Couple accuses CRH of incompetence and carelessness

FOETUS STILL ALIVE EVEN AFTER ABORTION
GANGTOK, 17 Oct: A serious allegation has come forward concerning the Central Referral Hospital which is regarded as the premier hospital in the State.
It has been alleged that, Pratima Devi, who had gone to the hospital and was operated upon for induced abortion, following medical complications in her pregnancy, or so she was informed, was in for a rude shock when she was informed by a doctor at the hospital itself, a few days later, that the foetus was still alive!
After having made a payment of Rs. 5,000 and having been admitted at the hospital for 3 days, Pratima Devi had to go to the hospital again as she developed complications only to be told that her child was alive. Her husband, Raj Nandan, says that he is utterly confused as well as angry and has refused the hospital’s “advice” to get his wife operated upon again.
“I will not let them operate upon her again, they cannot be trusted so I have decided to take her to our hometown for the surgery”, he said while speaking to NOW!
Initially Pratima Devi was admitted at the hospital in the Gynecology department on 25 September after she complained of heavy bleeding. She was already 2 months pregnant at the time. Tests were conducted and the very next day she was operated upon.
Doctors informed her that her abortion was successful and in fact asked her to return after 6 weeks to examine why she was having repeated miscarriages. As her husband informed, this is her second miscarriage.
On being discharged on 27 September she soon started experiencing complications and started vomiting and experiencing pain as well. Initially it was thought to be the after effects of the operation but soon these became serious and on 16 October she was again taken to the CRH.
It left her and her husband bewildered when the lady doctor there informed them that their child was actually still alive. An ultrasound conducted on the wife showed heartbeats and movement of the foetus.  Other doctors were called in and the husband demanded to meet with the head of the particular department.
However doctors attempted to sooth emotions saying that what was done was done and that the woman should be admitted again. But according to the husband, the condition of the foetus had become complicated which was also due to the medication his wife was taking. Furthermore there was no telling as to what further complications may arise due to this and such could not be left to the hands of the doctors at CRH.
Doctors of the CRH need to exercise more responsibility as well as professionalism when handling lives of patients, stated Mr Nandan and has decided to take his wife to a more ‘competent’ hospital, as he terms it.

SDF counters meeting with Independents allegation

GANGTOK, 10 Oct: The Sikkim Democratic Front has condemned claims made by section of the Opposition that the SDF President, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, has called a meeting with the Independent candidates with the intention to convince them to capitulate to SDF candidates in the upcoming panchayat polls.
The SDF publicity secretary, Churamani Mishra, in a statement issued today, said that the SDF party president has neither called any meeting with independent candidates nor violated the model code of conduct of the ensuing Panchayat election.
The release stresses that the party is aware of the rules and procedures of the elections and will abide with the regulations of model code of conduct.
The release has expressed confidence that the Sikkimese people will vote for SDF candidates and appealed to the people not to pay heed to the rumors being circulated by “disgruntled people”.

Clauses violated, ACT wants MoU on Pannan HEP terminated

GANGTOK, 12 Aug: Detailing that specific clauses of the MoU signed between Himagiri Hydro Energy Pvt Ltd and the State Government have been violated by the project developer, the Affected Citizens of Teesta [ACT] has demanded that the MoU signed in 2005 be terminated.
An ACT press release issued by its general secretary Dawa Lepcha informs that as per ‘Article 4: Obligation of the Company, Clause 4.7’ of the MoU signed on 05 December 2005, the company was required to achieve Financial Closure within 12 months from the date of signing of the agreement. In case of delay in obtaining Environment Clearance, the MoU allowed for the financial closure “to be achieved within six months from the date of Environmental Clearance”. The company got the Environmental Clearance on 02 January, 2007.
However, on the basis of information acquired through RTI, ACT, the release informs, found out that even six and a half years since the MoU was signed and four and a half years after the Environment Clearance was acquired, the company has not achieved the Financial Closure.
As per the same Article and clause 4.9: (Equity participation) and clause 4.9.1, the State Government and the company are to execute the 26% equity subscription agreement (the public share) within six months from the signing of the MoU, the release mentions and further alleges that even after six and a half years of signing of the MOU, the equity subscription agreement has not been executed.
ACT has demanded to know why these articles and clauses have not been adhered to. ACT has also questioned the state government’s inaction against the company for such violation of the MoU.
The release further demands the termination of the MoU as per Article 5, Clause 5.1 of the MOU for the “interest of all and the environment and ecology of the state”.

