Over 5,000 aspirants to sit for SPSC prelims next month

GANGTOK, 12 Sept: Over 5,000 aspirants from all over the State will be sitting for the Combined Preliminary Examination to be conducted by Sikkim Public Service Commission for selection to the 25 Under Secretary and 2 Deputy Superintendent of Police posts on 06 October 2013.
With the last batch of Under Secretaries and Dy SPs enrolled into the state government five years back in 2008-09, the number of candidates applying this year has shot up significantly since for many this is also the last chance to apply before the age-bar factor comes into play.
SPSC officials inform that an estimated 10 examination centres will be setup in and around Gangtok to accommodate the large number of candidates that have applied. These centres will be established in state government buildings like TNSSS, PNGSSS, DIET Building-Burtuk, West Point SSS, Deorali Girls SSS, Sikkim Government College and Sikkim Law College.
Admit cards for the batch of 900 candidates who will sit at TNA auditorium has already been generated and the Admit Cards will be issued to the eligible candidates from 20 September to 04 October 2013 from the Office of the Sikkim Public Service Commission on all working days from 11:00 am to 03:30 pm.
The candidates who have not submitted complete documents like the Certificate of Identification, Category Certificate, Employment Card etc are requested to submit the same and those who have not correctly mentioned the subjects in their application form in terms of various addendum to the advertisement are also requested to correct the same at the earliest, failing which their application will summarily be rejected.
The decision of the Commission as to the eligibility of a candidate for admission to the examination shall be final. Their admission at all the stages of examination for which they are admitted by the Commission viz: Preliminary Examination, Main (Written) Examination and Interview Test will be purely provisional, subject to their satisfying the prescribed eligibility conditions. If on verification, at any time before or after the Preliminary Examination, Main (Written) Examination and Interview Test, it is found that they do not fulfill any of the eligibility conditions; their candidature for the post will be cancelled by the Commission.

DIT organizes impressive demo of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

GANGTOK, 12 Sept: Netra, the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles [UAVs] for rescue and search operations, monitoring rallies, preventing infiltration and other related operations was demonstrated today here at Paljor Stadium.
During the demonstration a UAV was sent up to Kanchenjunga Amusement Park in Ranka across the valley and sent back real-time images on computer sets installed at Paljor Stadium. The demonstration was attended by senior government officials from different departments, East District Administration, senior police officials and personnel and members of TAAS.
Netra has been developed by Mumbai-based firm IdeaForge in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organization. The UAV weighs between 1.5 to 2 kg and have a range of almost 3 kms aerial distance and it is also equipped with GPS, which would allow the flight path to be pre-programmed. UAV is mounted with a video camera which sends back video images in real-time to a computer or laptop.
It has been informed that Netras can go to isolated and inaccessible areas from where this device can send real-time images captured by a high-resolution camera and sent to laptops which work as the monitoring device and all signals are sent through a local wireless network. Like the overhead blades of a helicopter carry it upwards, the four propellers in the UAVs also rotate to move it vertically while the horizontal movements are controlled with a remote control. The remote control also helps the user to tilt the camera and zoom its lens at the particular point if needed.
The communication range between the remote and the machine is 1.5 km along the line of sight. Netra had also made an appearance in the Bollywood film “3 Idiots”.
Department of Information Technology Principal Director, Rajesh Verma said UAVs are being used extensively now across the world for rescue and search operations, monitoring rallies and preventing infiltration. He informed that UAVs were used extensively during the recent natural calamity in Uttarakhand to locate survivors and it flew 50 sorties and located 190 stranded survivors who were then evacuated by helicopter. He also informed that UAVs have also been introduced at Kaziranga National Park to prevent poaching of Rhinoceroses. UAVs are portable and can be dismantled and carried in a back pack, he added.
“In Sikkim, UAVs can be useful to Tourism, Land Revenue and Disaster Management, Forest, Transport, Police Roads & Bridges and District Administration. It can be used for locating lost mountaineers and trekkers, locating survivors during natural calamities, surveillance on borders to prevent intruders, jail escapees, illegal felling of trees and illegal grazing,” said Mr Verma.
Some areas where the UAVs can be used are Dzongri and Chewabhanjyang for rescuing mountaineers and trekkers and also Chungthang to monitor landslide prone roads leading to Lachen and Lachung.
“UAV costs around Rs 35 lakh and can be very useful for the state. The IT Department is just a facilitator and is demonstrating the technology to the different departments and agencies”, said the Principal Director further adding that many states have shown interest in the UAV.
IdeaForge Chief Marketing Officer, Amardeep Singh, who is also the co-founder, mentioned that the targeted customers are para-military forces and state police.

