Agriculture Secy to meet protesting MR and WC employees on Monday

GANGTOK, 02 June: After the MR employees of Agriculture and Horticulture Departments gheraoed their headquarter yesterday in protest against the Departments’ tardy progress on the regularization of their services, the Secretary, Vishal Chauhan, who is currently on tour with the Chief Minister has conveyed word that he would meet the MR employees on 06 June at 11 a.m. in his office. His message has thrilled the protesting employees since the meeting has been preponed, suggesting that the Secretary sympathizes with their sense of urgency to address the issue.
Speaking to NOW!, DB Rasaily, treasurer of the All Sikkim Muster Roll and Workcharged Employees Association and also the in-charge of the Agriculture and Horticulture Department, said, “As per the advice of the senior officers of the Department, we had decided to meet the Secretary on 07 June. But the Secretary has given us appointment on 06 June itself.”

Shocked by two decade delay in road project, CM apologises to affected villagers

...DIRECTS ENQUIRY AND IMMEDIATE RESUMPTION OF PROJECT

RABONGLA, 02 June: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling apologised to the residents of Labdang-Karzee, among the most remote villages in Sikkim, on their continuing wait for a link road to Phamtam where the CM made his first pit-stop on Day-9 of his village-to-village tour of Sikkim. Appropriately for the moment, a banner put up by the panchayats and residents of Sada-Phamtam GPU welcomed and thanked the CM for having made time to visit their “extremely remote village”.
The CM mentioned that a 28 KM road was sanctioned by him immediately upon getting elected the Chief Minister for the first time in 1994, eighteen years back. On his first visit to Phamtam, over a bone-jarring ride from Rabongla today, he found that Labdang-Karzee has still not received the project nearly two decades since it was sanctioned.

North East Cultural Centre to come up in Delhi

GANGTOK, 02 June: A North East Cultural Centre [NECC], pegged as “a permanent platform for cultural exchange” will soon be established in Delhi, an official press release informs.
DoNER had taken up the matter with the Ministry of Culture for helping in the establishment of the Centre. After several rounds of discussions between officials of concerned Ministries, it was decided to start NECC in the campus of Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) at Dwarka.
Ministry of DoNER and the North Eastern Council will arrange funds for organising a series of events within this financial year, through active involvement of the people from NER residing at Delhi and NCR, the release informs.

Push the Red FM car on World Environment Day

GANGTOK, 02 June: On the occasion of World Environment Day, Red FM will be organising an awareness campaign - “Dhakka Lagaunu Hos” (Let’s Push!), on 04 June from 9 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 6 pm.
The campaign, which is directed towards generating awareness on environment conservation, will have the station’s RJs inside the RED FM car and pushed from Hospital Dara till Tourism Point i.e MG Marg, informs a press release.
The objectives of the campaign are to create awareness on:
•   A scenario in the future, where we will have the vehicle but no fuel to drive it.
•   An appeal to the people to save fuel as and when possible.
•   An appeal to the people to make small contributions, whatever it maybe, to protect the environment.
According to the release, some important tips related to switching off the engines at traffic points and wearing seat belts at all times will also be passed on to the public. Plant saplings will be distributed to the general public in return for their participation in pushing the car. Traffic rules and regulations will not be violated at any cost during the event.
Red FM also invites the general public to pitch in their bit in pushing the car, the release adds.

WWF plans 2-day World Environment Day observance in North Sikkim

GANGTOK, 02 June: WWF-India has been working towards biodiversity conservation through participation of the local communities in the state for more than ten years. One of its main focus has been the conservation of high altitude wetlands in the state, fragile environments providing multiple benefits including water security, refuge for wildlife and tourist attractions.
Following a conservation model implemented in Tsomgo with conservation issues monitored by the Pokhari Sanrakshan Samity there, focus has also been given to Gurudongmar, one of the highest lakes in the world and a major tourist destination in North Sikkim. Conservation plans have been worked out in collaboration with local governance institutions like the Lachen Dzumsa, organizations like the Lachen Tourism Development Committee to ensure effective protection to the fragile high altitude environment of the lake while continuing sustainable tourism practices.

Won’t rest till Karmapa takes his seat at Rumtek, CM assures

RABONGLA, 02 June: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today reiterated his stand in support of bringing the XVIIth Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje to his seat-in-exile at Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre. Addressing a huge gathering at Ralong Monastery, he stressed that his stand has not changed till date and that he was “tirelessly” trying to bring the Karmapa to Sikkim.
Highlighting that the State Government has pursued the matter with every government at the Centre, he explained the final decision on the matter rested with the Central government. He however assured that he would not rest until the Karmapa has taken his seat at Rumtek.
On the occasion, he announced that the demand for electrification of Old Ralong Monastery and development of tourism-related infrastructure around it will be done taken up immediately, along with a new school building for Ralang-Linding School, a milk collection centre at Zimthang village among other demands.

