Shaken Sikkim to propitiate guardian deities to keep State and its people safe

Rebuilding from the devastation of the 18 Sept 2011 earthquake is still a work in progress in Sikkim. It will also not be untrue to suggest that the Sikkimese had barely gotten over the trauma of that earthquake that the horrors of the Nepal temblor invaded their homes over the weekend. The Nepal quake of 25 April rattled homes in Sikkim even though a bulk of its destructive force was cushioned by the granite bulwark of the Khangchendzonga and its attendant mountains of the Singalila range. Since then the visuals of the devastation in neighbouring Nepal and the roll of the aftershocks have kept Sikkim on tenterhooks. The sense of fear is apparent in the near hysteria with which Sikkim empties out into the streets with every aftershock. Given the jumpy nerves around, it is perhaps apt that apart from awareness generation on disaster mitigation and preparedness, the State Government has also now decided to propitiate the State’s guardian deities to keep Sikkim safe. “The Sikkimese people have a strong belief and faith in our deities. In the wake of the tragedy that struck Nepal and some parts of our country, the State Government has felt it pertinent to seek refuge in the propitiation of our deities,” informs an official press communiqué received from the Ecclesiastical Affairs Department. Sikkim, incidentally, is the only State of India to boast of an Ecclesiastical Affairs Department. This Department, the press release informs, has “requested high incarnate Rinpoches  to perform all necessary rituals and pujas to prevent  the occurrence of  natural disasters and to protect the people from calamities”.

Walking down 18 Sept 2011 RANJIT SINGH

Come 18 September, 2014 and we will get yet another opportunity to recollect and reflect on the events of 18 September, 2011. This is the 3rd anniversary of that day in 2011 when Sikkim experienced a kind of disaster which set the benchmark for infrastructure development that Sikkim is witnessing today. Sikkim paid a price that day. 66 lives were lost, many were injured, houses were flattened and entire villages reduced to debris. The earthquake triggered a series of landslides which was the major cause for the widespread damages and loss of life and property.
The question Sikkim needs to ask at this moment is how far it has come since that day in terms of lessons learnt. The day was an eye-opener to the indiscriminate and unregulated construction works of all kinds including hydel projects, ill maintained roads along with weak power lines and fragile mobile connectivity. Most of all, it brought home the realization of vulnerability – both to natural calamities and our excesses.
North district was the hardest hit. An entire village was wiped off in Dzongu, roads totally scooped out or blocked by landslides rendering habitations inaccessible. Villagers of Bey, Dzongu had to depend on air lifting of basic necessities by the army. The more courageous ventured on the long trek to Mangan to get rice and other items. With no vehicles able to ply it was a three-day trek back to home with huge sacks of rice and a forest and still usnatble slopes to negotiate. There were labourers as well who wanted to get out and fast. The earthquake had shattered their nerves; many of them, with dumbfounded faces, piled onto trucks to make their way to Singtam and onward to Siliguri – without pay. Many walked down to Singtam from Dzongu and Chungthang. The highway to Singtam was lined with such labourers who didn’t think twice about the long trek downwards. The only thought was to put as much distance between them and Sikkim. So inaccessible was north district that it was only about a week later that photos of the ground situation and damages there could be accessed.
Many labourers also were reported to go missing. With communications out and no information system in place, families, particularly mothers and wives of local labourers waited at helipads for a word; some waited for days at Mangan hoping to see a familiar face emerging from the lines of labourers making their way out.
Chungthang, the epicenter, could hardly be called a town anymore. It was a dead zone with bodies being unearthed for days from debris of collapsed structures. The people waited endlessly for help and assistance. Local administration put up a brave face to encourage the people and provide as much as it could. They also had to cater to Lachen and Lachung which, too, had become inaccessible. One remembers the long walk up to Lachen by then SDM Chungthang. However and as admitted by officials, the north district administration was overwhelmed and found itself ill equipped to handle the magnitude of the situation, as did the entire government machinery.
The most frightening experience for the people of Sikkim was probably living in darkness and without any kind of communication with the outside world for days. All power lines were down along with mobile connectivity. Candles became sought after. Anticipating another tremor people of Gangtok crowded MG Marg which became a large open air dormitory at night. Closed spaces and heights suddenly became unwanted and seemed ominous.
We certainly cannot forget the army and the NDRF which put in all their resources to pull Sikkim out of its daze. Many stranded tourists, labourers as well as locals were rescued by army choppers making sorties to the towns of Chungthang, Lachen and Lachung. These choppers also air lifted supplies and basic necessities to the villagers of these regions. They also opened relief camps. Personnel from the army and NDRF also did a remarkable job in getting the major roads cleared for vehicles and opening communication lines. Locals also came together to donate in cash and kind in order that those in need could avail of basic supplies. South and west districts too, were badly affected by the earthquake but north, particularly Chungthang, remains the face of 18 September, 2011.
Whatever the extent of trauma and loss people, sooner or later, pick up the pieces and continue with their lives. We learn to carry on and get back to our lives, daily chores and our individual train of thoughts and emotions. Sikkim did the same – and is still doing so.