USFC begins Durand Cup campaign with a win

GANGTOK, 12 Sept: United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] registered a convincing victory over Assam Rifles Regimental Centre in its first match of the Durand Cup 2013 today in New Delhi. The home team won its first match in the quarter-final league by 3-1.
The home team was down 0-1 in the early minutes of the match but coming back into the game Adelaya scored the equalizer and finished the first half with 1-1 draw. In the second half, Adelaya completed his brace and one more goal was added by Mayal Dok Lepcha for USFC finishing the match with 3-1 victory.
Speaking over the phone, USFC senior manager, Arjun Rai said that the team under the captainship of Nim Tshering Lepcha played very well and in high spirits to play better. USFC CEO, Bhaichung Bhutia was also present during the match.
Snow Lions will now take on Mumbai Tigers on 14 September in its second match in the quarter-final league. Mr Rai informed that the win in this match would be very crucial for the team to enter into the semi-final round of the tournament.

State Open TT Championship begins

GANGTOK, 12 Sept: Around 300 paddlers from across the state are taking part in the 18th edition of State Open Table Tennis Championship 2013 which started this afternoon here at Paljor Stadium indoor gymnasium hall. The four-day championship was inaugurated by the Sports and Youth Affairs Department Secretary, PR Poudyal. The championship is being organized by Sikkim Table Tennis Association [STTA].
The participants, mainly from schools, other educational institutions and corporate houses from all four districts will be participating in 15 events during the championship.
In his inaugural address, the Secretary mentioned that the state government has given priority to sports by providing various facilities and exposure to local sportspersons. He also added that the state government has created the infrastructures for various disciplines to encourage local players. He urged the members of different sports associations to take care of these infrastructures created by the government and make full use of these facilities.
Mr Poudyal congratulated STTA for its efforts in promoting the game of table tennis in the state and further encouraged players to continue to play the game.
STTA president, CK Basnet stated that the association has been organizing this state open every year with the main objective to provide a state-level platform and exposure to local paddlers. He also mentioned that the association has been sending state teams to different national tournaments across the country every year.
Mr Basnet informed that the best players of this championship will qualify to participate in the State Games to be organized by Sikkim Olympic Association at Paljor Stadium this December. He further informed that the association will also be sending the state teams to sub-junior & cadet, junior and senior nationals.
The inaugural function was followed by the commencement of matches in the championship. The inaugural function was also attended by GREF Commander, Col PH Reddy as the guest of honour and members from different sports associations.

PAKYONG GREEN FIELD AIRPORT TO BE COMPLETED IN 2014

Tourism Minister asks for central assistance of Rs 20 crore for upgradation of helipads
GANGTOK, 12 Sept [IPR]: Sikkim’s first green field  airport at Pakyong will be completed by December 2014 said Tourism Minister, Bhim Prasad Dhungel after meeting with Union Tourism Minister,  Dr. K. Chiranjeevi in Transport Bhawan, New Delhi today.
The Pakyong airport is being built at an altitude of 4,700 ft which will be one of the five highest airports in India. The reinforcement wall on the project is 80 m height, which is one of the tallest reinforcement walls in the world.
The Minister said that construction work on the Rs 300 crore airport being constructed by Airport Authority of India on 200 acres of land at Pakyong is in full swing and added that operational flights for the airport will be commissioned by March 2015. The airport having 180 mts long airstrip will facilitate flights of ATR-72 planes and include hangars for two small ATR aircrafts, he added.
At present, the nearest airport to Sikkim is located 124 kilometres away at Bagdogra in West Bengal.
Mr Dhungel said that it will open an alternative connectivity route to the state as at present the state has to depend solely on NH 31 for connecting it to the rest of the world. He said that the airport will also facilitate free movement to the state from the rest of the country when the National Highway 31 is blocked by protestors and agitators from time to time.
The airport consists of a terminal building measuring 2380 square metres with a capacity of 100 passengers, a car park for 80 vehicles and a fire station cum Air Traffic Control Tower. The airport is being built at an altitude of 4,700 ft with deep valleys at both ends of the runway featuring a 1700 metre long, 30 metre wide runway and a 116 metre long taxiway connecting it to an apron measuring 106 metres by 76 metres.
Mr Dhungel said that the state government will consider demand of additional land for construction of Green Field Airport. He requested the Union Tourism Minister to provide central assistance of Rs 20 crore for upgradation of helipads in the state in conformity norms with the DGCA. The state government has constructed helipads at Namchi, Pelling,  Dalapchand, Lachung, Ravangla, Dodak, Yangang and Mangan and all these helipads need to be upgraded to meet modern safety standards, said Mr Dhungel. He added that at present the Burtuk helipad fully conforms to the safety standards fixed by DGCA.
He further suggested handing the security of the airport to the state police to curtail expenditure on operational costs and added that Sikkim police is fully equipped trained and competent to handle the security of Green field airport.
The state government will provide all the logistic and other facilities to the AAI for timely completion of construction work and added that necessary fire, rescue and other modern facilities will be provided by the state government when the airport becomes operational, said the Minister.
Sikkim Tourism Secretary, C Zangpo was also present in the meeting.

