The Social Justice, Empowerment and Welfare Department, Social Welfare Division implements various Policies, Programmes, Law to ensure the welfare, justice and empowerment of the disadvantaged and marginalized sections of the society. The Department being the nodal State Agency is responsible to ensure welfare of socio- economic and educational development of the physically challenged, elderly persons and the juveniles as envisaged in the Persons with Image of social welfare division Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Child) Act, 2000 respectively.
As per the 2001 census around 20,367 persons i.e. 3 % approximately of the total population of Sikkim are identified as disabled with various degree of disability. The total population of the older persons in Sikkim is indicated to be 18,916 (65-80+age group) i.e. 3.43% of the total population of Sikkim. The department has taken the following initiatives to provide a more focused attention on their welfare and development.
The schemes under the National Social Assistance Programme, namely, the Indira Gandhi Nation Old Age Pension Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension andNational Family Benefit Scheme is implemented by the Social Welfare Division. The Subsistence Allowance Schemes is a State sponsored programme which is also implemented by the Social Welfare Division.
[Updated on: 24.08.2017]
Social Welfare Division under Social Justice, Empowerment and Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim looks after various schemes, both central and state sponsored, which are targeted towards the welfare of the people. Following are the schemes looked after by Social Welfare Division.
The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme is provided to persons above the age of 60 and belonging to a household of Below Poverty Line category. The table below indicates the rate of pension to the 3 categories of Old Age Pensioners according to their age group from July 2017 onwards:
| Age Group |
Central Share (per beneficiary) |
State Share (per beneficiary) |
Total Pension Amount |
| 60-69 Years | Rs.200 p.m | Rs.800 p.m | Rs. 1000 p.m |
| 70-79 Years | Rs. 200 p.m | Rs. 1300 p.m | Rs. 1500 p.m |
| 80 years and above | Rs. 500 p.m | Rs. 1500 p.m | Rs. 2000 p.m |
Specific Conditions:
For purposes of claiming assistance under IGNOAPS, the following are the criteria :
- Minimum age of the applicant (male or female) shall be 60 years or higher belonging to a household of BPL category.
- The applicant must be a destitute in the sense of having little or no regular means of subsistence from his/her own sources of income or through financial support from family members or other sources. In order to determine destitution, the criteria, if any, currently in force in the State/UT Government of India reserves the right to review these criteria and suggest appropriate revised criteria.
- Village Panchayats and relevant Municipalities shall report every case of the death of a pensioner immediately after its occurrence to the appropriate sanctioning authority. The sanctioning authority shall ensure that payments are stopped thereafter.
- The sanctioning authority shall have the right to stop/recover payments of any pension sanctioned on the basis of false or mistaken information about eligibility.
For more details visit: NSAP Website
The Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme is provided to differently abled persons in the age group of 18 to 64 years, belonging to a household of Below Poverty Line category with severe or multiple disability as defined in ‘Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 (PWD Act 1995)’ and the ‘National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999 (National Trust Act 1999)’. The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India provides a sum of Rs. 300/- per month. In addition to this the State Government too grants an amount of Rs. 1200/- per month, thus a beneficiary receives an amount of Rs. 1500/- per month from July 2017 onwards.
The Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme is provided to widows in the age group of 40 to 64 years belonging to a household of Below Poverty Line category. The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India provides a sum of Rs. 300/- per month. In addition to this the State Government too grants an amount of Rs. 1200/- per month, thus a beneficiary receives an amount of Rs. 1500/- per month from July 2017 onwards.
Under the National Family Benefit (NFBS), A ONE TIME GRANT is provided to a family living below poverty line in the event of the demise of the primary breadwinner in the bereaved family. The death of such primary breadwinner should have occurred while he or she is within the age group of 18 to 64 years of age. A one time grant of a sum of Rs. 30,000/- consisting of a Central assistance of Rs. 20,000/- and State Share of Rs. 10,000/- is granted to the beneficiary under this scheme
Specific Conditions: For purposes of determining Central assistance for NFBS the following criteria shall apply:
- The ‘primary breadwinner’ will be the member of the household-male or female-whose earnings contribute substantially to the total household income.
- Death of such a primary breadwinner should have occurred whilst he or she is in the age group of 18 to 64 years i.e. more than 18 years of age and less than 65 years of age.
- The bereaved household qualifies for assistance if it is below poverty line according to the criterion prescribed by the Government of India.
