The Press Information Bureau (PIB), Gangtok, in coordination with the Information and Public Relations Department (IPRD), Mangan, organised the first “Varta” Media Interaction Programme in Mangan, North Sikkim. The programme, themed “12 Saal: Vishwaske, Vikaske, Jan-Kalyanke,” was reported on July 30, 2026, with a last update on July 29, 2026. It brought together government officials and media to review achievements of the past 12 years and to strengthen administration–media coordination for better public outreach.
Pema Wangchen Namkarpa, Additional District Magistrate, Mangan, attended as chief guest. Special guests included Sandeep Kumar, SDM Mangan; Rinku Wongmu Bhutia, SDPO Mangan; and Raj Sharma, DIO, IPRD Mangan. Manas Pratim Sarma, Assistant Director, PIB Gangtok, welcomed the dignitaries and outlined the programme’s objectives amid ongoing official commitments.
Speakers focused on key welfare measures, development projects and governance reforms aimed at delivering trust, growth and public welfare at the grassroots. Namkarpa highlighted the transformative journey of the past 12 years and stressed the media’s role in taking government schemes to the last mile, noting close coordination between the Central and State governments in implementing services locally.
Sandeep Kumar, who also served as resource person, reviewed district-level progress and detailed the Vibrant Village Programme-an initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Prime Minister’s vision. He said 42 villages in North Sikkim are covered, with 74 projects sanctioned at a total outlay of Rs. 62 crore under a 90:10 Central–State funding pattern. Kumar added that authorities are developing a dedicated portal to display real-time progress and promote tourism by showcasing these border villages.
Kumar also outlined implementation of the VB-GRAMG scheme, the handover of anti-drug testing kits to police under the NashaMukt Bharat Abhiyan, and progress on Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, with efforts to achieve 100 percent household tap-water coverage through digital data monitoring and faster grievance redressal.
SDPO Rinku Wongmu Bhutia urged responsible journalism in the digital age, warning against unverified uploads and citing recent cybercrime cases in Sikkim-fake loan apps, phishing, job frauds and investment scams. She said July 2026 is being observed as Cyber Crime Awareness Month across Sikkim, with outreach drives, school programmes and social media campaigns planned. She also called for stronger media–police collaboration on drug abuse, road safety and women and child safety.
Raj Sharma, DIO, IPRD Mangan, thanked PIB for the collaboration and said platforms like Varta will build stronger bridges between government officials and media, improving the accuracy and depth of reporting. The programme concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session and a vote of thanks, attended by representatives of print, electronic and digital media and officials from various departments.
Original Source: https://www.sikkimexpress.com/news-details/pib-and-iprd-mangan-conduct-first-varta-in-north-sikkim-on-12-years-of-governance
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