Gangtok, May 2, 2026: The fourth council of the Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC) was formally constituted on Saturday with the oath-taking ceremony of 20 newly elected councillors held at the GMC Conference Hall in Deorali. The event marked the beginning of a new term in the city's urban governance and witnessed the unanimous election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
 |
| Dignitaries and newly elected councillors attend the oath-taking ceremony marking the formation of the fourth council of the Gangtok Municipal Corporation at the GMC Conference Hall in Deorali, Gangtok. (Image: DIO Gangtok) |
The oath of office was administered by Municipal Returning Officer for Gangtok District, Tushar G. Nikhare, who congratulated the councillors and formally inducted them into office. The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Culture and AYUSH G.T. Dhungel, Urban Development Minister Arun Kumar Upreti, senior government officials, advisors, and representatives from various departments.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, the newly elected councillors unanimously elected Tshering Palden Bhutia, councillor from Ward No. 9 representing the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), as the Mayor of the Gangtok Municipal Corporation. Her nomination received unanimous support from all councillors present.
Similarly, Sara Lama, councillor from Ward No. 12 (Arithang II) and also representing the SKM, was unanimously elected as the Deputy Mayor of the municipal body. The elections reflected consensus among the councillors in selecting the leadership of the newly constituted civic administration.
ALSO READ: Sikkim Declared Paperless Judiciary; CM Tamang Attends Technology and Judicial Education Conclave
Addressing the gathering, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Urban Development Department Jitendra Singh Raje congratulated the newly elected representatives on behalf of the Government of Sikkim. He urged them to discharge their duties with integrity, dedication, and a strong sense of public responsibility while working towards the overall development and welfare of the people of Gangtok.
Raje emphasised the importance of transparent, accountable, and citizen-centric urban governance in addressing the growing needs of the capital city. He encouraged the councillors to work collectively in improving civic amenities, sanitation, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and public services.
The ceremony officially marked the formation of the fourth council of the Gangtok Municipal Corporation, paving the way for the newly elected representatives to begin their tenure with a renewed commitment to inclusive development and effective municipal administration in the state capital.
