CM thanks all sections for post-earthquake assistance

ASSEMBLY MEETS FOR WINTER SESSION
GANGTOK, 21 Dec:  The one-day winter session of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly was convened here at the Legislative Assembly this morning with the House unanimously passing the Sikkim Online gaming (Regulation) Amendment Bill introduced by the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling, who also holds the Finance portfolio.
The statements of objects and reasons for the amendment Bill explains that the Government has felt it necessary to amend the Act by inserting provisions relating to Authority for overseeing and regulating the functions of online gaming and sports gaming, and provisions relating to the Appellate Authority for making appeal against the orders of the Authorized Officer under the said Act and rules.

One dead body still untraced

RANGCHANG BRIDGE COLLAPSE UPDATE
OLD BRIDGE RESTORED, AWAITS OFFICIAL PERMISSION TO ACCEPT TRAFFIC
MANGAN, 21 Dec:  The dead body of K Srinivasan Rao, an engineer with Teesta Urja, is yet to be recovered from the debris of the Rangchang Bridge which collapsed on 19 December. Mr. Rao was on board the 48-wheeler when the bridge collapsed as the trailer was crossing it on Monday afternoon. The dead bodies of the remaining seven people, including two pedestrians, killed in the bridge collapse have been retrieved, with the seventh body pulled out late on Tuesday evening.

48-wheeler was within prescribed load limit, Teesta Urja claims

GANGTOK, 21 Dec: While most people have been pointing fingers at Teesta Urja, the company engaged in the development of the 1,200 MW Teesta Stage-III hydel project at Chungthang, for the Rangchang bridge collapse, which claimed eight lives, including 2 of its own employees, company officials have denied any liability for the accident.

The Search for More Bhaichungs begins 26 Dec

GANGTOK, 21 Dec: The selection trails for the ‘Search for More Bhaichung’ scheme for the North and East districts will be held on 26 and 27 December. Meanwhile, the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs is also conducting the selection trials for U-14 boys on 26 December and U-17 boys on 27 December. The trials are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on both days.

BRO files FIR against transporter over Rangchang Bridge collapse

SP ASSURES THOROUGH INVESTIGATION

GANGTOK, 21 Dec: The Border Roads Organisation has joined in the number of parties who have filed FIRs with the Singtam Police over the 19 December collapse of the Rangchang Bridge which resulted in the death of eight people. SP East, Dr. MS Tuli, confirmed the BRO FIR filed by its executive head which looks after the Singtam-Dikchu stretch of the highway.

Driver killed in accident near Kirney

GANGTOK, 21 Dec: One person was killed in a motor accident on National Highway 31A early this morning. According to reports, the accident occurred at around 5 a.m. this morning when a Taverra vehicle plunged about 300 feet down into the Teesta between Melli and Rangpo.

Group files complaint letter against Ravangla RO, another group defends officer

NAMCHI, 21 Dec: A section of the public of Ravangla, South Sikkim, has submitted an official complaint to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest [PCCF] against the Range Officer [RO], Territorial, Ravangla, Anup Jyoti Banya, accusing him of not working in favour of the people.

Tourism Deptt thanks stakeholders and officials for assistance rendered in handling Mangshila road mishap

GANGTOK, 21 Dec: The Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, in a press statement issued today, has thanked officials of the Sikkim Police Checkpost, North district administration, District Hospital Mangan and stakeholders for the assistance rendered by them in handling the 14 Dec road mishap at Lower Manngshila involving a tourist vehicle. Six people were killed in the accident.

Rolu Picnic marks anniversary with world peace prayers, Goley stays away

NAMCHI, 21 Dec: The second anniversary of the Rolu Picnic was observed here on a sombre note with special prayers organised in the memory of the lives lost to the 18 September Earthquake and to propitiate the Gods to avoid a repeat in the future. The Rolu event has shaped up as a gathering of groups and individuals politically opposed to the ruling front ever since the 2009 episode unveiled the dissidence of SDF MLA from Upper Burtuk, PS Tamang. In the wake of the earthquake, however, the festivities were scaled down and even Mr. Tamang stayed away today.

Soccer begins for PYKKA Games

GANGTOK, 21 Dec: The first round matches of the boys and girls football tournament were played at the ongoing 2nd edition of the state-level Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan [PYKKA] Sports Competitions 2011-12 today.

Singtam Govt School connects with UK school as part of British Council Project

SINGTAM, 21 Dec: Government Senior Secondary School, Singtam, is one of the 16 schools selected under the British Council Project. The Project was started in 2009 as an initiative taken under the guidance of the then Secretary, HRDD, R Telang and present Secretary, HRDD, CS Rao. The programme is funded by the UK government to “strengthen the concept of global village” and connect students of various countries wherein the British Council is working as the link. The main objective of the programme is to provide an opportunity for students here to understand students of the UK better from their own class rooms and develop a good relationship between the two countries.

National Consumer Day observed at Aho Kishan

GANGTOK, 21 Dec [IPR]: The National Consumer Day 2011 was observed on 20 December at Aho Kishan Junior High School playground in East Sikkim. The programme was attended by the Minister for Food & Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, DB Thapa, as chief guest and MLA Namcheybong constituency, BB Rai, Gangtok Mayor KN Topgay and Zilla Adhakshya (East) Bimal Dawari as special guests.

