High Court hauls up panchayat member for domestic abuse

COURT REFUSES TO BUY PANCHAYAT’S CLAIM OF MATTER HAVING BEEN ‘MUTUALLY SETTLED’
GANGTOK, 08 Sept: A panchayat representative from South Sikkim, Kumar Chettri, has been hauled up by the High Court of Sikkim for domestic abuse and for failing to provide adequate assurances and medical care to his wife whose has lost sight in one eye abuse suffered in his hands.
This seems to be a classic case where a wife has no option but to remain with her husband despite being at the receiving end of a failed marriage because she has no independent source of income of her own. In fact it has emerged that the husband was having an affair and when accosted by his wife had attacked her. This was a year ago. The victim is reported to be an MR employee earning Rs. 130 per day. The apprehension of the wife in continuing to live with her husband has also been recorded and she has sought assurance from the police in this regard.

Raj Bhavan to brew campus-grown organic tea

ANAND OBEROI
GANGTOK, 08 Sept: “Raj Bhavan has always been associated with having the most acclaimed variety of flora. Be it for its famous Orchids or the rare bamboo plants in the compound, we have always lived up to this acclamation,” said Governor BP Singh at the plantation of the first tea saplings here in the Raj Bhavan complex this morning.
The Governor was accompanied by the Commerce & Industries Minister, Neeru Sewa, and Chairman Tea Board, Gagan Rai, at the plantation of the ‘Raj Bhawan Organic Tea Garden’ today. Raj Bhavan officials inform that eight acres of land in the complex will be brought under organic tea plantation in a phased manner in the complex. Temi Tea Estate is providing the technical expertise for the project.

DACS AGM celebrates successful year

GANGTOK, 08 Sept: Denzong Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd convened its IXth Annual General Meeting at Janta Bhawan here on 06 Sept under the chairmanship of its Chairman Puran Kumar Gurung. The meeting was attended by the Board of Directors, shareholders, Registrar Co-operation, Additional Director, AH &VS, Additional Director, Horticulture, officers from Cooperation Department and DACS Ltd. On the occasion, bonus in the form of price difference amounting to Rs 30,50,714 was also disbursed  among members  for marketing local broilers during 2010-11. 

Responses to Terror

Editorial:
Today is 9/11, the tenth anniversary of that infamous 9th of September back in 2001 when the developed nations, following the coordinated strikes in USA, held up terror as a global enemy. While most are not comfortable with Uncle Sam’s aggressive ways post-9/11, there is no denying the fact that the crackdown on international terrorism got some teeth with the investment of American dollars. Initially, nations ignored for long by even their neighbours, were all of a sudden finding themselves surrounded by sympathisers in the fight against home-grown extremists who were increasingly exporting their services. Even Pakistan was forced to publicly crackdown on terrorist outfits it has sponsored in India. But a decade is a long time, and although Osama bin Laden is now no more, terror remains and old habits are proving difficult to change. The mistakes that individual countries were making in their responses to extremism were repeated on a global scale and these served only to deepen divisions.

One killed, 5 injured in Burtuk road mishap

GANGTOK, 08 Sept: One person was killed and 5 others injured when a taxi-jeep went off the road and plunged around 60 feet down a jhora at Burtuk here.
The accident took place at around 5 pm this evening when the Bolero, SK-04-0627, lost control and slid off the road at a turning a short distance north of Vajra cinema hall. Eye-witness accounts report that the driver was attempting to overtake a taxi on the turning only to find a bus approaching from the other side.

TNSSS vs, Modern School clash for SSB Football Cup

GANGTOK, 08 Sept: Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School will take on Modern Secondary School in the finals of the Sashastra Seema Bal Football Championship here at Paljor Stadium on Friday.
In the first semi-final match played today, Modern SS thrashed Kyi-de-Khang School 7-2, while in the other semi-final, TNSSS outplayed Sichey SS 5-0.
The final match is scheduled to be attended by the UD&HD Minister, DB Thapa as the chief guest.

