SIRD begins refresher course series for panchayats

GANGTOK, 23 Oct: The State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD), Karfectar, South Sikkim, has commenced its Refresher Course series for the Elected Panchayat Representatives of Sikkim.
The inaugural programme, held at its campus in Karfectar on Tuesday had MLA, Zoom Salghari Constituency, Madan Cintury as the chief guest, as per a press release.

Welcoming the participants, Director, SIRD, Suchitra Rasaily informed the gathering that the series of three-day Refresher Courses would be held for all the Gram and Zilla Panchayats from 23 October 2013 to 31 March, 2014. She said that usually the inauguration of each training is conducted on the first day of the training itself. However, with a view to save time in the actual training in order to assure that the entire three days is exclusively utilised only for training, this inauguration programme has been held before the start of the training itself. Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary, RM&DD, D R Nepal advised Panchayats to strengthen and empower themselves by actively participating in the trainings and also by reading various books and reports published by the department. He also answered various queries raised by the participants and also directed all the officials of his department to sincerely fulfil their responsibilities despite the heavy work load in a department like RM&DD.
The participants discussed the proposed training calendar and the training schedule of the Refresher Course wherein the participants made numerous suggestions for change in training calendar and the topics that needed to be taken up in the trainings. The Director, SIRD, stated that she would accommodate all possible suggestions.
The chief guest spoke of the need for sincerity, dedication, hard work and transparency on the part of the Panchayats for the development of the people who had trusted them to be their representatives. Adhyaksha, East, Bimal Dawari and Adhyaksha, South, C L Gurung also spoke on the occasion.
As part of the programme, Field Facilitator of SIRD, Suren Mohra, posted at Sumbuk BAC, was felicitated for receiving the Bharat Jyoti Award, a National Award, which boasts of a high profile recipient list including Mother Teresa, Sunil Gavaskar, many Chief Ministers and Dhan Raj Pillai, amongst others, the release mentions.
The programme ended with the vote of thanks by Bikash Subba, the Programme Director of the event.

SIRD hosts panchayats from Rajasthan on exposure visit to Sikkim

GANGTOK, 07 May: A team of 29, comprising of elected Zilla Pramukh, Panchayat members and officials from the Panchayati Raj Department of the Government of Rajasthan, is on an exposure tour to Sikkim to study water and sanitation initiatives here. The panchayats and officials from Rajasthan arrived here on 05 May and are scheduled be in Sikkim till the 11th, an SIRD press release informs.