PANIC ’N REMEMBRANCE

Many more than expected people poured into MG Marg, Gangtok, on Tuesday evening as the appointed time arrived for the candlelight remembrance of the 2011 Earthquake drew close today. Apart from individuals and organisation who turned up for the vigil, also at the venue were residents scared out of their homes by the 4.1 temblor which coursed through the State at 5:56 pm, minutes before 6:10 p.m. when the 6.9 strong earthquake had hit Sikkim with devastating effect this day last year.

GANGTOK REMEMBERS 2011: Helping Hands Sikkim organised a candlelight memorial and prayers here at MG Marg today in remembrance of the lives lost in the 18 September 2011 earthquake. A large number of people turned up in front of the Tourism office for the candlelight vigil and prayers which began at 6:10 PM, the exact time when the quake had struck last year. Prayers were offered by leaders of all religions while Speaker KT Gyalsten, HRDD Minister NK Pradhan, Gangtok Mayor Dorjee Namgyal and Deputy Mayor Shakti Singh also joined the service. An audio CD titled ‘Lets pray campaign’ by artists from Sikkim, Darjeeling and Kalimpong was also launched on the day.

4.1 magnitude tremor scares Sikkim on first anniv of 18 Sept 2011

GANGTOK, 18 Sept: Call it a coincidence, a cruel prank by nature, or even a reminder, but on 18 September today, Sikkim once again relived an experience it would rather have not. At 5:56 PM this evening, people emptied out into the streets again as a quick but strong enough to scare 4.1 magnitude tremor hit the state.

Last year, on the same day an earthquake measuring 6.9 in magnitude had hit the state at 6:10 PM causing major damages across Sikkim especially North Sikkim. Nervous apprehension preyed on many minds as the State marked the first anniversary of the strongest ever [in recorded history] earthquake with its epicenter in Sikkim.
As the countdown began, the 4.1 temblor rocked the State and panic was instantaneous.
Even as people gathered at Titanic Park for a candlelight vigil to pay homage to lives lost in last year’s quake, the fresh tremor reignited fear amongst people.
The MET department has reported that the epicenter of today’s earthquake was located in North Sikkim [30 km north of Tadong, Gangtok] at Latitude 27.4°N Longitude 88.5°E with a depth of 10 kilometers. No damage to life or property is reported.
Stronger tremors have visited the State in the past year, but one on the anniversary obviously carried the strongest scare-potential. This significance was not lost on the authorities either with the police and the administration responding quickly and appealing for calm.
Chief Secretary Karma Gyatso, when contacted, appealed to the people not to panic, pointing out that the earthquake was slight in nature. SP East, Dr. MS Tuli, also confirmed that they have received reports of people rushing out in fear and appealed that such panic reactions be avoided.

Looking back, a year after the devastation in North district

Lest Sikkim forgets, WANGCHUK BHUTIA recaps the events of 18 Sept 2011 in North Sikkim, replaying the trauma and confusion of the following weeks…