Rioting charges framed against 12 booked for stone-pelting SDF supporters at Soreong

UPDATE: WEST SIKKIM FLARE UP; SITUATION NORMALISES IN DISTURBED DISTRICT
GANGTOK, 07 Sept: West Sikkim was disturbed following the savage assault by three unidentified persons on Dr. Subash Tamang of the Dentam Public Health Centre. However, with the district police on high alert and putting in every effort to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control, normalcy returned to the district today and no untoward incidents were reported. Also today, the West District police arrested 12 persons on charges of rioting, unlawful assembly and mischief with the intent to cause damage. The 12 are alleged to be involved in the stone pelting incident reported from Soreong last evening in which SDF supporters returning from an SDF rally were injured.

CM hands over cheques to fund new monasteries at Hee-Gyathang and Namok-Swayam

GANGTOK, 07 Sept: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today presented a cheque each to the Duchee Committees of Hee-Gyathang Monastery and Namok Swayam Monastery for the construction of new monasteries in their respective areas when representatives of the two Duchees called on the CM at Mintokgang this morning.
A total of Rs. 75,00,000 was sanctioned for Hee-Gyathang and Rs. 25,00,000 was sanctioned for Namok, informs an official press release.

Law College students walk out of classes to protest SU leave rules

GANGTOK, 07 Sept: Students of Sikkim Government Law College here at Lower Burtuk boycott classes this morning in protest of the leave rules notified for students by Sikkim University. By afternoon, however, after receiving the assurance of the HRD Department that it would look into the matter seriously and take in all their genuine grievances to the concerned authorities, classes were resumed at around 1 p.m.

Son batters father to death in Tharpu

NAMCHI, 07 Sept: A 62 year old man was battered to death by his son over a domestic dispute in West Sikkim today. The deceased has been identified as Ash Raj Limboo, a resident of Bandrainey, Tharpu, in West Sikkim. The incident occurred last night at his home in Ambeytar near Tharpu on the Sikkim-West Bengal border. The accused, his youngest son, 27-year-old Aita Raj Limboo, has been taken into custody and has reportedly confessed to the murder.
The matter came to light this morning when the eldest son of the deceased, Som Kumar Limboo, filed an FIR with the Soreong police this morning. Following this, SDPO TD Kazi, along with PI Karma Bhutia, SI Mahendra Pradhan arrived at the spot and after preliminary investigation, detained the youngest son who was also present at the spot, on grounds of suspicion.

Cultural performance by the differently-abled

GANGTOK, 07 Sept: Differently-abled children today presented a cultural programme at the Nepali Sahitya Parishad Bhawan at an event organized by the North East Cultural Centre, Dimapur, and Cultural Affairs & Heritage Department.
The children were from Subha Laxmi, a social organization, Spastic Society of Gangtok and Special School for the Deaf.
Rinchen Ongmu, Member, State Planning Commission, was present as the chief guest accompanied by DR Kharel, Secretary, Cultural Affairs & Heritage Department.
In the photograph alongside, children from the Special School for the Deaf perform aided by visual pointers from their teacher off-stage.

CMRHM reaches Borong-Phamtam GPU

GANGTOK, 06 Sept: The first instalment of Rs. 50,000 each under the Chief Minister’s Rural Housing Mission (CMRHM) was handed over to 18 beneficiaries from Borong-Phamtam GPU by the area MLA [Barfung], Sonam Gyatso Bhutia, yesterday. Releasing the cheques, the MLA urged the beneficiaries to use the funds well and help Sikkim become a kutcha house free state by 2015 as envisaged by the ambitious scheme. He also urged the concerned panchayats and officials to monitor the construction works closely and assist the beneficiaries whenever required, informs a press communiqué received from Panchayat Inspector, Rabong BAC, Saptika Rai.

SDF rallies against assault

STONE-PELTING AT SOREONG INJURES SDF SUPPORTER RETURNING FROM RALLYGANGTOK, 06 Sept: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front took out a rally from Kaluk to Dentam today to condemn the attack on Dentam PHC MO, Dr. Subash Tamang, and also to condemn the picketing of the house used by the area MLA when she stays over at Dentam.
Meanwhile, a press release issued from the party head office here today, while condemning the attack, has demanded that the guilty be punished and proper legal action taken. 
The party has criticized such acts, which it believes are attempts to vitiate the peace and tranquillity enjoyed in the State. The party has also appealed that the incident not be politicised and urged the victims to have faith in the law and order machinery to win justice for them.