SICB acquires solar capacity along with SIRD

SREDA COMMISSIONS ITS LARGEST VENTURE IN SIKKIM – TWO 100 KW SOLAR POWER PLANTS
JORETHANG, 22 Jan: Secretary RMDD, DR Nepal inaugurated a 100 KW Solar Power Plant in the State Institute of Capacity Building (SICB) and the State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD) at Karfectar South Sikkim today. The unit has been set up by the State Renewable Energy Development Agency, Sikkim.
Speaking as the chief guest, the RMDD Secretary congratulated the two institutes on receiving the largest solar plant in the State and remarked that the installation would help in the smooth functioning of these institutes by meeting their power requirements. These solar plants have not only lighted the institutes externally but have also lit up the lives of the students as well by making them supporters of a pursuit of renewable energy, said Mr Nepal and also commended the work achieved by SICB and its outstanding performance in empowering the rural youth.
He added that the solar plant was an example of technology being used to conserve earth’s resources by making renewable sources of energy more accessible and practical and urged the people to utilize the constructive effect of modern technology to empower their lives.
Informing the gathering regarding various activities and achievements of SREDA in the state, Director SREDA, Siphora Targain said that today’s project was SREDA’s biggest venture ever in the state till date. She added that since SICB and SIRD are two premier institutes of the state, they were chosen for the ambitious project and also with the hope that starting here would create awareness on renewable energy options.
She informed that SREDA was constituted by the State Government in the year 1999 and mandated for promoting and popularizing renewable energy. Sharing the achievements of SREDA in the year 2011-12, Ms Targain said that 20 KW Micro Hydel Plant was commissioned in Dzongu Gor in North Sikkim, 20 KW Solar Power Plant was commissioned at Sikkim Legislative Assembly, 230 Biogas plants were constructed and awareness camps were organized, 14500 Solar Lanterns were distributed, 100 Solar Water Heaters were distributed to the public of North Sikkim and 5000 Solar home Lights are being distributed to Religious Institutions, Police Check Posts, PHCs and NGOs.
Presenting the welcome address, Project Officer SREDA, Tashi Choppel informed the gathering that the solar plant was implemented by SREDA under the Ministry of New Renewable Energy, a Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) programme. It is a joint venture of the State Government and Government of India informed Mr Tashi.
The objective of this project is to endorse renewable energy, create awareness among the masses and encourage the fight against climate change, he explained. The Project Officer further said that earlier SICB was consuming 60 KW of non-renewable energy and similarly SIRD was consuming 150 KW, and now they have been provided with 100 KW Solar Power Plants each in their respective complexes. The project was commissioned at a total cost of Rs 2.41 lakh each and this is the first project under JNNSM programme implemented in the state.
Chief Administrator of SICB highlighted the programmes, activities and achievements of SICB through a power point presentation. He added that the inauguration of the solar plant would help the institute function more smoothly and efficiently without disturbance of power cuts which otherwise was a hurdle in the smooth and successful functioning of SICB.
Director SIRD, AK Mohanty also spoke on the occasion.  Mr Nepal released the Biogas video DVD and SREDA calendar on the occasion. The programme ended with the vote of thanks from Assistant Project Officer SREDA, Aruna Bhutia. Earlier after the inauguration, the chief guest accompanied by officials of SREDA formally switched on the solar plant machine in the respective complex marking the inaugural ceremony.
Also present were Official Dignitaries of SREDA, SRDA, SIRD, RMDD and students and instructors of SICB.

World Water Day at SIRD

GANGTOK, 23 March: The United Nations declared 22 March as World Water Day, a day to focus public attention on critical water issues of our times. Each year, this day is observed in many different countries and much time and effort is dedicated towards sensitizing people about the burning issues related to water. This year, ‘Water and Food Security: The World is Thirsty Because We are Hungry’ was the theme chosen by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations .
Following the previous year’s success, the State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD) in collaboration with the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), Gangtok, conducted a daylong programme based on this year’s theme on World Water Day. The programme, held at SIRD, Karfectar, saw participation from ten schools and was also attended by Zilla Adhakshya, East, Bimal Dawari and Zilla Adhakshya, North, Khamsoom Lepcha as the chief guest and the guest of honor respectively. Also, Present on the day were Superintendent Engineer and Divisional Engineer from RM&DD, Director (I/C), SIRD, HK Sharma, Joint Director, SIRD, Bishal Rai, various officials and staff from the institute and a team from WWF, Gangtok.
Various events such as Slogan Writing, Poster contest, Extempore, Songs, Radio play and Skits based around this year’s theme were presented by the participants. Topics ranging from Dhara Vikas Programme under MGNREGA, Village Water and Sanitation Committee (VWSC), Food Security and Climate Change were discussed through speeches and acts. A Radio Play performed by Yuksom Senior Secondary School and also an entertaining and informative skit presented by Kala Kunj, a theatrical group from Bikmat in South Sikkim won accolades from the audience.
Paljor Namgyal Senior Secondary School and Tadong Senior Secondary School also kept the audience enthralled with their self-composed songs. A quiz contest was put together by the team from WWF, in which PNGSSS was adjudged the winner.
Following are the results of various competitions held throughout the day:
A. Best Poster :
1st position: Soreng Senior Secondary School
2nd position: Mangan Senior Secondary School
3rd position: Jorethang Senior Seconday School
B. Extempore:
1st position: Jorethang Senior Secondary School
2st position: Deorali Girls Senior Secondary School
3rd position: Tie between Mangan Senior Secondary School and Deorali Girls Senior Secondary School