RMDD workshop on sanitation and hygiene held at Namchi

NAMCHI, 12 Sept: Rural Management and Development Department conducted a workshop on Sanitation, Hygiene Advocacy and Communication Strategy for South District at the Namchi Community Hall today. The department has already conducted similar workshops at three other districts of the state.
The workshop today was attended by Panchayats, Gram Vikash Adhikari, School Heads and NGO representatives of South District.
During the programme the resource persons of the workshop highlighted on different topics where Joint Secretary, Sanitation Cell, Hissey Yongda highlighted the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan, Field Facilitator, Suren Mohra informed about the Community led total sanitation programme for Nirmal Gram, Field Facilitator Udai Chamling spoke on school sanitation and Dawa Bhutia [NGO representative] highlighted on Zero Waste management.
Under the various topics of the workshop the resource persons explained in brief concepts of sanitation like disposal of human excreta, open ditches, pit latrines, bucket system, solid and liquid was management and disposal, food hygiene, personal, domestic as well as environmental hygiene, importance and basic determinants of quality of life and the role of community in our individual and social life.  
An interactive session with the participants was also conducted where they briefly discussed various topics with the resource persons of the workshop.
ADC (Dev) South, Binu Gurung said that everyone must work together and cooperate with each other to live up to the prestigious Nirmal Rajya award received by Sikkim. She also asked the Gram Vikas Adhikaris and panchayat members to conduct coordination meetings in every GPU of South district to spread awareness on sanitation and hygiene.
The workshop was also addressed by ADC (Dev) Ravangla, Tashi Chopel.

Under construction wall of Marchak bridge collapses, imperils two homes

MANGAN, 12 Sept: The under construction wall of the newly constructed bridge located at Marchak in Lower Tintek, East Sikkim along the Dikchu-Singtam highway collapsed today. This has now endangered two houses situated just below the bridge.
Following the incident, BDO Tintek, Pema Wangchen Bhutia along with ward panchayat, Tika Devi Nepal visited the spot and took stock of damages. The BDO also visited the two houses belonging to Padam Prasad Koirala and Narendra Koirala where he gave instructions for the families to be temporarily shifted to a safer location.
The BDO also directed the school going children and the villagers to refrain from using the footpath until the damaged wall is restored.
Meanwhile, the wife of Padam Prasad Koirala informed that her husband and the father of the other house are both out of town so shifting would be very difficult. “I have three small children and some livestock. Where do I shift my children and all our belongings?” she challenged.
The villagers are dismayed over what they see as poor quality work by BRO which is creating problems for the local residents. The BDO further informed that he will be submitting the report to the DC on Friday and necessary steps will be taken after that.