ASGEA demands stringent action

CONDEMNATIONS OF ATTACK POUR IN

GANGTOK, 06 Sept: Condemnations of the attack on MO, Dentam PHC, Dr. Subash Tamang, while he was on duty yesterday, have started to pour in.
The All Sikkim Government Employees Association, Grade C and D, [ASGEA], has strongly condemned the attack.
“Perpetrators of such assault on public servants on duty must be arrested and punished as per the law of the land as soon as possible. If such assaulters are not punished accordingly public servants would be discouraged from imparting quality service to the people and the general public will be at loss,” states a press release issued by the ASGEA chairman today.
Expressing its solidarity with the Sikkim Government Doctors Association, ASGEA has requested the West District administration to take “timely and stringent action against the culprits so that the morale of public servants is restored and the rule of law is maintained”.
If the District Administration fails to do so, ASGEA will be compelled to take recourse to other measures to obtain justice, the release further states.

SMPF condemns attack on Doctor

GANGTOK, 06 Sept: The Sikkim Medical Practitioners Forum [SMPF], an organisation of doctors doing private practice in Sikkim, has strongly condemned the attack on Dr. Subhash Tamang and his team while they were on duty at Dentam PHC yesterday. “We would like to request necessary action by appropriate authorities on this unfortunate incident,” conveys the SMPF president, Dr. DN Joshi, in a press statement issued today.

Ownership of suspected getaway vehicle lands Sher Hang Subba in police custody

FOLLOW-UP: ASSAULT ON DOCTOR AT DENTAM PHC
NAMCHI, 06 Sept: Sikkim Democratic Front publicity secretary for West Sikkim, Sher Hang Subba, and his driver Hari Hang Subba, were taken into custody today by the Kaluk Police in connection with the attack on Dentam PHC Medical Officer, Dr. Subhash Tamang. The doctor, it may recalled was attacked by three as yet unidentified persons at around 9:30 a.m. while he was checking on patients in the PHC’s male ward. Two nurses were also hurt in the attack.
Today’s arrests were affected in response to the FIR filed by Dr. Tamang at the Kaluk PS on the incident in which he provided the registration number of the vehicle in which the attackers allegedly decamped. The vehicle was registered in Mr. Sher Hang Subba’s name.

Lakshya’s Dr. Radhakrishnan Teacher’s Award for Kitam School’s Yomima Bhutia

NAMCHI, 06 Sept: Teachers’ Day-cum-Conferral of Dr. Radhakrishnan Teachers’ Award 2011, instituted by Lakshya Organisation, a Lower Kitam based NGO, was organized at Lower Kitam School premises today.
Yomima Bhutia of Kitam Secondary School was conferred with the Dr. Radhakrishnan Teachers’ Award 2011. A certificate of honour, a memento along with cash award was presented by Zilla Panchayat member, Mickkhola Kitam & Sorok Shyampani territorial unit, Buddha Tamang, who was present as chief guest of the programme.

Law College students call strike to protest SU’s new leave rules

GANGTOK, 06 Sept: Students of Sikkim Law College here at Lower Burtuk have called a strike for Wednesday to protest the new leave rules for students promulgated by Sikkim University. The students, it is learnt, plan to protest the new rules with placards and banners announcing their denouncement.
The students allege that an SU notice issued on 30 August dictates that no relaxation [on minimum attendance requirement of 75%] will be allowed to students even on medical grounds unless students opt for a zero semester.
Sources inform that the students had planned to observe a strike today but could not do so when the college authorities announced a holiday for today.

IT Office serves ‘final notice’ to Old Settlers to settle Income Tax dues

JOINT COMMITTEE OF STATE GOVT OFFICERS AND OLD SETTLERS TO TAKE UP MATTER WITH CENTREGANGTOK, 06 Sept: The Old Settlers’ Association has not given up on lobbying for Income Tax exemption, neither has the Income Tax Office given up on issuing notices to the “left-out” [from IT exemption] section, most of whom are members of the Association and others of the old business community here in the State seeking their statement of income for payment of Income Tax.
After issuing numerous notices, the Income Tax Office has now issued a final notice declaring that if those served with notices did not respond appropriately, the ITO will itself calculate their incomes and calculate the Income Tax to be appropriated.