NEC underlines ‘system improvements’ of Power infrastructure as priority GANGTOK, 02 June: “North Eastern Council will give top priority on the schemes submitted by the State Governments in Power Sector for (a) System improvement (upgradation/improvement/construction) of power transmission and distribution lines and Sub-Station and (b) renewable resources of energy, including assistance for implementation of small hydel projects,” said Union Minister of DoNER and Chairman, NEC, BK Handique in New Delhi today. He added that NEC, in its 58th meeting held on 09 February 2010 at Guwahati, resolved that priority be accorded to the “harnessing of the vast power potential of the region, next only to road connectivity”, informs a press release. NEC has funded 9 projects in Sikkim at a cost of Rs 13.43 Crores and has further sanctioned 10 Mini Hydel Projects at a cost of Rs 1.5 Crores, according to the release. NEC released Rs.71 crore for Power sector in the North Eastern Region during the year 2010-11. Among these, 7 projects at a cost of Rs.10.70 Crores for Arunachal Pradesh, 1 project at NC Hills District for Assam at a cost of Rs.5.37 Crores, 1 project for Manipur at a cost of 5 Crores , 8 projects for Meghalaya at a cost of Rs.17.44 Crores, 6 projects for Mizoram at a cost of 7.17 Crores, 1 project at Tripura at a cost of Rs.4.79 Crores and 7 schemes at Manipur in the capacity of 10 KW at a cost of Rs.1.41 Crores have been sanctioned. Additionally, Rs. 4.25 Crores has been allotted to Power Grid Corporation of India Limited to prepare Feasibility cum Detailed Project Report for Transmission, Sub – Transmission and Distribution (upto 33 KV) system in the North Eastern Region, the release adds.

GANGTOK, 02 June: “North Eastern Council will give top priority on the schemes submitted by the State Governments in Power Sector for (a) System improvement (upgradation/improvement/construction) of power transmission and distribution lines and Sub-Station and (b) renewable resources of energy, including assistance for implementation of small hydel projects,” said Union Minister of DoNER and Chairman, NEC, BK Handique in New Delhi today.
He added that NEC, in its 58th meeting held on 09 February 2010 at Guwahati, resolved that priority be accorded to the “harnessing of the vast power potential of the region, next only to road connectivity”, informs a press release.
NEC has funded 9 projects in Sikkim at a cost of Rs 13.43 Crores and has further sanctioned 10 Mini Hydel Projects at a cost of Rs 1.5 Crores, according to the release.

SU releases entrance exam results

GANGTOK, 02 June: Sikkim University has released the results of entrance examinations conducted by it on 07 and 08 May at 32 centres across the country and three foreign centres [Dhaka, Kathmandu and Thimpu]. An SU press release informs that the list of successful candidates has been posted on the university website www.sikkimuniversity.in
Dr Om Prasad Gadde, Associate Fellow and Convener Admissions, informs that entrance examinations were held for the 24 courses now offered by the university and were taken by 1,260 students vying for the 580 available seats in various UG-PG integrated programmes and Post Graduate programmes.

SDF workers from Namthang-Rateypani dismiss media reports of having welcomed Goley to constituency

NAMCHI, 02 June: SDF party supporters from Namthang-Rateypani constituency have condemned recent media reports suggesting that SDF workers of the constituency had “welcomed and supported” dissident MLA PS Tamang’s visit to the constituency on 30 May.
Addressing a press conference here today, a group of SDF workers from the area clarified that Mr. Tamang, accompanied by former MLA Bhoj Raj Rai and other supporters, had visited the area to offer condolences to a family on the death of one of its members.
The party workers also retaliated to a comment attributed to Mr. Tamang as referring to the area MLA, Buildings & Housing Minister Tilu Gurung, as an ‘outsider’. The SDF party workers held her up as a ‘daughter of Sikkim’ and contended that compared to other constituencies [like Mr. Tamang’s Burtuk] Ms. Gurung has in fact worked among the people and brought about “massive development” to the constituency.
Responding to Mr. Tamang’s call for ‘change’, as some news-reports had conveyed, the SDF workers contended that the present government under Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling has brought about the ‘real change’ and established ‘full-fledged democracy’ in the state.

SIBLAC mourns passing away of Khyentse Sangyum Khandro Tsering Chodron

GANGTOK, 02 June: The Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee [SIBLAC] has “deeply mourned” the passing away of the Khyentse Sangyum Khandro Tsering Chodron on 30 May at Lerab Ling in France, informs a press release.
Khyentse Sangyum, the greatest female practitioner of contemporary Buddhist history, spent most of her life in Sikkim where her spiritual husband and Master Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo Chokyi Lodrue lived and attained Parinirvana. He was cremated at the sacred Thakar Tashiding as he had wished. She had taken a vow to remain alongside the Kudung (remains) of the late Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo Chokyi Lodrue that rested at the Tsuglhakhang in Gangtok till some years ago.

CAEPHT (CAU) organises awareness visit on Mechanisation of Hill Agriculture

GANGTOK, 02 June: The College of Agricultural Engineering and Post Harvest Technology (CAEPHT), Central Agricultural University (CAU), Ranipool organised an awareness visit-cum-training programme on ‘Mechanisation of Hill Agriculture’ for the trainee farmers of Regional Horticulture Promotion Project, Kalimpong, on 31 May.
Fifteen participants led by Sugimoto Sakuyo and Hanada Hiroyuki of Miyazaki International Volunteer Centre, Kalimpong attended the programme. The visit-cum-training focussed on specific engineering interventions for mechanisation of hill agriculture with reference to terrace cultivation in steep slopes of Eastern Himalayan region of the country, informs a press release.

MR employees at Agriculture and Horticulture Deptts gherao head office, protest tardy progress on regularisation

GANGTOK, 01 June: When around 200 Muster Roll employees of Agriculture and Horticulture Departments from all the four districts arrived in the office of the Principal Director, SK Sinha, at around 11 a.m. here at Krishi Bhawan today, a heated exchange broke out and the Director eventually left his office claiming that he had some work outside. The MR employees were upset with the tardy progress on the regularization of their services by their headquarter. The MR employees of the two Departments decided to gherao the headquarter to place their grievances to the senior officials face-to-face.
When they found that the Secretary was on tour with the Chief Minister, the employees decided to meet the Principal Director.
One of the demands, as placed to Mr. Sinha, was that, one-time relaxation be given to Class XII [Humanities] passed MR employees to fill 97 posts of VLWs lying vacant with the Department. According to the Departmental norms, the posts can be filled by the candidates having Class XII passed with Science stream.

DAY-7 OF CHIEF MINISTER’S SIKKIM BHRAMAN

“Speak up, I am here to listen to your appraisals, demands and complaints”
CM INVITES PEOPLE TO CONSIDER NEW TEA ESTATE ON COOPERATIVE MODEL
SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 01 June: Speaking with media-persons before moving out on the eighth day of his village-to-village tour, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling shared that he was satisfied with the performance of the South district GPUs he has visited so far. He also reiterated that his tour was more about listening to the people and their demands than addressing them in public meetings. This was the theme which was reinforced today with the CM specifically inviting the people to speak up and record their appraisals of government works, table their demands and air their grievances. He also broached the idea of setting up a new tea estate in Sikkim.
Interacting with the people of Hingdam, Dalep-Kewzing and Biring [all under Barfung constituency], the CM addressed issues related to hydel projects, landslides and provision of land for the landless in the state.
On the way to Hingdam, his first destination, the CM stopped at the “Model Floriculture Centre” situated at few kilometres away from Ravangla Bazaar and interacted with the workers there.

Loan offer cheats villager of Rs. 68,100

GANGTOK, 01 June: An amount of Rs. 68,100 was fleeced from Mani Hang Subba of Luzik basti in West district by some frauds, it is alleged.
According to the complainant, two persons, Jeetendra Burma and Seema Burma of Uttam Nagar, New Delhi, through their company Bharat Associates had assured to provide a loan of Rs. 5 lakhs, following which Subba had applied for the same in the name of his wife. They were also asked to deposit Rs. 68,100 in their account first, but after Subba deposited the amount, he was not able to contact either of them as their phones were always switched off.
The case is under investigation.

The rescued tortoise, I. elongate. PHOTO Sanjeev Pradhan, Rhenock Bazar.

Rescued tortoise rehabilitated to Kitam Bird Sanctuary
GANGTOK, 01 May: The tortoise rescued from Chalamthang above Rhenock, East Sikkim, has been relocated to the Kitam Bird Sanctuary in South Sikkim, Forest Department officials confirmed today.
On 27 May last Friday, a Chalampong resident, Mani Kumar Pradhan, had rescued a tortoise and handed it over to ACF [Wildlife, Rongli Sub-Division], Pralad Pradhan, for rehabilitation.
The ACF informs that the department has confirmed the species as Indotesduno elongate, an endangered species and that his office has learned about the rescue from one Bhusan Adhikari on the same day. After that, the tortoise was handed over to the department and taken to Kitam Bird Sanctuary on 28 May as per the directions of CCF, Wildlife, Gut Lepcha.

3 nabbed with ‘drugs’

GANGTOK, 01 June: Three persons were caught in possession of controlled substances on Tuesday.
Bhopal Shankar [27] of Majigaon and Shisir Subba [25] of Kerabari were arrested by the police with 88 capsules of Spasmo Proxyvon, 14 bottles of Recodex cough syrup and 120 N-10 tablets, while they were trying to cross River Rangeet at Jorethang, yesterday.
In another case Sanjay Sundas was caught by the police for being in possession of 365 capsules of Spasmo Proxyvon and 52 N-10 tablets at Namchi.
The cases have been registered at Jorethang and Namchi Police Stations and are under investigation.

College admissions to open on Saturday

GANGTOK, 01 June: A coordination meeting of the admission committee held here at Sikkim Government College [SGC], Tadong yesterday has notified that admissions 2011 for the Monsoon Semester -the first semester admissions -will be open for all eligible candidates from 04 June 2011 onwards.
Speaking to NOW! today, members of the admission committee informed that admissions for BA/ BSc/ BCom (Pass/ Hons) and BA Tourism will begin on the aforesaid date and that the eligibility criteria for collecting the prospectus were “defined” in two categories.
First, under category-one are included all local candidates having valid documents/ certificates issued by the competent authority and wards of Central Government Employees, Army Personnel, CPMF (transferred and presently working in Sikkim) with a minimum 50% in aggregate (from traditional subject background) and Minimum 70% in aggregate(from vocational backgrounds).

Panchayat Accounts Assts trained on new accounting structure

 GANGTOK, 01 June: State Institute of Rural development (SIRD) conducted a three-day training on ‘New Accounting Structure for newly appointed Panchayat Accounts Assistant [PAA]’ of Soreng, Dentam and Gyalzing BACs from 26 –28 May at Karfectar, South Sikkim.
The training which was attended by 31 Panchayat Accounts Assistants, commenced under the chairmanship of Additional Director, HK Sharma. Welcoming all the participants Mr. Sharma explained the importance of financial discipline in Accounting Structure.
He further informed that a simple format for easy adoption of accounting system for Panchayati Raj Institution at the grassroots level has been introduced, informs a press release. He highlighted the roles of PAAs and informed that the role of PAA is vital in strengthening the Panchayati Raj System. He requested all the participants to actively participate in the training.

