Power Minister treks to remote villages in Dzongu, meets and interacts

WANGCHUK BHUTIA
MANGAN, 09 Dec: In an expressed move to inspect whether government schemes were being provided to stakeholders in the villagers effectively or not, Power Minister Sonam Gyatso Lepcha trekked through remote villages of Lower Dzongu on 08 and 09 December. Mr. Lepcha is also the Dzongu area MLA and was accompanied on his tour by the panchayats and zilla members of Dzongu constituency. The march started from Ramphak Khola near Lingee right on the border of North and South Sikkim. The inspection tour began with prayers by a Bongthing.
The Minister visited Rumdon, Podom and Lingtyang villages of Lum ward on the first day and met and interacted with the villagers enquiring after their problems.
Here he was accompanied by the ward panchayat, Tshering Gyatso Lepcha, and the public placed a demand petition seeking the construction of an RCC Bridge at Rumchit and Rangkun Khola, construction of a road to Lingtyang, construction of community water tank at Lum village and provision of drinking water supply from Rangkun Khola to Lingtyang village.
While addressing the villagers at Lingtyang, the Minister informed that this visit was essentially to remind the newly elected panchayats of the hard work expected from them. He further informed that the under construction road till Lum village will be cleared soon. He stressed that it is not easy to bring a road to the Rumdon and Podom villages due to the sheer cliff and inaccessible locations. He urged the people to work hard to bring the road at these villages. A Lepcha traditional cultural programme was presented in his honor.
On the second day of the tour, the Minister trekked via Lingtyang to Sangtok and Sagyong villages where he interacted with the people at Sagyong. Here, the Minister also inaugurated the newly constructed hostel of Repbum English School accompanied by ward panchayat Topgay Lepcha.
The Zilla member Chedup Lepcha welcomed the gathering and also presented a demand petition on behalf of the people relating to the reconstruction of Sagyong monastery and repair of damages caused by last year’s earthquake and flash-flood of earlier this year. The people here also complained over the delay in the road cutting from Gor to Sagyong village which are hampering commuters during monsoons.
During his visit, the Minister also inspected the under construction CMRHM and REDRH pucca houses in the area.
Similarly, the people of Sangtok ward along with their ward panchayat, Lhamzay Lepcha also placed a demand letter seeking construction of a jeepable road from Pheedang to Middle Sangtok and re-construction of the Sangtok monastery.
The people of Gor ward, led by their panchayat Chung Chung Lepcha also complained about the delay in blacktopping of the Pheedang to Gor School road.  The minister also inspected the under construction road between Gor and Sagyong.
Later, while speaking to NOW!, the Minister said that the main purpose of his visit was to know whether the govt schemes were being reaching these villages properly or not and also to meet the newly elected panchayats and zillas of Dzongu in the areas of their work and to visit these most inaccessible areas where there is no road connectivity. The effort is to inspire the panchayats to work hard, he said, adding, “I am very impressed that schemes under horticulture and KVK are being implemented properly in these villages with the involvement of the officials”.

Power Minister treks to Tholung to assess progress of restoration work at monastery and pathway

MANGAN, 02 Sept: Dzongu MLA, Power Minister Sonam Gyatso Lepcha, was on a three-day tour to Tholung which falls under Bey ward of Sakyong-Pentong GPU in Upper Dzongu, North Sikkim in order to take stock of the progress of restoration of the damaged pathway from Bey to Tholung and damages to the Tholung monastery caused by last year’s earthquake.
The Minister started his tour on foot on 30 August from Salim-Pakel to the CWC bridge near Passingdang and then onwards from 10th Mile Lingzya to Tholung via Bey crossing more than 15 landslides and a section where a log bridge has also been washed out. The entourage returned to Mangan on 01 Sept.
The Minister also visited the “Thigang”, a sacred spot an hour and a half trek from Tholung and offered prayers there.
The panchayat and public of Bey placed a demand petition to the Minister regarding the fencing of Tholung Gumpa compound and the provision for installation of solar light at the Gumpa premises.
Later, while speaking to NOW!, the Minister said that the path to Tholung from Bey will be upgraded with permanent log bridges across different kholas and nalas which have been washed out by landslides after last year’s earthquake for the convenience of the devotees and local people.
On restoration of the Tholung Monastery, the Minister said that work will begin after the report of the technical experts and engineers from the concerned department which will also determine whether renovation or reconstruction needs to be undertaken. He also informed that priority will be given to the genuine demands placed by the people.
The Minister also expressed his satisfaction over the progress of work of Khamsel Lhakang for which an initial amount of Rs. 1 crore was sanctioned. Here, he said that the construction work amounting to the sanctioned amount has been carried out so far. He also interacted with the Gumpa Committee.
The Minister was accompanied by panchayat secretary Bey ward, Nima Lepcha, panchayat vice president Sakyong-Pentong GPU, Phurba Lepcha, panchayat secretary Lum/Gor/Sangtok, Tshering Gyatso Lepcha, panchayat members Topgay Lepcha, Dawa Lepcha and Nimket Lepha along with youth.