Grassroots Women’s Empowerment

Editorial:
Barely four years since the State Government took the strong initiative to reserve 40% of the Panchayats wards for women, Sikkim is now looking at a 50/50 representation with the Assembly having passed an amendment which scales up women’s representation at the panchayat level to 50 per cent. The prescribed minimum reservation for women in panchayats is 33% and this is what most states stick to, and yet Sikkim has consistently taken this representation up from 40 to 50% in the space of one term of the panchayats. Unfortunately, this major decision was sidelined by other processes within and outside the Assembly and the celebration with which the womenfolk here should have received the development was admittedly muted. The lack of response does not however take away from the significance of the gesture and the amendment is definitely a huge step forward towards securing an empowered future for the State’s ladies.

Notorious peddler caught red-handed at Gandhey Jhora

GANGTOK, 06 Sept: A notorious drug peddler was nabbed by the Sadar police today after almost a month of tracking. Navin Chettri, alias ‘Parsad’, was picked up by Sadar thana personnel from Gandhey Jhora on Indira Byepass here this afternoon at around 2:30 pm.
From his possession were recovered 455 capsules of Spasmo-Proxyvon.
‘Parsad’ is alleged to be a “wholesale drug peddler” and believed to be selling these substances to mostly students and drivers.
The police had been on his trail for about a month now and had deployed sources to nab him. Today, they received concrete information that Parsad was peddling “SP” at Gandhey Jhora and he was finally caught red handed. Parsad has been booked under Sikkim Anti-Drugs Act.

T’Nites felicitate teachers and senior alumni

GANGTOK, 06 Sept: Teachers of Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School were felicitated for their contributions to the school during the Teacher’s Day Celebration organized by the T’nites Alumni Association [TAA] here at TNSSS auditorium today.
On the occasion, TAA presented the ‘Teacher of the Year Award’ to Gayatri Pradhan and felicitated a retired teacher of the school, Nirmala Targain, for their contributions to the school.
The programme has the UD&HD Minister, DB Thapa, an alumni himself as the chief guest, accompanied by Gangtok MLA, Dorjee Namgyal, as the guest of honour.

SHRPP condemns attack

GANGTOK, 05 Sept: Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party has strongly condemned the brutal attack on Dr. Subash Tamang.
The party convened an emergency meeting and has alleged that the incident has proven that the State government has “totally failed” in safeguarding the life of even government employees in the State.
The party has further demanded that if the SDF government was free of guilt, then it must arrest the culprits immediately. It also warned that if the Government fails to do so, it should be prepared to face the consequences, informs a press release issued by the publicity secretary of the party.

Attack could be politically motivated: Goley

GANGTOK, 05 Sept: Disgruntled SDF MLA from Upper Burtuk, PS Goley [Tamang], has strongly condemned the attack on Dr. Subash Tamang at Dentam PHC in West Sikkim by three miscreants this morning.
Mr. Goley, through a press release issued today, states that the incident was the most “inhuman act of cowardice” in Sikkim’s history.

Savage attack on doctor at Dentam PHC



Protestors at Dentam in discussion with police personnel over the attacks on MO, Dentam PHC

PURAN TAMANGNAMCHI, 05 Sept: Dr. Subash Tamang, MO, Dentam PHC in West Sikkim, was targeted with a murderous assault by three unidentified persons while he was making the rounds of the male ward of the PHC this morning. The fact that the attackers were lying in wait and armed with rods and khukuris suggests that this was a premeditated attack.
Dr. Tamang had a providentially escape with only minor injuries. Two others, a nurse, Rajani Rai, and ward attendant, Durga Sharma, were also injured in the attack. News of the attack was met by a spontaneous condemnation by the residents of Dentam and while a group took out a protest rally, shops in the town remained shut post-noon today.