First level checking of EVMs completed for North Sikkim

MANGAN, 12 Sept [IPR]: First Level Checking of EVMs of North District was held on 11 September here at the conference hall of NDZP Bhawan, Pentok.
In the morning at 11:30 A.M., the strong room was opened in the presence of District Magistrate, North, CP Dhakal along with political agents, Pintso Namgyal Lepcha, General Secretary, Youth Affairs, SDF and Shiva Sharma, Office-In-charge, BJP, and other officials of election department.
Thereafter,  a team of engineers headed by, K Shivaji Rao from Bharat Electronic Ltd. Bangaluru, checked all EVMs, entire previous data was deleted and brought down to zero. Altogether, 159 EVMs were checked and all 159 EVMs were found in good condition as no single machine needed to be repaired.
After mock poll certification of EVMs by political agents and putting their signature on Pink Paper Seal all EVMs were sealed with pink paper seal. Accordingly, entire necessary records were maintained by the officials of election department
Entire task has been conducted under the supervision of Joint Director, Election Department, Gangtok, Tashi Tshering Bhutia and Deputy Secretary, Election Department, Mangan, T Yangdon.
Eventually, in the evening the strong room was sealed at 4:30 P.M. in the presence of SDM, Mangan, PW Lepcha.

Sikkim U-6 squad selected for Dr. BC Roy tournament

GANGTOK, 11 Sept: Some aspiring footballers here have raised questions regarding the selection of the Sikkim Under-16 football team for Dr BC Roy Football Tournament [Junior Nationals] conducted by the Sikkim Football Association on Tuesday.
“Sikkim team (under-16) for Dr. BC Roy Football Tournament (Jr. National) got selected after three hours of meticulously done selection procedure’’ reads a post put up by Sikkim Football Association (SFA) in a popular social networking site on Tuesday. However, the post has created some confusion amongst football enthusiasts especially young aspirants who maintain that they were unaware of the selection date and had no idea that a selection camp for the prestigious Junior Nationals was underway at Paljor Stadium.
It has been alleged that it was only through the social media post that a major section of U-16 footballers learnt that the Sikkim team for the Junior nationals had already been selected and that all the footballers selected were mainly from two local clubs.
When NOW! contacted the SFA general secretary, Menla Ethenpa, he clarified that the selection was carried out as per the norms and directions of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). He contended that the selection process was transparent and was carried out by professionals under the guidance of Sikkim Football Association.
“There has been a slight misunderstanding here that all the players were not informed and that only certain clubs have got their players inducted into the Sikkim squad. This is not the case, I want to clarify that as per the directions of AIFF, SFA is bound to follow the norms set by the mother body for the selections. As per the AIFF, every state body should encourage club culture in their respective areas and hence players either belonging to recognized clubs or educational and sporting institutions are eligible for the selections,” stated Mr Ethenpa today.
Ruling out the allegation that players from only two organizations were inducted into the Sikkim team, the general secretary added that this is totally false as players from SAI and Sports Hostels have also been taken into the present squad apart from Sikkim Himalayan Sporting Club and Boys Club.
“As per the AIFF only players who are registered with different clubs affiliated to SFA are to be considered for selection which is why SFA informed only players and management of the registered clubs. We are not above AIFF and want to repeat that the selections were done as per the rules and regulations put before us. There is no favoritism like some are alleging. It is baseless since it is impossible for us to inform each and every individual about the selections and like we did earlier, we just informed the clubs and institutions that are registered with SFA to attend the selections,” he stated.
On being asked if three hours was enough for selecting players for a Junior National tournament, the SFA general secretary informed that as every infrastructure is in place and with the limited participation from the registered clubs, the selection process did not require more than three hours.
Similarly, on being asked about last week’s episode when a local player was suspended for some matches after he misbehaved with the referee, Mr Ethenpa stated, “We have suspended the player as well as banned the fourth official who was involved in the fracas. What I want to add is that both parties have been penalized and SFA has taken action”.

PADAM SINGH SUBBA APATAN MEMORIAL LECTURE 2013

GANGTOK, 11 Sept: Padam Singh Subba Apatan Memorial Lecture 2013 on ‘Judiciary in Sikkim: Past & Present’ organized by Sikkim Akademi was held here in the capital today.
Retired Judge of Sikkim High Court, AP Subba, was the main speaker of the programme, which was chaired by the Speaker, KT Gyaltsen as the chief guest. On the occasion, the Sikkim Akademi also felicitated Justice Subba. He is the first Sikkimese High Court Judge.
Delivering the lecture, Justice Subba spoke about the harsh trials and ways of delivering justice practiced in ancient Sikkim as well as other parts of the country and the world. He spoke in detail on the judiciary system of ancient and post-merger Sikkim.
Justice Subba further stressed upon the need to write and read the history of the state. He also advised law students to work on documenting the history of judiciary in Sikkim.
In his address, the Speaker congratulated Sikkim Akademi for conceiving such a programme to celebrate Padam Singh Subba and his contributions towards literature, art, culture and the Limboo language.
Sikkim Akademi president, Pempa Tamang stated that the Akademi is trying its best to hold this event every year. A compilation of all the lectures will also be published in future, he added.
The programme was also attended by Sikkim University Vice-Chancellor, Prof TB Subba, family members of Late Subba, lecturers and students of Sikkim University and Sikkim Law College among others.