Power Minister tours still cut-off Bey-Pentong in Dzongu

EXPRESSES DISSATISFACTION WITH SLOW PACE OF ROAD RESTORATION WORKS
MANGAN, 18 April: During his two-day tour of the isolated areas of Upper Dzongu especially Bey and Pentong villages under Sakyong-Pentong GPU, the area MLA, Power Minister Sonam Gyatso Lepcha, expressed dissatisfaction over the slow progress of road restoration works by the PWD. The villages of Bey and Pentong remain cut-off even after seven months since the September earthquake.
This shows the slackness and negligence on the part of the PWD department, the Minister said.
Several villages of Sakyong-Pentong GPU have been cut off denying access to even basic facilities ever since the earthquake brought along a wave of destruction to this area. The restoration of roads is still underway at Lingzya where there are several slides which need to be cleared and new road formations cut out. The road between Lingzya and Bey which is barely 4kms was severely damaged in last year’s earthquake.
On being asked about the course of action that will follow his visit, the Minister said that he will submit the overall report to the Chief Minister and take other necessary steps.
Also part of the entourage till Bey village were SDM Mangan, PW Lepcha, Zilla member, Sakyong-Pentong, Toknam Lepcha, Panchayat Secretary, Nima Lepcha, representatives of Confederation of Indian Industry headed by Laxmi Limbu Kaushal and Khurshid Dar, Head CII. The entourage walked on foot from 12th Mile till Pentong village which took two days to cover.
The Minister also took stock of the status of under construction projects of the Chief Minister’s Rural Housing Mission in the area and urged every beneficiary to carry out the work focusing on quality and quantity as well. He also met senior citizens of the village in order to learn about their problems. The Minister also enquired whether relief money had been handed over to the affected families.
A short function was held at Gram Prasashan Kendra, Pentong where he held a meeting with local panchayat and the general public. The Zilla member, Toknam Lepcha placed a demand petition of the GPU on behalf of the people regarding up gradation of the ropeway and restoration of road till Bey at the earliest.
While addressing the villagers here, the Minister said that the panchayat being the representative of the village should play an important role in the development of the village and for the proper utilisation of the programmes and policies of the government. He further added that CRHM houses constructed in the area should be earthquake resistant.
As the Bey village is located amidst ample greenery, the Minister urged the villagers to opt for eco-tourism and home stays which can be a permanent source of income in the area. He also directed the concerned panchayat and the health staff to organize some health awareness programme in the village.
While highlighting the issue of panchayat election, the Minister said that there would be 50% reservation for women in the upcoming panchayat election and also said that people should not disturb the peaceful environment of the village on the issue of panchayat election.
The Minister also visited the Ringpi Bridge between 12th Mile and Pentong which was in a dilapidated condition and announced that the reconstruction of the bridge has already been sanctioned. He also announced that four houses damaged by the earthquake at Pentong village will be covered under the Prime Minister’s relief fund.

