14/10/2025
Connect to CM and Chief Minister’s Schemes Integrated Management System Platforms Launched to Strengthen Citizen-Government Interface
Gangtok, October 14 (IPR): Secretary, CMO, Mr Karma Namgyal Bhutia, chaired a press conference regarding the launch of ‘Connect to CM’ and ‘Chief Minister’s Schemes Integrated Management System’ (CMSIMS), today at Tashiling Secretariat.
In a significant move to promote citizen-centric governance, Chief Minister Mr Prem Singh Tamang launched the ‘Connect to CM’ platform along with the Chief Minister’s Schemes Integrated Management System at Samman Bhawan on 13th October 2025. The initiative is designed to bring the government closer to the people by facilitating direct communication between citizens and the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
Secretary, CMO, Mr Karma Namgyal Bhutia, began his keynote address by highlighting the ‘Chief Minister’s Schemes Integrated Management System’ as a transparent verification system that ensures deserving beneficiaries receive the benefits of various schemes.
He then spoke about the ‘Connect to CM’ platform, an internet-based system through which common people can share their concerns directly with the CMO and access essential services conveniently. By calling the helpline numbers 80016-81188 or 93327-81188, citizens can avail themselves of these services every day from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm, including government holidays and during festivals.
He stated that the platform is aimed at connecting the unconnected and reaching the last person at the last mile. The telephone operator will ask the caller for basic details such as their name, guardian’s name, constituency, and GPU, after which the caller’s concern will be addressed accordingly. All calls are recorded to ensure transparency and inclusiveness.
As the platform is currently operating with ten operators in its initial phase, he appealed to the public to wait patiently for their turn. He added that beneficiaries would receive a callback within 48 hours regarding the progress of their concern and also urged them to keep their necessary documents ready. The operators will then coordinate with the designated nodal officers for respective schemes and update accordingly.
Sensitisation programmes related to the schemes will be conducted at the remotest levels. Under the Planning and Development Department, Monitoring Supervisors have been appointed in each GPU, and through the office of the Assistant Director of the Panchayati Raj Department, they will be trained and sensitised.
He concluded by stating that the platform does not replace any existing programmes but serves as a supplementary system. Regarding the team, he mentioned that there are currently ten phone operators, subject to increase based on demand, and that the entire Chief Minister’s Office is part of the ‘Connect to CM’ team.
Operations have begun from today.
The press conference was also attended by Additional Secretary-cum-Staff Officer to the Chief Minister, Mr Depen Sharma; Director, CMO, Mr Sherap Chopel Katuk; OSD(IT) to HCM, Mr D K Chettri; Joint Secretary, CMO, Ms Swapna Lama; Resource Officer, CMO, Mr Surjay Pradhan, Assistant Director (IT), CMO, Mr Anil Chettri; Assistant Director (Media and Multimedia), CMO, Mr Chewan K Dahal.
Report from DIO-GANGTOK