Editorial

16 Days of Activism Lost
Each year, from 25 November to 10 December, the United Nations and women’s groups around the world gather forces to organize “Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender Violence” to draw attention to the continuing violence against women, at home, out in the open and at the work-place. The dates include 25 November, designated by the UN as “Day Against Violence Against Women”; 01 December, “World AIDS Day”; 06 December, “anniversary of the Montreal Massacre” when 14 women engineering students were gunned down for being feminists and 10 December, “Human Rights Day”.

Officials inspect CMRHM and MGNREGA works in Rabong subdivision

GANGTOK, 21 Dec: A joint inspection led by the ADC Development, South, DK Pradhan and officials of the Ravangla BAC was carried out on 21 Dec in order to supervise the works being undertaken under Chief Minister’s Rural Housing Mission and MGNREGA, informs a press release.

District Level Awareness on Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme held at Namchi

NAMCHI, 21 Dec: The District Level Awareness Programme on Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS) for Bankers, NGOs, Farmers Clubs and other agencies was conducted today here at Namchi by NABARD. The objective of the Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme is to promote setting up of modern dairy farms for production of clean milk, to encourage heifer calf rearing thereby conserving good breeding stock, to bring structural changes in the unorganized sector so that initial processing of milk can be taken up at the village level itself, to bring about up gradation of quality and traditional technology to handle milk on a commercial scale and to generate self – employment and provide infrastructure mainly for unorganized sector.

GVS to host football coaching camp from 06 to 21 Jan

GANGTOK, 21 Dec: Gram Vikash Sangathan, a Central-Pentam based NGO, is organising the 5th Rural Football Winter Camp 2012 at Central Pendam Senior Secondary School playground from 06 to 21 January. The camp is for U-16 boys and U-15 girls.

100 pugilists in 12 weight categories box it out for PYKKA glory

GANGTOK, 21 Dec: Around 100 pugilists from all four districts are in contest at the ongoing 2nd edition of the state-level Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan [PYKKA] Sports Competitions 2011-12. The quarter-final rounds for 12 weight categories were held today. The semi-final and final rounds are scheduled to be played on Thursday.

Basibiyalo to meet for 40th episode on 23 Dec

RANGPO, 21 Dec: The Basibiyalo monthly gathering will meet for its 40th episode here at Singtam on 23 December. Mohan  Pradhan ‘Neeraj’, the founder of Basibiyalo, informs that although the group meets on the last Sunday of every month, this time, since the last Sunday coincides with Christmas which would keep many members engaged elsewhere, they have decided to meet on the 23rd instead.

Training on bamboo and wood craft begins at Ray

GANGTOK, 21 Dec: A month-long training on design development for wood and bamboo craft carving and thanka painting is being conducted at Ray Basti in East Sikkim here under the supervision of United Progressive Organisation of Sikkim from 22 December 2011 to 21 January, 2012. The training is being funded by SIDBI, Gangtok branch, and will be taken by 25 unemployed youth.

NHPC installs computers and peripherals at EMRS-Swayem

MANGAN, 21 Dec: NHPC, as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives for Teesta Stage-IV, today installed six computers [with UPS], two colour printers and two scanners and networked the units with LAN at the Eklavya Model Residential School at Swayem in North Sikkim.

Academic year closes with sports at Eureka School

SUMBUK, 21 Dec: Eureka English School, Sumuk, concluded its academic session on 18 December with its Annual Sports Meet which had SIMFED chairperson, Girish Chandra Rai, as chief guest.

Upreti demands harsh punishment for Rangchang Bridge collapse guilty

GANGTOK, 21 Dec: Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee senior vice-president, KN Upreti, in a press statement issued today, has condoled the deaths suffered in the recent Rangchang Bridge collapse and has demanded “harsh punishment” for those responsible for the mishap and sought that the Border Roads Organisation [under whose charge the bridge fell], compensate “heavily” for the fatalities.

Green Skills Training Centre inaugurated at Beng

GANGTOK, 21 Dec: A “Green Skills Training Centre” of Basix Academy for Building Lifelong Employability [B-ABLE] was inaugurated at Beng, Khamdong Phatak, near Makha, by the Khamdong-Singtam MLA, Am Prasad Sharma, yesterday.

Fresh supplies airlifted to Dzongu

18-20 SORTIES TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THE NEXT THREE DAYS, 3 TONNES OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES TO REACH QUAKE AFFECTED UPPER DZONGU IN PREPARATION FOR WINTER
GANGTOK, 20 Dec: With the onset of winters, stocking of ration in earthquake hit North Sikkim has become top priority for the state government. Keeping this in mind, the Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department, in coordination with Pawan Hans helicopter service and STDC, has begun airlifting essential commodities to remote areas of Dzongu still cut off from road access.
Around 18 to 20 sorties will be flown over the next three days to air-drop over 3 tonnes of essential commodities to earthquake affected Upper Dzongu. It may be recalled that the last batch of supplies was airlifted to the area in October.