C. Slogan Writing:
1st position: Mangan Senior Secondary School
2st position: Jorethang Senior Secondary School
3rd position: Tie between Yuksom Senior Secondary School and Namchi Public School

D. Quiz competition:
1st position: Paljor Namgyal Girls Senior Secondary School
2st position: Uttarey Senior Secondary School
3rd position: Mangan Senior Secondary School

OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP:
1st position: Jorethang Senior Secondary School
2st position: Mangan Senior Secondary School

Awards and certificates were also given to 29 best performing Barefoot Engineers from various BACs for their exemplary work in the field. Award for the deceased Barefoot Engineer of Mangan BAC was posthumously received by his wife.
A short promotional video on Earth Hour was presented by the team from WWF, Gangtok, urging everyone to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change. It was informed that Earth Hour 2012 is scheduled for 31 March, 2012 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Similarly, World Water Day was celebrated across the state in different locations.

SIRD to organize state-wide program on World Water Day

GANGTOK, 11 Mar: This year, on World Water Day 2012 on 22 March the Communication & Capacity Development Unit [CCDU] in SIRD, Sikkim, is organizing a state-wide Program in SIRD and in all the 29 BACs with the support of the BAC officials and staff.
A press release informs that activities such as Role Plays, Art & Song Competitions, Dramas, Quiz, Debate, Demonstrations etc around the theme "Water & Food Security" are being organized.
Further, in order to recognize and reward the services provided by the Barefoot Engineers at the village level, a “Best Performing” Barefoot Engineer from each Block will also be selected and honored with a citation and a small cash prize, the release informs.
Since 1993, International World Water Day is observed annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
Interested Senior Secondary Schools are invited to join the event in SIRD to highlight the importance of Water - the rapidly diminishing natural resource and spread awareness about its conservation and proper management.
For further information please contact Yangchen Lepcha at ccdu@sirdsikkim.gov.in or 9733312234.

Training held for JFMC and EDC members

GANGTOK, 19 Feb [IPR]: A two-day capacity building programme on “Management Of JFMCs and EDCs”  was conducted for JFMC and EDC Presidents and Member Secretary and other frontline staff of Forest Department on 17 and 18 February at the State Institute Of Rural Development, Karfectar, Jorethang under the JICA-assisted Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project.
Representatives from 23 Initial Intervention Villages/ JFMCs and EDCs from South and West District participated in the training programme. The programme was inaugurated by DFO-cum-Project Coordinator, South and West Districts, Blen Tshering Targain. He expressed the need for capacity building of JFMC/EDC members to increase the efficiency and effective implementation of project activities in the field. Four such trainings were planned under JICA assisted Sikkim Bio Diversity and Forest Conservation Project for the year in South and West District inclusive of two trainings conducted earlier in the month of June 2011 at State Institute of Capacity Building, Karfectar.
The JFMC and EDC members residing in various forest fringe villages in Sikkim who are actively engaged in protection, conservation and management of our precious forests, learnt skills of motivating communities and effective communication for strengthening Joint Forest Management activities. Emphasis was given on financial management of JFMCs/EDCs wherein R.O.(T) Namchi, Tsheten T. Lepcha made a presentation on book keeping, cashbook and importance of financial management.
Similarly, Nima Tashi of Khangchendzonga Conservation Committee, DFO (LU&Env,South) Udai Gurung and DFO(WL), South, Nischal Gautam spoke on Microplanning, Entry Point Activities and Forest Protection respectively. As such, the participating trainees or members of JFMCs/EDCs were exposed to every aspect of participatory forest management and their roles and responsibilities in management of JFMC/EDC vis-a-vis- conservation and management of forest.
Mr. Targain informed that during the current financial year 23 JFMCs/EDCs have been selected in South and West District under the project as Initial Intervention Villages and another 23 such villages will be selected in next financial year as Spread Effect Villages. Further, the SBFP shall cover 180 such villages throuhgout the state during the project period and 540 Self Help Groups i.e., three SHGs under each JFMCs/EDCs.  
During the training, JFMC/EDC Presidents from different villages also shared their experiences, constraints and opportunities in Joint Forest Management. They were in view that the response of members of JFMCs/EDCs and panchayats have been very positive while planning village development and forest development activities under the project.
The training was conducted by Training Coordinator, Project Management Consultant, Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project, Sudarsan Dey. The training concluded with vote of thanks by DFO, SBFP, South and West District.

