CM Tamang orders stern action in forest deparment salary delay case; seeks accountability for officers too

In a strong response to complaints about salary delays in the Forest Department, Sikkim Chief Minister has taken serious action. Addressing concerns raised by employees, the CM said that officers responsible for the delay in disbursing salaries will now also face the same consequence their own salaries will be stopped for a year.

This decision came after it was brought to the Chief Minister’s notice that some staff members of the Forest Department had not received their salaries for nearly a year. The issue has caused deep distress among affected employees and their families, many of whom have been struggling financially.

Speaking with government officials, the Chief Minister said, “For a year, the staff's salaries were not given. Then when someone writes ‘August 2024’ on the file, suddenly their salary gets released. How is that possible? "

Clearly upset, the CM questioned the system’s accountability and the emotional impact such actions have on real people. “Tell me,” he asked, “How do people write suicide notes? Do you think it’s just written casually? No. It comes from deep pain, from the heart. When things go really wrong, when people try and try and nothing changes; that pain comes out in words. That’s not something to ignore.”

The Chief Minister indicated that there would be zero tolerance for neglect or manipulation when it comes to the livelihoods of government employees. “This isn’t just about money,” he said. “This is about respect, trust and responsibility. If someone hasn’t received their salary for a year, and others in charge get away with adjusting files and signing off things at their convenience, how can we accept that?”

He said that just as those at the lower levels were affected, those higher up must also feel the consequences. “If one percent of such cases go unchecked, it will reach a level where the whole system breaks down,” he said.