Seven bodies recovered from the Rangchang Bridge debris

The debris which has flattened a 48-wheeler and from which the trapped dead bodies are being  extracted

MANGAN, 20 Dec:  A rescue team consisting of the Sikkim Fire Service, Police Personnel, Army and Home Guard & Civil Defence (HG&CD), technical expert from Teesta Urja along with the local people were engaged in the rescue operation for the past 24 hours at the Rangchang Bridge collapse site and managed to recover 7 out of the 8 bodies. [The number of casualties in the bridge collapse stands at 8, and not 10 as reported earlier in this paper]

CM announces Rs 1 lakh ex-gratia of Rangchang Bridge victims

GANGTOK, 20 Dec [IPR]: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling is deeply saddened to know of the persons killed and injured in the collapse of the Rangchang Bridge on the Singtam–Mangan Highway on 19 December. The Chief Minister conveys his heartfelt condolences to the aggrieved families.
The Chief Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs.1 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs. 20,000 each to the injured persons.
He has also ordered for an immediate enquiry on the bridge which collapsed.

BRO to restore Old Rangchang Bridge for traffic

Repair work gets underway on the old Rangchang bridge

GANGTOK, 20 Dec: The top priority of the Border Roads Organisation, under which is the Garrison Reserve Engineering Force (GREF) falls, is to restore connectivity to North Sikkim though Singtam via Dikchu as it is a vital link for the locals as well as power developers and not least the army.

CM’s Merit Scholarship Scheme doubles intake, 200 students will benefit this year

GANGTOK, 20 Dec: Screening tests for the Chief Minister’s Merit Scholarship Scheme 2012-13 session will be conducted by the Human Resource Development Department on 05 January 2012. The selection test is scheduled to begin at all district headquarters simultaneously at 10:30 AM on the day.

BRO enquiry team from Delhi to investigate Rangchang Bridge collapse

NEVER SEEN SUCH HUGE VEHICLES ANYWHERE: BRO OFFICIALS ON THE 48-WHEELER THAT FELL ALONG WITH BRIDGE ON MONDAY
GANGTOK, 20 Dec: The Border Roads Organisation has initiated an inquiry into the Rangchang Bridge collapse of Monday which claimed eight lives [not 10 as reported in NOW! of 20 Dec 2011]. The bridge collapse, apart from raising concerns over quality control and maintenance, also raises pertinent questions over responsibility of power developers towards road norms and the suitability of restrictions on plying of such heavy loads reaching almost a 100 tonnes and other loads in excess of the strength of the bridge. Speaking to NOW!, BRO officials commented that the bridge buckled under, what they believe, was a substantially heavy load – a loaded 48-wheel trailer.

HRDD to conduct free winter coaching camps across the state

GANGTOK, 20 Dec: The Human Resource Development Department is organizing a free winter coaching camp for the students of class X and XII at every constituency from 02 January. The HRDD is organizing this 40-day long coaching camp for the second time after the first camp was conducted last winter.

Editorial

Learn From the EMRS Model
Basketball has never been big in Sikkim, hill-people physiques, one being constantly told as better suited for football or martial arts. And although sportspersons from Sikkim have performed consistently well in the latter two disciplines, the phenomenal Girls from Gangyap have proven that no stereotype can hold out against passion and commitment supported by the right belief and faith.

Common Platform files FIR against Teesta Urja, BRO and state authorities on Rangchang Bridge collapse

GANGTOK, 20 Dec: Members from different organizations under the banner of Common Platform for Joint Action against Ting-Ting, Tashiding and Lethang Hydro-Power Projects visited the Rangchang Bridge collapse site today. Later, the group filed a FIR against different authorities in connection with the bridge collapse at the Singtam Police Station. The FIR demands action against Teesta Urja Limited, Border Road Organisation and the related State authorities.

SDF condoles bridge collapse casualties

GANGTOK, 20 Dec: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front has extended its deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the Rangchang Bridge collapse, informs a press release issued by the party’s publicity secretary, TN Sharma. The party prays that their souls find peace and further expresses that it stands by the bereaved families and prays that they get the strength to tide over their loss.

SHRP demands CBI enquiry into bridge collapse

GANGTOK, 20 Dec: Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party, at a meeting held today under the chairmanship of its president, AD Subba, observed a two-minute silence to mourn the victims of the Rangchang Bridge mishap, informs a press release issued by the general secretary, Tara Shrestha.

State Planning Commission discusses 12th Plan and Annual Plan 2012-13

GANGTOK, 20 Dec [IPR]: Deputy Chairman, State Planning Commission, SM Limboo chaired a meeting of the State Planning Commission (SPC) in which the Development Commissioner, AK Yadav and all the Officers of the DPERNECAD were present.

North district administration conveys people’s gratitude on earthquake relief assistance

GANGTOK, 20 Dec: The North District administration, on behalf of the citizens of North Sikkim in general and earthquake affected citizens in particular, has extended its sincere appreciation to all who helped and supported them during the critical phase of recovering from the 18 September earthquake, further extending its regrets in not being able to thank individuals, companies and organizations individually.

