Transformative Governance in Sikkim: Analyzing PS Golay’s Visionary Leadership and Its National Impact

GAURAV SUBBA

Prem Singh Tamang, popularly known as PS Golay, has emerged as a transformative figure in Indian governance through his role as the Chief Minister of Sikkim. His leadership is characterized by an innovative approach that seeks to combine economic empowerment, social justice, and environmental sustainability. This article offers an analysis of Golay's key initiatives and their broader implications, focusing on the replicability of his policies across other Indian states. By examining the diffusion of these policies and their potential national impact, this study positions Golay’s governance model as a case study for transformative leadership.

Introduction

PS Golay assumed office as the Chief Minister of Sikkim in 2019, and under his leadership, the state has witnessed significant socioeconomic progress. Golay’s approach to governance is deeply rooted in inclusive development, focusing on creating opportunities for marginalized communities, fostering youth entrepreneurship, and ensuring environmental sustainability and providing job security. His governance model, encapsulated in the slogan “Sunaulo, Samriddha, Ani Samarth Sikkim” (Golden, Prosperous, and Capable Sikkim), reflects a commitment to holistic development, positioning Sikkim as a leader in several key sectors.

This article analyzes Golay's governance, exploring the key policies implemented, their outcomes, and their influence on broader governance trends in India.

 Economic Empowerment through the ‘One Family One Entrepreneur Scheme’

One of the most impactful policies introduced by PS Golay is the ‘One Family One Entrepreneur Scheme,’ launched in 2021. This program seeks to address unemployment and economic dependency by transforming Sikkimese youth from job seekers to job providers. Under this scheme, over 30,000 youth have received financial and technical support to launch entrepreneurial ventures. The government has allocated approximately Rs. 240 crore to fund these initiatives, underscoring the state’s commitment to fostering a culture of entrepreneurship.

The core objective of this scheme is economic decentralization, enabling every household in Sikkim to have at least one entrepreneur. This initiative is significant not only in addressing youth unemployment but also in reducing reliance on government jobs, which have traditionally been seen as the primary form of employment in the state.

The success of this initiative is evident in its replication by other Indian states. In 2024, Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu adopted a similar model, demonstrating the broader applicability and impact of Golay’s policies. The adoption of the 'One Family One Entrepreneur Scheme' in a larger state like Andhra Pradesh highlights Golay's role as a policy innovator, whose initiatives have the potential to address nationwide challenges related to employment and economic growth.

Women’s Empowerment and Social Welfare: The Aama Sashaktikaran Yojana

PS Golay’s governance is also notable for its focus on gender equality and women’s empowerment. The ‘Aama Sashaktikaran Yojana’, one of the largest women-centric welfare programs in India, provides an annual grant of Rs. 40,000 to mothers in Sikkim. Additionally, under the ‘Aama Sahyog Yojana’, households are provided with four free LPG cylinders annually. These initiatives are aimed at reducing the financial and domestic burdens on women, thereby promoting their socio-economic independence.

Golay’s approach to women’s welfare is distinguished by its focus on direct financial support, which empowers women to manage household finances and reduces their economic vulnerability. Such policies align with global discourses on gender equity, which emphasize the need for structural interventions that provide women with greater control over financial resources. The success of these initiatives positions Sikkim as a leader in gender-sensitive governance, offering a model for other Indian states to follow.

Healthcare Reform: The CM Medical Assistance Scheme

Healthcare has been a central pillar of PS Golay’s governance, with the ‘CM Medical Assistance Scheme’ serving as a key initiative aimed at ensuring universal access to healthcare. The scheme provides up to Rs. 20 lakh in financial assistance for medical expenses, making healthcare more accessible to Sikkimese citizens. In addition, the proposed ‘Mukhyamantri Sanjeevani Yojana’ is expected to provide health insurance coverage of up to Rs. 30 lakh per family, making it one of the most comprehensive healthcare packages in India.

The significance of Golay’s healthcare policies lies in their focus on reducing the financial barriers to medical treatment. These initiatives not only address the immediate healthcare needs of Sikkim’s citizens but also contribute to broader efforts to improve health outcomes by enhancing the accessibility and affordability of medical services. The construction of multi-specialty hospitals across the state, including a 500-bed hospital in Namchi and a 300-bed facility in Singtam, further reflects Golay’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure.

 Education and Youth Empowerment: The Creativepreneur Scheme

PS Golay’s administration has also prioritized education and youth development. The ‘Creativepreneur Scheme’, an innovative program aimed at empowering digital creators, seeks to position Sikkim as a hub for creative industries. By providing seed funding to 75,000 young creators over the next five years, the government aims to foster entrepreneurship in new and emerging sectors such as digital media and technology.

In addition, Golay’s government has expanded the ‘Mukhyamantri Scholarship Scheme’, ensuring that more students have access to higher education. The reservation of 50 free MBBS seats for Sikkimese students is another significant step toward enabling young people to pursue their academic and professional aspirations. These educational initiatives reflect Golay’s broader vision of creating sustainable employment opportunities for the youth, thereby contributing to long-term economic growth.

 Environmental Sustainability: Mero Rukh, Mero Santati

PS Golay’s environmental policies have garnered national and international recognition, particularly through the ‘Mero Rukh, Mero Santati’ program. This initiative, which involves planting 108 trees for every newborn in the state, is a powerful example of how environmental sustainability can be integrated into governance. By linking the birth of a child to the planting of trees, this program not only contributes to combating climate change but also strengthens Sikkim’s cultural connection to nature.

This initiative was lauded at the COP28 conference for its innovative approach to environmental conservation. By positioning Sikkim as a leader in sustainable governance, Golay has demonstrated the potential for smaller states to make meaningful contributions to global climate goals. His administration’s focus on environmental sustainability offers a replicable model for other regions seeking to balance development with ecological preservation.

Replicability of Golay’s Governance Model Across India

The success of PS Golay’s governance model in Sikkim has sparked interest in its broader applicability across India. The adoption of the ‘One Family One Entrepreneur Scheme’ by Andhra Pradesh is a clear indication of the potential for Golay’s policies to be scaled and adapted to larger, more diverse states. However, while the principles of Golay’s governance—economic empowerment, social justice, and sustainability—are universally relevant, the contextual differences between states must be taken into account. Factors such as population size, economic structure, and administrative capacity may affect the successful replication of these policies in other regions.

 Conclusion

PS Golay’s leadership in Sikkim represents a transformative approach to governance, one that prioritizes inclusivity, innovation, and sustainability. His policies, from the ‘One Family One Entrepreneur Scheme’ to the ‘Mero Rukh, Mero Santati’ initiative, have set new benchmarks for public policy in India. As other states begin to adopt and adapt these policies, it becomes clear that Golay’s governance model offers valuable lessons for addressing some of India’s most pressing challenges.

Through his visionary leadership, Golay has demonstrated that even a small state like Sikkim can have a profound impact on national governance trends. His legacy is one of pioneering change, offering a blueprint for how Indian states can promote equitable growth and sustainable development in the years to come.

References

- India Today. (2024). ‘Mood of the Nation Survey 2024: PS Golay Declared India’s Most Popular CM’.

- Kashyap, P. (2024). ‘What Sikkim CM PS Golay Envisions Today, India Follows Tomorrow’.

- Government of Sikkim (2021). ‘One Family One Entrepreneur Scheme: Policy Guidelines and Implementation Report’.

- COP28 Reports (2023). ‘Recognition of Mero Rukh, Mero Santati Initiative: A Case of Environmental Leadership’.

(Views are personal. Email: gauravsubba28@gmail.com )