Sikkim: 16th Finance Commission Chairman Dr. Arvind Panagariya begins Gangtok district visit with tours of key institutions

Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission of India, kicked off his official visit to Gangtok district on January 19 with visits to several key institutions, accompanied by Commission members Ajay Narayan Jha, Annie George Mathew, Manoj Panda, and Ritvik Pandey, Secretary.

The delegation began the day with a visit to the Rumtek Monastery, where Dr. Panagariya offered his reverence and sought blessings. Following this, the team visited the Karma Shri Nalanda Institute for Higher Studies in Buddhist Studies, a significant center for Buddhist education and research. The delegation was warmly received by Mr. Hishey Wangchuk Bhutia and Mr. Nawang C Bhutia, Assistant Directors at the Ecclesiastical Department, Government of Sikkim.

The second leg of the visit took them to the Cymbidium Development Centre in Rumtek, under the Horticulture Department. The Chairman toured several key areas of the centre, including the Tissue Culture Laboratory, Orchid Culture Unit, and the Orchid Processing Unit. The team was welcomed by Mr. Tilak Gazmer, Secretary of the Horticulture Department, Mr. Suman K Sharma, Principal Director of the Horticulture Department, and Mr. BL Dahal, Director of Horticulture, along with other officers of the department.

Dr. Panagariya's visit marks the beginning of a five-day official trip to Sikkim, from January 19 to 23, 2025. During his stay, he will engage in a series of official meetings and interactions with various stakeholders, including government officials, local bodies, industry representatives, and political party members.