East takes TT while South wins in volleyball at PYKKA games

GANGTOK, 20 Dec: At the ongoing PYKKA competition, Table Tennis finals were played here at Paljor Stadium with the Minister, HRDD, NK Pradhan present as the chief guest.

Kendriya Vidyalaya celebrates 36th Annual Day

GANGTOK, 20 Dec: The Kendriya Vidyalaya Gangtok celebrated its 36th Annual Day at the Defence Auditorium today. Present for the occasion were Major General, VN Prasad [SM] GOC, 17 Mountain Division as the chief guest, Accountant General, Dinesh Bhargav as the guest of honour, Principal, Kendriya Vidyalaya Gangtok, Swaminath Gupta, teachers, students, parents and locals.

CMRHM house inaugurated at Ben-Peku

GANGTOK, 20 Dec: MLA Temi-Namphing, BS Panth, inaugurated and handed over the first Pucca House constructed under the Chief Minister’s Rural Housing Mission at Peku in Ben-Namprik GPU on 19 December, informs an official press release. He also handed over the third installment cheques of Rs 90,000 each to 4 other beneficiaries whose houses were in the final stages of construction at the same village.

Turuk Ramabung GPU launches website

TURUK, 20 Dec: Turuk-Ramabung Gram Panchayat Unit set a new corner stone in the list of its achievements by launching the official website of the GPU yesterday. The website www.turukramabunggpu.net was launched by area MLA, Tulshi Devi Rai, at a special function held at Turuk.

BJP-Sikkim general secretary removed from post

GANGTOK, 20 Dec: Bharatiya Janta Party, Sikkim-unit president, Padam Bahadur Chettri removed Padam Prasad Sharma from the post of General Secretary on 18 Dec, informs a party press release. The expulsion was made as per the directions received from BJP, Sikkim Affairs In-charge, Indrasen Reddy, who was in turn informed by Mr. Sharma himself that he was no longer interested in the party, the release adds.

10 killed in Rangchang Bridge collapse

COLLAPSED BRIDGE WAS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD, CONSTRUCTED BY PROJECT SWASTIK AT THE COST OF Rs 2.7 CRORE
GANGTOK, 19 Dec: In a continuing string of tragedies hitting the State, 10 people are feared killed in a bridge collapse at Rangchang Khola, about 18 kms from Singtam towards Dikchu on the Singtam-Mangan highway. The incident took place between 1 and 2 p.m. today when a 48-wheeler heavy trailer engaged by the Teesta Urja company was attempting to cross the bridge span. Just as the vehicle was at middle of the bridge, the entire span collapsed, taking along with it the vehicle and all inside it along with 4 pedestrians. The vehicle was on its way to Chungthang from Siliguri. Teesta Urja is constructing the Teesta Stage III hydel project at Chungthang. Six people are believed to have been on board the vehicle at the time. Given the size of the 48-wheeler, there were no other vehicles on the bridge at the time.

Contractor taken into custody, charged with culpable homicide and criminal conspiracy

GANGTOK, 19 Dec: Mohan Bajaj, the contractor who constructed the Rangchang Bridge which collapsed today, has been taken under custody by the police. He is lodged at the Singtam thana. According to the SP East, MS Tuli, as of now, a criminal case under sections 304 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code have been registered against the contractor. Under these sections, a person is charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder and criminal conspiracy.

Nature of collapse makes extraction of bodies difficult

This massive chunk of the 'concrete deck' of the bridge has crushed the truck under it, making extraction of dead bodies not only difficult,  but also perilous for the search and rescue personnel

GANGTOK, 19 Dec: With tons of concrete and an entire nearly 60 tonne 48-wheeler resting upon them, the dead bodies of those killed in the vehicle following the collapse of the steel girder bridge had still not been recovered till late evening today. The first to arrive on the scene were Sikkim Police personnel along with Home Guards to organize and conduct rescue operations with gas cutters etc. A team from the Singtam Fire Brigade arrived next.

District Monitoring Committee inspects CMRHM houses in Martam and Dentam blocks

GANGTOK, 19 Dec: The District Monitoring Committee [DMC] headed by the Additional District Collector (Dev), West inspected the progress of the Chief Minister’s Rural Housing Mission in Hee-Martam and Dentam Blocks on 17 Dec.

Three minor tremors felt in Sikkim this month

GANGTOK, 19 Dec: People in the capital again felt minor tremors early this morning. This is the third tremor felt by the people of Gangtok in this month so far. The website of India Meteorological Department shows that the tremor of ‘slight’ magnitude 3.7 on the Richter scale occurred at around 3:05:25 AM.

School building inaugurated at Lingee Secondary School

GANGTOK, 19 Dec: A newly constructed RMSA building was inaugurated here at Lingee Secondary School in South Sikkim by area MLA cum Chief Whip, Ugen T Gyatso Bhutia who was present as the chief guest along with Deputy Director, Ravangla, Kunzang Bhutia present as a special guest.