The North district of Sikkim, the area closest to the epicenter of the quake that shook the state on 18 September last year, took the brunt of the temblor and even though it is the most thinly populated of all districts, posted the highest casualty figure of 42 dead. The earthquake claimed a total of 63 lives in Sikkim. Most of the damage and casualties were centered around the Chungthang, Saffo, Mangan, Dzongu, Lachen and Lachung corridor of the district. Official figures reveal that 80% of the houses in the district suffered damages of varying degrees and many families were displaced.
The Worst Hit
After the earthquake and the aftershocks had subsided, relief and rescue operations began in the earnest.
The worst affected of all habitations was the Bey village in Upper Dzongu where seven people were killed in a landslide which collapsed on their homes. This village, which had a cluster of 18 houses divided into two by Tholung Chu running through it, saw one part of the village consisting of five houses swept away when the earthquake shook loose the entire hill above it. The rest of the village was evacuated and around 120 people comprising of women, senior citizens and children shifted to a relief camps at Lingzya and in the home of ward Panchayat Nima Lepcha at 4th Mile Mantam.
The road to Bey village has still not been cleared owing to the many difficult and dangerous slides which have ambushed it.
The affected people of Bey and Mantam village were recently provided home construction sites at Chandey near Mangan Bazaar where 21 families have been awarded the allotment order along with the home construction allotment under Reconstruction of Earthquake Damaged Rural Houses (REDRH).
Chungthang was the worst affected town which suffered a trail of devastation and destruction left by the earthquake. A series of landslides triggered by the 6.9 strong tremor of 18 September brought down a pall of gloom with as many as 13 deaths registered in Chungthang alone, many claimed still missing and almost all houses and structures here having taken damage to some extent.
With most structures now unsafe and residents were insecure about returning to even houses which have suffered only minor damage, most slept in the camps and open spaces with a few beginning to return to their houses.
As per the preliminary report prepared by the North District administration at the time, the earthquake, which claimed 42 lives in the district, had completely damaged 432 RCC buildings and 643 kutcha houses in the district. Meanwhile, 2,965 RCC buildings registered major damage along with 5,398 kutcha houses. The earthquake also delivered a strong blow to the livestock in the district, killing 2,209 animals [Cows-307, Goats-210, Bulls-232, Pigs-250, Yaks-410, Sheep-800].
With North Sikkim being the worst affected district, 231 vehicles [bus, trucks, taxis and government vehicles] were utilized for transportation by the district administration.
As of now, the UDHD is in the process of preparing the post earthquake town plan of Chungthang. Meanwhile, orders have been issued for the dismantling of 13 buildings at Chungthang Bazaar which have been declared as unsafe. Rs. 50 lakh has been sanctioned for the construction of SDM quarter.
Connectivity
Officials of the Border Roads Organization responsible for the North Sikkim Highway had to battle difficult odds to open road access to Chungthang beyond Mangan. The BRO deployed more than 600 laborers and personnel and heavy machinery on this alignment and worked under very risky conditions to clear the roads.
Traffic to North Sikkim was severely compromised with all routes disrupted. Even telecom connectivity and electricity supply was completely disrupted with extensive damage caused to drinking water supply. Roads to Mangan [from Gangtok], Chungthang, Saffo-Shipgyer, Mangan-Singtam, Dikchu-Gangtok, Rakdong etc were blocked by several landslides.
The road to Chungthang was badly damaged at several spots at Theng and Toong which took almost one month to restore.
The road to Lachen was also badly damaged at several spots. Similarly, the road to Lachung from Chungthang was disrupted with several slides which took more than a month to restore where around 600 feet stretch of the road formation had been washed away at Khedum a few kilometres short of Lachung along with several other slides.
A few days after the earthquake, Sonam Lepcha of Shipgyer had trekked the treacherous Shipgyer-Mayong route to reach Mangan and travelled onwards to Gangtok to bring news of the earthquake devastated regions of Dzongu and worried by the rumors they heard of the situation in Gangtok. Relieved that Gangtok escaped the scale of devastation which visited North Sikkim, he carried word that his village and Rammam nearby had suffered severe damage and remained precariously placed. With no telecom network and disrupted transport, the village was completely cut off.
The list of damages included monasteries, churches and school building along with several other private and government properties. The Bop Primary School located between Chungthang and Lachung had collapsed and the school was temporarily shifted to Chungthang till the end of the 2011 session. Likewise, the Pentong Primary School in Upper Dzongu also suffered multiple damages. The Tholung Monastery in Upper Dzongu suffered multiple damages while Ringhem Monastery above Mangan suffered 70% damages. The Ship Kunzang Choling Monastery at Shipgyer-Ramom GPU and Chungthang Monastery also sustained major damages due to the earthquake.
Chief Secretary Karma Gyatso laid the foundation stone of Ringhem monastery on 24 August last month. In the first phase Rs. 1 crore has been sanctioned for the reconstruction of the monastery.
Tholung Monastery in Upper Dzongu, meanwhile, still awaits reconstruction and renovation work. The posts and pillars of the monastery are almost tilting and appear structurally compromised even as most of the partition walls have collapsed and severe cracks have developed in the remaining partitions. All the belongings of the monastery have been shifted to the Sheda building attached to the monastery. The public and the Gumpa Committee have requested the concerned authorities for the early construction of the monastery [ NOW! issue of 05 Sept 2012].
Also damaged was the Ship Kunzang Choling Monastery wherein a total of 15 surrounding houses - “Thasyap” - of the monastery had developed major cracks running clear through the walls. Some of the walls had collapsed and a house had visibly tilted in the monastery complex.
Among the damages suffered by the monastery were also two chortens in the complex which had collapsed.
The residents of Shipgyer had been preparing for the inauguration of the two-storey Sheda building, with only the power and water supply left to be installed. This building too had been severely affected and had tilted.
One floor of the additional RCC structure of the monastery collapsed during the earthquake, damaging the community centre where the Sheda was housed.
Setting aside their personal losses, the villagers began temporary protection work at the monastery to protect it from further damage. Speaking to NOW!, Panchayat President Yeshey Lepcha had informed that the monastery was last renovated in the year 1982.
It is informed that Rs 3 crore has been sanctioned for the reconstruction of the Ship Kunzang Choling Monastery. Also at Ship, 14 houses which had been damaged have been provided space for reconstruction at a nearby agricultural land.
For the Chungthang Monastery, Rs 2 crore has been sanctioned by the state government for its reconstruction and Rs 5 lakh has already been allotted to the members of the monastery as reconstruction token.
With regard to the schools, for the Bop Primary School, which had collapsed in the earthquake and is currently being run at the community centre, construction of a new building at the same location has been sanctioned but work is yet to begin. At the same time, although reconstruction work at Pentong Primary school is going on, work has been hindered due to bad road conditions.
It may be mentioned here that the Sakyong Pentong area is still cut off and even reaching Bey is not possible at the moment.

