Block Administrative Centre inaugurated
Sikkim Sahitya Ratna to be instituted, says Chief Minister Chamling

Martam BAC, August 13, 2011: Prestigious recognition in the style of Sikkim Sahitya Ratna, second only to Sikkim Ratna would be instituted in Sikkim, said the Chief Minister, Shri Pawan Chamling while addressing public after inaugurating the new Block Administrative Centre here at Martam in West Sikkim. The award consisting of cash incentives, anga vastra and citation would be given away to distinguished litterateurs of the State. Calling upon the public, the new Block Development Officer and all the Panchayats of the area, the Chief Minister said that the Martam BAC should be a model BAC by providing the best services to people with ‘humane touch’ and through their exemplary show of human character and human conduct while delivering public service. The Chief Minister also called upon the people to use and utilize the new Office for the collective welfare of the people.
While addressing the students present, the Chief Minister highlighted the various educational incentives provided by the State Government. He also called upon the teaching community and the parents as a whole- to deliberate on the quality of education at the elementary level, as more children are being admitted in private schools even in rural areas. Calling the children as the future of Sikkim, he requested the teaching fraternity to ponder over the foundation of education for children at the elementary level.

Calling upon panchayats and other public representatives to sincerely implement all government programs at the village level, the Chief Minister also took certain policy decisions as follow:
(i) All tourism infrastructures including guest houses created across the State shall be handed over to local panchayats for running the facilities and for their regular upkeep;
(ii) Designated Sub-Divisional Office for people under the Martam BAC shall now be District Administrative Centre in Geyzing
(iii) Labour gang shall be recruited immediately in the region to look after all problems areas along all the existing roads
(iv) Road shall be constructed upto Sirijunga gufa
On the holy occasion of raksha bandhan, hundreds of woman folks swelled up the venue to tie rakhi and offer goodwill to Chief Minister, who acknowledged the gesture gracefully and offered the customary gift to them.