Prayers for earthquake victims to mark Rolu Picnic anniv

PERMISSIONS BEING PROCESSED
NAMCHI, 19 Dec: Organisers of the Rolu Picnic of 2009, the gathering which officially announced Upper Burtuk MLA, PS Tamang’s dissidence with the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front, plan to mark the anniversary of the picnic on 21 Dec with a Viswa Shanti Puja in the memory of lives lost to the 18 September Earthquake and to propitiate the Gods to prevent a repeat. A member of the organising committee, Milan Rai, when contacted, mentioned that they had informed the SP [South] about their plans to hold the prayers.

Social worker conferred Dr Ambedkar Distinguished Service National Award

GANGTOK, 19 Dec: Geeta Ruchal, a social worker from Gangtok, was conferred with the prestigious Dr Ambedkar Distinguished Service National Award- 2011 by Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi on the occasion of the 27th National Conference of Dalit Writers held on 11-12 December. She was conferred with this award in recognition of her commendable literary, social and cultural service. She was presented with a shawl, certificate and award.

Lee Aal old age home felicitates social-workers and litterateurs

TURUNG, 19 Dec: Eminent litterateurs and social workers from across the districts were felicitated here in a function organized by Lee Aal Old Age Home at Turung in South Sikkim yesterday.The function was attended by litterateur Mohan Pradhan Niraj, as the chief guest, while contractor and social worker Prahlad Gurung, and Member of Women Commission, Lhaki Bhutia were present as special guests.

Agri Deptt hands over work orders for sanctions cleared during CM’s village to village tour

GANGTOK, 19 Dec [IPR]: In a function organized by the Department of Food Security & Agriculture Development Department/ Horticulture Cash Crop Development Department (FS&ADD/HCCDD) at the State Institute of Capacity Building premises at Karfectar, the department distributed various sanction orders/ work orders approved during the Chief Minister’s village-to-village tour and made payments to the farmers of these districts for completion of water harvesting tank.

Aho-Kishan JHS bags 6 medals at PYKKA competition

GANGTOK, 19 Dec: Students of Aho-Kishan Junior High School, East Sikkim, bagged two gold and four silver medals in the discipline of Wushu in the state-level PYKKA competition, informs a press release.
Tulanath Sharama (class VI) and Simon Darjee (class VII) won gold medals while Sunil Lepcha (class VII), Gyan Bahadur Chettri (class VI), Man Rani Rai (class VI) and Bindu Darjee (class VI) won silver medals at the competition, the release mentions.

Simick-Lingzey convenes Gram Sabha

MANGAN, 19 Dec:   The Gram Sabha of 39-Simick-Lingzey GPU in East Sikkim was held at Pahuk School in East Sikkim yesterday, presided over by Panchayat President, Renuka Sharma.

Mamring Sr Sec school thanks CM and others for educational excursion tour

GANGTOK, 19 Dec: The Principal, staff and students of Government Sr. Sec. School, Mamring, East Sikkim, have expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling for providing a sum of Rs.1 lakh as fund for an educational excursion, in a press release issued today.

Cops appeal for public alertness to keep burglaries down

RELEASE ADVISORY AHEAD OF LONG STRETCH OF HOLIDAYS
GANGTOK, 19 Dec [IPR]: Incidents of theft and burglary have been reported from some parts of the State in the recent past. The Police has been quick to respond, and, in a few cases, apprehended the accused and recovered the stolen properties. It has come to light that most break-ins occur when houses have remained locked and unoccupied for long durations, as per a press communiqué received from the Office of the Dy. Inspector General of Police/ Range, Police Headquarters, Gangtok.

Sikkim Limboo Sahityik Prakashan Samiti appeals for support for Chemjong Bhawan construction

GANGTOK, 19 Dec: A meeting of Sikkim Limboo Sahityik Prakashan Samiti was convened at Girls’ Senior Secondary School, Kyongsa, Gyalshing, West Sikkim under the chairmanship of senior Limboo litterateur, BB Muringla, informs a press release.

Pakyong Greenfield Taxi Drivers Assoc forms Taxi Stand Committee

GANGTOK, 19 Dec: The annual meeting of Pakyong Greenfield (local) Taxi Drivers Association was held on 18 Dec at the shopping complex, Pakyong Bazaar, East Sikkim. The general secretary, Andrew Syangbo briefed the gathering on the issues taken up by the Joint Action Committee and expressed his hope that all the demands placed will be fulfilled soon.

‘Kaash…!’ goes on the floors, to hit the stage on 05 Jan

GANGTOK, 19 Dec: The muhurat of a Nepali play, Kaash…!, was held at the Press Club of Sikkim here today. The play is being presented by the Sikkim Amateur Theatre and rehearsals are scheduled to begin from 05 January next year.

Govt committee endorses scrapping of 3 hydel projects in West Sikkim

REPORT YET TO BE TABLED OFFICIALLY, FINAL CALL ONLY AFTER THAT: SOURCES INFORM

GANGTOK, 18 Dec: The high-powered committee constituted by the State government to examine issues related to implementation of three hydel projects in West Sikkim [the 99 MW Ting Ting Hydro Electric Project; the 97 MW Lethang HEP and the 96 MW Tashiding HEP all on the Rathong Chu] is informed to have finalized its report. Official sources confirm that the committee, chaired by Chief Secretary Karma Gyatso, has forwarded its findings for further opinion and recommendations to the Law Department. It is also informed that the opinion of the committee is that the 3 hydel power projects in West District be ‘scrapped’. The Law Department, in turn, is informed to have returned the opinion and recommendations of the committee without much ‘input’.