The Missing
While all of North Sikkim, its district officials, army and other personnel were occupied with the death toll and damages, the one thing that went unnoticed was the number of missing people. The moment the roads were cleared, the district headquarter town of Mangan was clogged with families from villages in-and-around Mangan and Dikchu anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones and relatives employed in the Teesta Stage III hydel project.
Missing, it may be mentioned here, did not necessarily mean feared dead and had their families worried because there had been no communication with them since the earthquake. Communication networks in most parts north of Mangan had been disrupted and remained so for quite while.
The district officials had only a list of the dead and the injured brought to the hospitals; there was absolutely no information as to how many were missing. The district officials were pacifying people with the hope that these ‘missing’ persons could be safe in Chungthang.

The Forgotten: Labourers
With many missing and several dead, large sections of the remaining labour force of the hydel project companies up in North Sikkim started fleeing home. Ever since the day of the earthquake, the laborers, mostly from West Bengal, Bihar and Nepal, had been trickling into Mangan on foot from Chungthang and other places. They were, to a large extent, the forgotten lot; neither the administration nor their respective companies seemed to have organized anything to return them home.
It is ironic that in a situation as the one that they found themselves in, they had not been paid for the past 4 to 5 months and did not have a penny in their pockets. They also discovered that there was no arrangement made by the administration or anybody else for their journey back home.
With no money, most were seen just sitting at the Mangan taxi stand, hoping for a lift out. It was the Mangan Nagar Panchayat and the bazaar community which organized hot meals and tea for them which saved them from starving…

South Sikkim joins State in dedicating 18 Sept Earthquake anniv to awareness and preparedness

NAMCHI, 13 Sept: The first anniversary of the 18 September 2011 Earthquake will be dedicated to awareness and preparedness with the State Government declaring a series of awareness programmes in the run-up to 18 September 2012 throughout the state.
The main aim of such programmes is to generate awareness amongst the masses about earthquakes and its impact together with educating the masses on preparedness and mitigation measures in pre, during and post earthquake phases.
A National Level Conference is scheduled to be organized at Gangtok on 17-18 September 2012 along with mass rallies, essay competitions, putting up posters and banners, etc. Similar programmes will also be organized in all sub-divisions and the districts.
In this regard, South District Administration has decided to conduct training on first aid, fire safety, rescue operation, skits, plays, essay competitions and candle light rallies, etc. from 14 September 2012 at the Central Park of Namchi, South Sikkim. As informed by the DRM Cell, all the HODs of the district level are going to participate actively during this programme.

