Date: 2026-05-16Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Union DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Participates in Sikkim’s 51st Statehood Day Celebrations Alongside Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and Sikkim Chief Minister P S Tamang
**Executive Summary**
On May 16, 2026, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia participated in Sikkim's 51st Statehood Day, marking the inauguration and foundation laying of 21 MDoNER-supported development projects worth ₹223 crore. The event highlighted the launch of the ₹360 crore Mission Sikkim Organics, aimed at transforming the state into a globally integrated organic economy. These initiatives focus on enhancing connectivity, education, and sustainable agriculture to secure long-term economic growth for the region.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Infrastructure and Connectivity**
* Inauguration of NESIDS-Roads projects worth over ₹45 crore, including bridge connectivity linking NH-10 to IBP Road and crossings over the Rongrong River and Rangpo Khola.
* Foundation stone laid for the 15.8-km Rimbi Khola–Yuksam road in Gyalshing district, a ₹24.52 crore project designed to improve regional access and tourism.
* The Government of India is coordinating an alternative alignment to NH-10 to provide the state with resilient, all-weather connectivity.
* Remodeling and upgradation of the Burtuk Heliport and support facilities for the passenger ropeway project at Upper Dhaper.
**Agricultural Initiatives**
* Launch of "Mission Sikkim Organics" with a total outlay of ₹360 crore to transition the state to a premium organic economy.
* MDoNER will contribute ₹85 crore toward core infrastructure, aggregation systems, and coordination for this mission.
* The mission focuses on strengthening certification, processing, branding, and export-market integration.
* Specific value-chain development targeted for key crops, including large cardamom and ginger, through a three-tier aggregation mechanism.
**Education and Community Development**
* Construction of new Academic and Science Blocks at Government Degree Colleges in Burtuk and Namchi (Kamrang).
* Development of a Multi-Purpose Hall at Government Degree College, Rhenock.
* Augmentation of the Namthang Bazar water supply system to improve local utility access.
* Establishment of a Bamboo Industrial Park and an Innovation Product Cultural Craft Centre.
**Impact Analysis**
**Farmer Families in Sikkim**
**Impact**
Over 66,000 farmer families will see enhanced incomes and reduced post-harvest losses through improved processing and export-market integration.
**Action Required**
Engage with FPOs, cooperatives, and the new three-tier aggregation mechanisms to leverage value-chain developments for crops like ginger and cardamom.
**Students and Educators**
**Impact**
The academic community gains access to modernized infrastructure, including new science blocks, academic halls, and specialized innovation centers.
**Action Required**
Utilize the expanded facilities at Government Degree Colleges in Rhenock, Burtuk, and Namchi for improved educational outcomes.
**Tourism and Transportation Stakeholders**
**Impact**
Improved road connectivity, heliport upgrades, and ropeway infrastructure will facilitate easier access for tourists and improve regional mobility.
**Action Required**
Prepare for increased regional access and tourism capacity resulting from the geometric improvement of the Rimbi Khola–Yuksam road and heliport upgrades.
**Government Agencies and Private Sector Partners**
**Impact**
A "Whole-of-Government" approach necessitates collaboration between MDoNER, state agencies, APEDA, NABARD, and private-sector investors.
**Action Required**
Coordinate institutional financing, certification systems, and program management to execute the integrated funding framework for organic and infrastructure projects.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER): The primary central ministry anchoring development projects in Sikkim and providing ₹85 crore in funding for the organic mission.
Mission Sikkim Organics: A ₹360 crore convergence-led initiative aimed at transforming Sikkim into a globally integrated organic economy and benefiting 66,000 farmer families.
North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS): A central scheme under which strategic connectivity projects, including bridge and road infrastructure worth over ₹45 crore, are implemented.
SoNEC: A development framework or scheme supporting social and infrastructure projects such as water supply systems, educational blocks, and tourism facilities.
