SIKKIM: PAKYONG WANTS A DISTRICT STATUS: D.T. LEPCHA

Gradual increased in infrastructural strength and the growth in population in remote places of East Sikkim have generated expectations among the local people for a separate East district collectorate at Pakyong town, Gnathang-Machong MLA D.T. Lepcha, also the Buildings & Housing and Transport minister, told reporters on Friday. Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling had also assured the setting up of an East DC office at Pakyong town before the 2014 Assembly election but the promise was yet to be fulfilled.

The east district collectorate office was being sought at Pakyong, the centralised location for Gnathang-Machong, Rhenock, Chujachen and certain portions of Namcheybong and West Pendam constituencies. It would also cover Pakyong and Rongli subdivisions and half of Rangpo subdivision informed Minister Lepcha. “We are hopeful that the Chief Minister will announce the DC office here in Pakyong during his visit,” said Lepcha.

As part of the infrastructural expansion for the region, two important offices were inaugurated at the Pakyong SDM office complex by Lepcha in presence of Rhenock MLA Hemandra Adikhari during the day. It may be mentioned that the Chief Minister addressing the people during his public interaction programmes has already mentioned about the existing 20-year-old demand for Pakyong district status. He has assured to put up the demand of both Pakyong and Soreng districts at the cabinet for deliberation before coming to a decision.