Cooperative Society convenes AGM, thanks Govt for special schemes

GANGTOK, 01 May: The first annual meeting of Awaaz Majdoor Nirman Sahakari Samiti was conveyed yesterday at Aho Yangtam GPU under Namcheybong constituency, informs a press release issued by the president of the Samity, Suren Subba.
The GPU vice-president, Buddha Singh Mangar, was present as the chief guest and acknowledged the contributions made by all the Samity members towards the success of the Samity so far. He also thanked the Chief Minister and the area MLA for their “kind consideration towards the welfare of the youth”.
The president of the Samity, Suren Subba thanked the government for providing them with various schemes which have made the youth self reliant. He also applauded the efforts made by all the members during its first year of office.

BJP thumbs down IPR photo exhibition

GANGTOK, 01 May: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s Sikkim unit has criticized the ongoing photo exhibition, “Sikkim Then & Now”, put up by the Information & Public Relation Department at Star Hall, contending it to be “void of the true history of Sikkim”, conveys a press release issued by the Sikkim BJP president, Padam Bahadur Chettri.
The party has alleged the department of conveying the wrong history of Sikkim to the public, and alleged that the department was trying to keep the public in the dark by not “exposing” the present times of a Sikkim “gripped by social ills”.

40 more hectares brought under Baby Corn cultivation

TIE-UPS REAFFIRMED WITH SIMFED AND GFPF TO ENSURE GOOD PRICE AND ASSURED OFF-TAKE

GANGTOK, 01 May: The Food Security and Agriculture Development Department, under the 100-days programme of the State Government has completed plantation of baby corn across 40 hectares of area in the current season, a press release informs. 
The clusters selected for the cultivation are Lower Martam, Lower Rumbuk, Sombaria, Tharpu and Chumbong in West Sikkim, Chisopani, Samatar and Chalamthang in South Sikkim and Rumtek, Sajong, Changey, Marchak, Saramsa and Namcheybong in East Sikkim.
Two hundred farmers from the selected area were imparted training on Baby Corn cultivation and encouraged to expand its plantation, informs a department press release.

CM RESUMES SIKKIM BHRAMAN

“Poverty Trap dismantled, now for the people to seize the day”
SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 31 May: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling resumed his village-to-village Sikkim Bhraman with a tour of Ravangla sub-division in South Sikkim. In his interactions during halts at four villages today, the CM highlighted that in his 18 years in office, the State Government has created requisite infrastructure and opportunities to free Sikkim from the “poverty trap” which has held the Sikkimese people back for generations. To break free into self-reliance, the people will have to utilise the infrastructure and seize the opportunities created.
Limited access to credit, corrupt governance, capital flight, poor education systems, lack of public health care and poor infrastructure, factors which imposed the “poverty trap” as a “self-reinforcing mechanism which causes poverty to persist” have been corrected, he highlighted, while adding that is poverty still persists, it was at the personal level and because of individual failure to take advantage of the benefits and opportunities provided by the government.

Awareness and tourism promotion peddle into Syari constituency

GANGTOK, 31 May: Parts of Syari constituency spread from Chandmari to Pabyuk-Naitam greeted a rally of 20 mountain bikers who peddled its off-roads accompanied by a motorcade lead by the area MLA, Speaker KT Gyaltsen. The main agenda of the initiative was to initiate direct interaction between the youth in village schools and representatives of different associations to promote tourism initiatives in the area through the message of a Healthy Sikkim.

Tourist arrivals 2011 – 2.5 lakh without counting peak month of May!

GANGTOK, 31 May: The tourist season is underway full swing. And as is expected, long queues waiting taxis can be seen at the taxi stops, especially during office hours. People are complaining against the non-availability of taxis and also the service of SNT city runners which are either not regular or not enough.
The official data of Tourism Department as on 30 April 2011 shows that the State has already received 2,44,642 domestic and 7,539 foreign tourists in the first four months of the year. Comparing figures for last year, show the inflow of domestic tourists at 2,36,312. But the data shows decline in the inflow of foreign tourists as the number was 7,945 last year, which is higher by 406.

Namchi prepares for monsoons as well

NAMCHI, 31 May: In preparation for the approaching monsoons, the South District administration convened a Pre-Monsoon Preparedness meeting yesterday at the District Administrative Centre conference hall here chaired by the DC [South], AK Singh, and attended by officials and representatives from almost all the line departments.
The meeting started with power-point presentation by Training Officer DRR, Disaster Risk Management Cell, Namchi, Abishek Kharel, wherein he highlighted the different types of natural disasters, its prevention and management.

3 Sikkim lads selected to play for India at 21st Arsenal Intl Soccer Fest in London

GANGTOK, 31 May: Sikkim has a strong representation in the 16-member team selected to represent India at the 21st Arsenal International Soccer Festival scheduled to be held in London in July 2011. Three boys, two from Namchi Senior Secondary School and one from Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School [Gangtok], have been selected in the final team after a gruelling one-month long coaching camp held in Kolkata under coaches from Arsenal FC.

