ZILLA PANCHAYATS

Sikkim Panchayat Act 1993 was passed in the light of 73rd Amendment of the Indian Constitution. Prior to 1991 there was no existence of Zilla Panchayat in Sikkim. An Act for the constitution of Zilla Panchayat or District Panchayat was enacted in the year 1982.

It was in the year 1991 Zilla Territorial Constituency was constituted with total 20 Zilla Territorial Constituencies in North District. In the year 1991, Shri. Tenzor Lepcha was elected as the first Adhakshya and Shri. Sonam Tshering Bhutia as the first Up-Adhakshya of North District Zilla Panchayat. The then District Collector, Shri. A.K Srivastava was the first Sachiva with the minimum office staff designated as LDC, Peon, Chowkidar and a Driver as office functionaries.

In an initial stage the office of Zilla Panchayat was set up in the District Administrative Centre Building and was shifted to the present location in 1998. Further, the North District Zilla Panchayat Bhawan was formally inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Pawan Kumar Chamling on 20th March 1999. Further, from year 2015-16, two new territorial Constituencies i.e. Navey Shotak and Lingdok-Namphong of East District Zilla Panchayat have been include in the North District Zilla Panchayat, with this, under North District Zilla Panchayat there, are 24 Territorial Constituency.

SCHEMES UNDERTAKEN BY NDZP FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2015-16

1. BRGF Scheme:-

During financial year 2015-2016 the departmental works under BRGF were taken up in 6 Territorial constituencies with balance fund released amounting to Rs. 24.50 lakhs from the total outlay of Rs. 10,23,300/-.

2. 13th FINANCE COMMISSION:-

Under 13th Finance Commission, 53 numbers of Suspension Foot Bridge were sanctioned from the financial year 2012-2013, 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 with the sanctioned amount of Rs. 2420.4/- lakhs. Out of 53 nos of bridges sanctioned, 48 nos were completed in the financial year 2014-2015 and remaining 5 nos of bridges were completed in the financial year 2015-2016. With this, all the SFB bridges sanctioned under 13th Finance Commission Grant have been completed.

3. WORKS SANCTIONED UNDER AH/VS FUND:-

In the financial year 2011-2012 construction of Veterinary Sub- Centre at Salim Pakyel, Dzongu amounting to Rs. 14,00,000/-(Fourteen lakhs) and construction of Veterinary Sub-Centre at Rarik- Kabi- Lungchok amounting to Rs. 14,00,000/- (Fourteen lakhs) was sanctioned.

These centers have been completed in the financial year 2015-2016.

Zilla panchayat, East was constituted based on the panchayat election of 2012 with initially 32 members and later reduced to 30 members.The territorial constituencies namely Navey Shotak and Lingdok Namphong Territorial Constituencies were delinked from east district and added to Zilla Panchayat, North in the year 2015. Zilla Panchayat, East is represented by 17 women members and 13 male representatives. Each territorial constituency has one to three gram panchayat units.

The office of the Zilla panchayat is located at Sichey and has its own Bhawan inaugurated in the year 2007.This bhawan serves the office of the Hon’ble Adhakysha, Up-Adhakysha apart from the Administration, Engineering and Accounts section office. The administration wing manned by the District Planning Officer cum Executive Officer is supported by Project Officer, Office Superintendent and clerical staff. Similarly, Accounts section headed by Senior Accounts Officer has Senior Accountant a, Junior Account and Accounts Clerk as subordinate staff. Engineering cell headed by two divisional engineers has two assistant engineers and five junior engineers.

Developmental Works undertaken by Zilla Panchayat,East:

Apart from the incompleted works sanctioned under 13th FC grant and BRGF of 2014-15,no major works were sanctioned during 2015-16 barring some welfare schemes like distribution of poly tanks and pipes sanctioned under the interest component of BRGF fund and the 4th FC grant. The various ongoing works being implemented by the Zilla pancy includes the construction of three Community Recreational Centres and seven gram prasashan kendras sanctioned under erstwhile 13RC grant.The works are under various stages of completion. Zilla Panchayat also did not receive any grant in aid from the line department during the fiscal. The status of various ongoing works is detailed below.