Workshop on ‘Lab to Land’ initiative held at Sumbuk BAC

SUMBUK, 08 Jan: A workshop on ‘Lab to Land’ initiative of the Ministry of Rural Development was conducted on 07 Jan at the Sumbuk BAC, organized by the State Institute of Rural Development Karfectar.
The programme was attended by all Panchayat representatives of Sadam-Suntaley, Mellidara- Payong, Turuk- Ramabung, Lungchok- Kamery and Sumbuk –Kartikey Gram Panchayats Units of the Block.
Altogether there were 74 participants in the workshop including representatives from Turuk Development Society (NGO), Indreni Pariwar (NGO), members of Young Orchid NGO, ASHA Workers, AWW, Teachers and members of JFMC, VHSC, VWSC.

SIRD holds second training for Trainers on PRI Accounting Software

GANGTOK, 30 Nov: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), in consultation with Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG) has developed a Model Accounting System [MAS] for the Panchayati Raj Institutions across the country in order to ensure transparency and accountability within the Panchayati Raj system.

Sensitisation programme prepares officials for integrated district planning for BRGF

GANGTOK, 28 Nov: As Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF), a centrally funded Rural Development programme, enters its sixth year, preparation of Perspective Plans for the 12th Five Year Plan Period (2012- 2017) set off with a sensitization workshop for all the line department officials, District Programme Officers, Project Officer (BRGF) and the Field Facilitators.

Training on storage and preservation of foodgrains gets underway

GANGTOK, 24 Nov [IPR]: A two-day training programme on ‘Storage and Preservation of Food Grains’ jointly organized by Central Warehousing Corporation, Government of India and Food & Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, got underway here today, at the conference hall of SIRD Complex, Karfectar.

Panchayat Accounts Assts trained on new accounting structure

 GANGTOK, 01 June: State Institute of Rural development (SIRD) conducted a three-day training on ‘New Accounting Structure for newly appointed Panchayat Accounts Assistant [PAA]’ of Soreng, Dentam and Gyalzing BACs from 26 –28 May at Karfectar, South Sikkim.
The training which was attended by 31 Panchayat Accounts Assistants, commenced under the chairmanship of Additional Director, HK Sharma. Welcoming all the participants Mr. Sharma explained the importance of financial discipline in Accounting Structure.
He further informed that a simple format for easy adoption of accounting system for Panchayati Raj Institution at the grassroots level has been introduced, informs a press release. He highlighted the roles of PAAs and informed that the role of PAA is vital in strengthening the Panchayati Raj System. He requested all the participants to actively participate in the training.

National colloquium of SIRDs begins with high praise for rural empowerment in Sikkim

GANGTOK, 27 April: Around 100 delegates from across the country are here in the capital for the XXIVth National Colloquium of the State Secretaries [RD&PR] and Heads of the State Institutes of Rural Development [SIRD], which began today here at Denzong Regency.
The three-day long colloquium has been jointly organized by the National Institute of Rural Development [NIRD] and the State Institute of Rural Development, Sikkim.
In his inaugural address, the NIRD Director General, Mathew C Kunnumkal, urged the delegates representing different states to invest active participation in the colloquium to make it a productive meet to draw an action plan for the future.