Browsing by Author "Chaudhary, Kanupriya"

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    Rural Research Project: Lachen
    (MICA, 2014) Chaudhary, Kanupriya; Sahai, Akshita; Rao, Bhargav
    Lachen has a unique way of electing representatives of the village. The panchayat system is not followed here, as compared to the rest of India. Lachen follows an old method known as the Dzumsa system (also spelt Zumsa). The system has been passed out ever since Sikkim was a free country. THE DZUMSA SYSTEM The Dzumsa or the general council is directed by a group of people elected by the villagers. The council or lheyna is composed of two papons (or pipons), six Gembos two tsipos and two gyapons. Renewal is annual, and council may be re-elected. Among the council, the papons are the chief head equivalent to the sarpanch of the panchayat system. Other council members assist the papon in the affairs of the village. Election takes in a manner similar to the ballot system, with the candidate with the maximum number of votes declared as the papon. The Papon has to be Lachenpa by birth, and performance is reviewed by the village council annually.