Moving towards school safety

GANGTOK, 06 April: No task is as important as creating a safe learning environment for the children. Recent reports of casualties due to earthquake, fire and stampede bring to light the need to be continually vigilant to ensure safety of students and staff in schools. Hence, schools need to address the issue of safety on top priority.
Considering the safety of students and staff as a priority, the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) conducted a training-cum-mock exercise on school earthquake safety at Thumi Sambhota Tibetan School at Upper Sichey, Gangtok, on Wednesday.

Crores wasted on factories constructed without electricity and toilets opened without water supply

CRUNCHED FROM 

THE CAG REPORT

GANGTOK: The department with a long, very elaborate name – Development Planning, Economic Reforms and North East Council Affairs Department [DPERNECAD] – has come up short in the performance review carried out on its functioning [in the implementation of projects funded by the NEC] by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India’s office. The audit unveils a familiar desolation of lack of transparency, planning and disinterest. 

Sikkim joined the NEC in the year 2002 and NEC-funded projects started coming in from 2003 onwards. A total of 97 such schemes to be implemented by 18 departments were sanctioned between 2003 to 2009-10. The total funds sanctioned in this period stand at Rs. 328.64 crore, of which Rs. 215.51 crore were actually released.

A “finance inverse tree” included in the CAG Report reveals that of the Rs. 215.51 crore released, Rs. 172.04 crore has been spent. The performance review test-checked the spending of Rs. 58.27 crore and within this sample size, noticed “irregularities” to the tune of Rs. 18.10 crore [31% of the finances checked]. Of this, expenditure which did not deliver on projected benefits, ranked the highest with Rs. 6.87 crore wasted on such works and infructuous expenditure, ranked second at Rs. 5.81 crore of the “irregular” expenses. Interestingly, both qualify as wasted expenditure and hence the total amount of wasteful expenditure [out of the Rs. 58.27 crore tested], stands at Rs. 12.68 crore.

Leading Questions Not the Same as Follow-up

editorial:

Journalism is increasingly becoming about creating news. In a media circus of too many channels competing for easily distracted viewer attention, journalists across the board are succumbing to the pressure of creating, rather instigating, news when their essential task is to report it. The nation received one sampling of this when new channels screamed that Pakistan cricket skipper Afridi had sworn that he would not allow Sachin to score a century in their World Cup semi-final clash. What had actually happened is that he was first asked who he saw as a threat in the Indian camp. His obvious answer, to a Pakistani TV host, was Sachin Tendulkar. He had even qualified his comment further by stating that although he respected Sachin as a cricketer and wished him well, he obviously did not want Sachin to do well against Pakistan in the semi-finals and hence the team would do its best to stop him from scoring big, i.e. hitting a century. In fact, he had even admitted that a Sachin century would not really deflate the team morale since such performances by Sachin notoriously figure in matches lost by India. This was an obvious answer to a boring question, but in the hands of crafty editing, it became a declaration of war; “Sachin won’t get his 100th ton”, ran TV scrolls which aired selective excerpts from the interview and a painted a completely different picture.

North East Council selects TAAS to impart tourism training

Rs. 1.46 CRORE BUDGET SANCTIONED FOR CAPACITY BUILDING TRAINING TO BE OFFERED BY TAAS TO TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS FROM NORTH-EAST REGION
GANGTOK, 06 April: Keeping in mind the steady rise in the number of tourism-related activities prompted by the increasing number of tourist arrivals, the North Eastern Council, Ministry of DoNER, realizing the need of improved professionalism to cater to the tourists, has sanctioned a whopping Rs. 146.36 lakhs to Travel Agents Association of Sikkim [TAAS] to undertake skill- development trainings for youth from the NE region in Sikkim.
The funding has been granted under the scheme, “Skill Development and Capacity Building Training for Tour Operators and pother Tourism Stakeholders of the North East Region”, which will be implemented by TAAS and completed by end-December this year.