SFA finds no merit in Boys Club complaint against Siniolchu

GANGTOK, 02 August: The Sikkim Football Association has dismissed as invalid a written complaint lodged by the Manager of Boys Club alleging two players of Siniolchu Club, Namchi of being foreign nationals.
An SFA release informs that the Boys Club Manager had lodged a written complaint along with Rs.1,000 as protest fee, alleging that two Siniolchu Club players were originally from Nepal and had been fielded without valid transfer papers.
This matter was referred to the Manager and the Coach of Siniolchu Club who claimed that the two are regular students of New Light Academy, Namchi and accordingly produced certificates to this effect from the Principal. Further, Panchayat Member, Mamley Kamrang GPU, Lower Kamrang, South Sikkim has also issued certificates stating that the two are bonafide residents of Lower Kamrang, South Sikkim.
“The association has no record what so ever which proves that these boys are from Nepal and if at all they hail from Nepal as alleged they can not be categorized as Foreign Players as claimed and discussed in the Managers meeting held on 09 July, 2012,” the SFA release states.
The meeting also agreed to allow students from Bhutan, Nepal and other neighboring countries who are studying in Sikkim to be registered as local players on production of certificate from the concerned Principal of the school/ college.
“The club officials are advised to be more responsible and retrospective in such decisions to which their representative is a party undermining the wisdom and authority of the state association and the up-liftment of football in Sikkim,” the release further conveys.
 

BJP Sikkim petitions CBI to register case against SMU

GANGTOK, 30 July: The Bharatiya Janta Party’s Sikkim-unit president, Padam Bahadur Chettri, sent a petition today to the Central Bureau of Investigation [CBI] Director with the request to lodge an FIR against Sikkim Manipal University and its affiliate colleges and against all officers associated with SMU.
Mr. Chettri has requested the CBI to register multiple cases against Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and former Chief Minister, NB Bhandari, former Speaker, CB Subba, Health Ministers, Chief Secretaries, Education and Health Secretaries of India and Sikkim and others concerned and launch investigations immediately.
The BJP state-unit president has taken this initiative following the registering of a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act against the former IGNOU Vice-Chancellor, V N Rajshekharan Pillai by the CBI on 27 July, for permitting two private universities- Sikkim Manipal University [SMU] and Punjab Technical University [PTU]- to run distance learning courses allegedly in violation of laid down procedures.
It is informed that according to CBI, both the  universities did not get the approval of the  joint committee of AICTE, UGC and IGNOU but the former IGNOU VC still gave approval for the courses setting aside the laid down guidelines.
Addressing a press conference today at the Press Club of Sikkim, Mr Chettri stated that since the main headquarter of the SMU is in Sikkim, the CBI should conduct its investigation in Sikkim. He further alleged that the main persons behind the entire “crime” were Dr. Ramdas Pai and others mentioned in the FIR, should be investigated.
“If SMU itself is a university then why does it need to take permission from IGNOU to run distance education courses,” he also questioned.
Mr Chettri informed that apart from this petition to the CBI, he will also write an open letter to the Prime Minister and others concerned on these issues related to the SMU. He shared that the party will inform the people about SMU in their upcoming meetings and through other party programmes. The party is further likely to take up this issue in the upcoming sessions in the parliament, he added.

VC’s extravagance, if curtailed, could have sponsored free education at SU, student group contends

GANGTOK, 02 July: A group of Sikkim University students, some of whom have earlier been allegedly harassed by the University authorities for their support towards protesting former faculty members, have come up with fresh allegations against the VC, this time accusing him of extravagant spending on networking on a scale which should rather have been invested in assisting students in their education.
The group contends that dinner parties hosted by Prof Lama through his tenure could have cost the university anything in the vicinity of Rs 72,00,000.
None of these dinner parties were organized in non-star hotels and included cultural programmes and attendance of at least 100 guests including the university’s members, the group contends.
The VC visited China along with many other countries which makes for an average of at least 6-8 such foreign trips per year incurring expenditure amounting to Rs 40,00,000 in his 5-year tenure while the cost of his domestic travels have been estimated to have cost around Rs 22,40,000, by the group.
“Recently the President of India was under scrutiny and criticism for her foreign trips and expenditure even though her trips can be justified for maintaining friendly relations with other nations,” the students point out, questioning how, in the light of such accountability, can the VC justify such expenses.
Further, the release mentions that in August 2011, Prof Lama left the quarter at DPH area provided by the State Government and shifted to a rented bungalow which commands a hefty rent and has also received expenses by way of beautification.
Another “unnecessary expenditure”, according to the student group, is the hosting of the result declaration programme in star-rated hotels. The University has its own hall with all the required facilities but University programmes are hosted in hotels, which burdens the University with at least Rs. 50,000 for each event which totals to Rs. 5,00,000 in five years, it is further alleged.
The students contend that the total of all such expenditures amounting to approximately Rs. 1.80 crore is sufficient to provide free education to all the 400-500 students of the University for five years. On this, they have stated that few of the scholarships mentioned in the prospectus are actually implemented in practice and the funds used in such ‘reckless expenditure’ by the VC could be utilized in providing such benefits to the students of the University instead.
“We would like to clearly state that our statement is not against the Chair and we mean no disrespect to the chair of the Vice Chancellor but our complaint is against the individual,” the release states.
“We are looking forward to the New Vice Chancellor who will be less selfish and publicity crazy and who shall put the students as his priority,” they state.
The group of students who have issued the quoted press statement are: Mahendra Prasad Gurung, Ugen Bhutia, Rajiv Rai, Suman Das Rai and Sandeep Chhetri, all enrolled in the SU.

