Iconic Week of International Women’s Day, 2022

Namchi, 16th March (IPR): A celebration of Iconic Week of International Women’s Day, 2022 organized by Rural Development Department was held at the conference hall of SIRD, Karfectar today. Ven Shri Sonam Lama, Minister Rural Development Department (RDD) attended the function as the Chief Guest. Also present amongst others were Advisor (RDD) Smt. Farwanti Tamang, Principal Secretary (RDD) Shri. C. S. Rao, Special Secretary Smt. Sarika Pradhan and other officials of the concerned department.
Addressing, the gathering Minister Ven Shri Sonam Lama congratulated the awardees of today’s program and spoke about how it is important to identify and recognize the exertion undertaken by the women kind in various field. He emphasized that the rural development department has consistently given paid employment specifically to build on women facilitation in the state and urged the assembled to utilize this employment opportunities available with the department.
Touching, upon the significance of the Rural Development Department the Minister reiterated that its this department which is responsible for smooth functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) thereby strengthening social justice and implementation of Central and State Government Schemes at grassroots level. The department also aims at sustainable and comprehensive growth of rural India through a multipronged strategy for eradication of poverty by increasing livelihoods opportunities, providing social safety net and developing infrastructure.
The Minister also emphasized that the State Government has always looked for the benefit of women and highlighted regarding the soon to be launched ‘Aama Yojna’ which aims at providing Rs. 20,000 per annum to necessitious non working mothers of Sikkim.
Speaking, during the Program Principal Secretary RDD Shri. C. S. Rao spoke about how the department has added towards women empowerment by acting as an instrument in providing various job opportunities. Moreover, he informed that MGNREGA has proved to be a useful window in offering job opportunities thereby making the job holders self-reliant specifically the women kind. He further listed down the various schemes alongwith its guidelines and overall benefits and said that the department has also in due course of time distributed GCI Sheets, Kitchen Equipments and other necessary items to uplift the public in order to be self- supporting. He applauded the efforts put in by the functionaries of the department and asserted that they need to proactively address issues and concerns, if any, of the people at the grass roots level.
State Project Officer (MGNREGA) Shri. Nima Tashi gave a brief background on ‘The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act’ and termed this Act as the ‘mother of all schemes’ as it plays a crucial role in uplifting the rural economy. He added that in Sikkim approximately eight eight thousand household is registered in MGNREGA and acknowleded the assistance tended by particularly the woman kind in successfully implementating this scheme which has in time garned inclusive growth.
Many women achievers from Rural Development Department were also felicitated for their immeasurable contribution, as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Regarding, the same five best women functionaries are named as under:
Additional Program Officer (West, Daramdin Block) Smt. Hemlata Rai
Additional Program Officer (South, Jorethang Block) Smt. Sangita Sharma
Additional Program Officer ( North, Dzongu) Smt. Chumit Lepcha
Gram Rojgar Sahayak (East) Smt. Dhan Devi Sharma
Lower Division Clerk (Gangtok) Smt. Shomee Rai
Apart, from them a total number of 75 Women Mates as well as 75 number of Individual Livelihood Beneficiaries comprising of women workforce were also honoured.