Process begins to relocate earthquake ravaged Bey to Chandey

MLA HANDS OVER PLOTS AND CONSTRUCTION ALLOTMENT ORDERS TO 21 DISPLACED FAMILIES
WANGCHUK BHUTIA
MANGAN, 27 Aug: Almost a year since the 18 September earthquake destroyed the villages of Bey and Mantam in Upper Dzongu, the process has begun for villagers from the two villages to relocate to Chandey in Mangan, some 26-27 km away from their original village.
A total of 21 displaced families [9 from Bey and 12 from Mantam] were handed over home construction plots and allotment orders under the Reconstruction of Earthquake Damaged Rural Houses [REDRH] Project at a function held at Chandey yesterday.
Their area MLA, Power Minister Sonam Gyatso Lepcha, handed over the documents to the beneficiaries and also laid the foundation stone for a house construction for these families, eachof whom will receive a one-slab RCC structure under REDRH.
It may be mentioned here that Bey had been badly hit by last year’s earthquake, when a landslide triggered by the temblor had wiped out all 9 houses in the village. Seven people had been killed in the mishap. Around 120 villagers were evacuated from the village the next day and shifted to Lingzya in Upper Dzongu where they have been staying till now.
Speaking at the function, Minister Sonam Gyatso appealed to all government officials and panchayat members to take up the project in earnest and ensure quality work and further added that the displaced families had been given priority in the first phase of REDRH implementation in the district.
Likewise, the DDO North, Chewang Gyatso Bhutia highlighted that the construction will be completed in phases in order to ensure good quality work with 10 houses being taken up initially.  He urged the beneficiaries to also involve themselves in ensuring the quality as well as quantity of the work and further added that Sikkim was the only state where people have been provided with such facilities.
Later, while speaking to NOW!, the Minister informed that the constructions will be completed within eight months as informed by the technical experts and engineers.  He further added that land under the UDHD has been provided for the resettlement of these families at Chandey.
Meanwhile, on the progress of CMRHM in Dzongu, he informed that there is good progress in 10 GPUs out of 11 in Dzongu with only Sakyong-Pentong GPU lagging behind owing to problems in road connectivity.  Similarly, on the status of two schools - Pentong Primary School and Lingzya School which had collapsed during the earthquake, the Minister stated that Rs. 90 lakh has been sanctioned for the reconstruction of Pentong School which will start as soon as road connectivity of Lingzya-Bey is restored.  He further informed that other remaining restoration works were in progress under the respective departments.
“I’m very happy and satisfied as I have been compensated for the loss of my property,” said Rikden Lepcha, one of the displaced Bey residents while speaking to NOW! after receiving the home construction plot and site allotment order. He also expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister and area MLA for the resettlement and construction project.

Bangalore NGO and locals rebuild earthquake damaged house at Tamang basti

MANGAN, 08 July: A resident of Tamang basti, Upper Singhik, North Sikkim, Diki Choden Tamang’s house had been damaged in last year's earthquake and the Government had provided instant relief of Rs. 15, 000. Local youth, Nursesus Lepcha of Upper Singhik, in coordination with a Bangalore based NGO took the initiative to rebuild the damaged house which was completed recently.
The house has two rooms, a kitchen, toilet and a bathroom. The family, which had been rsiding in a temporary shed since the earthquake, has shifted into their new home.
On Saturday, Ms Tamang and the villagers held a meeting and thanked Mr. Lepcha and the NGO from Bangalore for their help. The team is now reconstructing a second damaged house, this one belonging to Zongmit Lepcha in Ringhim above Mangan. They have plans to rebuild five more houses in the GPU.

Minor quake recorded on Sikkim-Nepal border

GANGTOK, 11 June: An earthquake of slight intensity, measuring 3.8 on the Richter scale, shook the Sikkim-Nepal border region this morning, the Director of MET, Gangtok, K Premchand informed reporters here today.
Nepal’s  National Seismological Center web portal however reports that the earthquake was of M4.5 intensity. The epicentre was in the Panchthar district of Nepal bordering Sikkim [latitude 27.2 degrees North and longitude 88.3 degrees East]. The earthquake occurred at 10.05 a.m. this morning and was felt in parts of West Sikkim as well.

3.5 magnitude tremor felt in West Sikkim

GANGTOK, 30 May: An earthquake of slight intensity measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale was felt this morning in West Sikkim.  According to the Director, Regional Meteorological Centre, G C Debnath, the epicenter was on the Sikkim-Nepal border with an intensity measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale. The tremor was recorded at 7:14 AM in West Sikkim according to Disaster Project Officer, West, LR&DM.

