the allocation of 70% of the State budget to rural areas. Institution-building remained a cornerstone of our approach, with the establishment of the State Institute for Rural Development (SIRD) and the Sikkim State Cooperative Union (SICUN) to train and empower panchayat representatives. Infrastructure such as Zilla Panchayat Bhawans was also developed to support effective functioning.”

Chamling mentioned that due to the past SDF government’s sustained efforts in strengthening Panchayati Raj, Sikkim was recognised as one of the best-performing small States in Panchayati Raj implementation in the country. We also achieved the distinction of becoming India’s first Nirmal Rajya - reflecting the strength and effectiveness of our Panchayati Raj Institutions, he said.

“However, today, we must reflect on whether the same spirit of decentralisation still guides governance in Sikkim. Institutions that were once empowered to ensure local self governance have now been reduced to mere implementing agencies. Decision-making has shifted away from elected Panchayats, with BDOs taking precedence. Today, elected representatives are sidelined, thus weakening a once vibrant system of grassroots democracy,” said Chamling, also the SDF president.

He maintained that any departure from this vision is a reversal of democratic progress. It undermines the very principle of the 73rd Amendment Act, it weakens institutions, and does a disservice to the very people it is meant to serve, he said.

“On this National Panchayati Raj Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to restoring the true spirit of Panchayati Raj in Sikkim - where power resides with the people, institutions function with dignity, and democracy thrives from the ground up,” said the former Chief Minister.