Governor meets Sikkim students in Pune, enquires on their welfare and opens home to them

GANGTOK, 11 Sept: Governor Shriniwas Patil met Sikkimese students studying in Pune at his residence at Pune on Tuesday. He was on a three-day tour of Maharashtra for the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, a press communiqué from Raj Bhavan informs.
The release informs that the students were invited to the Governor's residence in Pune for lunch. Nearly 20 students attended the lunch. They were welcomed by the Governor's son, Sarang Patil and daughter-in-law, Rachana Patil.
The Governor had a discussion with the delegation of students and enquired about their studies and accommodation arrangements in Pune. He assured them of all assistance and asked the students to contact him or his son in case of any difficulty or emergency in Pune.
He also impressed upon the students to form an association of Sikkimese students to help each other and guide any new students aspiring to come to Pune for higher education, the release mentions.
The Governor also emphasized upon the need for more students from Sikkim to pursue higher education in various fields and secure their rightful place in the professional and corporate world. He appealed to the students to always keep in mind that they are the young ambassadors of their State and to be aware of their responsibilities for the welfare and image of Sikkim.
The meeting and lunch was attended by Yeshey Bhutia, Karma Bhutia, Tshering Bhutia, Tikchan Pokhrel, Aashish Gurung, Rekha Thapa,Awan Pradhan, Manisha Sharma, Manisha Upreti, Indira Sharma, Dushant Dahal, Sanjeevani Dhakal among others, the release informs.

Two peddlers nabbed

GANGTOK, 11 Sept: Sikkim Police arrested two persons on 10 September in possession of contraband substances. While one was arrested at Melli Check Post, the other was arrested at Rangpo Check Post. Both were travelling in from Siliguri with a sizeable consignment of substances of abuse, it is informed.
Under the Melli Police Station, during routine checking of vehicles coming from Siliguri at the Melli Check Post, Yogesh Chettri [28], a resident of Jorethang Bazaar in South Sikkim traveling in a taxi was found carrying 4,542 capsules of Spasmo Proxyvon and 394 tablets of Nitrosun-10 in his bag.
He has been arrested by the Melli police and a case under section 9/14 of SAD Act has been registered against him at the Melli Police Station.
In the other case, Rangpo Police received information that Kusang Sherpa [23], a resident of Singtam, Adarsh Gaon was allegedly smuggling in contraband substances from Siliguri to Sikkim.
At around 6.30 p.m. the above said individual traveling in a Gangtok-bound taxi was intercepted at Rangpo Check Post. On checking, 2,776 capsules of Spasmo Proxyvon, 680 tablets of Nitrosun-10 and 03 bottles of Lupicof cough syrup was recovered from him by the police.
He has been arrested by the Rangpo police and a case under section 7 (a) (b)/9 (d)/14 of SAD Act has been registered against him at the Rangpo Police Station.

