MINORITY AFFAIRS DIVISION, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT
The Minority Affairs Division, Social Welfare Department is entrusted with the task of welfare of the Minority communities in the State through implementation of various schemes/programmes of the Government of India and the State. The aim is to bring about socio-economic upliftment and improvement in the quality of life of the Minorities in Sikkim.
At present 6 (six) communities, namely- Muslims, Sikhs, Christians Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis) and Jains have been notified as Minority Communities under Section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act 1992.
As per the census 2011, Buddhists play important role in electoral of Sikkim state forming significant 27.39% of total population. Buddhism is followed with majority in 1 out of 6 districts. The Muslim Population in Sikkim is 9.87 thousand (1.62 percent) of total 6.11 Lakhs whereas Christian Population in Sikkim is 60.52 thousand (9.91 percent) of total 6.11 Lakhs.
Centrally Sponsored Schemes implemented under the aegis of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, GoI.
OBJECTIVES OF THE SCHEME/ PROGRAMME:
a) To improve socio-economic condition of the communities living in the areas through community infrastructure development support.
b) Provide basic amenities for improving quality of life of the Minority people.
c) Reducing imbalances and development deficit in the identified Minority concentration areas.
AREA OF IMPLEMENTATION:
The infrastructure projects taken up under PMJVK, is for creation of community assets only, especially in the priority sectors and the infrastructure assets would be for use of all communities living in the Catchment areas.
In addition to existing thrust areas of Education, Health, Skill Development and Women centric projects, priority will also be accorded to emerging sectors of national importance like Sports, Sanitation, Solar Energy, Drinking Water projects in the urban areas etc. Projects like Sadbhav Mandaps/ Common Service Centres, etc. will continue to be covered under the scheme.
As per the revised guidelines of PMJVK all six districts in Sikkim are covered under the said scheme.
PROJECTS SANCTIONED UNDER PMJVK FOR THE STATE OF SIKKIM (FY- 2020-’21 till date)
(Rupees in lakhs)
| Sl.No. | Year of Sanction | Name of Project | Project Cost | Central Share | State Share | Physical Progress |
| 1 | 2020-21 | Culture Centre at Sarchok, North Sikkim | 87.81 | 79.03 | 8.78 | Completed |
| 2 | 2020-21 | 50 bedded girl hostel at Padamchey, East Sikkim | 194.28 | 174.85 | 19.43 | Ongoing |
| 3 | 2020-21 | CSC/Sadhbhav Mandap at Singling, West Sikkim | 139.60 | 125.64 | 13.96 | Ongoing |
| 4 | 2020-21 | CSC/Culture Centre at Upper Bermiok, West Sikkim | 139.60 | 125.64 | 13.96 | Ongoing |
| 5 | 2020-21 | CSC/Sadhbhav Mandap at Bikmat ward No.06, Namchi, South Sikkim | 139.60 | 125.64 | 13.96 | Ongoing |
| 6 | 2020-21 | 8 Room School Building at Sonamiti, SSS, Khamdong. | 112.00 | 100.80 | 11.20 | Completed |
| 7 | 2020-21 | 6 Room School Building at Badong JHS | 84.00 | 75.60 | 8.40 | Completed |
| 8 | 2020-21 | 6 Room School Building with toilet at Chisopani JHS, under Khamdong East | 84.00 | 75.60 | 8.40 | Completed |
| 9 | 2020-21 | 4 Room School Building atDochum JHS, East Sikkim | 84.00 | 75.60 | 8.40 | Ongoing |
