In a pioneering move to promote agriculture, the Sikkim Government has declared every Friday as ‘Field Day’ for all government employees in Pakyong District. The initiative aims to utilise barren office premises for cultivating seasonal crops, setting a precedent for the community.
A directive from the Office of the Additional District Collector (Development), Rural Development Department, Pakyong, stipulates that all government offices, including Block Administrative Centers (BACs), Gram Panchayat Units (GPUs), and Sub-Division Offices, will engage in agricultural activities every Friday from 10 am to 4:30 pm. The focus is on making productive use of office lands that have remained uncultivated for years.
In instances where office land is unavailable, employees are encouraged to obtain permission from nearby private landowners to cultivate barren plots. This effort aims to motivate local landowners and the broader public to take up farming.
Participation in ‘Field Day’ is mandatory for all government employees, with leave on Fridays only granted for medical reasons. Employees absent without a valid excuse will be marked as Leave Without Pay (LWP). To ensure accountability, photographs and attendance records from each Field Day must be submitted to the ADC (Dev) Pakyong’s office.
To enforce the directive, a team will conduct surprise inspections, and offices are required to display signboards detailing the cultivated fields.
This initiative reflects the Sikkim Government’s commitment to promoting sustainable agricultural practices and encouraging the community to engage in farming activities.