The family benefit will be paid to such surviving member of the household of the deceased who, after due local inquiry, is determined to be the head of the household. For the purpose of the Scheme, the term ’household’ would include spouse, minor children, unmarried daughters and dependent parents. In case of death of an unmarried adult, the term household would include minor brothers/sisters.
The sanctioning authority shall have the right to recover payments made on the basis of false or mistaken information about eligibility.
The State Government of Sikkim through the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment & Welfare provides a sum of rupees 1000/- per month(from July 2017 onwards) as SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE to every local physically challenged person whose degree of disability has been assessed to be 40% and above.
Criteria for the Scheme:
- Applicant should be local having Sikkim Subject Certificate or Certificate of Identification.
- Degree of disability as assessed by the Medical Specialist concerned should be 40% and above.
- Applicant should belong to Below Poverty Line (BPL) family.
Documents required:
- Disability Certificate.
- Copy of SSC/COI.
- Income Certificate.
- Passport size Photograph (3 nos.).
An application Form is available at the respective Office of the BDOs and, the office of the Social Welfare Officers and also from at Social Welfare Division at Head Quarter, Gangtok.
Scheme for Providing Pension to Unmarried Women is initiated as per the vision of Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of Sikkim Shri Pawan Chamling. Any poor and needy woman who is unmarried and who has attained the age of 45 and can produce unmarried certificate can avail this scheme. A pension of Rs. 2000/- p.m (from July 2017 onwards) is granted to each beneficiary under this scheme.
Schemes for Transgender :: The Government has introduced the scheme vide Notification No: 5/SJE&WD dated 27.08.2013 to the Transgender (third Gender) for economic empowerment to ensure their financial security and to come out from their hidden life and give an opportunity to them to take part in the nation building and development activities through securing their life. The monthly allowance of Rs. 2000/= from 0-6 years with 100% sponsorship for the education till graduation level is provided. Thereafter, monthly allowance of Rs. 500/- shall be provided if the incumbent is remained unemployed.
Mrs. Tshering Tamang receiving a cheque for Rs. 2.00 Lakhs under the award for marriage with Person with Disabilities scheme
The Scheme has been notified with the object to encourage normal persons to accept the persons with disabilities as life partner and to assimilate the persons with disabilities in the mainstream of the Society. A onetime grant of Rs. 2.00 lakhs is awarded to the couple subject to fulfillment of criteria as laid down for the same.
Welfare of the Handicapped/Physically Challenged Persons/Children
The Department is providing various types of welfare services to the handicapped and physically challenged persons with an aim to raise their social, educational and mental status to cope with challenges that are required to face by them in their day to day lives. Some of the services provided to them by the Department are enumerated hereunder.
Considering the vulnerability of the physically challenged children in the society the Department is providing a stipend @ Rs. 500.00 per month per child and Rs. 500 per annum for their studies in special schools outside the State. At present 7 students are studying at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf at Kalimpong and Salvation Army School at Darjeeling. Scholarship of Rs. 50/- p.m. is provided to each children studying in Class I to VI, Rs. 60/- p.m. from class VII to VIII p.m. and Rs. 85/- p.m. from class IX to XII. Scholarship for higher studies @ Rs. 800/- p.m. for students studying outside the State and Rs. 2000/- per annum for students studying within the State is also being provided.
A Sheltered Workshop
A Sheltered Workshop at Jorthang is being operated from the rented premises of the Industrial Centre of Commerce and Industries Department.At the workshop they make products out of Cane and Bamboo, which is sold in the market.
It was established to train physically challenged persons to so that they can learn a economically viable trade so as to make them financially independent. Those working in the workshop are provided M.R. wages.
Special School for Hearing Impaired
Special School for Hearing Impaired, Sichey Busty
The Social Welfare Division has established a Special School for the Hearing impaired children in June 2004 at Sitchey Busty, Gangtok. It is a residential School where accommodation, education and general welfare for the hearing impaired children are provided.
For further Information and Admission people can contact:
Principal,
Special School for Deaf,
Sitchey Busty,
Gangtok.
Phone: (03592)284357
Disability Screening Camps
The department, in collaboration with the medical specialists of STNM Govt. hospital, conducts free disability camps in every convenient places of all the four districts as per the calendar drawn in advance. During such camps persons having different types of disabilities are screened and assessed the percentage of their disabilities and accordingly Disability Certificates and Cards are issued.
