Gangtok, Dec 15: A high-level meeting chaired by the Hon’ble Chief Minister at Samman Bhawan today advanced Sikkim’s major initiative to scientifically establish the Indicators of Backwardness and Demographic Laggardness among the state’s Indigenous Ethnic Communities. The deliberation aimed to supplement and strengthen the reports of the Sikkim State High Level Committee (SSHLC) with robust, evidence-based data.
The meeting was attended by Hon’ble Ministers, MLAs, representatives of EIECOS+1, community leaders, senior officers of the Directorate of Economics, Statistics, Monitoring & Evaluation (DESM&E), and officials of the Social Welfare Department.
Draft Reports Presented to CM
The programme began with a welcome address by Mrs. Sarika Pradhan, IAS, Secretary, Social Welfare Department. Senior consultants then formally submitted Draft Report Volumes V and VI to the Chief Minister.
A comprehensive presentation followed, led by:
• Shri S.K. Chakrabarti, Retd. Additional Registrar General of Citizen Registration
• Shri Amitabha Panda, Retd. Director General (Statistics), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
• Shri Debabrata Mukhopadhyay, Retd. Deputy Director General, Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
The experts detailed the methodology, background, and major findings of the supplementary survey conducted across Sikkim’s indigenous communities.
Findings Highlight Deep-Rooted Disparities
Prof. Mahendra P. Lama, Emeritus Chief Economic Advisor, summarised the study’s conclusions, noting that extensive fieldwork and consultations reveal long-standing socio-economic disadvantages among the G-12 communities - Bhujel, Gurung, Jogi, Khas, Rai, Kirat Yakha Dewan, Majhi, Manger, Newar, Sanyasi, Sunuwar, and Thami.
The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction with the thoroughness of the study, emphasising that the findings clearly demonstrate the historical deprivation and demographic vulnerability of these groups. Despite their significant role in shaping Sikkim’s cultural and developmental landscape, their inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list has been pending for decades.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the newly presented Volumes V and VI, which provide statistical and demographic validation, complement the SSHLC’s ethnographic reports (Volumes I–IV) submitted in August 2025 and already approved by the State Cabinet and the Sikkim Legislative Assembly on December 12.
The study also identifies pockets of deprivation among already recognised communities, underscoring the unique socio-cultural diversity of Sikkim.
State to Submit Complete Reports to Centre
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, the Chief Minister said the complete set of SSHLC reports will be submitted to the Government of India, noting that the state has consistently raised the demand for ST inclusion with the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Hon’ble Union Home Minister.
Felicitation of Social Welfare Department Officers
A felicitation ceremony was held to honour officers of the Social Welfare Department for their exceptional support during the SSHLC report preparation. Those felicitated included:
1. Shri Suman Gurung
2. Shri Thinlay Gyatso Chankapa
3. Smt. Bandana Chettri
4. Shri Prem Kamal Rai
5. Shri Vaishnav Gajmer
6. Smt. Rituja Gajmer
7. Smt. Srijana Karkidholi
8. Dr. Sangay Diki Bhutia
9. Ms. Rhea Pradhan
CM Calls It a Milestone for Sikkim’s Inclusive Future
In his concluding remarks, the Chief Minister said the initiative represents more than a quest for recognition; it signifies Sikkim’s determination to ensure a fair, inclusive, and equitable future for all its Indigenous communities:
“This is about honouring our past and confidently embracing the promise of tomorrow.”
The meeting marks another milestone in Sikkim’s systematic effort to secure justice, visibility, and constitutional recognition for its Indigenous ethnic groups.
