GANGTOK, 13 Jan: A state-level Technical Committee has been constituted to look into the dismantling of the Tashiling Secretariat. Constituted by the Buildings & Housing Department, the committee comprises of officials of various departments and has the Secretary, Buildings & Housing, as Chairman and includes Secretary, Roads & Bridges; Secretary, PHED, Secretary, Power, Secretary, Mines and Geoogy and Chief Engineer, Building and Housing. The technical committee also includes Pradeep Kumar Lohani, CGM (Civil) from EPIL as a Special Invitee.
The Tashiling Secretariat was extensively damaged in the 18 September Earthquake, following which all departments housed there were relocated to the Community Hall which is now functioning as the State Secretariat.
The state government had directed that the Mines & Geology Department examine the structure and put up a report on the feasibility of continuing with the old secretariat complex. Mines & Geology had put up its report in which it had made certain recommendations for which the old structure, it was proposed, had to be demolished.
The state government, it is now informed, has desired that a new Secretariat be constructed considering necessary seismic parameters; moreover the new construction is also to accommodate additional office requirement of the state government.
Following this, it was decided that the old structure be demolished for which this technical committee has been constituted. The committee will look into the technical aspects of the demolition of the structure and other structures in the premises and submit a detailed report to the government.
The central government has already assured that it will provide the necessary funding for the construction of a new Secretariat.
