Gangtok, May 13: Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling has asked the panchayats to adopt a proactive role rather than as a medium between the people and the government.

Addressing a state-level panchayat sammelan at Palzor Stadium here today, Chamling said the government was keen on decentralisation of power but before that the panchayats had to prove their capability by shouldering responsibilities.

The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) had already taken steps to devolve financial powers at the district level, he added.

Financial matters, including disbursements would now be decided by the district administration.

“The task of decentralisation is slow and difficult but not impossible. We are committed to it and will do all we can for a smooth transition,” Chamling said.

He also said 30 per cent of the budget was now being allocated to the panchayats.

He urged the panchayats to be “watchdogs” and leaders of the rural people, adding that all schools, primary health centres, village-level offices including libraries would be under the care of panchayats.

He also asked the panchayats to be “messengers” and “authorities” of government policy and programmes at the village level.

The gram sabhas will have to carry out programmes with “transparency”, the chief minister said.

Six resolutions were passed at the meeting, which was attended by all panchayat representatives, legislators and members of the state Cabinet.

Sikkim rural development minister Girish Chandra Rai passed the resolutions, which were seconded by the other ministers.

The resolutions include creation of smriti vans (memorial forests), development of tourist villages, setting up of nurseries and planting trees along roads. Fertilisers and pesticides will be banned to make Sikkim an “organic state”.

Various packages and schemes were also announced for the welfare of village units. Two panchayats units received computers and peripherals for computerisation.