However, with the issuance of Notification No. 02/HC, HS&FW Dated: 30/1/09 by the Department of Health Care, Human Services and Family Welfare the system has been slightly changed. Now the notification as aforesaid has specified certain days of the months to be visited by the respective District Medical Board in their respective District Hospitals accompanied by the officers of the Social Justice, Empowerment & Welfare Department along with the technicians and staffs of DDRC, Gangtok. The pattern for screening and assessment of the disabilities followed by the necessary treatment to be given to the patients remains the same as followed earlier.
The Disability Screening Board (DSB) shall convene a screening clinic as per following schedule at the assigned venues from 11 a.m. onwards and examine the persons with disability. The registration process of the disabled persons shall invariably commence from 10 a.m. onwards:-
| STNM Hospital | 1st Wednesday of every month |
| District Hospital, Singtam | 2nd Friday of every month |
| District Hospital, Namchi | 1st Friday of every month |
| District Hospital, Mangan | 3rd Friday of every month |
| District Hospital, Gyalshing | 4th Friday of every month |
However, if the days indicated are a public holiday, then the board will meet on next working day.
Persons with multiple disabilities shall be examined by all the members of Disability Screening Board (DSB) before issuing Disability Certificate so as to ensure proper assessment of the disabilities.
The Disability Screening Board (DSB) of District Hospital at Singtam shall also cover all persons with disability falling within the jurisdiction of District Hospital, Mangan. The Disability Screening Board (DSB) of District Hospital, Namchi shall cover all persons with disability falling within the jurisdiction of District Hospital, Gyalsing and District Hospital, Singtam shall cover District Hospital, Mangan respectively.
The Disability Screening Board (DSB) of East District will be chaired by Chief Medical Officer, East and the Disability Screening Board (DSB) of North District shall be chaired by Chief Medical Officer, North. The Disability Screening Board (DSB) of South District will be chaired by Chief Medical Officer, South and the Disability Screening Board (DSB) of West District will be chaired by Chief Medical Officer, west.
Assistance to Voluntary Organizations
The Department is providing financial assistance to certain Voluntary Organizations/ NGOs which are looking after the welfare of disadvantaged sections of the society like Persons with Disabilities, infirm children, aged persons and persons who have been the victim of Substance Abuse. Some of the leading and reputed NGOs which are availing the financial assistance from the Department are as under:-
- Jawaharlal Nehru Institute for the Visually Handicapped at Boomtar, South Sikkim is being run by National Association for the Blind, an NGO to which the department provides grant in aid. They are doing creditable work. For betterment and proper education of the visually impaired children the grant needs to be enhanced.
- The Spastic Society is running a School for the spastic at T.N.H.S. Road. This centre is doing creditable work in the field of rehabilitation.
- The Sikkim Vikalang Sahayta Samiti, Zero Point is also working for the rehabilitation of the Orthopedic Handicapped. Due to paucity of fund the department is providing grant in aid to the center.
- The Association for Social Health in India, (Sikkim Branch) is also doing commendable work but due to fund constraint this department is not able to enhance the grant.
- The Sikkim Rehabilitation and Detoxification Centre, Nimtar is also doing an excellent work in the field of rehabilitation of the drug abuse. The department is not in position to enhance the grant.
- Hope Centre, Rangpo established in 2003 is working in the treatment of chemically departed persons and has been doing good work and is in need of assistance from the government to take care more needy persons in the State.
The grant in aid to the voluntary organizations/NGOs is provided subject to the following conditions:
- Availability of Funds.
- Satisfactory performance of the voluntary organizations/NGOs certified by the competent authority of the Government of Sikkim.
- Further released of fund will be done only after submission of Annual Reports, Utilization Certificate and Audited Account of the grant released during the previous year.
The Sikkim State Welfare Board has been functioning effectively as a medium between the Central Social Welfare Board and the Voluntary Organizations of the State since its establishment on (28.10.1976) during the year 1976. The board is headed by Chairperson and comprises of official and non-official members. Members are nominated from NGO and other voluntary organization.