Butterfly researcher underlines need to conserve forest fragments

GANGTOK, 30 May: “There are more than 650 species of butterflies in Sikkim and Dzongu is one area where one will be able to find most of the species and hopefully make new discoveries,” said Dr Krushnamegh Kunte, president of Indian Foundation for Butterflies and a scientist of Harvard University, here today. He is in Sikkim as part of a 3-year research study on butterflies of Sikkim and has finished a 10-day tour of East, West and North Sikkim. This was his third trip to the state, while the first was made in April, 2008.

2,000 fish released into Tingchim lake to boost fish farming

MANGAN, 30 May: District Collector (North), TN Kazi, accompanied by officers of the Department of Fisheries, Asst. Director Nagendra Dhakal, RO Namgay Bhutia, Resource Assistant [Kabi], Baldev Sharma, coordinated by Zilla member, Zomin Limboo, TVDC general secretary, Karma Dawa Bhutia visited Tingchim village in Dzongu and inspected the lake there while also interacting with farmers in the BPL category.
On the occasion, the Department of Fisheries handed over 2,000 live fish for release into the lake with the suggestion that the villagers opt for fish farming in the area.
The DC also informed families in the BPL category still living in kutcha houses of the CM’s Housing scheme underway and of how more fisher-farm tanks will be provided to farmers here. The villagers of Tingchim are also the caretakers of the lake.

Mayfair adopts Darap Village Homestays

GANGTOK, 30 May: Mayfair Hotels & Resorts, through the Sikkim Hotel & Restaurant Association (SHRA) has become the first tourism corporate house to adopt a village for the promotion of village and rural tourism in the State thus envisioning to create a bridge between the “super luxury” of the Mayfair Resorts and grassroots level tourism stakeholders, informs a press release.
The village of Darap in West Sikkim, a short drive from Pelling, was chosen for such a tie-up by Mayfair since “they have shown a tremendous amount of dedication, persistence and growth over the past few years since the inception of the Darap Eco-Tourism Committee”, informs the Director of Mayfair Gangtok, Sanjna Ray DeNiese.

Minor dies after consuming poisonous mushroom, family hospitalised

NAMCHI, 30 May: With the rains having arrived, mushrooms too are popping up along the forest floor. Unfortunately, people are losing touch with the land they live in and incidents of consumption of poisonous varieties of this fungus are becoming common. In the first such incident of the season, reported from West Sikkim, an eight-year-old succumbed to the poisoning and passed away in hospital.
The serving of mushrooms for dinner inflicted a fatality in a family at Upper Suldung in West Sikkim. Dhan Bdr. Rai of Upper Suldung lost his 8 year old daughter while he along with the rest of the family had to be hospitalized.

SIKKIM UNIVERSITY HOSTS SPRING LECTURE AND BOOK DISCUSSION SESSION

MJ Akbar introduces youth to the challenge of their generation – the eradication of poverty

SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 30 May: Senior journalist, MJ Akbar, speaking directly to a young audience of university students, stressed that the challenge for the present generation was to eliminate poverty and establish economic equality in the country. This, he stressed, will “complete the idea of Modern India”.
Editorial Director of India Today, Mr. Akbar, was delivering the Sikkim University’s second Spring Lecture at Chintan Bhawan today, speaking on the topic, “The Idea of a Modern India”. The session was chaired by the ex-Member of Parliament and Planning Commission, Som Pal. 

Now Showing at Star Cinema Hall: Sikkim Then and Now

GANGTOK, 30 May [IPR]: The “Sikkim Then and Now” photo exhibition organized by the Information & Public Relations Department was inaugurated by Gangtok MLA, Dorjee Namgyal Bhutia, at Old Star Cinema Hall in the capital today. Gangtok Mayor, KN Topgay, was present as a special guest.
The exhibition has photographs from pre-Merger Sikkim [starting from 1934] to present-day Sikkim and is themed on the various developmental achievements of the State and also features vignettes from the village-to-village tour of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling.
The aim of the exhibition is to give a glimpse of the past and the present to the people especially the younger generation and tourists. The exhibition will be continue till 14 June.

Maruti Suzuki recruits 12 engineers from ATTC

GANGTOK, 29 May: Campus interview was conducted by Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. on 23 and 24 May at ATTC Bardang and 12 final year Diploma Engineers were selected.
The selected candidates are Arpan Sharma , Bhola Bhagat , Suman Dahal , Biswajit Sarkar , Riwaz Guragai , Sekhar Adhikari , Vivek Kumar , Sudarshan Gurung , Dinesh Bhattarai ,Sonu Kumar ,Tika Pd. Koirala and Bikash Adhikari, informs a press release. The monthly salary offered is about Rs.15,000/- along with other company benefits.      

Research scholar addresses Limboo Department at Namchi college on Constitutional provisions for mother tongues

GANGTOK, 29 May: Bhim Subba, a research scholar at Delhi University, delivered a lecture on “Constitutional Provision of Mother Tongue, with reference to Article 29, 30, 350A, 350B  (ii & iii) and Eight Schedule of the Indian Constitution” at the Limboo Department, Namchi Government College, yesterday, a press release informs.
The main objective behind organising the programme was to make the students aware about the importance of native languages and various provisions provided for mother tongues under the Constitution of India and the challenges that lie ahead, the release explains.