Fire razes three stalls at Lall Bazaar

GANGTOK, 18 Dec: A fire broke out on the first floor of the Kanchenjunga Shopping Complex [Lall Bazaar] early morning on Saturday reducing three aloo-chewra shops to ashes. Thanks to prompt action by the Gangtok Fire Station, the fire was stopped from spreading to other shops on the first floor. As per preliminary investigation, a short circuit is being seen as the reason behind the fire.

Common Platform warns State govt and hydel developers, urges Governor to exercise special powers

GANGTOK, 18 Dec: The Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee [SIBLAC] convener, Tseten Tashi Bhutia has warned the State government and the power developers here not to take the Common Platform against the Hydel Power Projects lightly. He further said that the power developers would only be wasting their money in the State if they continued pursuing their projects here.

The Girls from Gangyap are National Champs now!

EMRS GIRLS CREATE HISTORY, OUTPLAY APS NOIDA TO BECOME FIRST SCHOOL FROM REGION TO LIFT CBSE UNDER-19 NATIONAL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

GANGTOK, 18 Dec: The EMRS girls basketball team has created history by winning the under-19 CBSE Basketball nationals held in Chennai from 12-17 Dec. EMRS beat APS Noida in the finals on Saturday 47-30. The EMRS squad made their victory even sweeter by bouncing back strong despite being 5 points behind in the 3rd quarter.

Sub-K services sabke liye!

RESERVE BANK’S FINANCIAL INCLUSION PROGRAMME LAUNCHED IN CENTRAL PENDAM
RANGPO, 18 Dec: BASIX Sub-K itransactions Ltd, a mobile banking enablement company of the BASIX Group, launched the Reserve Bank’s Financial Inclusion programme in Sikkim at Rangpo yesterday. The company has the mandate to reach banking services [Axis Bank in the present case] to unbanked citizens by setting up micro-ATM counters at provision stores across rural and semi-urban India.

Kick-boxing in South Sikkim

NORTH EAST AND STATE AMATEUR MUAY THAI CHAMPIONSHIP GETS UNDERWAY AT JORETHANG
NAMCHI, 18 Dec: The Muay Thai Association of Sikkim is hosting the first North-East Amateur Muay Thai Championship in Sikkim and State Amateur Mauy Thai Championship here at Jorethang, South Sikkim starting today.

Gram Sabha held at Tumin GPU

MANGAN, 18 Dec: The Gram Sabha of 40-Tumin GPU was held at the Gram Prasashan Kendra at Tumin in East Sikkim on 16 Dec which was presided over by Panchayat President, Tika Devi Dhakal.
The Sabha was attended by BDO Tintek, Tenzing Dorjee Denzongpa members of respective wards, representatives of line departments, block and ward level committees and the general public, informs in a press release issued by Mani Raj Rai (RDA).

Kho-kho, Archery and Badminton on days 3 and 4

STATE LEVEL PYKKA  GAMES

GANGTOK, 18 Dec: The PYKKA sports competition in Badminton, Kho kho and Archery were held on 17 and 18 Dec at venues spread across Gangtok, with Badminton at the Paljor Stadium Gymnasium Hall, Kho-Kho at the TNA ground and Archery at the Guards Ground.

School building inaugurated at Lower Samdong Secondary school

LOWER SAMDONG, 18 Dec: Lower Samdong Secondary School in East Sikkim celebrated its annual day yesterday, a day made more special with the inauguration of a new school building by the HRDD Minister, NK Pradhan. The new building was constructed by the SMC at an estimated cost of Rs 21 lakh. Gangtok MLA, Dorjee Namgyal Bhutia and MLA Tumin-Lingee, Ugen T Gyatso Bhutia were also present as special guests.

Labourer falls to death in Mangan

MANGAN, 18 Dec: A construction worker engaged at the Mangan Senior Secondary School died in a fatal fall at the site yesterday.

Folk performances at college auditorium

GANGTOK, 18 Dec: A cultural troupe from West Bengal presents a Baul performance at the Folk Culture and Theater Festival 2011 organized by the Cultural Affairs and Heritage Department and sponsored by the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre at the Government College auditorium here.

29 resign from SDF in Daramdin

GANGTOK, 18 Dec:  Twenty-nine SDF party members from Budiakhop GPU under Daramdin constituency have resigned from the party. “The party has become inconsiderate towards the public and we see no hope that it would ever work for the welfare of the poor,” mentions the resignation letter, copies of which were circulated among the press by Jacob Khaling currently aligned to the PS Tamang camp.
The letter alleges that the party has become undemocratic and practices dictatorship and that the people are being exploited in the name of democracy.