Jorethang gets set to tackle Dengue

JORETHANG, 11 Sept: Area MLA Madan Cintury chaired a meeting at Jorethang Nagar Panchayat Office today to discuss immediate action to be taken against the spread of Dengue in the area.
The MLA directed the councilors of the 5 nagar panchayat wards to conduct cleanliness and awareness drives in their respective wards with immediate effect in order to stop the disease from spreading further.
He also called for the cooperation of the Police, UD&HD, SDM office, and other line departments in this program and in addition he asked the representatives of private companies to provide cleaning equipment and man power for the cleanliness drive. He said that the business activities here would be hampered if the spread of Dengue is not stopped and called upon the business community to extend their support. “Jorethang is a business hub for South and West Districts so it is important to take up preventive measures here and bring the spread of the disease under control”, said the Area MLA.
Speaking on the Chief Minister’s Gold Cup football tournament scheduled to be held in November 2013 at Jorethang, he said that in order to conduct the tournament successfully, the threat of Dengue should be tackled efficiently.
After the meeting, the MLA along with the team from UD&HD, Nagar Panchayat office, NGOs inspected Public Toilets inthe bazaar area and Jorethang Primary Health Centre. He asked the concerned departments to take up necessary steps to keep the public toilets clean and for proper management of garbage disposal as well. He interacted with the doctors of PHC and enquired upon the status of the PHC. It was informed that an ambulance and manpower for the PHC were the immediate requirements.
Senior citizen/social activist of Jorethang, Tika Gurung sharing his views on the issue, appealed to the state administration to focus on Majhi Gaon area (rural area in Jorethang) which is a potential breeding ground for mosquitoes that spread the dreaded disease. Further talking about his experience during the Dengue outbreak in 2004 he urged the officials to ensure that this time the disease does not take hold in the area.
CMO (South) District Hospital, Dr Bimal Rai explaining about the Dengue disease to the gathering highlighted on the signs and symptoms of the disease. He informed them about the methods to prevent this disease and said that since Dengue being a virus does not have a cure and can be tackled only with preventive measures. Given its location, Jorethang is susceptible to a Dengue outbreak he said and added that if preventive measures are taken on time the disease can be tackled.
He informed that various awareness camps in schools and villages are being organized by the Namchi District Hospital and IEC programs, fogging, DTT powder spraying are also being carried out in Jorethang. He also asked people to be careful when receiving guests coming from outside the.
The South District Administration has appealed to the public to cooperate with the administration in dealing with this Dengue menace by participating in the mass cleanliness drive. Leaflets were also distributed to the gathering during the program.
The 5 Nagar Panchayat Wards have constituted teams in their wards to carry out the cleanliness drive and companies like SEW, DANS, NTPC have provided the wards with manpower and cleaning equipment as well.