| 10 | 2020-21 | 6 Room School Building at Bojek JHS, West | 84.00 | 75.60 | 8.40 | Ongoing |
| 11 | 2020-21 | 4 Room School Building at Lower Assangthang PS, South | 80.00 | 72.00 | 8.00 | Ongoing |
| 12 | 2020-21 | 4 Room School Building at Baisal Gaon JHS, South | 56.00 | 50.40 | 5.60 | Completed |
| 13 | 2020-21 | 4 Room School Building at Denchung JHS, South | 56.00 | 50.40 | 5.60 | Completed |
| 14 | 2020-21 | 8 Room School Building at Rateypani, South | 112.00 | 100.80 | 11.20 | Completed |
| 15 | 2020-21 | 4 Room School Building at Nambu JHS, West | 56.00 | 50.40 | 5.60 | Completed |
| 16 | 2020-21 | 8 Room School Building- at Sakyong SSS, West | 112.00 | 100.80 | 11.20 | Completed |
| 17 | 2020-21 | 4 Room School Building at Pegong PS, North | 56.00 | 50.40 | 5.60 | Completed |
| 18 | 2020-21 | Installation of Smart Class in 198 Schools 520 units | 1,398.80 | 1,258.92 | 139.88 | Completed |
| 19 | 2021-22 | Construction of playground and gallery at Phodong Sr. Sec School | 156.73 | 141.06 | 15.67 | Ongoing |
| 20 | 2021-22 | Construction of School playground at Temi Senior Secondary School | 128.93 | 116.04 | 12.89 | Ongoing |
| 21 | 2021-22 | Construction of School playground at Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School | 297.60 | 267.84 | 29.76 | Ongoing |
| 22 | 2021-22 | Construction of School playground at Pachey Senior Secondary School | 208.32 | 187.49 | 20.83 | Ongoing |
| 23 | 2021-22 | Construction of Residential Model School at Hee-Gyathang | 5,232.00 | 4,708.80 | 523.20 | Ongoing |
| 24 | 2021-21 | Construction of Residential Model School at ChotaSamdong | 5,232.00 | 4,708.80 | 523.20 | Ongoing |
| 25 | 2021-22 | Construction of Residential Model School at Namthang | 5,232.00 | 4,708.80 | 523.20 | Ongoing |
| 26 | 2021-22 | Construction of 50 bedded Girls Hostel at Ringhem Polytechnic | 299.79 | 269.81 | 29.98 | Ongoing |
| 27 | 2021-22 | Construction of 100 bedded Boys Hostel at Government Degree College, Yangthang | 263.11 | 236.80 | 26.31 | Ongoing |
| 28 | 2021-22 | Construction of PHSC Building at Phensong | 45.06 | 40.55 | 4.51 | Completed |
| 29 | 2021-22 | Construction of PHSC Building at Ramthang, North Sikkim | 45.06 | 40.55 | 4.51 | Completed |
| 30 | 2021-22 | Construction of PHSC Building at Tinvong Upper Dzongu | 43.99 | 39.59 | 4.40 | Completed |
| 31 | 2021-22 | Construction of PHSC Building at Slaim Pakyil, Sufo | 44.09 | 39.68 | 4.41 | Ongoing |
| 32 | 2021-22 | Construction of Primary Health Centre, Karjee | 303.70 | 273.33 | 30.37 | Ongoing |
| 33 | 2021-22 | Construction of Primary Health Centre, Khamdong, | 303.70 | 273.33 | 30.37 | Ongoing |
| 34 | 2021-22 | 100 bedded District Hospital, Soreng, West Sikkim | 5,620.00 | 5,058.00 | 562.00 | Ongoing |
| 35 | 2021-22 | 300 bedded district Hospital, Singtam, East Sikkim | 14,897.10 | 13,407.39 | 1,489.71 | Ongoing |
| 36 | 2021-22 | Tamang Community Hall | 140.00 | 126.00 | 14.00 | Ongoing |
| 37 | 2021-22 | Construction of Sadbhav Mandap at Temi, | 140.00 | 126.00 | 14.00 | Completed |
| 38 | 2021-22 | Construction of Sadbhav Mandap at Aritar Near Shivalaya Mandir | 140.00 | 126.00 | 14.00 | Ongoing |
| 39 | 2023-24 | Construction of Monastic Hostel cum Classrooms, Pemayangtse (BDP) | 528.52 | 475.67 | 52.85 | Ongoing |
