Sikkim CM launches ‘Connect to CM’ helpline to bring governance closer to people

The launch ceremony, held at Samman Bhawan, marked a historic moment in the state’s drive toward transparency, accountability, and participatory governance.

The initiative officially commenced operations on October 14, 2025, offering a direct helpline to the Chief Minister’s Office through 80016-81188 and 93327-81188. The lines will remain open daily from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM, including on holidays and festivals, ensuring citizens can share concerns, seek assistance, and inquire about government schemes without having to travel to Gangtok or other administrative centres.

According to officials from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the ‘Connect to CM’ programme is part of the broader vision of “Aangan Ma Sarkar” — a governance philosophy focused on empowering citizens by bringing administrative services closer to their homes. The system is integrated with the Chief Minister’s Integrated Management System (CMIMS), a unified platform that monitors the implementation of welfare schemes across sectors such as health, education, and self-employment.

Depen Sharma, Additional Secretary-cum-Staff Officer to the Chief Minister, explained the system’s functionality during the launch. “The platform is internet-based and designed to register and categorise every citizen’s concern in real time. It collects essential caller details like name, guardian’s name, constituency, and Gram Panchayat Unit (GPU) and routes each query to the appropriate department for timely redressal,” he said.

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Sharma clarified that the new initiative is meant to complement — not replace — regular departmental operations. “The idea is to create a structured communication channel between citizens and the Chief Minister’s Office. All calls are recorded to ensure transparency, accountability, and follow-up. Notifications are automatically sent to the concerned officials, and every request is processed within 48 hours,” he added.

Officials also detailed that if a call is missed, the system records the details and initiates a follow-up to ensure that no grievance goes unattended. Citizens are guided on documentation requirements such as ID cards, voter cards, and Certificates of Identity (COI) to help process their concerns swiftly.

Senior officials from the CMO, including Surjay Pradhan (Resource Officer), D.K. Chettri (OSD, CMO), Karma Namgyal Bhutia (Secretary to HCM), Swapna Lama (Joint Secretary), Sherap Chopel Katuk (Director, CMO), Anil Chettri (Assistant Director–IT), and Chewan K. Dahal (Assistant Director–Media & Multimedia), attended the launch and will oversee the smooth operation of the new platform.

The CMIMS integration ensures that all government benefits are efficiently tracked and verified. Officials said the system helps prevent duplication and ensures that beneficiaries receive their due entitlements promptly. “This is a decisive step toward making governance more transparent and people-driven,” Sharma said, adding that the CM’s office will personally monitor the system’s functioning to maintain efficiency and credibility.

The initiative has been hailed as a major leap in digital and responsive governance in Sikkim. By leveraging technology to create a direct channel between the Chief Minister and citizens, the state aims to strengthen public trust and encourage active citizen participation.

“Connect to CM” reflects Chief Minister Golay’s vision of governance at people’s doorsteps, ensuring every voice in Sikkim is heard and addressed. The move positions Sikkim as a model for citizen-focused governance in India — one where transparency, accessibility, and accountability converge to create a truly people-first administration.