Driven by disappointment, anger and desperation, stakeholders march in protest to BRO

GANGTOK, 12 May: Tired of unconvincing assurances and disappointed by the consistently deplorable condition of the North Sikkim Highway and JN Road, both under the charge of Project Swastik of Border Roads Organisation, the people and panchayat members of Kabi-Tingda [for NSH] and JN Road marched out on the road yesterday in a public demonstration registering their annoyance and disappointment. The rally, which was also joined by Travel Agents Association of Sikkim [TAAS] members, walked from Tashi View Point to GREF head-office here at Swastik.
Upon reaching the GREF head-office, the people expressed their grievances and highlighted their litany of problems and complaints related to roads and submitted a memorandum signed by panchayats and people to the GREF Chief Engineer, SS Porwal.
Although, the rally was peaceful, indignation and anger was clear on the faces of the people.
In his response to the people’s submission, the Chief Engineer shared that he realized who serious the situation of the roads was and informed that he has been writing to the head-office repeatedly on this matter. He informed that even he has drawn in issues of national security and special status of Sikkim in his correspondence with the head-office and assured to place the memorandum submitted by the people along with other related documents to the head office in New Delhi.
He mentioned that he is scheduled to leave for Delhi on 12 May to present these issues along with their memorandum and to expedite pending issues.
He informed the people that Project Swastik had not received separate funds for earthquake relief so part of the regular funds were diverted to open roads blocked road by the earthquake and repair other damages. He added that several sanctioned projects were also stuck and suggested that the State Government influence in Delhi be leveraged to pressurize the concerned agencies expedite Sikkim-specific projects
Speaking to media persons, Kyongsla GPU panchayat president, IK Rasaily alleged negligence of JN Road and North Sikkim Highway, pointing out that these two roads have seen no improvement for the past several years. The road widening works had made the situation worse with even more landslides and even more inconvenience for the people.

ACT commemorates 5th anniv of hydel protest with dharna

GANGTOK, 20 June: The Affected Citizens of Teesta [ACT] commemorated the 5th year anniversary of its hunger strike against hydel projects in Dzongu here with a token dharna in front of the District Administrative Centre, East. The dharna also reminded all of ACT’s continuing stand against hydel projects in Dzongu, two which – Panan and Teesta Stage-IV – still remain.
Today’s dharna was also joined by members and representatives of the All Sikkim Educated, Self Employed and Unemployed Association [ASESE&UA], Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee [SIBLAC], Concerned Lepcha’s of Sikkim [CLOS], Save Sikkim, Sikkim Bikers Groups and other organizations registering their support of the ACT stand.
Speaking to the media-persons at the dharna, the ACT General Secretary, Dawa Lepcha, informed that after completing the Dharna, ACT members would call on the Chief Secretary, who is also the Chairman of the high powered committee on HEPs, and place a memorandum against mega hydroelectric projects in Dzongu.
The memorandum seeks the early scrapping of the two HEPs mentioned earlier, which, ACT highlights “have been a thorn in the hearts of Dzongu… the last bastion of Lepcha culture and existence”.
The project affected area, apart from being precious for the Lepchas, is also ecologically fragile with the Khangchendzonga National Park and Biosphere Reserve forming a major part of Dzongu, the memorandum adds.
Preliminary investigation works of the projects which involved blasting have resulted in “unprecedented landslides” in an already geologically fragile area, the memorandum further contends.
Welcoming the scrapping of HEPs in Lachen and Lachung, ACT has reiterated that mega dams should be discontinued in the state as Sikkim falls under seismic zone V.
The ACT General Secretary further explained that the objective of today’s Dharna was to reiterate ACT’s opposition to HEPs in Dzongu.
Meanwhile, Save Sikkim member, TR Kharga, said that HEPs must not be encouraged at the cost of the environment, dharma, faith, beliefs and ecology and “most importantly the tug of war with nature should be stopped at once”. He went on to say that Save Sikkim was still opposing the Tashiding HEP in West Sikkim [the only hydel project left on the Rathong Chu, the rest having been scrapped] for which the construction company was continuing with blasting works in an area where tremors are regularly felt.