The present State Board was reconstituted on 16.05.2005 with the following officials and non officials’ members:-
Official Members
| Secretary, Social Justice Empowerment and Welfare Department Govt. of Sikkim | Vice Chairperson |
| Additional Secretary, Social Justice Empowerment and Welfare Department Govt. of Sikkim | Members |
| Director, Human Resource Development Department Govt. of Sikkim | Members |
| Additional Secretary, Finance Revenue and Expenditure Department Govt. of Sikkim | Members |
| Additional Secretary, Health Care Human Services and Family Welfare Department, Govt. of Sikkim | Members |
| Project Director, State Rural Development Agency, Govt. of Sikkim | Members |
| Representative of Sikkim Govt. College, Govt. of Sikkim | Members |
Non-official Members
| Mrs.Jumthi Paljor | Member |
| Mrs.Lhakit Lepcha | Member |
| Mrs.Purna Kumari Rai | Member |
| Ms.Dil Kumari Rai | Member |
Committee
Five Sub- Committee were constituted with the following members
1. Standing Committee
Standing Committee constituted with five members. They are:-
| 1. Chairperson | Mrs Bhim Kanta Gurung |
| 2. Members | Mrs. Lhakit Lepcha |
| 3. Members | Mrs.J. Plajor Bhuita |
| 4. Treasurer | Mrs.T.P. Koirala |
| 5. Secretary of the Board. | |
2. Finance Committee
| 1. Mrs.B.Kanta Gurung, Chairperson. Social Welfare Board, |
| 2. Mrs.T.P.Koirala, Treasurer, State Social Welfare Board, |
| 3. Budget Officer, Finance Department, |
| 4. Additional Secretary, Social Justice Empowerment and Welfare Deptt. |
| 5. Secretary of the Board. |
3. Sub Committee under condensed course of education
| 1. Chairperson. Social Welfare Board, |
| 2. Treasurer, State Social Welfare Board, |
| 3. Mrs.Lhakit Lepcha, Member, |
| 4. Mrs.Jumithi Paljor, Member |
| 5. Representative from Education Department. |
The main functioning of these Committee are to identify deserving beneficiary to implement Welfare Programs and to monitor /recommend the implementation of programs of CSWB/SSWB.
Office Accommodation
The office of the State Social Welfare has been functioning in a private rented building.
Board Meeting Held
In the year 2007-08 two (2) Board Meeting has been held and one Finance Committee could be held on the following dates.
| 1. 20th June 2007 |
| 2. 27th Nov 2007 |
| 3. 11th September 2007- (Finance Committee |
State Board Establishment
The State Social Welfare Board has been functioning as per the Rules Governing the composition and function of the State Social Welfare Board framed by the Central Social Welfare Board. The Establishment cost of the board framed by the Central Government and the Central Social Welfare on 50:50 basis.
State Board Staff Members
The State Board has been functioning / with the following Staff:-
| Sl.No. | Name of the post | No. of Post |
| 1. | Secretary | 1 |
| 2. | P.A. to Chairperson | 1 |
| 3. | Accountant | 1 |
| 4. | U.D.C | 1 |
| 5. | L.D.A | 1 |
| 6. | Driver | 2 |
| 7. | Peon | 1 |
Field Officer
| 1. | Welfare Officer | 1 |
Adhoc Staff
| 1. | Stenographer | 1 |
| 2. | Peon | 1 |
Voluntary Action Bureau
| 1. | Counselor | 1 |
| 2. | L.D.C | 1 |
Address:
Smt. Bhima Kanti Gurung
Chairperson
State Social Welfare Board
Kazi Road, Gangtok
Office Phone: 204343. Mobile No:9733195857
A State Welfare Commission was constituted in the State of Senior Citizens, physicallychallenged persons, destitute women, widows, orphans, or other abandoned persons in distress or need, care and medication. The commission is headed by Chairperson and comprises of official and non-official members. Members are nominated from NGO and other voluntary organization.The commission comprises of the following members:-
- Chairperson – Smt. Indira Pradhan
- Member – J.B. Pradhan
- Member Secretary -Under Secretary (Social Welfare Division).
Function of the Commission
- To examine and to recommend suitable measures to deal with problem being faced by Senior Citizens or elderly people involving medical care, facilities, fooding and clothing and shelter etc. or such other requirements as may be considered necessary and to suggest ways and means to improve their conditions.
- To suggest and to recommend measures to deal with orphans or children (abandoned, distressed, trafficked, marginalized) pertaining to their free education health services, training or development of skill for making them employable and to recommend measures and removal of any difficulties being faced by such children, with no home including suggestion for measure to ensure that orphanage are providing desired care, fooding, clothing and shelter as per the norms as may be stipulated or formulated.
