IAS Tushar G Nikhare is a 2015 batch Officer of Sikkim cadre and is currently posted as district Collector of Gangtok. His vision for the district is to make governance more efficient, seamless, and hassle free for citizens "I just want to make things easier for people so they don’t feel dependent on any officer," he says.

To achieve this, Nikhare has innovatively modernised traditional procedures while addressing the district’s unique challenges “The usage of technology is still less. People here are still insistent on going to the DC office as they think that the work might get expedited rather than using the online system,” he explains.

In response to this one of his key initiatives is Faceless Administration "We have a single-window system now, wherein all the documents will be submitted, checked, and a token will be generated," he says. Similar to fast-food chains like Pizza Hut, this token management system assigns a number to the applicants allowing them to track their status in real-time "Earlier, citizens had to move from office to office. Now, the running around happens behind the scenes—that’s our job. All they need to do is hold onto their token and check the status," he explains

A screen in the office displays updates and citizens also receive online notifications or can check the progress via a URL "Now, people don’t have to spend a lot of time waiting, and this removes a lot of hassle for the general public," he adds.

In addition to this to ensure that work continues even in an officer’s absence, the token management system has been integrated with leave management system. In this, officers applying for leave must assign their tasks to another officer.

“As long as it's a working day and working hour, your work will get done, irrespective of any officer dealing with it, including the district collector. We want to prevent any harassment to the public and make sure no one leaves disappointed” Nikhare emphasizes.

Another key reform under his leadership is the transformation of Amin servicers, which handle land measurement and dispute resolution. “Previously, Amins worked at their discretion, delaying appointments by months.” To address this, Nikhare introduced the Amin app and web management system allowing citizens to book appointments online much like IRCTC ticket booking. "Earlier, people had to wait 3-4 months. Now, it has reduced to just 3-4 days," he notes. Additionally Gangtok is now the only district administration in Sikkim with a Citizen Charter ,outlining service timeliness and an escalation matrix for complaints.

Beyond administrative efficiency, Drawing from his personal experiences and Gangtok’s status as a tourist destination, Nikhare conceptualised Mother Pods-  safe, clean spaces where lactating mothers can feed their babies. Additionally they are equipped with diaper-changing stations, offering convenience to mothers while traveling.

"We are getting a lot of positive feedback, and now have five Mother Pods across the city," he shares.