SHRPP alleges misuse of earthquake relief fund by ruling party

GANGTOK, 02 Mar: The Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party [SHRPP] has alleged the ruling SDF party of misusing the money released by the Centre as relief for the 18 September earthquake victims towards organizing the Sikkim Democratic Front [SDF] Day celebrations at Jorethang in South district.
Talking to mediapersons in Gangtok today, the party president Dr.AD Subba claimed that the SDF Party led Government in the State has gone almost bankrupt and it has no money to pay its dues to the contractors and a large number of government employees. He said that in such a situation the source of money, being used in holding the Party’s second decadal celebrations, is now an open secret.
The SHRPP president also charged the ruling party for allegedly intimidating people and misusing the official machinery for mobilizing crowd for its conference.

JNU’s KCRR engages earthquake affected in post-disaster deliberations

MANGAN, 01 Mar:  The Khushi Centre for Rehabilitation & Research (KCRR) of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, in coordination with the Sikkim Lepcha Youth Association, Sikkim University and support of the State Government, organized a special interactive programme for earthquake affected people of North Sikkim at Lingzya, Upper Dzongu on 29 Feb and at Mangan community hall on 01 March.
The programme here started with a welcome address by Panu Pazo, PhD Fellow, JNU.  The chief guest, DM (N), TN Kazi, in his address, focused on the 18 September earthquake and its impact on Sikkim with special focus on North district. He also took the opportunity to underline the importance of preparedness and also thanked all who helped in the extensive rescue, rehabilitation & restoration efforts after the earthquake.
Dr. Bimal Ghimire of Sikkim University spoke on post disaster management, while the Director, KCRR, Saket Mani, addressing the Relief & Rehabilitation session, stressed the need to understand and address the importance of health requirements, sharing of responsibilities and positive counselling for shock & trauma in a post-disaster scenario.
The programme concluded with an interaction session and signature campaign. The programme was also attended by Mangan Nagar Panchayat President, KJ Bhutia, Councillor PK Malu, teachers, Mangan Senior Secondary School students and members of SLYA & Sikkim Youth.

Catholic Churches of Sikkim contribute to earthquake relief fund

GANGTOK, 23 Feb [IPR]: As per a press release received from Catholic Churches of Sikkim, the members of Catholic Churches of Sikkim have donated a sum of Rs. 1,65,011 to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for the earthquake victims of the18 September 2011. The release further adds that they have also prayed to almighty for avoidance of such calamities in the future.

Rotary honours local heroes

GANGTOK, 21 Feb: Rotary Club of Gangtok South honoured selected persons for their commendable work during the 18 Sept earthquake in a special function held on 18.Feb, informs a press release. The club also honoured three persons who had contributed their valuable time and service without any honorarium for the furtherance of education of the differently abled children of Vikalang Society of Sikkim.
Those felicitated were Sambup Bhutia (BDO Chungthang) who had swung into action immediately after the earthquake for the people of Chungthang, the epicentre of the earthquake. Hiran Gurung (Private Entrepreneur) reached Chungthang and other affected areas of Dzongu with three Mountaineers with essential food stock and equipment.
Karma Lodro (Assistant Engineer-Power Chungthang) worked day and night to restore power supply and even helped the Army in search and rescue of the victims trapped in the earthquake.
Major Sonal Pravin Rajput (Official in-charge of 4.20 RMPL BRO North Sikkim) organised rescue operation and worked round the clock for clearing the road across Chungthang, South division. Sonam Pintso Bhutia (ASI Food), who organised tirelessly to reach essential food commodity to remote areas of Chungthang and Dzongu.
Tashi Chophel (SDM Chungthang) saved lives of two (2) persons from an active land slide and organised relief camps on war footing.
The release further informs that the other four members who contributed by giving free tuition and personal attention to differently abled children of Vikalang Society were RoshanChettri of Five ways School, Paras Shigh, lecturer at Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Purnima Gurung, lecturer at Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences and Tenshang Bhutia an academic relation counsellor at Promise Institute for personality development of children, Baluakhani.
They were honoured with trophy khadas and certificates. The chief guest for the special function was Health Secretary, Dr Kumar Bhandari while the guest of honour was Rnt. (Dr) Yougesh Verma, dist. Governor 2012-13 and the first Rotarian from Sikkim to occupy this post, the release adds.