CHIEF MINISTER DEDICATES ASTROTURF-EQUIPPED PALJOR STADIUM TO THE YOUTH

Paljor Stadium rolls out Astroturf access to all
SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 29 May: The artificial turf laid out at Paljor Stadium was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling on Saturday and dedicated to the youth of the state for the promotion of the sports. Paljor Stadium, kept out-of-bounds for lay people for many years since its last make-over, is now open to all since Astroturf is more resilient than natural grass. While the facility is open to all, access requires an entry pass to be acquired from the Department.
Spread across 93,000+ sq feet, Paljor Stadium is now the largest Astroturf in the SAARC region.
The Chief Minister, accompanied by the Sports Minister, NK Pradhan and Secretary, Karma P Bhutia, also inspected the Astroturf.

Health workers trained on new WHO standards to measure child growth

GANGTOK, 27 May: A training on introduction of the new WHO Child Growth Standards in Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) was held here at Pakyong PHC for health functionaries on Thursday.
The daylong programme was organised by the Pakyong Rural ICDS Project (East) of the Social Justice, Empowerment & Welfare Department’s Women & Child Development Division.
World Health Organisation, based on the results of an intensive study initiated in 1997 in six countries including India, developed the New International Standards for assessing the physical growth and nutritional status of children from birth to 5yrs of age for monitoring the growth of children through ICDS and NRHM.
The points discussed at the daylong training by CDPO, Pakyong Rural ICDS Project, YP Pradhan, were:
i) The 'weight for age'- WHO standards adopted in ICDS has revised the Growth Monitoring Chart which describes “how children should grow” rather than “how the child is growing”.
ii) The new chart has three coloured tracks viz: Green, Yellow and Orange instead of the earlier classification lines of Normal, Grade I, Grade II, Grade III and grade IV

TMI completes seasonal discharge measurement of springs in Soreong

WATER SOURCES COMPROMISED BY CLIMATE CHANGE AND LAND USE SHIFTS
GANGTOK, 27 May: Under the Spring project funded by Arghyam, Bangalore, TMI-India has been carrying out “seasonal discharge level measurements/ monitoring of springs”.
In the Gram Panchayat Units of Soreng block - Soreng, Timberbong, Buriakhop, Malbasey, Tharpu, Zoom, Samsing-Gelling, Chumbong, Chakhung, Singling-Gumpadara, Chota Samdong-Arubotay, Khanisherbung, Mabong-Segeng and Suldung Kamling, this seasonal measurement has been completed, informs a press release.
According to the release, the Soreng block in West Sikkim is one of the drought prone areas of West Sikkim. Ironically, while some areas in the block have sufficient and underutilized water resources, some areas are reeling under acute drinking water scarcity.

Inter-Dojang Taekwondo championship on Sunday

GANGTOK, 27 May: Sikkim Amateur Taekwondo Association (SATA) is organizing an Inter Dojang Taekwondo championship on 29 May at Paljor Indoor Gymnasium here, informs a press release.
Taekwondo players from all over Sikkim have been invited. The championship will start from 9.30 a.m. and go on till 3 p.m,, the release informs. There will be Sub-juniors, Juniors, Seniors and Masters categories for both male and female.
“SATA is pleased to welcome to all Taekwondo lovers to witness the championship,” the release mentions.

SICB inks MoU with ACE for training and placement in Speciality Restaurants chain

GANGTOK, 27 May: The State Institute of Capacity Building and Amos Chhetri Enterprise signed a Memorandum of Understanding today, paving the way for an “Integrated Industrial Workshop on Food and Beverage Services” to be held at the SICB campus at Karfectar [15 days] and Kolkata [30 days].
The SICB, its Chief Administrator, SD Dhakal, informs, has already selected 50 trainees from South Sikkim for this training.
The trainees will subsequently be placed at Specialty Restaurants Limited in the metros across India and abroad on a minimum earning of Rs. 6,500 per month with Insurance, Medi-claim, and Provision Fund provisions along with meals during working hours, an SICB press release informs.

Coordination meet held for Duga schools

GANGTOK, 27 May: A coordination meeting with the head of institutions and members of Zilla Panchayat under the jurisdiction of Duga BAC East Sikkim was organised at the conference hall of Duga BAC under the leadership of Assistant Director of Human Resources Development department, Basant Kumar Sharma.
Addressing the heads of 30 schools and other dignitaries, AD, Mr. Sharma shared the instructions given by the department. Under the RTE Act 2009, diploma in education should be acquired by every untrained primary school through a distance course or at DIET. Similarly every untrained graduate teacher should acquire B.ED degree from Loyola or Harkamaya college or through IGNOU, he informed.
Mr Sharma also said that no teacher is permitted to visit BAC or district office without a proper deputation letter from the head of the institution. In the absence of the head of institution such deputation letters can be obtained from the competent authority.

Recovering users want SADA cleansed of insensitive and counter-productive clauses

GANGTOK, 27 May: While conceding that the Sikkim Anti-Drugs ACT [SADA] 2006 was a progressive law, a number of recovering, or “willing to be reformed”, individuals are also critical of certain provisions of the Act.
At a press conference held here at a local hotel this afternoon, members of the Recovering Users Network [RUN] highlighted what they see as discrepancies and pointed out that provisions providing for arrest of substance abusers as well as imprisonment, fine and dismissal from regular service or black- listing them from government jobs if found guilty of drug abuse was a violation of the Constitution.
According to RUN, doing so goes against the concerned individual’s right to live with dignity, guaranteed under our Constitution.
Recovering Users’ Network, an umbrella organization of recovering drug addicts and alcoholics with over 300 members, ten social organisations and six rehabilitation and detoxification centers came forward today with their suggestions on how SADA should be amended to make it more holistic and humane.