Gorkhaland Task Force to ‘occupy’ Jantar Mantar with statehood demand on Monday

GANGTOK, 18 March: The Gorkhaland Task Force, an alliance of political parties and social organizations demanding the creation of a separate state of Gorkhaland, has announced plans to sit on a dharna in support of their demand at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Monday, 19 March.
A GTF press communiqué informs that the dharna will be addressed by leaders of national parties as well as leaders from the proposed Gorkhaland area. Among those who are likely to address the dharna are Swami Agnivesh, Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy, LJP president Ram Vilas Paswan, RJD president Laloo
Prasad Yadav, Asom Gana Parishad MP Joseph Toppo as well as members of Parliament like Amar Singh and SK Bwisumuthiary, the release informs.
People from Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong, Dooars, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Gurgaon and other other parts of the NCT are expected to sit on the dharna. The Gorkhaland Task Force, formed under the aegis of the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, comprises of political parties like the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists, All India Gorkha League, Gorkha Rajya Nirman Morcha, Gorkha National Liberation Force (C), Uttarakhand-based Gorkha Democratic Front and social organizations like the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh and Gorkha Shaheed Sewa Samiti.

ASDASG dharna enters sixth day

GROUP PREPARING TO APPROACH PRESIDENT, GOVERNOR
Ameet Oberoi
GANGTOK, 01 Feb: The health condition of the president Sonam Sherpa and the vice president C Tamang of All Sikkim Departmental Adhoc Staff Group [ASDASG], who have been on an indefinite hunger strike since the evening of 29 January is detoriating. They were visited by doctors from the Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial [STNM] Hospital today and yesterday as well who advised them to take medicines because of health problems. However both the agitating teachers have refused. This is in protest to the non response or non intervention on behalf of either the state government or officials from the Human Resource Development Department [HRDD].
The dharna by the ASDASG today entered its sixth day while the hunger strike went into its fourth day today. The two, along with other members of ASDASG, teaching and non teaching staff of the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan [SSA] and HRDD have been sitting on a dharna here at the District Administrative Centre [DAC] premises situated at Sichey since 27 January. “We want the State government to take some action and address the problems being faced by adhoc teachers [teaching and non teaching] of SSA and HRDD, but till now no official from the state government or the HRD Department has come and spoken to us”, informed the ASDASG president Sonam Sherpa. He added that they had already submitted their memorandum of grievances and demands to the Minister HRDD and the Secretary HRDD.
The ASDASG has also constituted a negotiating team from amongst their members in the event of  any future talks; besides the group is also preparing a memorandum to the Governor and the President of India very soon.
We are even ready to sacrifice ourselves, so that we can set an example for the future generation and that is why we are following the Gandhian principle, the president said and added that if there was no action taken either by the State Government of officials from the HRD Department then they would be left with no option but to sacrifice their lives.
It was alleged by the demonstrating teachers that the department had not been following the proper norms and criteria so why was it showing them NCTE rules when it came to the issue of their appointment. We just want to be given equal opportunity and the extension of our tenures, stated the president.
They informed that other leaders who were approached had also expressed helplessness and they further clarified that they were apolitical. At the same time they welcomed support from all quarters.