Pang Lhabsol festivities begin in Ravangla

NAMCHI, 05 Sept: The weeklong Pang Lhabsol celebration in Ravangla began today at the Mane Chokerling complex there. The festival of peace and harmony when the Sikkimese worship their guardian deity, Khangchendzonga, will conclude here on 12 Sept.
Today, on the inaugural day of the festival, Parliament Secretary, Namchi-Singithang MLA, Binod Rai, was present as the chief guest.
A variety of cultural performances by the schools and youth clubs from surrounding areas marked the first day’s celebrations.

CM calls on teachers to groom Sikkim’s future well

STATE-LEVEL TEACHER’S DAY CELEBRATED AT CHINTAN BHAWAN
GANGTOK, 05 Sept [IPR]:  The state-level Teacher’s Day function, organised by the Human Resource Development Department, was hosted here at Chintan Bhawan today with Chief Minister Pawan Chamling as the chief guest.
The highlight of today’s programme was the presentation of State Awards to teachers in recognition of their dedication and hard work.

EC disqualifies Biraj and five others from contesting elections for next 3 years

GANGTOK, 04 Sept: President, Sikkim National People’s Party, Biraj Adhikari, along with five others have been debarred from contesting any assembly or general election for the next 3 years.  This, as per an order issued by the Election Commission of India in late July. The next general and Assembly elections are scheduled for 2014 and as per tradition the elections are usually held during April-May. Should this practice continue, as per the ECI directive, Mr. Adhikari along with the other five will not be permitted to contest the elections either for the State Assembly or the Parliament.
It may be mentioned here that Mr. Adhikari is also facing rebellion in his party. The others who join him in being similarly disqualified mostly belong to the SHRP Party.

First kutcha house conversion to pucca habitation completed at Middle Kolthang

GANGTOK, 04 Sept [IPR]: The first house completed under the Chief Minister’s Rural Housing Mission was inaugurated by area MLA, the RMDD Minister CB Karki, at Middle Kolthang ward, Lingmo-Kolthang GPU under Rangang-Yangang constituency yesterday.
The Minister formally inaugurated the house and handed over the new house to the beneficiary, Lakpa Tshering Bhutia, in the presence of ADC (Development) South, DK Pradhan, BDO Yangang, Mahesh Sharma, AE Yangang HP Sharma, PI Yangang, DB Chettri, APO, Novin Sharma, Panchayats and local gentry.

Support System for Quality Education

Editorial:
Education is reasonably universal now and more than the details of lessons learnt from textbooks, the memories that stay longer with people are of the teachers who taught them. Every person invariably has a teacher who either inspired the entire class to chase their dreams or toed the other end of the spectrum and actively engaged in stifling imaginations, enforcing norms. Today is Teacher’s Day and an apt time to go over what role the teachers can play in preparing students for life.

South Zilla Panchayat mourns passing away of Adhakshya

NAMCHI, 04 Sept: The South District Zilla Panchayat, Namchi mourned the passing away of its Adhakshya, Ravi Chandra Gururng, who died in a road accident at Dharan, Sunsari District of Nepal.
In his remembrance and to pay tribute to the departed soul, a condolence programme was organized here at the Zilla Panchayat Bhawan conference hall yesterday under the chairmanship of South Upadhakshya, Himal Tamang.
The SDZP is also sponsoring a daylong prayer service at Samdruptse, scheduled for 22 Sept. 
The Upadhakshya Himal Tamang, Zilla Panchayat BM Rai, and DC South, AK Singh, addressed the gathering and highlighted the works and achievements of the SDZP under the late Adhakshya’s tenure, further stating that his sudden demise was a big loss to the SDZP and the South District.
The programme, conducted by District Planning Officer, SDZP, Yangchen Tamang was also attended by BDO Namchi, DDO South office staff, RMDD staff and SDZP, Namchi, staff.

“Illegal” tourist sentenced to 29-day prison term

GANGTOK, 04 Sept: Saleh Saddiq, the Nigeria national who had been arrested by the Sikkim Police on Friday for not having the required documents such as the Inner Line Permit for entering Sikkim and also for having an expired visa, was on Saturday sentenced to a 29-day jail term by the magistrate.
However, as soon as the Nigerian was taken to the Rongyek state prison, he developed health complications and had to be admitted to the Central Referral Hospital, police officials inform.
According to the authorities Mr. Saddiq, 48 years of age, developed high blood pressure and had to be taken to the hospital.
He had been picked up by the police from a hotel here on 02 September after he was detected as having illegally entered the state. Apart from the fact that he did not have the proper documents and visa, there is also the central government directive disallowing Nigerians from entering Sikkim. He had been in Sikkim for about a month when he was finally arrested. He was booked under the 14 Foreigners’ Act.