Power Minister rejects Stage-IV public hearing as a failure

GANGTOK, 01 Apr: Power Minister Sonam Gyatso Lepcha, who is also the Dzongu MLA, has dismissed the public hearing called for the Teesta Stage-IV hydel project held at Namprikdang on 29 March as a failed meeting, contending that a majority of the affected people had stayed away.
Speaking as the Dzongu area MLA, he claimed that 95% of the affected people were from Upper and Lower Dzongu and added that they had not turned up for the public hearing. “How then can the public hearing be called successful as pronounced in the different newspapers?” he challenged.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Mr Lepcha explained that important components of the hydel project like the dam, the intake area, tunnels, power house etc. fall between Namprikdang to Pheedang onbthe right bank of the Teesta in Dzongu, making the land to be acquired here the most important aspect of the acquisition process.
In this regard, he highlighted that from this area, only around 13 people, only two of whom are affected landowners, attended the public hearing. This, almost nil participation of the most affected, made the entire public hearing process a failure, he argued, alleging further that NHPC labourers had been brought to the public hearing to give an appearance of large attendance.
On his problems with the NHPC vis a vis Stage-IV, the MLA pointed out that MoU between the State Government and the NHPC was for a 490 MW project with strict guidelines that the Namprikdang ground should not be submerged given its religious and emotional quotient with the Dzongu residents.
The Power Minister further informed that during discussions on this stipulation, NHPC engineers had stated that the Naprikang ground could be saved from submergence only if the capacity was reduced to 280 MW.
“This being the case, without even I as Power Minister or the Department having been taken into confidence, NHPC ungraded the capacity to 520 MW!” he revealed.
He went on to warn NHPC not to underestimate the people of the State and announced that he would also be raising the issue strongly in the concerned national forums.
The Minister clarified yesterday that he was in the favour of hydel projects “because they will bring development and prosperity to Sikkim”, and was upset because NHPC, with its questionable acts was seeding too many doubts in the minds of the people.
He alleged that the rock and soil investigations in the DPR of the said project were incorrect and desired that an independent agency carry out a fresh investigation into the viable capacity for the project.
He also called into question NHPC’s commitment to the State and its people by arguing that while the 18 September earthquake had received the support and assistance of people and agencies from around the world, NHPC had volunteered no such support to help the State overcome the devastation.

Power Minister lauds Dzongu’s performance in CM’s Merit Scholarship Scheme

WANGCHUK BHUTIA
NAMPRIKDANG, DZONGU, 14 Feb: Development in human resource is essential for the development of the state, said area MLA cum Power Minister, Dzongu constituency, Sonam Gyatso Lepcha while addressing the gathering of teachers and employees of Dzongu constituency here at Namprikdang in Upper Dzongu, North Sikkim on Sunday. Expressing satisfaction over the improvement in education sector in Dzongu the Minister said that Dzongu has done well in the Chief Minister’s Merit Scholarship Scheme this year wherein out of 26 students selected from North district 16 were from Dzongu.  It is the contribution of the teachers that these students have been selected, he added.
The Minister also said that every individual should contribute for the development of the society and stressed that the government is doing everything possible for the people of the state. He informed that four students amongst the top 40 selected will be sent outside Sikkim in the best schools while the rest of the students will be admitted to best schools within the state.
The four students who have been selected in the top 40 have ranked 2nd, 10th, 15th and 22nd out of 200 students.  It may be recalled here that out 0f 22 students selected last year from North District 13 were from Dzongu.
Earlier in his address, Samten Lepcha (Headmaster, Sangdong SS) cum Coordinator highlighted about the Chief Minister’s Merit Scholarship scheme and informed that there should be contribution from the parents as well.  He emphasized on coordination and communication between the teachers and parents for the proper development of the child. He also informed that coaching classes were conducted for students in their respective schools and for Upper Dzongu coaching was held at Passingdang.
The function concluded with the vote of thanks by Nim Pintso Lepcha while it was also attended by Panchayat and Zilla members, teachers, employees of Dzongu.

Union Minister of State for Power Visits Teesta Low Dam Stage – III & IV Projects

GANGTOK, 07 Nov: Union Minister of State for Power,K.C. Venugopal visited Sikkim on 06 November. On his way to Sikkim, he visited Teesta Low Dam Stage-III and Stage-IV and inspected the on going construction works of NHPC at these projects.

Union Minister of State for Power on Sikkim tour

SPCC SUBMITS MEMORANDUM
GANGTOK, 06 Nov: The Union Minister of State for Power, KC Venugopal, arrived in Gangtok, Sikkim today. The Union Minister of State is on a two day visit to the state and before arriving at Gangtok visited a couple of hydel projects on the way in East District.