ASDASG granted ‘verbal permission’ for dharna at DAC premises

GANGTOK, 25 Jan: A section of the teaching and non-teaching staff of the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan [SSA] and the Human Resource Development Department [HRDD] aligned under the All Sikkim Departmental Adhoc Staff Group [ASDASG] were today granted ‘verbal permission’ by the Superintendent of Police [East], Dr. MS Tuli to sit for a dharna [in pursuance of their demands] at the District Administrative Centre here at Sichey from 27 January onwards.
It may be informed here that ASDASG members tried to secure the permission yesterday but could not owing to Tuesday being a holiday.
“This morning, we had gone to meet the SP [East] in his office and we explained to him that we were seeking permission to sit for a dharna in front of the DAC premises in pursuance of our demand seeking extension of our tenures under SSA. After hearing us out he gave us his verbal consent on the permission to sit for the dharna,” informed ASDASG member, Tenzing Chopel Bhutia, while speaking to NOW!.
“We have been granted permission to sit for the dharna at the DAC premises from 27 January [11 a.m. to 4 p.m.] and can be extended further if the government does not take any steps,” he stated, adding, “We will be contacting all our ASDASG members in all the four districts to come and join us on 27 January in front of the DAC premises to make this dharna a success as this will not only show our unity but will also highlight our plight.”
“We are just seeking social justice, we are neither a political party nor are we political leaders. This is not the voice of a single person, but the voice of all the adhoc teaching and non-teaching persons from all over the state,” stated another ASDASG member Sachin Pradhan.
Stating that the group is not against the government and are rather its supporters, Netra Kharel expressed that this step has been taken to make their future secure and since most of them are nearing the age bar [to compete for government employment], they have been left with no other option.
Likewise, Bimal Chettri also added that the government should not listen to rumors about the group having any political affiliations. “We only want extension and nothing else”, he stated.

Protesting SSA group to seek permission for dharna and continue trying to meet CM

GANGTOK, 24 Jan: Around 30 members of the All Sikkim Departmental Adhoc Staff Group [ASDASG] teaching and non-teaching staff of the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan [SSA] under the Human Resource Development Department [HRDD], who had gathered at the District Administrative Centre here at Sichey this morning seeking permission to sit for a dharna to press for their demands from the Superintendent of Police [East] Office had to return disappointed as today was a Government holiday.
“They wanted to meet the SP [East], but today being a government holiday the office of the SP [East] was closed and so I requested them to return tomorrow morning when the office reopens and meet the SP [East] regarding the permission,” informed Sub Divisional Magistrate, East, Dr AB Karki while speaking to NOW!
“Initially they were agitated and angry at being let down, but then I explained to them the procedures that have to be followed for obtaining such permissions and that this was not the right way to do things,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jigmee Bhutia, a member of the ASDASG, while speaking to NOW! later, informed that they had no idea that today was a holiday and that it was only when they reached the DAC premises that they came to know that today was a Government holiday.
“We could not meet the SP to apply for the permission, but we still wanted to sit for the dharna there. It was only after the assurance and guidance of the SDM [East] that we left from the DAC premises”, he added.
“On Wednesday, we will come and meet the SP [East] and seek his permission to sit for the dharna, and if we are not given permission for the dharna, we will go ahead with our hunger strike in front of the DAC,” he stated further adding that half of them will seek permission for the dharna, while the other half will seek an appointment with the Chief Minister, tomorrow morning.
The SDPO [East] and the PI of the Sadar Police Station were also present at the DAC today to control the situation from getting out of hand.

SSA group crowds Mintokgang gate seeking collective meeting with CM to pursue service extension demand