Rolu Picnic Organising Committee to hold peace prayers for earthquake victims this year

GANGTOK, 18 Dec: The Rolu Picnic Organizing Committee has decided to hold “Universal Prayers” at Rolu near Jorethang on 21 Dec this year. This was decided at a meeting held today under the chairmanship of RK Waling at Jorethang. A special prayer programme will be organized for the victims of the 18 Sept earthquake and for the welfare of the general public.

Goat rearing scheme launched at Karfectar, South Sikkim

NAMCHI, 18 Dec: To promote self-employment as well as commercial goat farming in the State, the Department of Animal Husbandry, Livestock, Fisheries &Veterinary Science (AH,LF&VS) launched high meat yielding variety goat development programme here at Karfectar today. This is the first such initiative for Sikkim.

SDF convenes district-level meeting in West Sikkim

GANGTOK, 18 Dec: A district-level meeting of Sikkim Democratic Front deliberated on different issues facing West Sikkim. Held at the SDF party office at Gyalshing on Saturday, the meeting was chaired by the SDF party vice-president and West District in-charge, SB Subedi.

SDF enrols new members at Maneybong-Dentam

GANGTOK, 18 Dec: The series of meetings of the Sikkim Democratic Front to reconstitute sub-committees like CLC, BLC and WLC in every block of 03 Maneybong-Dentam constituency completed its 20th day yesterday.

Trinley Thaye Dorje inaugurates Kagyu Monlam in Bodhgaya, shares stories of Sikkim’s connection with Kagyu tradition

GANGTOK, 18 Dec: Trinley Thaye Dorje, revered by many as the XVIIth Karmapa, inaugurated the annual “aspiration prayers” at the Kagyu Monlam in Bodhgaya on 14 Dec. The Monlam is scheduled to conclude on 20 Dec and is being attended by thousands of monks and devotees, informs a press release.
Trinley Thaye Dorje, the release informs, is leading many prayers at the event, in particular the Samantabhadra Wishing Prayer, known as 'King of Aspiration Prayers.' Monlam is the Tibetan word for 'aspiration' or 'good wishes'.

Sikkim ranks 3rd in nation on person-days of work created under MG-NREGA

GANGTOK, 16 Dec: The State government, through the Rural Management & Development Department, is surging ahead with the implementation of the Central Government’s flagship programme, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employement Guarantee Scheme in Sikkim. Sikkim ranks third in the national list of states for maximum man-days generation of work for the year 2011-2012.

RMDD seeks Rs. 445.51 cr to rebuild 7,971 houses destroyed by 18 Sept Quake

GANGTOK, 17 Dec:  The Rural Management & Development Department [RMDD] is seeking a total of Rs. 445.51 crore to rebuild the 7,971 houses fully damaged by the 18 Sept Earthquake across the State. This demand forms part of the earthquake assistance of Rs. 7,400 crore sought by the State Government from the Centre.

Disrupted power supply holds up Khamsel Lakhang construction at Tholung

MANGAN, 16 Dec: Electricity supply to Tholung Gumpa in North Sikkim, sourced from Bey, had been installed for the first time on 09 September by the Power & Energy Department, but collapsed within 10 days in the hands of the 18 September Earthquake. The substantial loss is made worse for people here by the fact that the already delayed Khamsel Lakhang construction work at the monastery has been held up again due to the disruption in power supply.

Athletics and martial arts dominate

DAY-2 OF STATE-LEVEL PYKKA GAMES
GANGTOK, 17 Dec: Day-2 of the PYKKA sports competition was filled with energy and aspirations on the young from all over the State who are participating in this rural mega sports event. It was a day dedicated to athletes and martial artists to prove themselves today.

CJ underlines need for people to acknowledge and abide by Act for it to be meaningful

SLSA HOLDS SENSITIZATION PROGRAMME ON JUVENILE JUSTICE ACT 
GANGTOK, l6 Dec: “All declarations and laws are meaningless unless every person decides to acknowledge and abide by them,” expressed the recently appointed Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court, Justice Permod Kohli, while addressing the first day of a sensitization programme on “Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Child) Act, 2000” organized by the Sikkim State Legal Services Authority at Chintan Bhawan.

School students arrested for assault on Head Constable

NAMCHI, 16 Dec: In a disturbing case of assault, the very guardians of law came under attack in Namchi yesterday. What is worse, the perpetrators of the violence were school students, both of whom were taken into custody today.

State Govt supports UPA’s stand on Lokpal issue

GANGTOK, 16 Dec: Lok Sabha MP, PD Rai, attended the UPA meeting and the all-party meeting, held on consecutive days the day before and yesterday, called by UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, at the Prime Minister's residence at 7 Racecourse road, informs a press release.

Cabinet defers decision on State Civilian Awards

GANGTOK, 16 Dec: Reports appearing in a section of the media concerning the State Civilian Awards have been termed as incorrect by officials. Sources inform that though there is a move to organize such a programme to honor eminent citizens of the State, no decision on it has been yet by the state government. Neither has there been any date fixed for the programme nor have the names of personalities been shortlisted for conferment of the award.