IHM Principal receives Bharat Jyoti Award

GANGTOK, 27 May: Principal, Institute of Hotel Management, JT Gyaltsen was presented with the Bharat Jyoti Award by the former Governor of Assam and Tamil Nadu, Dr. Bhishma Narain Singh for meritorious service, outstanding performance and remarkable role in the respective field.
He was honoured with the award at a seminar organized by the Indian International Friendship Society on Global Participation in India’s Economic Development at Constitution Club, New Delhi on 10 May, informs an official press release.

Phidang Bridge ready for inauguration, finally

MANGAN, 27 May:  The Phidang Bridge in Lower Dzongu, connecting Dzongu with the rest of the State, is all set for inauguration. The 123 metre long, Multi Span Steel Bridge has been constructed across the Teesta by the Roads & Bridges Department. The bridge is 99% complete now and is expected to be inaugurated next month.
The old bridge here had a capacity of only 5 tonnes load due to which trucks were not allowed to enter Dzongu from here. This was a severe inconvenience since when other roads are blocked, this also becomes the only access to North Sikkim.
The new bridge with its capacity of 40 tonnes will now also allow trucks to enter Dzongu. The people of Dzongu have expressed appreciation towards the department for constructing this bridge.

Press Club calls in IPR Secy, seeks enhancement of ad-rates

GANGTOK, 27 May: The executive committee members of the Press Club of Sikkim, led by their president, Paras Mani Dangal, today submitted a memorandum to Information & Public Relations Secretary, KS Tobgay, seeking enhancement of government advertisement rates and increase in the number of display advertisements released by the department.
The PCS team included the working president Amit Patro, general secretary Bhim Rawat, vice president Rajen Pradhan, treasurer Babboo Tamang, assistant treasurer DR Dulal and publicity secretary Bijoy Gurung.
With the memorandum submitted earlier to IPR Minister CB Karki by the PCS, Mr. Tobgay assured the PCS delegation that the government was seized of the matter and assured to look into the demands in a positive manner. He was also briefed about the pending release of Rs. 5 lakh which had been announced by the Chief Minister in 2009 for the journalists’ welfare fund set up by the PCS.

Namchi Councillors complete year in office with open discussion

Namchi, 27 May: Namchi Municipal Council today organized its first Annual Day meeting here at Namchi Central Park with the Namchi Singithang MLA Binod Rai present as chief guest accompanied by South Zilla Upadakshya Himal Tamang as Special Guest.
The meeting featured the airing of grievances and sharing of suggestions.
On the occasion, representatives from all seven wards of Namchi Municipal Council placed their demands and suggestions with the Municipal body. These were later discussed in detail.

SIMFED opens Agro-Inputs Retail shop in Namchi

NAMCHI, 27 May: The State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Limited (SIMFED) has set up its first Agro Inputs Retailer Shop in the state at Jorethang Road here to provide better service and support for farmers of South district. The unit was inaugurated today by SIMFED chairman, Girish Chandra Rai.
During the inaugural function, Deputy General Manager, Jewan Sharma informed that SIMFED was framed with the main objective of providing support to farmers and good quality farm inputs, at reasonable prices and according to their seasonal needs to increase the production scale. This also includes marketing their products and with this Agro Inputs Retailer Shop the farmer will be supported and facilitated with their timely needs. He further informed that within one month SIMFED will open similar shops in Melli-Manpur highway and at Singtam-Rangpo highway.

Mo Kasari Bhanu released

GANGTOK, 27 May: “I congratulate Mr. CP Giri and the entire team of the film on having made such a film,” said chief guest, Speaker KT Gyaltsen, during the premier screening of Nepali feature film ‘Mo Kasari Bhannu’, at Denzong Cinema Hall last evening.
“To take any language forward, we need such mediums and through this movie, the Nepali language will surely move forward,” he said and added that “in the 21st century we can learn a lot from films.”
Speaking to the youth present for the movie, he said that the youth should have a positive mindset.
The cast and the crew were also felicitated along with Kapil Thapa [runners up of Indian Idol IV] and a local girl artist from Daramdin, who has played roles in Balika Vadhu in Colours and another serial in Star Plus.
Dorjee Namgyal [MLA, Gangtok], Menlom Lepcha [MLA, Martam-Rumtek], Justice AP Subba [retd. Judge, High Court of Sikkim] and CP Giri [retd. ADGP, Nagaland] were also present on the dais for the screening of the film.

Nainital Summit brings mountain-specific issues to the fore

GANGTOK, 27 May: A two-day “Sustainable Mountain Development Summit” of the Indian Mountain Initiative (IMI) concluded on 22 May in Nainital (Uttarakhand) India. The summit was an attempt to bring together the 11 mountain states of India on a common platform and put mountain specific issues in the forefront including incorporating these into the planning process.
The summit was inaugurated by the Uttarakhand Governor, Margaret Alva, who, in her inaugural address, said that in coming years there will be increased dependence on mountain resources like water, biodiversity and recreation, while with growing population they are becoming scarce posing problems to sustainable mountain development [SMD]. The inaugural session was chaired by Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner, Nagaland, Alemtemshi Jamir, and Principal Secretary, Planning, Government of Meghalaya, KS Kropha.