Schools ready to run despite 18 Sept Earthquake; reconstruction work to be taken on priority

GANGTOK, 06 Feb: All schools in the state are set to reopen their gates for the new academic session in time from 14 February this year. This is inspite of the damages incurred to a large number of school buildings due to the earthquake of 18 September. Over 400 school buildings had been damaged and the Human Resource Development Department is yet to complete restoration and reconstruction works in all the damaged school buildings. Over 200 school buildings suffered damages and another 105 school buildings collapsed all over the state.
Responding to media queries, the Secretary mentioned that all schools are set to start the new academic session without any obstacles related to the 18 Sept earthquake. He informed that 178 temporary structures with 665 classrooms were set up at different locations and classes will be running smoothly from 14 February. However, he informed that reconstruction of school buildings will also be taken up immediately on priority basis. The HRDD had sought Rs.253 crore for immediate relief and restoration of school buildings and in the first installment of Rs.200 crore from the Rs.1000 crore relief package announced by the Prime Minister retrofitting of damaged school buildings along with other government structures was allotted Rs.45 crore.

UD&HD proposes monetary assistance for demolition of earthquake affected houses

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, FINANCES AND TIME PRESENT MAJOR HURDLES IN DEMOLITION EXERCISE
GANGTOK, 30 Jan: Owners of earthquake affected buildings who have been issued notices directing the demolition of their buildings have been grappling with the problem of how to go about demolishing these buildings. The recent further collapse of one such building in Singtam has brought this issue to fore since even four months since the devastating earthquake, this substantially affected building was still awaiting proper demolition along with many other such structures. The problem seems to be time and money.
The biggest problem, officials inform, is the significant monetary expense that will be incurred by house owners who have to bring down their structures. As for the department which is to demolish the structures - the UD&HD - the problem seems to be that of time. Demolition is a time consuming process and the department does not seem to be able to go after all such houses issued notices of demolishment.
However, it is informed that the Urban Development & Housing Department has now put up a proposal to the State government suggesting that monetary assistance be provided to the house owners so that they can undertake demolition on their own. The department will be available to provide any technical assistance if necessary.
The department, after overseeing the demolition of some structures in Gangtok, discovered that it would be impossible for it to continue with the demolition of all buildings marked to be taken down throughout the State. The earthquake damaged a large number of buildings and all such cases where the structures had to be brought down were forwarded to the UD&HD.
Considering the immense time consuming process that this would be, the department, officials inform, has now proposed that the house owners be provided with monetary assistance to bring down the houses themselves. The rate of monetary assistance is yet to be ascertained.
It is also to be seen if the proposal is approved and accepted by the state government. Initially the department was pressing its own demolition squads to the task.
In fact the primary responsibility of demolishment of a house is upon the house owner, it is informed.
The owner of the collapsing house at Singtam, like other such buildings owners, had also been issued with a notice for demolition, but, as officials inform, even after 4 months had not been able to undertake it.
In such cases, especially when the structure is endangering other nearby houses and the public at large, the house owner will be held responsible and liable for any damage to life or property, informs DC, East. As regards the Singtam building, the DC, East, informed that he had called the house owner and also had a meeting with the UD&HD engineer following which the house owner has begun demolishing the building which is right in the heart of Singtam bazaar.

JICA commits Rs 13 crore towards earthquake restoration

GANGTOK, 23 Jan: The State Forest Department has received formal approval from Japan International Cooperation Agency [JICA] for funds of Rs 13.12 crore to restore damage suffered by departmental infrastructure in the 18 September earthquake.
With JICA’s approval confirmed on 12 Jan, the Forest Department has pulled out its application seeking a similar fund from the Union Government for repairing earthquake damaged infrastructures, said Forest Secretary, ST Lachungpa in a press conference today.
Mr Lachungpa said that in the aftermath of the 18 September earthquake a detailed project report on restoration and renovation of departmental infrastructure damaged was prepared and submitted to JICA for funds. The restoration works are likely to commence by February, added Mr Lachungpa.
Additional PCCF and JICA assisted Sikkim Biodiversity and Forest Management Project Director, Anil Mainra informed that since major restoration works will be taken under JICA funding, the Union Government has expressed its willingness to fund the left over works under Integrated Forest Management System.
Two representatives of JICA will be visiting Sikkim on 30 Jan for a five-day trip during which they will assess the damages and funding estimated in our report, said Mr Mainra.
Mr Mainra further informed that the earthquake restoration fund of Rs 13.12 crore will come from the JICA project he explained that the JICA funding is done in the Japanese Yen which currently has a strong value in Indian currency. This fluctuation of rates in Yen and Indian Rupee and the profit derived through this has increased the total JICA funding for the project by 10-15%.