Performance earns Sikkim 33% hike in MGNREGA funds

GANGTOK: The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act [MGNREGA], a national flagship program has completed 5 years of implementation in Sikkim, and based on the “excellent performance” of the State [backed by the three national awards], the Ministry of Rural Development has hiked the allocation by 33% to Rs. 118.65 crore for 2011-12 to be released in instalments based on performance, informs a press communiqué received from Special Secretary, Rural Management & Development Department, Dr. Sandeep Tambe, Wednesday.
The MGNREGA scheme has been universalized and is operational in all the 165 Gram Panchayats of Sikkim. The MGNREGA, a wage employment guarantee programme has received an unparalleled public response and more than 58,000 rural households are currently participating in this programme here, the Special Secretary adds.

Total of 5 police complaints reported in connection with Sikkim Bandh

GANGTOK: The 48-hour bandh called by the Sikkim Democratic Front for 04 and 05 April, although relatively peacefully, still recorded stray incidents of violence and intimidation. A total of five police complaints were recorded in respect to incidents reported over the two days of the bandh.
A case was registered in the Ranipool PS on 05 April, the second day of the bandh, under sections dealing with causing damage to a vehicle and assault. A private Mahindra Scorpio, hired by an army Captain going towards Siliguri was stopped by 15 to 20 unknown persons at 6th Mile, Tadong. The mob damaged the vehicle [a broken rear-view mirror and deflated tyres] and roughed up the Captain and the driver of the vehicle, the police complaint records. Both of them sustained minor injuries, it is learnt.

Court stays ASGEA polls

GANGTOK, 06 April: The caretaker body of the All Sikkim Government Employees Association [ASGEA] has stopped the election process of the association following a stay order issued by the Court of Civil Judge [East] Wednesday.
The Court has also issued a show-cause notice and summons to appear in person to the caretaker chairman of ASGEA, Narsing Rai, and Chief Election Commissioner, Norbu Tamang, on 03 May in response of case filed by one of the contestants, Phurzang Lepcha.

Rodong Khola’s precarious bridge claims one

SUBASH RAI

GANGTOK: The pedestrian bridge across Rodong Khola under Rey GPU here below Gangtok, in a typically pathetic condition, claimed the life of a young boy on Sunday. This 50-metre suspension bridge is in abject disrepair, as the accompanying photograph proves, and on Sunday a young lad took a fatal fall from it. The bridge lies on a pedestrian shortcut for the villages of Rey, Mindu and Sajong to reach Adam Pool.
The condition of the bridge is so dangerous that villagers who need to use it, choose instead to ford the khola below. But now with the monsoons approaching, the Rodong khola will become impossible to walk across and the bridge will remain the only option; an option which scares everyone here, especially parents whose children need to use it on a daily basis to reach school.

Indolently Bridged

editorial:

There might be roads snaking up all the hills and dales of Sikkim now, but footpaths and traditional shortcuts remain the preferred routes for the rural folk. City-based developmental planning is already imposing too many compromises in the rural belts for the indifference to their felt-needs to be excused away to the lack of funds. It is already more than amply clear that funds are never in short-supply, but the priorities are disturbingly skewed in favour of mega-contracts. A minor repair work for the convenience of villagers elicits scant interest in the departments which are preoccupied with grander plans and projects.

USFC blanks out NISA 2-0

GANGTOK, 05 March: United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] has announced its presence in the second division I-League with a convincing win in second match in its qualifying round after drew first match. It has drawn its debut match 1-1.
USFC defeated NISA, Manipur, 2-0 today at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Guwahati.
A brace by the captain, John D Meyongr, helped USFC to come back into the tournament after the tied match against Langsing Football Club, Shillong, on 31 March.
The team also recovered a morale boosted by the presence of Indian skipper, Bhaichung Bhutia in the playing line-up, who played last 15 minutes of the match.
Playing an attacking game, John scored his first goal in the 26th minute followed by his second goal in the 52nd minute.

SIBLAC and NASBO remember Chogyal’s birth and coronation anniversary

GANGTOK, 05 Apr: SIBLAC [Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee] and National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation [NASBO 371 F], have, in separate press communiqués, extended “heartfelt congratulations and compliments” to the people of Sikkim on the occasion of the official birthday and coronation anniversary of the Late Chogyal, Palden Thondub Namgyal, which fell on 04 April.
“His Majesty Miwang Palden Thondub Namgyal shall always be held in the highest of esteem by the Sikkimese people for the principles he endeavored single-handed in his keen quest to ensure the pride and rights of the Sikkimese people. Infact, the Sikkim Assembly rightly records in its obituary to the His Majesty on his death that the posterity and his descendants would always held their head high for the entire outstanding and uncompromising stand he took against the overwhelming odds during his whole lifetime,” a SIBLAC press release states.