Cabinet meets and sanctions

Gangtok, 11 Sept [IPR]: A Cabinet meeting was held on 06 September chaired by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling in the Cabinet Hall of Samman Bhawan. The following proposals of various State Government departments were passed by the Cabinet:
AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT: The Cabinet approved and sanctioned the proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 100 lakhs under special package of Chief Minister for backward areas in South & West District during the current financial year 2013-14.
RM&DD: Cabinet approved and sanctioned proposal seeking approval for carving out the Territorial Jurisdiction and creation of four additional offices of Additional District Collector (Development) in the following sub-division: Pakyong under East District, Chungthang under North District, Ravangla under South District, and Soreng under West District.
Approval and sanction granted for Rs.9.53 crore towards repayment of land compensation bills paid by the department on account of construction of PMGSY roads out of the fund provided by the Land Revenue & Disaster Management Department.
Approved and sanctioned proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 472.30 lakhs for repair/ reconstruction of 63 Rural Foot Bridges.
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY DEPTT: The Cabinet approved and sanctioned the proposal seeking administrative approval and financial sanction of Rs. 45 lakh for distribution of 497 Goats to 160 beneficiaries of East, South and West District.
LAND REVENUE AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT DEPTT: The Cabinet approved and sanctioned the proposal seeking approval of Rs 73.48 crores as central assistance from National Disaster Relief Fund for Relief and Restoration Works to be undertaken by various department.
SOCIAL JUSTICE EMPOWERMENT AND WELFARE DEPARTMENT: The Cabinet approved and sanctioned the proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 50 lakhs for construction of Old Age Home and composite centre at Aho-Yangtam by Drikung Gyaltsey Charitable Trust through the department.
ROADS & BRIDGES DEPTT: The Cabinet approved and sanctioned the proposal for according administrative approval and financial sanction of Rs. 194.30 lakhs for construction of link road from Damthang to Dew village in South Sikkim.
AGRICULTURE DEPTT: The Cabinet approved and sanctioned the proposal seeking approval and sanction of various schemes under Rastriya Krishi Vikash Yozana (RKVY) projects for the year 2013-14.
DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: The Cabinet approved and sanctioned the proposal seeking approval and en-block sanction of Rs. 10.98 crores for implementation of “e-District Mission Mode Projects in the Four Districts of Sikkim”.
ENERGY AND POWER DEPTT: The Cabinet approved the proposal seeking approval for revision of tariff for consumption of electricity as per the order of the Sikkim State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
HRDD: The Cabinet approved and sanctioned the proposal for according confirmation of the approval and sanction of Rs 400 lakhs State share as grant-in-aid under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan for 2013-14.
The Cabinet approved and sanctioned the proposal for according approval and sanction of Rs. 25 lakhs State share as grant-in-aid under Rastriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan Scheme (RMSA) for 2013-14.
The Cabinet approved and sanctioned the proposal for according approval and sanction of Rs. 120 lakhs to be released to existing polytechnics ATTC, Bardang, East Sikkim and CCCT, Chisopani, South Sikkim.
ROADS AND BRIDGES DEPTT: The Cabinet approved and sanctioned the proposal seeking administrative approval and financial sanction of Rs. 500.98 lakhs  for the construction of link road from Tessithang to Chowri (5 km) in west Sikkim under NABARD RIF XVII.
Approved and sanctioned the proposal seeking administrative approval and financial sanction of Rs. 1,449.44 lakhs for various works sanctioned by DoNER under Social and Infrastructural Development (SIDF).
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CARE, HUMAN SERVICES & FAMILY WELFARE: The Cabinet approved and sanctioned the proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. One crore for implementation of Chief Minister's Comprehensive Annual and Total Check-up for Healthy Sikkim (CATCH) for the financial year 2013-14.
Approved and sanctioned the proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 1.88 crore towards the emergent purchase of medicines and consumables for the financial year 2013-­14
ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS DEPTT: The Cabinet approved and sanctioned the proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 18.36 lakhs towards procurement of furniture for 27 Monastic and Sankrit Pathsala school buildings.
The Cabinet approved and sanctioned the proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs 2.16 crore to be released as grant -in-aid to various religious institutions.
TOURISM AND CIVIL AVAITION DEPTT: The Cabinet approved and sanctioned the proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 800 lakhs for construction of Tourist Infrastructure along Nathula Axis in East Sikkim.
HRDD: The Cabinet approved and sanctioned the proposal seeking approval and en-block sanction of Rs. 1660.30 lakhs for implementation of Vocational Education Programme in 44 Govt. Sr. Sec Schools from 2013-14 academic session.
SOCIAL JUSTICE EMPOWERMENT AND WELFARE DEPARTMENT: The Cabinet approved and sanctioned the proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 241.98 lakhs to meet the recurring expenditure of two Eklavya Model Residential Schools at Gangyap in West Sikkim and Swayem in North Sikkim during the current financial year.
LAND REVENUE AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT DEPTT: The Cabinet approved and sanctioned the proposal for according approval and sanction of Rs 2 crore to be placed at the disposal of Sikkim Power Development Corporation Ltd. for payment of land acquisition for the work of construction of Power Grid Sub-Station at Rangpo by Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL).
ROADS AND BRIDGES DEPARTMENT: The Cabinet approved and sanctioned the proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs. 787.52 lakhs for up-gradation, drainage and protective works along Lal Turning -Bashilakha road in East Sikkim.

Aashis Pradhan in India U-16 football team

GANGTOK, 11 Sept: Sikkimese footballer Aashis Pradhan has been selected for the national U-16 football team.
An SFA release informs that the All India Football Federation has organised two friendlies as part of an exposure trip to the UAE for the India Under-16 national team in which they will be playing the UAE U-16 National Team and Al Sharjah SC ahead of their AFC U-16 Championship qualifiers campaign in Kuwait later this month.
The India Under-16 Boys, who have won the SAFF Under-16 Championship recently in Nepal, will be playing Al Sharjah SC on 13 September and the UAE Under-16 National Team on 17 September, 2013.
In the AFC Under-16 Championship qualifiers from 21 to 29 September, India would be facing the hosts Kuwait, Tajikistan, Lebanon and Bhutan. All matches would be played at the Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium in Kuwait City.
The India Under-16 team, which is being represented by the AIFF Regional Academy’s Under-15 boys, will be training at the renowned UAE club Al Wasl FC’s grounds and will also be using the club’s facilities, the release mentions.
India Under-16 Head Coach Goutam Ghosh said, “I would like to take this opportunity and thank the AIFF wholeheartedly for providing us this international exposure against competitive teams before AFC Qualifiers. Both teams are very good, and we are lucky to get such preparation.”
“We will benefit from practicing at Al Wasl’s grounds. They are a top club and it will be a learning experience for the Boys,” Goutam Ghosh added. President, BK Roka and general Secretary, SFA, Menla Ethenpa have congratulated Aashis Pradhan and wished him all the best.
The India Under-16 boys will be leaving for Dubai on Wednesday, 11 September.