07/07/2025
Press Release:
Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology’s Upcoming Study Visit to Sikkim Discussed
Gangtok, 07 July 2025:
The Department of Information Technology, Government of Sikkim, held a meeting today to discuss the study visit programme of the Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology (2024-25) to Guwahati, Siliguri, and Gangtok.
The meeting was chaired by the Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Sikkim, and attended by senior officials of the Department, including Shri Tsering Samdup, Director I, along with Directors and Joint Directors of the Department of Information Technology.
Welcoming the Hon’ble MP, Shri Tsering Samdup briefed him on the scheduled programme of the Standing Committee. The Hon’ble MP emphasised the importance of the upcoming visit and highlighted the need to present connectivity issues faced by Sikkim to the Committee members for prompt resolution.
Key issues identified for presentation to the Committee include:
Accurate Representation of Villages for Connectivity Reports: Currently, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) considers 427 revenue villages in its connectivity reports, whereas Sikkim has 1149 actual villages/wards, leading to discrepancies in assessing connectivity status. The Department plans to request the Committee, through the Hon’ble MP, to direct the DoT to consider the actual number of villages/wards for accurate reporting and planning.
Expansion of Optical Fibre Connectivity: As per BSNL data, only 14 out of 34 blocks in Sikkim are covered under Optical Fibre Connectivity, leaving 20 blocks uncovered. A request will be submitted to the Committee to direct the DoT to ensure optical fibre connectivity in these uncovered blocks under the Amended BharatNet Programme.
During the meeting, Shri Tsering Samdup presented an overview of various ICT initiatives and projects implemented by the Department to the Hon’ble MP.
The Hon’ble MP also held a video conference with the Director of the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), Gangtok, to review preparations for the Committee’s visit to STPI on 10 July 2025. STPI will send formal invitations to the Secretaries of the Department of Information Technology and the Department of Commerce & Industries for participation during the visit.
Additionally, the Hon’ble MP advised the Department to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for establishing internet connectivity in Mangan and Gyalshing districts and to submit the proposals to the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, for financial assistance.
Following the discussions, the Hon’ble MP visited the Sikkim State Data Centre, where he interacted with the staff and reviewed the operations of the facility, including the server farm and Building Management System. The Hon’ble MP commended the efforts of the Data Centre team while noting concerns regarding space constraints, assuring that he would raise the matter in relevant forums for resolution.
The Department of Information Technology remains committed to improving digital connectivity in Sikkim and ensuring the successful facilitation of the Standing Committee’s upcoming visit.