Sikkim Bandh concludes successful and in relative peace

PURAN TAMANG
NAMCHI, 05 April: The Sikkim Democratic Front sponsored 48-hour Sikkim Bandh for 04 and 05 April was successfully observed across the State with all business establishments, schools and banks remaining closed. Barring a few instances in which the bandh enforcers had arguments with the management at some establishments and minor stand-offs at some pockets, the bandh remained peaceful with neighbourhoods emptying out into the roads which became playgrounds for the young across the State.
Police officials confirmed that while no serious outbreak of violence was reported, there were minor incidents in which picketers deflated the tyres of some vehicles [not in the exempted category] which were found plying during the bandh.

A-Maze winners bag holiday in Bangkok

GANGTOK: The winning team of “A-Maze 2011”- Himalayan Pharmacy College [Mazitar] has received the grand prize of an all expenses paid 5 days and 4 nights holidays to Bangkok-Pattaya.
Sikkim Government College, Tadong, and ATTC, Bardang, came in the second and third positions respectively in the finals held on 02 April.
HRDD Minister, NK Pradhan, was the chief guest of the final round, gave away the trophies and certificates to the winning teams.
“A-Maze 2011”, was an state-level intra and inter-college quiz competition hosted by Q-You!, a quizzing entity of Bangalore-based firm, 24-hours Inspired, with the support of the Sikkim Youth Welfare Association.
The organisers also plan to submit a report on the event to the Chief Minister as well as to the Human Resource Development Department within the next 15 days.

Kickboxers leave for national championship

GANGTOK: A 14-member Sikkim Association of Kickboxing Organizations [SAKO] team has left to represent Sikkim at the 16th Junior & 17th Senior National Kickboxing Championship scheduled to be held from 07 to 10 April at Angul, Orissa.
The team is led by coach Navin Rai and manager, Tempa Gyatso Lepcha.

Denzong Boys go down to Ar-Hima 4-2

GANGTOK, 05 April: Denzong Boys Football Club [DBFC] lost its second game in the qualifying round of the second division I-League today at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur.
Despite taking an early lead in the match, DBFC lost to Ar-Hima by 2 goals to 4 in the end.
Patrick and Abraham Fenny gave the 2-0 lead to DBFC with their goals in 12th and 23rd minutes. The team could not hold on to the lead and lost 2-4.
In its first match played on 02 April, a contesting match concluded level with Kerala's Josco Football Club 3-3. In the game, the striker Abraham Fenny struck a hat-trick for DBFC.
DBFC will now play its third match in the qualifying round against Md Sporting on 08 April.

Marwari ladies celebrate Gangaur

GANGTOK, 05 Apr: The Marwari womenfolk of the capital celebrated Gangaur here at the Deorali Shiv Mandir on 02 April, last Saturday.
Gangaur is one of the most important festivals of Marwari community and marks the worship of Gauri, Lord Shiva’s consort. It is the celebration of Spring. Gana is a synonym for Lord Shiva and Gaur stands for Gauri [also, Parvati] who symbolizes “Saubhagya” [marital bliss]. The unmarried women worship her to pray for a good husband, while married women do so for the welfare, health and long life of their husbands and a happy married life.

Pratibha Manch held in Rhenock

RHENOCK: The 7th Pratibha Manch was held at the Rhenock BAC multipurpose hall on 03 April, Sunday. A book of poems by Chandra Prakash Rizal ‘Yatre’, of Pakyong-Namcheybong, “Bibek ka Zilka Hary”, was released on the day, a press release informs.
PGT Nepali at Chujachen Senior Secondary School, Dilli Prasad Adhikari, presented an introduction to the poet at the meet.

More scenes from Sikkim Bandh Day-01

Bandh supporters at the inter-state check-post at Melli

Locked NHPC Stage V dam-site at Dikchu with IRBn security personnel on duty

Bandh picket at the Rangpo, the gateway to Sikkim

Singtam streets empty of traffic and taken over by kids

Tumin-Lingee marches in support of Sikkim Bandh

WANGCHUK BHUTIA

DIKCHU, 04 APRIL:  A 5 km rally was taken out from Dikchu bazaar to Marchak Lower Tintek today by residents of Lower Rakdong and Lower Tintek in support of the Sikkim Bandh called by the Sikkim Democratic Front.

