Laptop distribution programme concludes with Mangan

MANGAN, 09 Dec:  The second and final phase of this year’s free laptop distribution programme by the state government concluded today with a total of 798 students of classes XI & XII from four senior secondary schools of North district receiving their free laptops.
Students of Mangan SSS, Hee-Gyathang SS, Phodong SSS and Mangshilla SSS were presented free laptops by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling at a function held at Mangan School ground today.
The Chief Minister underlined that the State government has accorded top priority to education sector and the fundamental aim behind distributing laptops to the students was to level the playing field for them to help make them more competitive and advanced in the world of information and communication technology.
“Student must be constructive, disciplined and should concentrate and put their entire focus on studies to become exemplary. At the same time, students must be aware of antisocial elements who are trying to provoke the minds of student,” he said, further advising the students not indulge in politics and to stay away from anti-social elements.
With today’s distribution, around 7,500 students of the state now have a laptop of their own, all provided free of cost by the State Government. The second phase of distribution had begun on 06 December at Kaluk in West Sikkim where 2,261 students of 10 schools were presented laptops. The next day, on 07 December, 4,294 students of 14 government schools of South District and those of the Namchi government college were handed their computers.
In all, nearly 18,500 laptops were procured by the State government for distribution to government school and college students. In the first phase, nearly 11,000 laptops were distributed.
At the function in North Sikkim today, the Chief Minister also sanctioned demands tabled by the Mangan Senior Secondary School management for infrastructure development and construction of a welcome gate. He also announced that those who have been left out of the beneficiaries list in the previous Janta Mela of North district will receive the benefits in the upcoming Janta Mela.
Speaking on the dilution of Article 371 F being alleged by his detractors, the CM said that no individual has the power to dilute Article 371 F since any such move will require a 2/3rd majority of the Parliament to clear the resolution of any State government of India. “These [claims of dilution] are only rumors being circulated by the opposition parties who either don't have any knowledge of such issues or are intentionally misleading people,” he said, adding that politicians should act wisely with proper understanding of issues.
He also reiterated his clarification regarding the Companies Act 2012 vis a vis Sikkim.
The CM was accompanied by Chief Secretary, R Ongmu, Speaker KT Gyaltsen, his Cabinet colleagues and heads of various departments.
The CM also attended the Sthapana Diwas of Bihari Jagaran Manch at Community Hall Mangan where the president of Bihari Jagaran Manch on behalf of the community placed the demand relating to the provision of the transfer of trade license to the legal child of the deceased and the issue of residential certificate for the community. The Chief Minister assured that the demands made by the community will be fulfilled.
The CM also visited the Swayem Monastery and interacted with the public and panchayat. The public here demanded for the construction of a new monastery in the same place. The CM sanctioned an amount of Rs. 1 crore for the construction of Swayem monastery where he informed that the amount of Rs. 25 lakh will be released in the first installment.
Earlier, in the morning the CM also inaugurated the Multi-Level Car Parking Building at Mangan Bazar.