Gangtok, September 10 (IPR): The Second Meeting for the preparation of Vision Document- “Sikkim Vision @2047” took place at the Mini Conference Hall of Chintan Bhawan, this morning. The meeting was jointly hosted by The Planning & Development Department and Executive Council for Sikkim Vision @ 2047.
The meeting, which spans across two days was chaired by Emeritus & Chief Economic Advisor to HCM cum Chairman, Executive Council, Prof. Mahendra P Lama, in the august presence of Member ITS, Dr Neeraj Adhikari; Member ITS, Mr James Saring Lepcha; Commissioner cum Secretary for Planning and Development Department, Mr M T Sherpa; and Secretary for Planning and Development Department, Mr Tushar Nikhare.
The first-day session brought together department heads to present their respective drafts for the Sikkim Vision Document 2047. The presentations outlined the key priorities, sector-specific goals and long-term strategies proposed by each department towards shaping the vision for Sikkim’s development up to 2047. The department heads also highlighted the major initiatives, areas of focus and expected outcomes under their respective sectors. Following each presentation, members of the Executive Council and other department heads offered strategic guidance and feedback on the draft vision document.
During the Opening Address, Emeritus & Chief Economic Advisor to HCM cum Chairman, Executive Council, Professor Mahendra P Lama, welcomed all members and gave a brief outline about the Sikkim Vision @2047 Document. Presenting the framework for Sikkim Vision 2047, Professor Lama highlighted the necessity of inter-departmental coordination to drive a realistic, participatory, evidence-based, and action-oriented strategy.
The Welcome Speech was delivered by CCS for Planning and Development Department, Mr M T Sherpa. He gave a brief outline of the format of the meeting; stating the time limit for each presentation and the discussion time later.
Following this, the heads of 21 departments scheduled to make their respective presentations outlined their sector-specific priorities, strategies and key initiatives for the Sikkim Vision Document 2047.
The presentations detailed each department's organisational structure, core goals, and primary strategic pillars. Additionally, the departmental heads outlined their SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analyses, statistics, flagship programmes, qualitative visions, strategic roadmaps through 2047, workforce policies, budgetary requirements, and key operational challenges.
Subsequent to the presentations, the Executive Council and other department heads offered feedback and recommendations. Professor Mahendra P Lama and members of the Executive Council emphasised the need for a cross-sectoral approach, strong leadership, diversified funding sources, and greater use of technical innovation and skill development. They also highlighted the importance of benchmarking Sikkim’s initiatives with those of neighbouring regions that share similar topographies and cultural contexts, and said that such comparisons could provide useful insights into approaches and practices adopted in other Himalayan regions. It was further stated that this initiative would support the identification and adaptation of practices suited to Sikkim’s geographical, social and cultural context, while contributing to solutions relevant to the wider Himalayan region. The Council also noted areas of overlap in policy objectives across departments and called for greater coordination and collaborative action among departments.
The following Departments made their presentation on the first day; School Education and Higher Education Department; Health & Family Welfare Department; Information and Public Relations Department; Skill Development Department; Rural Development Department; Panchayati Raj Department; Agriculture Department; Horticulture Department; Fisheries Department; Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Department; Public Health Engineering Department; Land, Revenue and Disaster Management Department; Home and Protocol Department; Forest Department; Water Resources Department; Food and Civil Supplies Department; Food Processing Department; Cooperation Department; Printing and Stationary Department; Ecclesiastical Department and Urban Development Department.
The second day of the session, scheduled for 11th September 2026, will feature presentations from departments that are yet to make their respective presentations. The presentations will focus on the respective sectoral priorities, proposed strategies and key initiatives for inclusion in the Sikkim Vision Document 2047, followed by discussions and feedback from the Executive Council and participating department heads.
Report from DIO-GANGTOK