North shuts down for SDF Sikkim Bandh

MANGAN, 04 April: The various wards and the GPUs of North district took out rallies in their respective areas today in support of the SDF-sponsored 2-day Sikkim Bandh to press for local employment in private establishments in Sikkim, including hydel projects, and to reiterate support for Sikkim’s demands still pending with the Centre.
The people of Tingchim-Mangshila, for example, took out a rally from Mangshila to Tingchim Zero [for upper belt] covering about 7 kms and from 4th Mile to Tingchim Zero for Lower belt which is around 5 kms long.
The rally was led by Zilla panchayat member Zomin Limboo and was joined by youth and senior citizens of the area.

Bandh absolute and peaceful thus far

Police personnel stand guard at Central Referral Hospital in Gangtok where an argument had broken
out earlier between the VC, Sikkim-Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, and SDF supporters

An SDF rally in support of the bandh at 6th Mile
[Tadong], Gangtok

GANGTOK, 04 April:
Day-01 of the Sikkim Democratic Front sponsored 48-hour Sikkim Bandh was successfully observed across the State with all business establishments, schools and banks remaining closed. Bar a few instances in which the bandh enforcers had arguments with the management at some establishments, the day remained peaceful with neighbourhoods emptying out into the roads which became playgrounds for the young across the State.
Police sources confirmed that while no outbreak of violence was reported from East district, arguments resulting from “miscommunication” broke out at the Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences [Gangtok] and a pharmaceutical unit near Rangpo. None was however serious enough to have resulted in a formal police complaint.

Possible only during a bandh

Ranipool, East Sikkim, 04 April 2011

Kids get right of way for once. 6th Mile, Tadong, East Sikkim, 04 April 2011 

The Bandh Begins, Gangtok 04 April 2011

Cabinet meets, sanctions projects and records “deep appreciation” of TT Dorji’s service to State

GANGTOK, 04 Apr [IPR]: A Cabinet Meeting was held on 28 March at Mintogang here and approved various proposals of departments:
IRRIGATION AND FLOOD CONTROL: The Cabinet approved the proposal seeking administrative and financial approval to take up the construction of MIC at Turung, South Sikkim and construction of MIC from Ribdi Khola to Changba Gaon, Middle  Okhrey GPU under Daramdin Constituency.
HEALTH CARE, HUMAN SERVICES & FAMILY WELFARE: The Cabinet approved the proposal seeking approval to enter into Comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract (CAMC) amounting to Rs. 59,96,345 in respect of medical equipments procured under NRHM for STNM Hospital, Gangtok during 2008-09.
HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT: The Cabinet approved the proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 57,60,000 for construction of kitchen-cum-store during 2010-2011 under Mid Day Meal Scheme.
The Cabinet approved the proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 30 lakhs as payment to schools where the students selected have been admitted under Chief Minister’s Merit Scholarship Scheme.
The Cabinet approved the proposal seeking post facto approval and sanction of Rs. l,61,00,000 as reimbursement of expenditure incurred on North Sikkim students studying in Tashi Namgyal Academy.
The Cabinet approved the proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs.20 lakhs as State Share as grant -in-aid under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan for 2010-11.
The Cabinet approved the proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 88.55 as additional State Share as grant -in-aid under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan for 2010-11.
The proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 70 lakhs as grant -in-aid for ATTC and CCCT at Chisopani (Rupees thirty five lakhs each).
UD&HD: The Cabinet approved the proposal seeking approval and revised sanction of Rs. 125.45 lakhs against the original sanction of Rs. 164.58 lakhs for Up-gradation and extension of 1.11 km road from ICAR gate to NHPC turning.

OTHER BUSINESS
T.T Dorji, IAS, Chief Secretary to the Government of Sikkim on retirement would be demitting office on 31st March, 2011 after serving the State Government for about 38 years in various capacities. The Cabinet on its own initiative was pleased to put on record its deepest appreciation of the outstanding performance of Shri T.T Dorji, as Chief Secretary to the Government of Sikkim. The Cabinet also appreciated the financial and administrative ability of Shri Dorji in helping the Cabinet and the State Government in running the affairs of the State Government. The Cabinet wished Shri T.T Dorji sound health and a happy retired life. 