Sikkim: The central state of applicability for these developmental projects, celebrating its 51st Statehood Day and serving as a model for sustainable organic growth.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Union DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia
Participates in Sikkim’s 51st Statehood Day
Celebrations Alongside Vice President C P
Radhakrishnan and Sikkim Chief Minister P S
Tamang
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
Sikkim has emerged as a leading example of sustainable
growth: Union Minister Scindia
Union Minister Scindia joins the Inauguration and Foundation
Laying for 21 MDoNER-Supported Projects Worth ₹223 Crore
Led by the Vice President C P Radhakrishnan
₹360 Crore Mission Sikkim Organics Initiative to Benefit Over
66,000 Farmer families, Anchored in MDoNER’s ₹85 Crore
Contribution
Posted On: 16 MAY 2026 8:13PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia
today participated in the 51st Statehood Day celebrations of Sikkim, reaffirming the Government of
India’s commitment towards the State’s sustainable, connected and future-ready development journey.
Joining the celebrations alongside Vice President of India Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, Governor of Sikkim
Om Prakash Mathur and Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang, the Union Minister participated in the
inauguration and foundation stone laying of 21 development projects worth ₹223 crore supported by the
Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER).Addressing the gathering in Nepalese, shri Scindia described Sikkim as “a model of balanced development
where progress walks hand in hand with nature, culture and identity.” He noted that under the leadership
of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sikkim has emerged as a leading example of sustainable growth,
organic agriculture, tourism-led development and ecological stewardship.
Under NESIDS-Roads, strategic connectivity infrastructure projects worth over ₹45 crore were
inaugurated, including bridge connectivity works linking NH-10 to IBP Road, connectivity over Rongrong
River in Pakyong district and across Rangpo Khola in Namchi district. Join by other dignitaries the Vice
President CP Radhakrishnan also laid the foundation stone for the geometric improvement and carpeting
of the 15.8-km Rimbi Khola–Yuksam road in Gyalshing district at a cost of ₹24.52 crore, aimed at
improving regional access and tourism connectivity.
A major highlight of the programme was the launch of Mission Sikkim Organics as Sikkim USP, an
ambitious convergence-led initiative with an estimated programme outlay of ₹360 crore aimed at
transforming Sikkim from a certified organic producer into a globally integrated premium organic
economy. Anchored by MDoNER in partnership with the Government of Sikkim, APEDA, NABARD,
NERAMAC, SIOL, FPOs, cooperatives and private-sector stakeholders, the Mission is expected to benefit
over 66,000 farmer families across the State.As part of the integrated funding framework, MDoNER will contribute ₹85 crore towards core
infrastructure, aggregation systems and programme coordination. The broader Mission adopts a Whole-of-
Government approach bringing together multiple Central Ministries, State agencies, institutional financing
mechanisms, farmer equity participation and private-sector investments.
The Mission aims to strengthen certification systems, processing, branding, export-market integration and
institutional value chains for organic produce, thereby enhancing farmer incomes and reducing post-
harvest losses. Special focus will also be placed on value-chain development for key crops such as large
cardamom and ginger through a robust three-tier aggregation mechanism.Additional projects undertaken under SoNEC include augmentation of the Namthang Bazar water supply
system, development of a Multi-Purpose Hall at Government Degree College, Rhenock, establishment of
a Bamboo Industrial Park and Innovation Product Cultural Craft Centre, construction of an Academic
Block at Government Degree College, Burtuk, construction of a Science Block at Kamrang Government
Degree College in Namchi, remodeling and upgradation of Burtuk Heliport, and tourism infrastructure
support facilities for the passenger ropeway project at Upper Dhaper, Yangang.
The Minister noted that the projects collectively represent focused investments across connectivity,
education, tourism, agriculture, water supply and industry, laying a strong foundation for balanced
regional development and long-term economic growth across Sikkim.
Speaking on Sikkim’s developmental trajectory, Minister Scindia highlighted that Government of India in
close coordination with the Government of Sikkim and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways
shri Nitin Gadkari, is actively working towards an alternative alignment to NH-10 to secure resilient,
reliable and all-weather connectivity for the State. The Minister further highlighted that the State today has
one of the highest per capita income in the country and has become a national benchmark for sustainable
and organic development.
Extending greetings on the occasion of Sikkim’s 51st Statehood Day, the Minister stated that Sikkim
represents “a rare harmony between aspiration and authenticity” and reaffirmed that every initiative
undertaken by MDoNER would continue to be guided by a deep commitment towards the people and
progress of the State.PS
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