Himalayan climate change adaptation programme to begin with Sikkim and Himachal

SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 02 Sept: An “Indian Himalayas Climate Change Adaptation Programme” [IHCAP] is being developed by the Climate Change and Development [CCD] Division of the Embassy of Switzerland in India. Initially, this 5-year project [2012 to 2017] will be implemented in Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh.
The final goal of the programme is to “strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities and the knowledge and capacities of research institutions, communities and decision makers are connected and enhanced in the Himalayas”.
A consultation seminar ‘Community Voices on Climate Change Impact and Adaptation Needs in Sikkim’ was organized here today in pursuit of these goals by the Centre of Environment Education [CEE] in collaboration with CCD Division of the Embassy of Switzerland in India.

Govt to financially support filmmaking

GANGTOK, 02 Sept [IPR]: The Information and Public Relations Department has issued rules for eligibility of financial support to filmmakers. Such financial support will only be eligible to local film makers and the maximum limit of financial support will be Rs. 20 lakh per film. However prior to production, the script of the film will first have to be approved by the IPR department and in this regard it is stated that approval of the script is not to be taken as sanction of financial assistance. Once the film production has been completed the film will be evaluated technically by the IPR department. The government reserves the right to decide on the quantum of financial assistance to be granted.

Panchayats geared up to take over task of issuing hawker and trade licenses

ANAND OBEROIGANGTOK, 02 Sept: The devolution of more powers to Panchayats took another step forward today with Panchayati Raj Institutions beginning the process of directly issuing hawkers and trade licenses at the GPU level.
The decentralization of this power comes to the door steps of the rural masses as part of an announcement made by the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling during his extensive village-to-village tour of the State recently.
Keeping this new initiative of the state government in mind and to ensure efficient and effective implementation, a State Level orientation Programme on the “Issuance of Trade and Hawkers Licenses by Panchayati Raj Institutions” was organized here at Chintan Bhawan today. The day- long interface with concerned departments like the UD&HD, which issued these licenses thus far, was organized by the RM&DD. 

103 trainees complete driver-cum-tour guide course

GANGTOK, 02 Sept: The convocation of the fifth batch of Driver-cum-Tour Guide training was held at the State Institute of Capacity Building [SICB], Karfectar, in Jorethang today.
Trainees from Singtam-Khamdong and Chujachen constituency were handed over their certificates by the Salghari-Zoom MLA, Madan Cintury, who was present as the chief guest and the SICB Chief Administrator, Shankar Dev Dhakal.
The course was taken by a total of 103 trainees- 25 from Chujachen Livelihood School, 50 from SICB, Jorethang and 30 from Singtam-Khamdong constituency. Twenty-five of the trainees have already been offered employment with a private company. The training was provided by Sikkim Motor Training and Engineering Institute (SMTEI).

New UNEP-GEF Project on Biodiversity for Sikkim

GANGTOK, 02 Sept: Sikkim is one of the five Indian states selected for a new UNEP-GEF funded project of the Ministry of Environment & Forests for “Strengthening Implementation of the Biological Diversity Act (BDA) and Rules with Focus on its Access and Benefit Sharing Provisions”. The total outlay of the project is US$ 9.8 million over a period of four years 2011-14. 
Member-Secretary, Sikkim State Biodiversity Board, APCCF Dr. Anil Mainra and Principal Research Officer, Usha Lachungpa attended the Inception Meeting organized by the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and MoEF on 23 and 24 August, informs a press release.

Foreign tourist lands behind bars after overstaying welcome

NO ILP AND EXPIRED VISA PROVE NO DETERRENT FOR NIGERIAN TO HOLIDAY IN SIKKIMGANGTOK, 02 Sept: Saleh Saddiq had overstayed his welcome in India by over a month when he was finally detected for having illegally entered Sikkim. Not only did he not have the requisite documents such as an Inner Line Permit, which is required by all foreigners entering Sikkim, his Indian visa, as per police officials, had also expired. Also significantly, being a Nigerian national he is not permitted to enter Sikkim or any of the north eastern states as per a Central Government directive.