Still Waters release their new album

Nepali Music Director Suresh Rai releases the new album

Still Waters performing the song 'Priyasi' from their latest album 'Starting from Scratch' at Flamboyance, Amdo Golai, today.

SHRA supports bandh

GANGTOK, 02 Apr: Its appeal for an exemption having attracted a strong reaction from the Sikkim Democratic Front which has called a two day bandh in Sikkim for 04 and 05 April, the Sikkim Hotels & Restaurants Association has called on all its members to support the bandh.
A press release issued by the SHRA assistant general secretary, Basudev Upreti, reads: “We understand that the 2 day bandh by the ruling party has been done for the cause of the Sikkimese people hence we fully support the cause and urge all our members to support the same.”
The SHRA president, Bhanu Pratap Rasaily, adds: "We understand and fully support the move of the SDF party of a 48 hr Sikkim Bandh for the genuine cause of the Sikkimese people and to safeguard the job opportunities of coming generations. Hence we fully support the cause and urge all our members to support the cause wholeheartedly."

Astroturf starts rolling out at Paljor Stadium

GANGTOK, 01 April: The laying of Field Turf Outdoor Series grade of 65 mm thick Astroturf on Paljor Stadium ground started early last morning after completion of all initial works. The work is being carried out by a US-based firm, Field Turf Tarkett, and Great Sports Infra Private Limited, Hyderabad.
Ronald Knott of Field Turf Tarkett was at work on the ground supervising the laying the Astroturf along with Consultant Engineer, Great Sports Infra, Abhijit Desai, and their team.
After the Astroturf has been laid out, it will be filled with rubber and silica which will be further compressed.
It was further informed that at present, the turf is two and half inches long and after filling with compressed rubber and silica, just two-third portion will be exposed.

SDF takes exception to SHRA appeal for exemption

GANGTOK, 01 April: The Sikkim Democratic Front has strongly opposed what the party has branded as “irresponsible statements” made by the Sikkim Hotel & Restaurant Association [SHRA] in response to the Sikkim Bandh called by the SDF. The party has taken exception to the ‘negativity’ it perceives in the SHRA appeal seeking exemption for the tourism sector from the SDF-sponsored bandh.
It has to be recalled that the SHRA had appealed the ruling party to exempt hotels, travel agencies and tourist vehicles from the purview of the bandh yesterday [read NOW! issue dated 01 April 2011].
An SDF press releases issued by its publicity secretary, Prem Karki, has demanded that the association first present the exact figure of Sikkimese employed in the hotel industry before claiming that the sector had satisfactory presence of Sikkimese in its employment rolls.

Sikkim shines at Scouts & Guides Tribal Meet

RANGPO, 01 April: A regional-level Tribal Meet for Scouts & Guides was organized by North Eastern Region, Bharat Scouts and Guides at Aizawl, Mizoram, in which 22 Scouts and Guides along with the leader and two staff members participated.
During the course of the competition - State Exposition, State Exhibition, Food Plaza, Folk Song, Folk Dance, State Marriage Ceremony, Tribal festival, Musical Instrument and Quiz Competition were organised. Sikkim bagged 1st position in 6 of the 9 categories.
Among the nine participating states, Sikkim was declared the overall champion. The Scouts and Guides were led by Nil Kumar Chhetri and Albina Lepcha whereas Kamal Dhoj Lepcha and Meena Bhutia participated in the events as staff members.
[SANJAY AGARWAL]

SMIT non-teaching staff pledge “whole-hearted” support for Sikkim bandh

GANGTOK, 01 April: The non-teaching staff of Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, Majitar, Rangpo, has pledged their “whole-hearted support” to the strike called by the All Sikkim Democratic Labour Front [ASDLF], informs a press release.
“The strike called by the ASDLF against the partial treatment of the citizens of Sikkim engaged in different industrial sectors and educational institutes within the state of Sikkim is a welcome step towards the restoration of healthy democracy and voices the problems and grievances meted out to bonafide Sikkimese who are often discriminated in these sectors,” the release states.