3.4 magnitude tremor felt in the capital

GANGTOK, 18 Jan: A strong tremor that lasted just a few seconds was felt in the capital this evening at around 7:43 PM. The tremor was also felt by people in North Sikkim, it is learnt.
As per the India Meteorological Department website, the slight intensity earthquake of 3.4 Richter scale had its epicenter at Lat. 27.3°N Long. 88.5°E.

Rs. 200 crore released as first installment Rs. 1,000 crore package announced by PM

FUNDS TO COVER RECONSTRUCTION OF SECRETARIAT, GOVT BUILDINGS, SCHOOLS, ROADS AND DAMAGED HOMES

GANGTOK, 16 Jan: Rs.200 crore out of the Rs. 1,000 crore package announced by the Prime Minister for post earthquake restoration and rebuilding efforts in Sikkim have finally been released. This amount was approved and released by the National Planning Commission on 06 January, 2012. The remaining Rs. 800 crore will depend on how soon and comprehensive the line departments are in preparing their detailed project reports for usage of the approved funds.
This is the first set of funds released under the Rs. 1,000 crore package and come with conditions which include that there should be no duplication of schemes and projects for which the funds have been released.
Complementing the release of this first installment is the Rs. 227.51 crore approved as financial aid under the National Disaster Relief Fund. This aid, as confirmed by the Prime Minister today and the Union Finance Minister yesterday at meetings with the Chief Minister, as earlier reported, had been provided as assistance for permanent reconstruction and mitigation measures in respect of government buildings, mines, minerals and geology and other important infrastructure in the state. In this regard the State had put up a memorandum seeking Rs. 7,400 crore as central assistance for permanent restoration and rebuilding measures.
As for the assured assistance of Rs. 1,000 crore, the state government was required to put up detailed project reports (DPRs) prepared by the line departments on how and where the funds would be utilized. Only DPRs for projects totaling Rs. 200 crore have been approved thus far.
It is informed that the DPRs submitted by the State government are vetted by the concerned central ministries and only on their satisfaction are they approved by the central government. Not all get passed and approved in their entirety and there are usually some cuts or rebuttal by the Centre to which the state has to respond. In this regard, officials inform that the departments are required to rework and reframe their proposals for the satisfaction of the central government for release of the remaining Rs. 800 crore.
The Rs.200 crore released by the Planning Commission is additional assistance released to the state on its request. This includes additional assistance of Rs. 100 crore as Special Plan Assistance and Rs. 100 crore as Special Central Assistance to Sikkim for post earthquake works under the Prime Minister’s Package (Rs. 1,000 crore) during 2011-2012.
The central assistance has come with conditions as well. The state government is to ensure “monitorable targets”, both physical and financial, against each project before the funds are released to the line departments; besides, a monitoring mechanism is also to be instituted to check progress. Significantly, the Centre has warned against duplication of schemes. In the words of the Planning Commission, the state government is to ensure that alternative sources of funding or funds through existing central schemes should not be availed for projects for which the funds have been released. There should be no overlapping of projects or funds. The funds have only to be utilized for which they have been released by the centre and should be passed on to the implementing agencies immediately.
The break-up of the Rs. 200 crore released is as follows: Rs. 30 crore is for reconstruction of the Secretariat for which the state had sought Rs. 193 crore; Rs. 45 crore for reconstruction of government building including schools, the STCS, police headquarters etc. The actual DPR for this had put up an estimate of Rs. 100 crores; For rehabilitation of roads and bridges, the state has received Rs. 15 crore out of Rs. 200 crore sought and for reconstruction of 7,972 damaged houses, the Centre has released Rs. 70 crore as of now out of the Rs. 453 crore put up by the State Government.

Team from LB Shastri Academy of Administration to visit South Sikkim to study earthquake response

NAMCH, 13 Jan: A team of professors from Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration is scheduled to visit South Sikkim from 16 January onwards. The purpose of this one-week visit is to study the response mechanism established by South District Administration post the earthquake of 18 Sept 2011.
The visit comes after the Academy learnt that the South District was able to set up a good response mechanism in the immediate relief and rescue measures post the disaster. South District is the only area selected for the study by Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration.