2-MEMBER TEAM IN SIKKIM TO ASSESS EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE AND RELIEF MEASURES
GANGTOK, 16 Nov: A two-member team of the National Commission for Minorities comprising of Spalzes Angmo [member and representative of the Buddhist community at the Centre] and Esther Kar [Joint Secretary] are on a visit to the State to assess the damages and relief measures being carried out by the State Government in the wake of the 18 September earthquake.
Addressing a press conference here today, Ms. Angmo expressed that the earthquake was very unfortunate and that as soon as news of the earthquake reached her, she wrote to the Prime Minister to be allowed to visit the state.
“We arrived on Monday and visited the Pemayangtse and Dubdi monasteries in West Sikkim and also met a lot of Buddhist representatives. The monastries have been destroyed and have sustained extensive damage,” she said and added that they were informed of damages to life and property as well.
Speaking on the three hydel projects proposed on the Rathong Chu in West Sikkim, she said that as this river was sacred to the people, the State government should ‘stop, think and review’ before taking any decision.
“I have also met the District officials and the Additional Chief Secretary and spoken to them on this issue and they have informed me that a Committee headed by the Chief Secretary has been constituted to look into the matter,” Ms Angmo further added.
West Sikkim being a major Buddhist site has great tourism potential and moreover, most of West Sikkim falls under National Park area, so the environmental aspect should also be considered, she opined.
Stating that Sikkim falls in the highly sesmic zone and heavy construction should not be allowed, she added that now even the Centre had constituted a committee to look into all clearances applied for by any state in the country.
On their visit to the Rumtek Monastery, which has also sustained damage, Ms Angmo said that they were surprised to see monks living in tents, but were later assured by the State Government that the monks have been fairly compensated and looked after.
The team will be visiting North Sikkim tomorrow since it is the worst affected area and also falls under the Minority Concentrated District, to assess the damages and relief work done by the State government, it was informed.
GANGTOK, 16 Nov: A two-member team of the National Commission for Minorities comprising of Spalzes Angmo [member and representative of the Buddhist community at the Centre] and Esther Kar [Joint Secretary] are on a visit to the State to assess the damages and relief measures being carried out by the State Government in the wake of the 18 September earthquake.
Addressing a press conference here today, Ms. Angmo expressed that the earthquake was very unfortunate and that as soon as news of the earthquake reached her, she wrote to the Prime Minister to be allowed to visit the state.
“We arrived on Monday and visited the Pemayangtse and Dubdi monasteries in West Sikkim and also met a lot of Buddhist representatives. The monastries have been destroyed and have sustained extensive damage,” she said and added that they were informed of damages to life and property as well.
Speaking on the three hydel projects proposed on the Rathong Chu in West Sikkim, she said that as this river was sacred to the people, the State government should ‘stop, think and review’ before taking any decision.
“I have also met the District officials and the Additional Chief Secretary and spoken to them on this issue and they have informed me that a Committee headed by the Chief Secretary has been constituted to look into the matter,” Ms Angmo further added.
West Sikkim being a major Buddhist site has great tourism potential and moreover, most of West Sikkim falls under National Park area, so the environmental aspect should also be considered, she opined.
Stating that Sikkim falls in the highly sesmic zone and heavy construction should not be allowed, she added that now even the Centre had constituted a committee to look into all clearances applied for by any state in the country.
On their visit to the Rumtek Monastery, which has also sustained damage, Ms Angmo said that they were surprised to see monks living in tents, but were later assured by the State Government that the monks have been fairly compensated and looked after.
The team will be visiting North Sikkim tomorrow since it is the worst affected area and also falls under the Minority Concentrated District, to assess the damages and relief work done by the State government, it was informed.
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