Student’s Front appeals educational institutions to support bandh

GANGTOK, 01 April: The student’s front of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Party has appealed all the educational institutions to support the Sikkim Bandh called for 04 and 05 April. The bandh needs to be supported by all educational institutions because it has been called in the interest of the future generations of Sikkim, the release adds.

SEA supports Sikkim Bandh

GANGTOK: The Sikkim Entrepreneurs Association [SEA] has extended full support to the Sikkim Bandh called by the Sikkim Democratic Front for 04 and 05 April.
The Association has also appealed to entrepreneurs across the state to support the call and ensure successful conduction of a ‘peaceful bandh’ in favour of the local people.
Speaking to media persons today, the SEA president, Mani Kumar Pradhan, stated that all the 31 points raised by the ruling party were genuine and in favour of the local people. “So, the association is extending full support to the issues raised by the party for the betterment of the local people,” he said.

SDF posters Namchi for bandh

NAMCHI, 01 Apr: The Sikkim Democratic Front’s South district committee members, youth, cheli morcha functionaries and volunteers gathered at party office today and proceeded to locations around town, putting up posters calling support for a 48-hour state-wide bandh on 04 and 05 April to register the party’s protest against private companies and hydel projects which were not hiring local employees despite having signed an MoU undertaking to do so.

Old Settlers extend strong support for the Sikkim Bandh

GANGTOK: The Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim has announced strong support for the 48-hour Sikkim Bandh called by the Sikkim Democratic Front on the various demands pending with the Central Government including exemption from payment of Income Tax for the left-out categories of Sikkim, informs a press release.

Jhora-Jam

The wet weather of the week has exposed the wreck that the drainage system of Namchi has become. Clogged with garbage and assorted debris, the jhoras cannot be expected to be of much service to the South district headquarter town when the monsoon opens up in full fury in the coming months. The jhora photographed above runs through the heart of Namchi, servicing the vegetable market as well. The entire stretch is now stinking and is dangerously clogged. It needs urgent clean-up and save from any further dumping.

Annual Sports Day at Holy Cross

GANGTOK, 01 April: Red House emerged the overall champion at the 11th annual sports meet of Holy Cross School, Tadong, held Friday at the school ground. Likewise, green house, yellow house and blue house stood on second, third and fourth positions respectively.
On the occasion, the primary and secondary students have also performed march past, drill and aerobics.
The sports meet included events like the frog race, caterpillar race, garlanding the partner race, skipping race, mathematics race, 100m, 200m, 4X100 relay race, three legged race, obstacle race, Tug of War, and others.
There were also special events for the parents, guardians and ex-students.

What After the Bandh?

editorial:
So, when Sikkim served out a Resolution on a West Bengal matter, it acquired the neighbouring State’s fondness for bandhs in exchange. For a State which has for more than two decades now swallowed the indignity of suffering in someone else’s battle [via bandhs keeping it hostage], the quickness with which it announced a 48-hours bandh of its own is rather surprising. The reference to quickness here is with regard to the argument presented by the State to justify getting involved in the statehood demand of Darjeeling – that Sikkim has been held hostage to the political uncertainty of the neighbouring hills for far too long and deserved a permanent solution for Darjeeling so that its right to connectivity to the rest of the country is not so frequently compromised. That said, the party’s stand against the recalcitrant units has been growing more confrontational over the past few months and was always expected to culminate in a bandh. There are no signs to suggest that the recourse to bandhs is going to set in as a trend; the 48-hour Sikkim Bandh called by the Sikkim Democratic Front appears a one-off event, one which arrives after so many years that one cannot even recollect, off-hand, when the last bandh brought Sikkim to a halt. Since the bandh has been called by the ruling party, it is obviously going to be successful, so let us begin with what rankles in this episode.

Visiting architects brief officials on restoration work underway at Tsuklakhang monastery

GANGTOK: Restoration work is underway on the frescoes at Tsuklakhang Monastery situated in the palace premises here in the capital. The task is being carried out by two restoration architects who have worked on conservation of Tibetan architecture - Andre Alexander from Germany and Anca Nicolaescu from Paris on the invitation of the Tsuklakhang Trust.
The two architects Friday sat in an informal meet with officials from various state government departments, engineers, architects and officials from the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. The architects made a power-point presentation on the conservation work underway at the Tsuklakhang Monastery.