- To look into the cases of persons with various types of disabilities and to suggest measures for improvement of their condition including providing of such training, education and suggestion for framing of scheme as may be considered suitable.
- To recommend measures to deal with abandoned, trafficked, marginalized or destitute women or widow or such other person in distress, to improve their condition and to provide necessary medication, clothing, shelter etc.
- To examine such other condition of the above stated category of persons and for the purpose of such examination visit such places or obtain such record or instruction from the concerned Government Department and may suggest any amendment to the existing Notification, Rule or such other procedure as may be considered desirable.
- The Government may deal with recommendation of the commission either by accepting it or by making changes in such recommendations if it is considered so expedient. However, the Government is some cases may not give effect to the recommendation if it is of opinion that the changes are not necessary.
- The Commission shall be initially for a period of 3 (three) years but the Government may allow it to continue for such further period as it may deem expedient.
- The Chairman of the Commission may at his discretion, co-opt a specialist member (Sociologist/Medical Specialist).
- The remuneration and other facilities payable to the Chairman, Members and staff of the Commission shall be such as may be prescribed.
- The Commission shall hold its meeting from time to time and may hold at least one meeting quarterly.
- The Commission shall review the progress of the implementation of the programmes.
- The Commission would receive a grant-in-aid from the State Government for its functioning.
- The management of fund allocated shall be strictly maintained under a joint account operating in the name of Chairperson, Welfare Commission and Member Secretary, Welfare Commission.
- The Commission shall utilize the sums of money received by it and shall maintain a separate Bank Account in the State Bank of Sikkim in order to have a smooth transaction.
- The Chairperson shall be authority to sanction to sanction the amount for the purpose of the Commission out of the fund allocated to the Commission by the State Government.
- The Member Secretary shall be Head of Office as well as Drawing and Disbursing Officer and shall exercise all powers as per the Sikkim Financial Rules, 1779 as amended from time to time.
- The Chairperson shall have all powers relating to financial transaction of the Commission, except in case, which require prior approval of the State Government.
- The Chairperson shall, subject to such conditions and limitations and control and supervision, have powers to delegate his/her financial powers to any Member or the Secretary. Provided that no such powers shall be delegated in respect of incurring an expenditure on an item exceeding one lakh rupees without the prior approval of the State Government.
- The Chairperson with prior approval of the State Government may engage any person or persons as consultant or consultants for a specific purpose and for a specific period on the terms and conditions agreed in advance relating to honorarium, travelling allowance, dearness allowance.
- The Member-Secretary shall have powers to execute all decisions taken by the Chairperson or any other Member on his/her behalf relating to financial matters.
Members:
| 1 | Legal Officer (SJE & WD) | 204172 / 9800102548 |
| 2 | Protection Officer (East) | 94344-48452 |
| 3 | Protection Officer (West) | 98320-10120 |
| 4 | Protection Officer (North) | 99320-92561 |
| 5 | Protection Officer (South) | 99320-92561 |
| 6 | Service Provider, Rongli | 99330-05505 |
| 7 | Service Provider, Gangtok | 95939-79058 |
| 8 | Service Provider, Pakyong | 97330-62333 |
| 9 | Service Provider, Gyalshing | 97340-55728 |
| 10 | Service Provider, Soreng | 95939-73988 |
| 11 | Service Provider, North | 90020-07539 |
| 12 | Service Provider, Namchi | 97754-54370 |
| 13 | Service Provider, Ravangla | 98007-12945 |
Address:
Smt. Indira Pradhan
Chairperson
Sikkim State Welfare Commission
Bal Bhawan, 5th Mile, Lumsay, Gangtok
Office Phone: 03592-290222
Last updated on 28.04.2017
Organization Chart of Social Welfare Division
EAST DISTRICT
WEST DISTRICT
NORTH DISTRICT
| LIST OF NDSP BENEFICIARIES | Download |
| LIST OF OAP BENEFICIARIES | Download |
| LIST OF SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE BENEFICIARIES | Download |
| LIST OF UNMARRIED PENSION SCHEME BENEFICIARIES | Download |
| LIST OF INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL WIDOW PENSIONSCHEME BENEFICIARIES | Download |
SOUTH DISTRICT