Exposure Visit of Zilla Panchayat members:

The year 2015-16 also witnessed ne exposure cum study tours by Zilla panchayat members and officials. The tour was held from March 16th,2016 to March 23,2016 to Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The basic purpose of the tour was to learn and share the functioning of panchayat raj of the two states as well as to understand the functioning of tourism sector of Anadaman and Nicobar Island.

Some of the photographs of the exposure visit and field trips of Zilla panchayat,East

Cafeteria cum toilet at Topakhani constructed under 13th FC grant and BRGF

Some of the infrastructural works implemented by the East District Zilla Panchayat(EDZP) in the year 2015-16 are as under:
1. COMMUNITY RECREATIONAL CENTRE (C.R.C.s)

Under the 13th Finance Commission Grant three Community Recreational Centres at Simik Lingzey, Central Pendam and Naitam Nandok were Sanctioned.

DETAILS:-

NAME OF WORK: CONSTRUCTION OF COMMUNITY RECRETATIONAL CENTRE AT CENTRAL PENDAM UNDER CENTRAL PENDAM TERRITORIAL CONSTITUENCY IN EAST SIKKIM.
SANCTIONED HEAD: 13TH F.C (2011-13)
SANCTIONED AMOUNT: Rs 95,14,000/-
PHYSICAL PROGRESS: 95%

NAME OF WORK: CONSTRUCTION OF COMMUNITY RECRETATIONAL CENTRE AT SUBITHANG UNDER SIMIK LINGZEY T.C IN EAST SIKKIM.
SANCTIONED HEAD: 13TH F.C (2011-12)
SANCTIONED AMOUNT: Rs 98,60,000/-
PHYSICAL PROGRESS: 95%

NAME OF WORK: CONSTRUCTION OF COMMUNITY RECRETATIONAL CENTRE AT PABUIK UNDER NAITAM NANDOK T.C IN EAST SIKKIM.
HEAD: 13th F.C (2011-12)
SANCTION AMOUNT: 97, 26,000.00/-
PHYSICAL PROGRESS: 95%

GRAM PRASHASHAN KENDRAS (G.P.K)

Under the 13th finance Commission Grant the following GPKs were Sanctioned under east district.

Sl.No	G.P.Ks	Sanctioned Amount	Status
1	Amba	Rs 29,99,481/-	70%
2	Taza	Rs 30,00,000/-	55%
3	Kopibari-Syari Tathangchen	Rs 30,00,000/-	35%
4	Rewa Machong	Rs 30,00,000/-	20%
5	Tumin	Rs 30,00,000/-	25%
6	Ranka	Rs 29,99,481/-	80%
7	Sirwani Chalamthang	Rs 30,00,000/-	-

DETAILS:-
NAME OF WORK: CONSTRUCTION OF GRAM PRASHASAN KENDRA AT AMBA UNDER 21 AMBA G.P.U IN EAST SIKKIM.
SANCTIONED HEAD: 13TH F.C (2012-13)
SANCTIONED AMOUNT: Rs 29, 99,481/-
PHYSICAL PROGRESS: 60%

DETAILS:-
NAME OF WORK: CONSTRUCTION OF GRAM PRASHAN KENDRA AT TAZA UNDER TAZA G.P.U IN EAST SIKKIM.
SANCTIONED HEAD: 13th F.C (2014-15)
SANCTIONED AMOUNT: Rs 30,00,000/-
PHYSICAL PROGRESS: 55%

DETAILS:-
NAME OF WORK: CONSTRUCTION OF GRAM PRASHAN KENDRA AT KOPIBARI SYARI UNDER TATHANGCHEN SYARI G.P.U IN EAST SIKKIM.
SANCTIONED HEAD: 13th Finance (14-15)
SANCTIONED AMOUNT: Rs. 30,000,00.00/-
PHYSICAL PROGRESS: 35%

DETAILS:-
NAME OF WORK: RENOVATION AND EXTENSION OF EAST DISTRICT ZILLA PANCHAYAT BHAWAN
HEAD: 13TH F.C (15-16)
SANCTION AMOUNT: Rs. 25,00,000/-
PHYSICAL PROGRESS:95 %

DETAILS:-
NAME OF WORK: CONSTRUCTION OF GRAM PRASHAN KENDRA AT RANKA UNDER RANKA G.P.U IN EAST SIKKIM.
HEAD: 13th F.C(12-13)
SANCTION AMOUNT: Rs. 29,99,481.00/-
PHYSICAL PROGRESS: 80 %

The South District Zilla Panchayat (SDZP) witnessed a flurry of activities in the year 2015-16. The main events and the developmental works taken up by SDZP is summarised in the succeeding paragraphs.

District Planning Committee:

The Meeting of the District Planning Committee was held on 10/03/2015 to scrutinise and prepare the draft plan of the district for the works proposed to be carried out in the financial year 2015-16. The special guest of the meeting Hon’ble Speaker, SLA cum MLA Poklok Denchung emphasised the need to strengthen the DPC and for proper planning at the District Level.

The South District Zilla Panchayat passed a resolution in its meeting to support the Rashtriya Safai Abhhiyan by engaging in cleanliness drive of its office compound and other areas in the District on every second Saturday of a month.

Rashtriya Gaurav Award

In the month of April 2015, Hon’ble Adhakshya (South), Shri C.L.Gurung was awarded with the Rashtriya Gaurav Award at New Delhi by the India International Friendship Society for his contribution in social work and politics.

Election of District Planning Committee:

Consequent to the fresh election of the Municipalities in the state, the District Planning Committee had to be reformed in order to include their representatives. Accordingly election of the District Planning Committee was held at SDZP on 14/03/2016.

SDZP Tour to Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Hon’ble Adakshya (South), Hon’ble Upa Adakshya along with 26 Zilla Panchayats and three officials visited Andaman and Nicobar Islands from 21/02/2016 to 29/02/2016. The main purpose of the visit is to study the Panchayati Raj Institutions, General Administration and the Tourism Initiatives in the Island. The group had hands on experience of the Adventure sports like Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Sea Walk and other allied water activities. The historic Cellular jail at Port Blair, magnificent sea beaches and exotic marine flora and fauna enthralled all the members of the group. The SDZP members interacted with the Zilla Parishad members of Andaman and Nicobar Islands at the conference hall of Zilla Bhawan Port Blair on 26/02/2016. The Hon’ble Adakshya, SDZP highlighted the achievements of the state of Sikkim like Organic Farming, Nirmal Rajya, Silk trade route and people pro programmes of the State Government.

Through a well established Engineering and Accounts cells along with the Administrative section, the Office of the South District Zilla Panchayat (SDZP) is implementing various Developmental Schemes since its inception.

The Developmental Works carried out by the South District Zilla Panchayat (SDZP) in the year 2015-16 are:

1. 13th Finance Commission

The Grants under the 13th Finance Commission were awarded mainly for the following purposes:

• Construction of Gram Prashasan Kendras (GPKs)
• Performance Grant (Untied Fund)
• Construction of Community Recreation Centres (CRCs)

Gram Prashasan Kendras (GPKs)

Out of the eight Gram Prasashan kendras sanctioned earlier from the 13th Finance Commision Grant, six of them had already been completed and handed over to the concerned Gram Panchayat by 2014-15. The remaining two have now been completed. The inauguration of Damthang GPK, has been done by the Hon’ble Speaker cum MLA Poklok Kamrang Shri K.N.Rai.

The Government has accorded sanction of five new Gram Prashasan Kendras in South District from the Grant of 14th Finance Commission Grant. These new GPKs are:

1. Ralong Namlung, 2. Borong Phamtam, 3. Tarku, 4. Lingee and 5. Nagi Karek. Tender process for all the five GPKs has been completed and the Work Orders have been issued.

Performance Grant (Untied Fund):

An amount of Rs. 25 lakhs have been received under TFC united Grant in the financial year 2015-16 . In the House Meeting held on 6/05/2015 it was decided to utilise the fund as per the local demand of the public. Accordingly, the works taken up from the fund are mainly construction of community water tank, protection wall, tiles fitting at schools (Bikmat SS & Lugchok JHS), distribution of furniture, garbage bin, poly tanks etc to schools, grant in aid to Namchi Organic cum Tourism Festival Committee to celebrate Namchi Mahotsav and Golden Jubilee Celebration Committee of Lingee Secondary School and Renovation and setting up of Dormitory at SDZP Guest House.

Community Recreational Centres (CRCs)

Five number of Community Recreation Centres was sanctioned for South District under 13th Finance Commission Grant. CRC at Tokal Bermiok has been completed and handed over to concerned Gram Panchayat. Three more at Ben Namprik, Pabong and Sadam Suntaley are near to completion. The construction of CRC at Dorop Salghari was delayed due to unstable land issue. Barchart showing the progress of works is shown below:

2. Suspension Foot Bridge (SFB)- DONER

Sixteeen SFBs had been sanctioned for South District from fund from Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. Fifteen of them have been completed and one is in progress.

South District Zilla Panchayat Library

Construction of SDZP Library on Panchayati Raj is nearing its completion. This is one of the main contributions of the Hon’ble Zilla Panchayat members of the District as they unanimously decided to set up a well equipped library with modern facilities in the district from the Award Money of Panchayat Sashaktikaran Purashkar2012-13.

Statement showing Physical and financial Progress of works under various schemes.

The winner of Panchayat Sushaktikaran Puraskar 2014-15 and 2015-16. The West District Zilla constitute of 28 territorial Constituency. The Office is head by the Sachiva cum District Collector West. The jurisdiction of office comprises of two division i.e. Gyalshing Division and Soreng Division.

The works and services that are taken up for the upliftment of community are all approved by the District Planning Committee.

The Developmental Works carried out by the West District Zilla Panchayat (WDZP) in the year 2015-16 are:

a) Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF): The developmental works were taken up in all the twenty eight Zilla Territorial Constituencies of the district. The total outlay of the works for the financial year 2014-15 was Rs.1, 03, 70,000 /-. The type of works executed under the scheme are mainly repair and maintenance of school building, extension of school playground, fencing of school compound, water source development, protective wall, construction of waiting shed, Public Toilet, Jhora training, renovation of Tourism Hall, installation of Smart Class in Government school, etc.

The scheme was launched by Government of India in the year 2006 and was extended to West District in the year 2007. The main purpose of the programme is to bridge the critical gaps in the local infrastructure of the districts identified as backward.

The Scheme was roll backed in the financial year 2015-16. This year all the pending work under the above mention schemes was completed and handed over to the respective GPUs and community.

b) 13th Finance Commission: The Grants under the 13th Finance Commission were awarded mainly for the following purposes:

• Construction of Gram Prashasan Kendras (GPKs)
• Performance Grant (Untied Fund)
• Construction of Community Recreation Centres (CRCs)

(i) Gram Prashasan Kendras (GPKs)
Under the 13th Finance Commission Grant, 11(eleven) numbers of Gram Prasashan Kendras at Zilla territorial constituencies were sanctioned under West District Zilla Panchayat which was executed by inviting tenders. The name of the GPK are:-
1) Timburbong
2) 2) Karthok
3) Malbasey
4) Okhrey
5) Soreng
6) Takuthang
7) Chingthang
8) Tashiding
9) Thingling Khecheoperi
10) Lingchom Tikjek
11) Hee
12) Hee Patel
13) Deythang Parengaon
14) Melli Aching
15) Dodak

The sanctioned cost of each GPK is Rs. 45.69 Lakhs. Out of the 15 Numbers of works six has been completed and handed over to concerned Gram Panchayats.
Six (09) GPKs is near to completion.