NASBO celebrates Chogyal Wangchuk Namgyal’s b’day

GANGTOK, 01 April: The National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation celebrated the 58th birthday of Chogyal Wangchuk Tenzing Namgyal, born to Chogyal Palden Thondub Namgyal and Lhacham Kushyo Sangye Deki on this day in 1953, with a simple function presided over by the organisation’s president, Sonam Kaleon, here Friday.

Consortium of Padeco and Louis Berger Group appointed to guide project management of Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation & Forest Management Project

GANGTOK: The JICA-assisted “Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project” (SBFP) is entering its second year of project implementation. International consultants were to be appointed to guide the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the SBFP in the Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management Department. The consortium of PADECO Co Ltd of Japan and The Louis Berger Group Inc. of USA have been selected for the work.
Towards this end, the Department invited proposals from firms through an international bidding process and received 19 proposals from different national and international firms, informs a press release.
The committee constituted for evaluation of firms scrutinized the proposals and shortlisted five firms. A Request for Proposal (RFP) inviting detailed technical and financial bid from shortlisted consortiums was issued to shortlisted firms following which, four shortlisted consortia submitted their proposal in accordance to Request for Proposal, the release further informs.

ASGEA South supports Sikkim Bandh

NAMCHI, 01 April: The All Sikkim Government Employees’ Association Group C and D of South Sikkim has extended full support to the Sikkim Bandh called by the Sikkim Democratic Front for 04 and 05 April. This was conveyed through a press release issued jointly by the president of the Association, Gajendra Subba and general secretary, Chewang T Bhutia.
The release states that the demands raised by the ruling party are genuine and important for the future generations. It further appeals for support from all sections of the society to make the bandh a successful and fruitful one.

Pani House group promotes 04 April as Happiness Day

GANGTOK: If a unique initiative taken up by the Shiva Gram Sewa Samiti [SGSS] of Pani House can have its way, you will get up on the morning of 04 April resolved that it would be a day devoted to being happy, making others happy and getting happiness out of it.
Yes, ‘Happiness Day’ is the universal theme proposed to see a happy and content Sikkim. The SGSS is promoting it with a punchline which adds, “Happiness is an inside job - now it is time to bring it out”. SGSS proposes to dedicate 04 April as the Happiness Day and work towards spreading some cheer around.

Agriculture Deptt spends crores in development, only to bring down crop production

GANGTOK: In the five years from 2005 to 2010, the Food Security and Agriculture Development Department spent Rs. 13.95 crore on implementing the Integrated Cereal Development Programme in Sikkim. The projects aim is self explanatory – to increase production and productivity on a sustainable basis. The Department obviously bungled big, because five years down the line and nearly Rs. 14 crore later, crop production in Sikkim fell by 10.16 per cent. This, despite the fact that area under cereal cultivation actually increased in these years.
This revelation is included in the Performance Review of the FS&AD by the Comptroller & Auditor General of India’s office and included in the CAG Report tabled in the Legislative Assembly during the recently concluded Budget session. The ICD Programme was part of a Rs. 64.87 crore [from 2005-06 to 2009-10] Macro-Management of Agriculture programme.

USFC draws its Second Division I-League debut

GANGTOK: A brace by NS Manju helped United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] draw its first match of the second division I-League Thursday morning at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Guwahati.
The first match of the I-League between Bhaichung Bhutia’s USFC and Shillong based Langsing Football Club finished 2-2.
Bhaichung Bhutia and Rennedy Singh missed their club’s first game as both of them are recovering from injuries. They are likely to join the team in later matches.

Mocking Child Labour

All Fool’s Day is about having some fun at the expense of others. Mockery, however, has become so routine in our country with TV news dishing it out 24x7 that the day dedicated to practical jokes and general foolishness now needs to scratch notice by taking recourse to black humour. The darker recesses of implausibility need to be accessed to get noticed in these scam-driven times, so here goes an attempt to recount some absurdities, which, because they are done and over, can be received only with some shocked disgust and wry smiles; or maybe not, let’s see. This is not an April Fool’s prank. The example of preposterousness recounted below is an audited fact, included in the Comptroller & Auditor General of India’s Report on Sikkim for the year ended 31 March 2010.