AMEET OBEROI
GANGTOK, 23 Jan: Around 100 teaching and non-teaching staff employed on contract basis under the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan [SSA] by the Human Resource Development Department [HRDD] gathered at the gates of the Chief Minister’s official residence, Mintokgang, today demanding to meet him in person in pursuance of their demand seeking extension of their tenure. They are being supported by 176 Computer Teachers, who it is reported, had been assured by the Chief Minister of regular jobs, which have still not materialized and who have not received salaries for the last three months. Collectively, the group have formed an association by the name of “All Sikkim Departmental Adhoc Staff Group” [ASDASG] comprising of teaching and non-teaching staff.
“We have been trying to meet the Chief Minister for the past many days and have tried to get an appointment 2-3 times already, but have always been turned back by the PRO stating that we cannot get an appointment with the CM regarding this issue,” claimed Sonam G Sherpa [president, All Sikkim Departmental Adhoc Staff Group], while speaking to media-persons here today.
Interestingly, Mr. Sherpa also informed that the Chief Minister’s Office had conveyed word to them today to select a 5-member delegation to meet with the CM and discuss their demands. The ASDASG however decided not to send a small delegation and remained steadfast in their demand to meet him as a group, fearing that a smaller representation might feel intimidated and not pursue their demands as effectively.
At the crux of the matter is their demand for extension of their services.
“We were recruited last year and had put up the file regarding the extension of our tenure in November, 2011, and even the HRD Minister had approved the file for sanction. But when the file came to the officer’s level, it went missing and we have not been able to trace it,” he said. “It looks like that the departmental officials are trying to suppress the file and now we all have been running after the file to find its location,” he said.
“Our’s is a contractual job and we get consolidated pay and when we are asked to join we are given ‘service books’, wherein it reads that we are to have this job until the SSA projects running under the State government are not over, but here we are not even being given extension of our services even though the SSA continues,” argued Jigmee Bhutia, an ASDASG member.
He further informed that as they were drawing consolidated pay, they received only 22 days salary for December, 2011 instead of a complete month. “We were told that as we had worked for just the 22 working days we were being paid that amount,” he added.
Speaking on the agenda, the ASDASG president informed that the existing employees [under SSA] should continue on their jobs. Their group, he added, was “totally“ against NCTE criteria based norms and is also demanding that the previous staff should be extended the same privileges as the SSA regulars.
“There should be no discrimination from any department or the government policy, but should get equal justification before the eyes of law; we also want that there should be a systematic process for everyone in recruitment or extension; clear notification and circular should be forwarded by the department in any matter; we should be regularized under the manifesto of our state government as this list comes under the concurrent bill which has the same priority as the central government,” he added.
Mr. Sherpa insists that their group has no political affiliations and that they were taking the present stand for job security. He however added, “If our department cannot fulfill our demands, we will be compelled to become a politicised body”.
On the plan of action if a meeting with the Chief Minister as demanded by them does not materialize, he informed that the next course of action would be to go on a hunger strike, then march out with black flags and if even this approach fails, then turn completely political by fielding independent candidates for the upcoming panchayat elections and the assembly polls in 2014.
Meanwhile, the group sat in a meeting later in the day to decide future action. This meeting, the group’s president informs, resolved to try and meet the Chief Minister once again on Tuesday and should even this attempt end without results, go ahead with a dharna.
The president also alleged harassment by the PRO to the CM and the Superintendent of Police [East] in their bid to seek an appointment with the CM today.

BJP gen secy attempts dharna for Baba at MG Marg, escorted away

GANGTOK, 06 June: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s Sikkim unit general secretary Padam Sharma, arrived at the Gandhi statue enclave at MG Marg this morning and sat down on a dharna with a placard protesting the police crackdown on Baba Ramdev’s satyagrah in New Delhi last night. He was there barely 20 minutes when a team from the Sadar Police Station escorted him away, reminding him that neither did he have permission, nor were such demonstrations allowed at the MG Marg.
Speaking to media persons earlier, Mr. Sharma explained that he was sitting on a dharna under the central BJP’s initiative in response to the “atrocities” committed against Baba Ramdev and his followers by the Delhi police.
“As a lay person of the civil society, beating up of sadhus and sants, ladies and children who were standing up against corruption is not acceptable,” he said.
“The power scam, the land acquisition in Sikkim, corruption in India and Sikkim is reaching beyond imagination and all this has to stop,” he said and added that since the central BJP leaders were sitting on a dharna at Rajghat in New Delhi, so all the States were following in the footsteps of their leaders.

BJP sits on dharna against corruption in Sikkim

GANGTOK, 03 May: The State unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party [BJP] held a day-long dharna in front of the District Administrative Centre at Sichey on Tuesday to protest against alleged corruption in the Sikkim Democratic Front [SDF] government.
Speaking to media persons, Lok Sabha MP from Kathiar in Bihar, who is also in-charge of Sikkim, Nikhil Chowdhary said that he had been made in-charge of Sikkim by the party high command to look into issues concerning the state and to see whether funds from the centre were being utilized properly or not by the state government.