Cabinet approves funds for slew of projects

GANGTOK, 20 Feb [IPR]: A Cabinet meeting was held on 18 February in the Cabinet Hall of Samman Bhawan, Gangtok under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister. The Cabinet passed various proposals of the various departments as follows:
FOOD SECURITY & AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT: The proposal seeking approval to construct 5,026 Rural Compost pits and 1,356 Vermi Compost units at a total cost of Rs. 1,208.6 lakhs during the current financial year 2011-12.
FOOD & CIVIL SUPPLIES AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT: The proposal for according approval to construct and upgrade the following Food Godowns (under 13th Finance Commission). New construction at Makha (estimated cost Rs. 67,04,342) and Dikchu (estimated cost Rs. 60,27,741) and upgradations at Mangan (Rs. 10,97,400) and Rongli (Rs. 19,27,100).
ENERGY & POWER DEPARTMENT: The proposal for according administrative approval and financial sanction of Rs. 4.34 crore for system improvement of Electrical Installation and Conversion of O.H & L.T lines in and around Namthang Bazaar & Maniram bhanjyang Bazaar in South Sikkim.
SOCIAL JUSTICE, EMPOWERMENT AND WELFARE DEPARTMENT: The proposal seeking financial sanction of Rs. 23.74 lakhs and approval to transfer the second instalment fund of Nutrition Component of Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment for Adolescent Girls (SABLA) to respective CDPOs.
HEALTH CARE, HUMAN SERVICES & FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT: The proposal for soliciting approval for the construction of a Primary Health Centre at Tsogmo, East Sikkim.  Further the Cabinet also approved the proposal to start the health facility at closed Chipsu Primary School at Changu till acquisition of land and construction work of PHC is completed and subsequently to shift all the facilities to PHC once it is constructed and to  have the facility functional from 1st April to 30th November every year.  It also approved to expend the sum of Rs. 50 lakhs for procurement of instruments/ equipment, renovation and refurbishing of Chipsu School for making it functional as Health Centre and for other administrative purposes.
DEPARTMENT OF LAND REVENUE AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT: The proposal seeking approval to transfer Rs. 69.81 lakhs to the Sikkim Geo-Tech Society to meet the expenditure to be incurred for the implementation of National Land Record Modernization Programme.
HOME DEPARTMENT: The proposal seeking administrative approval and financial sanction of Rs. 494 lakhs for implementation of Schemes under Modernization of State Police Forces (100% CSS) for the financial Year 2011-12.
ENERGY AND POWER DEPARTMENT: The proposal for according administrative approval and financial sanction of Rs. 463.43 lakhs for up gradation and strengthening of H.T & L.T lines and Sub-Stations at Helipad area, Bakthang and adjoining places in East Sikkim.
DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS & YOUTH AFFAIRS: The proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 23,50,000 as Cash Incentive Awards for Meritorious Sports Persons.
RURAL MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT: The proposal for according approval and sanction of Rs. 874.93 lakhs for repair of 27 numbers of suspension foot bridges in North Sikkim during 2011-12 under the 13th Finance Commission.
The proposal seeking approval and sanction with regards to reconstruction of Rural Houses damaged due to Earthquake of 18thSeptember, 2011. Reconstruction of the 2,543, 100% damaged houses and prioritizing the 5,429 of the total 10,005 severely damaged houses, following an economic criteria with preference given to poorer households at a total cost of Rs.391 crore (Rs.389.8 crore for house construction & Rs.1.20 crore for IEC activities.)
DEPARTMENT OF LAND REVENUE & DISASTER MANAGEMENT: The proposal for according approval and sanction of Rs. 27.51 crores for taking up 31 numbers of protective works-Jhora Training Works/ Catch Water Drain/ Anti-Erosion Works and restoration of Jhora before the monsoon under Natural Calamity fund.
HOME DEPARTMENT: The proposal for according sanction and approval to utilize Rs. 552 lakhs under 13th Finance Commission Grants during the financial year 2011-12 to 2014-15 for following two sectors viz. Police Training and Information and Reinforcing the existing security infrastructure.
DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS & HERITAGE: The proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 85.34 lakhs for the implementation of a project at the confluence of the river Teesta and river Rangpo near Rangpo Bazaar named "Indrakhil Prayag". The project envisages development of proper cremation ghats, a centre for yoga, meditation and vedantic teaching, a community Centre and upgradation of existing playground in the vicinity into a stadium.