| 40 | 2023-24 | Construction of Monastic Hostel cum Classrooms,Enchey Monastic School (BDP) | 528.52 | 475.67 | 52.85 | Ongoing |
| 41 | 2023-24 | Construction of Monastic Hostel cum Classrooms,Khatek Pema Choling Monastic school Pakyong (BDP) | 286.93 | 258.24 | 28.69 | Ongoing |
| 42 | 2023-24 | Construction of Monastic Hostel cum Classrooms, Gnadak Gumpa Namchi (BDP) | 528.52 | 475.67 | 52.85 | Ongoing |
| 43 | 2023-24 | Extension of existing Monastic hostel cum classrooms , Sichey Tamang gumpa | 109.30 | 98.37 | 10.93 | Ongoing |
| 44 | 2023-24 | Construction of community meditation centre cum multipurpose hall at Karthok Gumpa, Karthok Pakyong | 528.52 | 475.67 | 52.85 | Ongoing |
| 45 | 2023-24 | Construction of Monastic Hostel cum Classrooms,Boomtar Gumpa Namchi (BDP) | 567.96 | 511.16 | 56.80 | Ongoing |
| 46 | 2023-24 | Construction of Monastic Hostel cum Classrooms at Sanga Choling Gumpa, Martam (BDP) | 494.18 | 444.76 | 49.42 | Ongoing |
| 47 | 2023-24 | Construction of Monastic Hostel cum Classrooms at Sanga Choling Gumpa, TeenDharey Bhasmey (BDP) | 268.49 | 241.64 | 26.85 | Ongoing |
| 48 | 2023-24 | Construction of Monastic Hostel cum Classrooms at Phuntsok Choeling Gumpa, Lower Sreebadam (BDP) | 557.85 | 502.07 | 55.79 | Ongoing |
| 49 | 2023-24 | Extension of Existing Project Construction of 100 Bedded District Hospital at Soreng, west Sikkim | 14,174.00 | 12,756.60 | 1,417.40 | Ongoing |
| 50 | 2023-24 | Resource Recovery Vehicle | 170.69 | 153.62 | 17.07 | |
| 60,592.35 | 54,533.11 | 6,059.24 |
NOTEWORTHY PROJECTS UNDER PMJVK IN THE STATE UNDER PMJVK:
i) INSTALLATION OF SMART CLASSROOM SOLUTIONS (1020 UNITS COVERING 300 NOS. OF GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS) :
The Minority Affairs Division under Social Welfare Department has successfully installed and commissioned 1020 units of smart class equipments in 300nos. of Government Schools (Secondary and Senior Secondary) in all the districts under innovative Schemes.
The objective is to empower the students and teachers by assisting them in acquiring IT skills and facilitate holistic development of students by providing them access to the world of information through innovative technology tool (Integrated computer to revolutionize the teaching learning process in the schools by setting up innovative IT enabled education solution).
ii) 300- BEDDED DISTRICT HOSPITAL AT TOPAKHANI [SINGTAM] IN GANGTOK DISTRICT :
The State Government has sanctioned Rs.552.19 crore for construction of 300 bedded hospital at Singtam, Gangtok District to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to the general public. The hospital would cater to the populace in Rangpo, Central Pendam, Khamdong, Martam, Chisopani, Sang-Khola and cover those residing in the lower belt of Mangan District. It would also reduce the burden at the already overwhelmed STNM hospital at Gangtok. The hospital would be built according to the Indian Public Health Standards [IPHS] and the National Quality Assurance Standards [NQAS] and would have all the necessary infrastructure and the equipments in place for immediate care to the public. The foundation stone of the project was laid by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu during her visit to the State of Sikkim on the 4th of November 2022. The project is underway on a war footing and is expected to be completed by November 2025.
