Sikkim Assembly Day 2 marks mourning, passes two Bills during General Budget Session 2026-27
During the second day of the Eleventh Sikkim Legislative Assembly’s General Budget Session 2026–27, the House observed a two-minute silence after the NHPC Teest
The second day of the General Budget Session 2026–27 of the Eleventh Sikkim Legislative Assembly began on a solemn note, with the House observing a two-minute silence for people who died in a tragic incident at the under-construction NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project tunnel at Samardung, Jholungey, in Namchi district on July 20. Speaker Mingma Norbu Sherpa led the proceedings.
Speaking at the start of the day, the Speaker expressed grief and conveyed condolences to the families of those affected, along with wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, as Leader of the House, also expressed sorrow and said ex-gratia assistance would be provided to the families of the deceased and to injured people as per the standard norms of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). He said the government was closely monitoring the situation and extending support.
Government briefed House on rescue efforts
The Chief Minister further informed the House that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had spoken with him about the incident. He said he apprised them of the rescue operations being carried out by the state government in coordination with the NDRF and other agencies. According to the statement in the House, both central leaders expressed concern and assured possible assistance from the Government of India.
After the remarks, the Assembly passed two Bills. These were the Sikkim Medical Council for Indian System of Medicine Bill, 2026 (Bill No. 04 of 2026) and the National Council for Skill Education, Sikkim (Repealing) Bill, 2026 (Bill No. 08 of 2026). The Ayush Department minister GT Dhungel introduced the first Bill, while Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay introduced the second Bill during the legislative business held on July 20.
Budget taken up for later passing
Along with the Bills, the House adopted the Motion of Thanks on the Governor’s address. In the financial business, the General Budget 2026–27 was taken up, and the Speaker told the House that the Budget would be taken for passing on July 23. The Assembly also passed the Separate Demands for Grants for 2026–27, with the Deputy Speaker Raj Kumari Thapa presiding.
The Separate Demands were presented under ministers-in-charge including Sonam Lama for the Public Health Engineering Department, Water Resources Department, and Ecclesiastical Department; Arun Kumar Upreti for Rural Development, Cooperation, and Panchayati Raj; and Samdup Lepcha for Social Welfare, Women, Child, Senior Citizen and Divyangjan Welfare, and Printing & Stationery. Presenting demands, Arun Kumar Upreti described the General Budget as a people’s budget, and said it focuses on infrastructure, rural development, social welfare, employment generation and sustainable economic growth, including steps for strengthening grassroots governance through the newly constituted Panchayati Raj Department.