Bhasmey mishap claims one

GANGTOK, 16 Dec: One person was killed in a car mishap at Pakyong the day before. According to reports, the deceased, Purna Bahadur Tamang, was returning from Pachak after dropping off passengers there. The accident took place at Bhasmey along the Padamchey-Pacheykhani Road at around 8 p.m. on 14 December. The vehicle is said to have gone off the road about 150 feet down. The driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle at the time of the accident.

House Rent and Ration allowances fixed for police personnel serving outside Sikkim

GANGTOK, 16 Dec: The state government has now fixed the House Rent Allowance at 30 % of Basic Pay for the personnel of India Reserve Battalions, Sikkim Police at New Delhi. Further, it is informed that the personnel of India Reserve Battalions, Sikkim Police posted anywhere in India outside the State shall be granted House Rent Allowance at rates equivalent to the rate approved by the Central Government for the Central Para Military Forces at the place of posting subject to a minimum of 20% of Basic Pay.

LIC employees reach earthquake relief to Dzongu

MANGAN 16 Dec: The Divisional Insurance Employees Association, Jalpaiguri, and its Gangtok branch reached relief items for earthquake victims of Bring Katam Ravong village of Hee Gyathang GPU of Lower Dzongu today.

State Board of Livelihood School meets to strengthen skill development initiative

GANGTOK, 16 Dec: The second meeting of State Board of Livelihood School was held today at the conference hall of the Directorate of Capacity Building, Khadi Bhavan, Gangtok. The meeting was presided over by Minister of Human Resource Development Department, NK Pradhan, who is also the chairperson of the State Board of Livelihood School.

1,250 sportspersons descend on Gangtok for 9-day event

STATE-LEVEL PYKKA GAMES BEGIN
GANGTOK, 15 Dec: Around 1,250 athletes from across the state are participating in the 2nd edition of the state-level Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan [PYKKA] Sports Competitions 2011-12 which was inaugurated here at the Tashi Namgyal Academy playground today.

Winter chill sets in early

GANGTOK, 14 Dec: It is not just the bone-chilling flow from the taps, but even weather statistics bear out that the winter chill has made its presence felt a little earlier than usual this year, with the town already starting to experience its severity.

Sikkim to host National Veterans TT Championship from 20-24 Feb

GANGTOK, 15 Dec: Sikkim Veterans Table Tennis Association [SVTTA] has received the privilege to host the 19th edition of the National Veterans Table Tennis Championship from 20 to 24 February here at Paljor Stadium. Sikkim is the first North-eastern state to be selected to host this championship.

SDF rallies against Goley across South Sikkim

NAMCHI, 15 Dec: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front today launched a series of rallies across South District to approach the general public and the youth with the party’s stand against the dissident Upper Burtuk MLA, PS Tamang, and his supporters, alleging that the dissident camp was misleading the people and trying to disturb the prevalent peace of the state.

Earthquake wakes up Wednesday night

GANGTOK, 15 Dec: A minor earthquake rolled through Sikkim on Wednesday night, measured at 4.5 on the Richter Scale and with its epicentre recorded on the Sikkim-Nepal border.
As per the India Meteorological Department website, the quake [epicentre at latitude 27.9 degrees North and longitude 88 degrees East], occurred at 0151 hours today at a depth of 50 km. There are no reports of this temblor causing any damage in the State.

Anand Lama seeks to move petition against hydel projects to Supreme Court

GANGTOK, 15 Dec: Anand Lama of Pani House, Deorali, has taken his petition against all hydro power projects in the State awarded to private developers, to the Supreme Court. The petition was initially filed in the High Court of Sikkim, but the petitioner has now got it transferred to the apex court. The tentative date for the admission hearing of the petition in apex court is scheduled for 03 February next.

Official team inspects CMRHM works in South

NAMCHI, 15 Dec: A team of officials headed by Additional District Collector (Development) today inspected ongoing and completed works under the Chief Minister’s Rural Housing Mission at Namthang Block and Assangthang Gram Panchayat under Namchi Block.

Sikkim Auto Expo announced for Feb 2012

GANGTOK, 15 Dec: The 1st Sikkim Auto Expo was announced today at Hotel Mayur with Transport Minister, TT Bhutia, as chief guest accompanied by the Gangtok Deputy Mayor, Shakti Singh, Transport Deptt officials, various stakeholders of the auto industry and the local public.

Common Platform welcomes Governor’s observations on hydel projects

GANGTOK, 15 Dec: “We believe that the ruling SDF Government does not have any long-term vision in the development of hydro-power projects in Sikkim,” contends a press release issued by Convenor, Platform for Joint Action against West Sikkim power projects, the SIBLAC convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia.

Anjali Pradhan Lucksom’s ‘Akanksha’ released

GANGTOK, 15 Dec: A music album, “Akanksha”, by Anjali Pradhan Lucksom was released at a special function held at Nepali Parisad Bhawan here today. The album was released by the chief guest, respected artist Shanti Thatal with Jemima Pradhan and Duk Tshering Lepcha present as the guests of honour.

UCO Bank opens branch in Rangpo

RANGPO, 15 Dec: UCO Bank opened its fourth branch in the State here at Rangpo today. The bank was inaugurated by General Manager, RBI, Gangtok Zone, EE Karthok.