iii)100-BEDDED DISTRICT HOSPITAL AT SORENG :
The State Government has sanctioned an amount of Rs.234.00 crores for this project. A state-of-the-art hospital according to the IPHS and NQAS norms has been envisaged to be built at Soreng, a newly created District by the State Government. The hospital after completion would cater to the populace of the areas surrounding Soreng district in particular and the entire west districts in general. It would ensure complete and holistic healthcare to the populace of the district and reduce their unnecessary expenditure for travelling outside the district and State for medical emergencies. The project is presently underway and is expected to be completed by 2025.
iv) Construction of Model ResidentialSchools :
The State Government had also envisaged constructing a Residential Model School in each district with a view to provide holistic quality education to the minority students and the meritorious students of other castes. One residential school each has been sanctioned in Mangan, Namchi and Soreng district at a unit cost of Rs: 5232.00 lakhs. The school would cater to the comprehensive physical, mental and socially relevant development of all students enrolled. Students will be empowered to be change agents, beginning in their schools, in their homes and in a larger context. The school would be replete with all the requisite facilities such as hostels, academic units, library, sports zone etc. for holistic development of the children. The construction of the Residential Model School in Namthang under Namchi District has recently been taken up while the other Districts will soon get the work initiated.
Under the PMJVK scheme various school infrastructures have been built.
One such asset is the 100 bedded Girls’ hostel at VC Ganju Lama Senior Secondary School in Ravangla. The hostel was built at a cost of Rs. 324.5 lakh and was virtually inaugurated by the President of India in November 2022.
Apart from the above projects the construction of Common Services Centres/Sadbhav Mandaps (Bhawans)are also being taken up at a number of places. These are multi-purpose centres and serve as a central venue for congregation for dissemination/ awareness activities of various schemes and programmes of the Central and State Governments, carrying out short term skill development classes, social functions, communal harmony functions, study centres, coaching classes, sports activities, health & hygiene, disaster management, etc. One such Sadbhav Mandap is nearing completion at Mangan, the inauguration of which is forthcoming.
Buddhist Development Plan (BDP)
The Buddhist Development Plan (BDP) is a proposed action for the socio-economic development of the Buddhist population residing in the states/ UTs of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Ladakh. The administrative sanction for BDP project proposals in Sikkim to the tune of Rs. 43.98 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) was accorded by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, GoI during the Empowered Committee Meetings held on the 21.02.2024 & 07.03.2024.
Website: pmjvk.minorityaffairs.gov.in
X. SCHOLARSHIP SCHEMES (PRE AND POST MATRIC SCHOLARSHIPS, MERIT CUM MEANS BASED SCHOLARSHIP)
1. Pre Matric Scholarship for Minorities
The scholarship at pre-matric level will encourage parents from minority communities to send their school going children to school, lighten their financial burden on school education and sustain their efforts to support their children to complete school education. The scheme will form the foundation for their educational attainment and provide a level playing field in the competitive employment arena. Empowerment through education, which is one of the objectives of this scheme, has the potential to lead to upliftment of the socio economic conditions of the minority communities.
https://scholarships.gov.in/
2. Post Matric Scholarship for Minorities
The Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities was announced in June, 2006. It provides that a post-matric scholarship scheme for meritorious students from minority communities would be implemented.
The objective of the scheme is to award scholarships to meritorious students belonging to economically weaker sections of minority community so as to provide them better opportunities for higher education, increase their rate of attainment in higher education and enhance their employability.
https://scholarships.gov.in/
3. Merit cum Means Based Scholarship for Minorities
The objective of the Scheme is to provide financial assistance to the poor and meritorious students belonging to minority communities to enable them to pursue professional and technical courses scope: The scholarship is to be awarded for studies in India in a Government or private institution, selected and notified in a transparent manner by the State Government/Union Territory Administration concerned. It will cover technical and professional courses at undergraduate and post graduate level.
https://scholarships.gov.in