Mangan Nagar Panchayat convenes first area Sabha

RESIDENTS ENDORSE ALTERNATE HIGHWAY PLAN FOR MANGAN BAZAAR-DAC ROUTE

WANGCHUK BHUTIA
MANGAN, 04 Dec: The first Area Sabha for the Mangan Nagar Panchayat [MNP] was held here at its office at Pentok in Mangan, North Sikkim, on Saturday presided over by the MNP president, Karma Jigdel Bhutia. The Sabha was also attended by the DC North, TN Kazi, all Mangan Councilors, representatives of line departments and the general public.

The area Sabha deliberated on an alternate highway proposal for Mangan Bazaar and road to the District Administrative Centre, Pentok, which suffers from congestion due to the plying of heavy vehicles. The public unanimously endorsed the opening of an alternate route.
Earlier, the Sabha started with a welcome address by Upper Mangan Bazaar councilor, Zangmoo Bhutia. The MNP President next highlighted the main agendas of the area Sabha and detailed aspects of the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF), a centrally funded Rural Development programme and further spoke on the Annual Plan for the development of the village.
He said that the BRGF should be utilized in income generating schemes which should benefit the entire community. The MNP president also said that the BSNL wires and poles, which are carelessly installed on the roadside in the surroundings of Mangan, should be properly maintained and installed underground. He further stressed on maintaining coordination among the line departments while implementing the scheme.
The DC North, in turn informed that the demands taken up for deliberations at meetings such as this should be genuine and sustainable and also informed that government property, which has been constructed for the benefit of the general public, should be maintained by the people.
He also expressed that the Department should share information on the schemes that they are implementing so that the MNP can work accordingly. The DC further informed about the Multi Sector Development Plan which is under the Ministry of Minority wherein Rs. 15 crore has already been approved.
While commenting on the influx of laborers, the DC said that it is mandatory that the laborer should be registered with the Labor Department and all the entry check posts in North District will be notified regarding proper checking.
The DC further added that works under construction should carry a sign board displaying the name of work, cost and the name of contractors so that people will know about the status of the work and whether it is a private or government undertaking. He also urged the public that complaints, if any, should be brought to the notice of the concerned authority.
On the demands placed during the Sabha, the DC informed that the schemes should be taken priority and phase wise.
The public from the respective municipal wards highlighted their demands related to the development of the village like the need for public meeting hall, protective wall, fencing, jhora training work, construction of public toilet, car parking, vegetables shed at Pentok, beautification of Mangan Bazaar, etc.
The CMO District Hospital Mangan, KT Lepcha informed about the construction of doctors quarters, Immunization block, fencing and car garage for car parking at hospital
premises.
The representatives from line departments highlighted about the schemes and status of the works under construction. The UD & HD representative highlighted about the status of the under construction 24-room Shopping complex at Mangan Bazaar which will be completed within the next 4 months and the up-gradation of Mangan to Chandey road which is estimated to cost around Rs 4.5 crore.
Similarly, the AE Road & Bridges highlighted about the line and length of the road which needs to be up-graded and also put forth the suggestion for the alternate route of Mangan Bazaar to DAC. The representative of Building & Housing Department informed about the delay in construction of the District Collector’s quarter and DAC Annexure due to the lack of funds but assured to complete it as soon as possible.
The residents of Lower Mangan Bazaar highlighted the urgent need of proper drainage system for Mangan Bazaar as it might cause problems during the monsoon. Likewise, the residents of Pentok highlighted the poor road connectivity and the non-distribution of LPG cylinders by STCS.
The Sabha concluded with the vote of thanks by Councilor of Power colony, Mangan, Nima Doma Lepcha.