Committee to explore prospect of medicinal plant farms

GANGTOK, 27 May: With a view to oversee the exploration of medicinal plants in Sikkim, its usages, further development of plantation etc, the State Government has constituted a committee headed by the Chief Secretary as its chairman.
A Health Department Notification published on 12 May, also directs the committee to identify experts to identify the medicinal plants, plantation of these medicinal plants at different altitudes and climate in various parts of Sikkim and also to guide the experts for harvesting the seeds of these medicinal plants etc.
The Notification appoints the Health Department Secretary as its member secretary followed by Secretary, Agriculture/ Horticulture, Secretary, IT Department and Secretary, Forest Department as members.

Committee formed to address local employment in private sector

GANGTOK, 27 May: The State Government has constituted a committee led by the Chief Secretary as its chairman to address the issues regarding employment of locals directly by the hotel industry and other private sector units in the State.
A Home Department Notification dated 25 May, also directed the committee to submit a report regarding the same to the State Government within a period of three months from the date of publication of the Notification.
Other members of the committee are Secretaries, Health, Urban Development and Housing, Tourism and Civil Aviation, with the Secretary, Labour Department, as the member secretary.

Karmapa Reception Committee AGM to be held at Phodong Gumpa on Sunday

MANGAN, 26 May: The head monk of Phodong Gumpa, Wongdi Lama, informed today that the Annual General Meeting of the North District Karmapa Reception Committee (KRC) is scheduled to be convened at Phodong Gumpa on 29 May. This will also mark the completion of one year since the North district’s KRC was formed and the Karmapa to Rumtek movement re-energised.
And KRC [North] general secretary, Karma Tshering Bhutia, adds that the extension of the working committee will also be taken up at the AGM.

Workshop unveils new learning technologies for visually impaired

GANGTOK, 27 May [IPR]: Saksham Trust, a non-profit organization, closely associated with National Association for the Blind (NAB), New Delhi, in association with NAB-Sikkim branch organized a workshop on development of new technologies for the visually challenged at the conference hall of the Forest Secretariat, Deorali on 27 May.  The objective of the workshop was to make the end users, educational institutions and government policy maker’s aware of the various options for reading and writing for persons with blindness or low vision.

Forest and HRDD collaborate to deliver environment-conscious citizens by 2020

CHIEF MINISTER’S GREEN SCHOOL ROLLING TROPHY TO BE LAUNCHED NEXT SUNDAY
GANGTOK, 27 May: The departments of Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management and Human Resource Development are collaborating in an initiative aimed at developing “100 percent environment conscious citizens” in Sikkim by 2020. The mission is being launched with focus on children and will seek to develop instinctive environmental consciousness among them through special activities in schools and Chief Minister’s Green School Rolling Trophy scheduled to be launched on World Environment Day, 05 June.
“We all know that we are part of the environment we live in. Solution to many environmental problems lie in our attitude towards environment. Be it awareness to keep our surroundings clean or the realization to conserve natural resources by re-using and recycling wherever possible, they all are attitudinal. On the surface it looks simple. But changing the attitudes of such huge population is not going to happen overnight. The best way to attempt to bring about a change in the attitudes in the society is through children. They are impressionable and have no vested interests, they are our future. They are the single most important influence in any family. With this realization the Government of Sikkim under the visionary leadership of Shri Pawan Chamling envisages to achieve 100 percent environment conscious citizen in Sikkim by the year 2020,” explains the Forest Secretary, ST Lachungpa, in a press release issued today.

Govt issues clear guidelines on compassionate employment

GANGTOK, 27 May: The Sate Government has issued clear guidelines on giving employment on compassionate grounds to the widow, son or daughter of a Government servant who dies in harness.
An official notification of the Department of Personnel dated 05 May highlights that the Notification is in supression of all the earlier notification/ Office Memorandum on the subject.
As per the Notification, the compassionate appointments will be applicable to widow/ natural son/ natural daughter of deceased employees of Group C and D category who die-in-harness. It further clarifies that the appointment shall be made only up to the post carrying the Pay Band of Rs. 5200-20200 and Grade Pay of Rs. 3400 and in the case of Teachers, carrying the Pay Band of Rs. 9300-34000 and Grade Pay of Rs. 4200.

BJP claims success of on-day hunger strike in Kaluk

DISTRICT AUTHORITIES GIVEN ONE MONTH TO INVESTIGATE MISAPPROPRIATION ALLEGATIONS
GANGTOK, 27 May: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s Sikkim-unit has claimed that its one-day hunger strike at Kaluk in West Sikkim in protest against misappropriation of government fund in the execution of various schemes in the area on Thursday as a ‘huge success’ which received a positive and encouraging response from the people of the area”.
Following the hunger strike, the party submitted a memorandum to the District Collector [West] to “either black list the contractors of six incomplete projects or to immediately complete the incomplete works with its actual sanctioned cost today”.
The memorandum has also given an ultimatum of 30 days to the District authorities to do so failing which the BJP will launch an indefinite hunger strike and use ‘other democratic weapons”.