High Court dismisses, with costs, industrial unit’s petition accusing govt of reneging on MoU

GANGTOK, 01 Sept: The Sikkim High Court has dismissed a writ petition filed by Sikkim Conductors, an industrial unit manufacturing aluminum conductors, and further imposed a cost of Rs. 25,000 on it for not approaching the Court with clean hands and, as the Acting Chief Justice SP Wangdi observes, the petition itself not appearing to have been preferred on an honest foundation.
The manufacturing company had accused the State government, particularly the Commerce & Industries Department, of having reneged on its promises and assurances of providing land to set up the industrial unit and other commitments included in the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the State Government and GP Dalimia, the owner of the Jharkand-based company. The accusation was made in the backdrop of the package of incentives provided by the Government of India to industrial units setting up in Sikkim [as published in its new Industrial Policy of 2002]. The concessions and financial incentives included 100% Income Tax and Excise duty exemptions for a period of 10 years from the date of commencement of commercial production.

Comptroller & Auditor General of India to visit Sikkim

GANGTOK, 02 Sept [IPR]: The Comptroller & Auditor General of India, Vinod Rai, is scheduled to be in Sikkim from 05 to 08 September.
The CAG will be hosted at the Raj Bhavan as a State Guest and will call on the Governor and the Chief Minister during his brief stay in Sikkim. He will discuss key strategic issues governing state finances and enhancing accountability while in Sikkim, it is learnt.
The CAG will also inspect the Accountant General’s Office here and interact with officers and staff on a variety of issues. His entourage is likely to include other senior officers of the CAG office. 

Ganesh Chaturthi begins grand across Sikkim

GANGTOK, 01 Sept: Ganesh Chaturthi is being celebrated all over the country as well as in Sikkim. In Gangtok, the festivities are being held on a grander scale than on earlier years and a handsome Ganesh statue was installed at the Thakurbari complex this morning. The festivities here will continue till 03 September.

The “murti sthapana” here was also attended by Gangtok MLA Dorjee Namgyal this morning and in the evening, Governor BP Singh was scheduled to attend the havan and aarti session, informed Ajay Agarwal, president, Ganesh Puja Committee, Gangtok.

Mangan preps up for Open Volleyball Championship

MANGAN, 01 SEPT:  The North District Volleyball Committee [NDVC] met today at the DRM office to make final preparations for the Open Volleyball Championship being organised by it at the Mangan Fire Service complex from 05 September onwards. The final match is scheduled to be played on 17 September coinciding with Biswakarma Puja.
The tournament trophies are being sponsored by Mangan Nagar Panchayat councillor PK Malu in the memory of his brother, Late Subash Malu, and cash prizes of Rs. 40,000 for the winners and Rs. 20,000 the runners-up are being sponsored by NDVC.
The meeting was attended by SDM Mangan, BK Lama, DSO (N), Janim Lepcha, MNP Councilor, PK Malu, and members of organizing committee.

South mourns passing away of much-liked Zilla Adhakshya

NAMCHI, 01 Sept: The South District Football Association and South District administration have expressed their grief on the passing away of South Zilla Adhakshya, Ravi Chandra Gurung, who was killed in a road mishap in Nepal on 28 August. His funeral was held yesterday.
The SDFA members and South DAC officials held a condolence meeting at the DAC conference hall today.

Two teens lost to suicide in one day

GANGTOK, 01 Sept: A 19-year-old boy, a resident of Lower Rangang, is reported to have committed suicide by hanging. As per police reports, the boy had gone to visit his grandfather at Mazua Gaon, Upper Rangang, on 30 August. The next morning, when the grandfather went to the cowshed, he discovered that his grandson had committed suicide by hanging.
In another incident, an 18-year-old domestic help committed suicide, also by hanging on 31 August. The victim, a resident of Ghatiya Tea Estate of district Jalpaiguri, was working as a domestic help in a house in Lower Sumin in East Sikkim for the last two years.