Sixth State Finance Commission: Consultations (Phase 2)

Date 29-May-2023 to 02-Jun-2023

Location

Format National

The 6th SFC has engaged PRIA Education Trust as a technical support agency to provide support to the SFC in the generation and analysis of appropriate data to arrive at suitable recommendations. Besides, the compilation and analyses of data from various governmental departments and other credible sources, the SFC intends to consult several important stakeholders from Sikkim to receive their inputs and suggestions for the preparation of the report. So, a series of consultations with different stakeholders was organised from 17- 21 April and 29 May- 2 June 2023.

 

CONSULTATIONS- PHASE 2

During the first phase of its consultation meetings, the 6th SFC hosted meetings with the members of past SFCs of Sikkim, field officials of the ULBs, and senior officers of the departments of Rural Development, Urban Development, and Finance and Revenue. A meeting was also held with more than 300 representatives, which included VAAs/PDAs of almost all GPUs in Sikkim and associated BDOs, ADCs, and ADs. Finally, an internal discussion was held within the 6th SFC to review the experiences of recently held consultations, the quality of data available and needed, possibilities of a quick study on implications of past SFC recommendations, and ways forward for the 6th SFC to discuss and decide on its strategies and suggestions for future recommendations.

In the continuity of the above consultations, the second phase of consultations was organised from 29th May- 2nd June 2023.

 

Consultation 5 - Meeting with the Elected Members of GPs (award-winning, remote, and newly constituted

Date - Monday, 29th May 2023

Participants - The participants could be progressive elected representatives who have been publicly awarded/appreciated for their work, elected members from remote and newly constituted GPs. All districts/regions should be represented. It should be ensured that good numbers of women (and other marginalized section) should participate in this meeting. Since most of the elected representatives are new, if RMDD feels fine, some past GPU members could also be invited to this meeting. It would be useful for constructive discussions if the number of participants is restricted to remain manageable (less than 60).

Objective

• To understand the GPUs experiences with past SFC recommendations.
• To understand current opportunities and challenges at Gram Panchayat levels, which should be addressed by the 6th SFC.
• Capacity building, Resource Mobilization, and additional financial requirements of GPUs
• Additional financial requirements and capacity building for remote and newly constituted GPUs.

 

 

Consultation 6 - Meeting with the Members of all Zilla Panchayats (ZP Adhyaksha, Upa Adhyaksha, DCs (Sachiva) and DPOs

Date - Monday, 29th May 2023

Participants - All the Adhyaksha and Upa Adhyaksha of ZPs and 2 or 3 selected members from each ZP (including women members) should participate in this meeting. The DCs (Sachiva) and DPOs of all 6 ZPs should also be invited to participate in the meeting.

Objectives

• To understand the implications of SFC recommendations in the functioning of the ZPs.
• To understand current challenges and opportunities with the ZPs. The functional relationships between ZPs and GPUs.
• Capacity building, Resource Mobilization, and additional financial requirements of ZPs

 

 

Consultation 7 - Meeting with Elected Members of ULBs (Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, President, Vice President, MEOs)

Date - Tuesday, 30th May 2023

Participants - All Elected Members of ULBs (Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, President, Vice President, MEOs) of all 7 ULBs in Sikkim should be invited to this meeting. Since most of the ULB members are newly elected, if it is possible, some knowledgeable past members of the ULBs could also be invited to share their experiences.

Objectives

• To understand the overall experiences of ULBs with past SFC recommendations.
• To understand current opportunities and challenges at ULB levels, which should be addressed by the 6th SFC.
• Capacity building, Resource Mobilization, and additional financial requirements of ULBs
• Additional Capacity building, Resource Mobilization, and additional financial requirements of newly constituted ULBs

 

 

Consultation 8 - Meeting with the SIRD and Skill Development Department, other Capacity Building Organizations of the Government of Sikkim

Date - Tuesday, 30th May 2023

Participants - The Director and other faculty members, who are responsible for training of the PRI and the ULB functionaries and representatives should participate. Skill Development Department and other agencies of the Government of Sikkim, which build capacities of the PRIs and ULBs should also participate.

Objectives

• To understand the issues in the capacity building of PRIs and ULBs
• What additional capacities are required by SIRD and other capacity builders?
• Support expected from the 6th SFC

 

 

Consultation 9 - Meeting with the CSR Representatives

Date - Thursday, 1st June 2023 (11.00 AM- 01.00 PM)

Participants - All CSR representatives of private and public sector companies working in Sikkim should participate. The key representatives of nodal departments (for companies and CSR) should also participate.

Objectives

• To understand the current context of CSR initiatives of the companies and their existing or possible links with the GPUs or ZPs or ULBs?
• How PRIs and ULBs could access CSR funds. What additional capacities the LBs may require for using CSR funds?
• What could be the best institutional mechanism, which SFC may suggest, for optimal use of the CSR funds? How corporate talents could help the PRIs and ULBs?

 

 

Consultation 10 - Meeting with the Representatives of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmer Producer organisations (FPOs).

Date - Thursday, 1st June 2023

Participants - The representatives of selected SHGs and FPOs should participate in the meeting. The local government officials who directly deal with SHGs or FPOs should also be invited to this meeting. The total number of participants should not be more than 30.

Objectives

• To understand the framework of current relations of SHGs and FPOs with PRIs and ULBs
• How PRIs and ULBs could develop mutually beneficial relationships with the SHGs and FPOs?
• Suggestions for the 6th SFC to explore institutionalization of relationships of SHGs and FPOs with the Local Bodies.

 

 

Consultation 11 - Internal Meeting of the 6th SFC

Date - Friday, 2nd June 2023

Participants - Chairperson and Members of 6th SFC.

Objective

• To discuss the emanating issues from recently concluded meetings to formulate final criteria for resource allocation and 6th SFC recommendations. And to finalize different sections of the 6th SFC report.