Roshan Giri leads GJM delegation to Mintokgang to thank CM

ANAND OBEROI
GANGTOK: A senior-level Gorkha Janmukti Morcha delegation, led by its general secretary, Roshan Giri, called on Chief Minister Pawan Chamling at his official residence, Mintokgang, Thursday afternoon. They were here to personally thank the CM for his contribution to the cause of Gorkhaland by passing a Government Resolution in support of the demand for statehood and also to invite him to Darjeeling for a felicitation being planned for him by the people and leaders there.
“We have come here to thank the CM on behalf of the people of Darjeeling for the exemplary and honourable gesture of passing the historic resolution in favour of Gorkhaland in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly. The government of Sikkim has done what the West Bengal Government can never do and serves as an example for them to follow suit since our demand is legitimate and constitutional. The government of India has to understand this,” stated Mr. Giri while speaking to the media as he emerged from the 40-minute meeting with Mr. Chamling.

MVI checks thin traffic in Gangtok

GANGTOK, 31 March: The experience of free-flowing traffic in a jam-infested Gangtok must have confused commuters today as would have the shortage of taxis on the roads.
This happens every year at around this time. The reason - Motor Vehicles Inspection in coordination with the Traffic Police.
The Motor Vehicles Division of the Transport Department, in association with the Sikkim Traffic Police, began checking documents of all vehicles yesterday. The deserted roads imply that a majority of vehicles are plying in the capital with “failed” documents. Among them, taxis bagging the No. 1 position.

Public Undertakings and New Enterprises in Sikkim

by KC PRADHAN

I SAW WITH A tinge of sadness that the industrial flagships of the yesteryears - Sikkim Jewels and SITCO - are in the process of closing down with golden handshakes offered to its staff- the package varying from 4.5. lakhs to 10 lakhs. It was at the time of PP Pherwani and even Gyamtso Tashi in earlier times in Sikkim Jewels and Taga Khampa in SITCO that these institutions reached their zenith and were must-visit institutions for all dignitaries, from the Presidents to Prime Minsters to Ministers, from the Centre.
The world has changed, times have changed and so has the technology. It was expected that the executives in these institutions would be keeping abreast as to what was going around and keep changing the technology and the product as the market demanded. It is simple logic.

SHRA seeks bandh exemption for tourism sector

GANGTOK, 31 March: Sikkim Hotel & Restaurant Association [SHRA] has appealed to the ruling party to exempt hotels, travel agencies and tourist vehicles from the purview of the 48-hour Sikkim Bandh called by it for 04 and 05 April.
While doing so, the association has extended full support to the idea behind the bandh, welcoming the initiative as one launched for local protection in employment opportunities created here and to condemn the sidelining and negligence of local candidates by private companies in the State.
Addressing a press conference today, president SHRA, Bhanu Pratap Rasaily, pointed out that April marks the start of the tourist season and a strike in the first week of the season would divert tourist flow to other destinations and could tarnish the image of the state, causing long term effect on tourism here.
He stressed that tourism being a priority sector of the state government, the SHRA was appealing to the ruling party to exempt this sector from the bandh. Mr Rasaily said that the association was confident that the party will understand the request.

TT Dorji retires, Chingapa returns as CS

GANGTOK, 31 March: As per a notification issued by the Department of Personnel today, former Chief Secretary ND Chingapa [IAS, SK-1974], currently serving as Advisor to the Government, has been appointed the Chief Secretary to the Government again, following the retirement of the present incumbent TT Dorji today. Mr. Chingapa’s elevation to the post comes into effect on 01 April, Friday. 

Sikkim’s world premiere postponed to 06 Apr

GANGTOK: The world premiere of Satyajit Ray’s “Sikkim” has been postponed for 06 April by the Art & Culture Trust [ACT] of Sikkim. The venue remains the same- Vajra cinema hall.
A press release issued by the secretary, ACT of Sikkim, Atul Kaura, informs that in view of the 2-day bandh called for 04 and 05 April, the world premiere of the much-awaited documentary film has been is rescheduled for 06 April, Wednesday.
The Trust has conveyed its apologies for the inconvenience caused to patrons and well-wishers due to the rescheduling of the program.