Minorities Commission member tours North Sikkim, wants project developers to do more for the people

MANGAN, 18 Nov: Member of National Commission for Minorities, Spalzes Angmo, accompanied by the NCM Joint Secretary, was on a two-day tour of North Sikkim on 17 and 18 Nov. They were accompanied by DM (N), TN Kazi, Welfare Officer (N), PW Lepcha and former chairperson, Pintso Lepcha of Dzongu.
On 17 Nov, the team visited the Lingdem hot spring and Passingdang in Upper Dzongu and interacted with earthquake-affected people and Panchayats. There, Ms. Angmo suggested developing parking amenities for tourism purposes. She also suggested river training work on the Teesta as the entire river belt area was weak.
On18 Nov, the team inspected Rikzing Choeling Gumpa (Ringhem Monastery) at Mangan and met the monks and Acharya there. Ms. Angmo informed that the Culture Department offers schemes ranging from Rs 10 to 30 lakh for development and preservation of old ornaments and valuable items which can be preserved and displayed in a museum.
Later, a formal meeting was convened at Hotel Tamarind here with officials from the HRD Department, ICDS, Horticulture and hydel project developer, Teesta Urja. At the meeting, the project developers were asked about their contribution in helping the earthquake affected people of the minorities section.
In response, Teesta Urja officials detailed that the company has contributed Rs 5 crore to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, had arranged two helicopters for evacuating affected people while the Bhavishya Bharat Foundation (BBF), an NGO under Teesta Urja, provided free medicines and drinking water, tents etc. to the affected people.
Ms. Angmo, expressing dissatisfaction over the relief works, said that instead of contributing to the relief fund, the amount should have been directly utilized for construction of bamboo houses for more than 60 affected families whose houses had been totally damaged and who were now living in temporary tents.
She suggested that the project developers work on human resource development, preserving culture, agriculture, eco systems and other long term schemes using their HR fund.
The NCM member also advised the DC and other district officers to take up restoration works under the MGNREGA as this would also provide also provide employment to affected locals.
It was further suggested that re-assessment of earthquake affected areas and people should be taken up for early recovery and development.