GANGTOK: Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang formally inaugurated the Scheduled Caste Bhawan in the Development Area of central Gangtok on the occasion of the 134th birth anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar. The seven-storey building, which was started in June 2017 and completed in March 2025, has modern amenities such as a basement parking space, vocational training rooms, dormitories for males and females, a kitchen with a pantry, a VIP lounge, elevators, and various multipurpose halls.
Chief Minister Tamang, during the inauguration, honored Ambedkar's immense contribution to the Scheduled Caste fraternity and the country as a whole. He stressed the need for society to own the Bhawan, warning that without society's commitment and care, it would be just another structure. He appreciated the All Sikkim Scheduled Caste Welfare Association (ASSCWA) for achieving their dream of having a dedicated building.
For making the Bhawan self-sustaining, the Chief Minister advised the ASSCWA to earn income by renting space for departmental activities. He reiterated his government's commitment to upholding the cultural identity of all communities in Sikkim and announced a number of initiatives that would support the Scheduled Caste community.
These include a grant of Rs 10 lakh annually to ASSCWA and reservation of five additional seats under the Chief Minister's Meritorious Scholarship Scheme for economically weaker Scheduled Caste students.
Area MLA Madan Cintury thanked the support extended in the course of the project, while ASSCWA President Bikash Sunam noted the team efforts that resulted in the completion of the Bhawan.
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