Allegations of gross violation of safety guidelines against Pawan Hans

GANGTOK, 29 June: Allegations of gross violation of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) guidelines, safety measures and flight clearance for Schedule Operation Plan against Pawan Hans have come to light.
The incident was reported after the Manager Operation of Pawan Hans wrote a letter to the DGCA for action against the Pawan Hans officials based in Gangtok and Bagdogra.
As per the complaint, on 24 June, a Pawan Hans chopper took off from Bagdogra for Gangtok with two passengers without the mandatory clearance or certification of the Base Engineer. Bad weather conditions in Gangtok  forced the helicopter to undertake emergency landing.
The 17th Mountain Division had permitted Pawan Hans for emergency landing at the Libing helipad and the pilot and co-pilot were also given the option of landing at the Rangpo Cricket Ground. However, the pilots allegedly refused to do so even as the operations manager was stationed at the Libing helipad for the emergency landing, states a complaint letter addressed to the Managing Director of Sikkim Tourism Development Cooperation and DGCA. The pilot and co-pilot instead landed at the Sports Complex near Ban Jhankri falls.
The afternoon sortie of 407 Pawan Hans on 24 June grossly violated and overlooked safety measures risking the lives of the two passengers on board. The state government is unaware of the incident, since the Civil Aviation department has no mechanism to monitor flight safety, the complaint letter adds. The Sikkim government is paying Rs. 22 lakh as rent per month besides Rs. 387 per minute of flight.
It may be mentioned here that Governor BP Singh was scheduled to leave for New Delhi after addressing the Budget Session of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly on 25 June. He was to reach Bagdogra by helicopter, but due to bad weather conditions his flight was rescheduled for the next day.

South SP accused of mental harassment by govt employee

SP REFUTES ALLEGATIONS, LAUNCHES COUNTER ALLEGATIONS AND INVESTIGATION INTO THE CASE
NAMCHI, 27 June: A government employee working with the Disaster Risk Management, Land Revenue Department posted here at the South district headquarters, Namchi has levelled allegations of mental harassment against the Superintendent of Police, South, Manoj Tiwari.
According to Deeki Bhutia of Land Revenue Department, Namchi, one Esther Pradhan had claimed of receiving text messages from Deeki’s mobile number and placed a complaint with the SP South. The matter was later settled between the two at the Disaster Risk Management DPO’s office, after Deeki gave her clarifications and Esther issued a written apology to her.
Deeki further mentioned that few days later she had come to Gangtok to sit for some examination. When she came out of the examination hall she found several missed calls from the SP South and a text message that read, “Since you have failed to appear before my office at Namchi PS despite being informed twice and failed to answer my calls, legal action is now initiated against you. Since the matter is cognizable and non-bailable you are being given a last opportunity to clear your position at Namchi PS by 04:30 P.M. today. Regards! Manoj Tiwari, I.P.S. S.P. South Sikkim”.
Deeki immediately called the SP informing him about the reasons for not answering his calls. She was then asked to report to his office the same day. Already late in the day, Deeki said that she somehow managed to find a vehicle and reached Namchi PS at around 8 PM. After a long wait she was asked to go home at 10 PM and to come the next day. The next day, she reached Namchi PS along with her parents at 10 AM and the SI Namchi PS called the complainant, Esther a number of times but received no answer. Deeki was finally asked to return home at 2 PM.
While speaking to media persons yesterday, Deeki said that she along with her family is being harassed by the SP South regarding a case which she has no connection with.
When contacted by NOW!, SP South accepted that the case is under investigation and clarified that Esther had filed a complaint stating that she had been receiving lewd text messages from different numbers and Deeki’s number was one of them. Further clarifying that he has ‘no personal interest’ in the case, the SP said that when he had called the number [Deeki’s] earlier, a male voice had answered the call which raised his suspicions.
However, he said that when Deeki answered the call i.e on the day of examination he was led to believe that there could have been some misunderstanding. “She was asked to report to Namchi PS as it is the legal procedure of Police,” the SP said.
The SP further informed that some days later, Deeki contacted him presenting phone records from her phone company which showed that no message had been sent from her number to Esther’s. On this, the SP stated that a message received from Deeki’s number is stored in Esther’s phone which raises questions on the phone company and the records. He also said that investigations into how Deeki procured the phone records from the phone company without any official authorization are on.
The SP further stated that now South district police is planning to file a case against the phone company now.
Regarding allegations of not entertaining the FIR filed by Deeki, the SP said that he will first investigate how she got the call details and only then look into the FIR following the authenticity of the details. On the matter being resolved earlier at the DPOs office, the SP said that since the DPOs office is not entrusted with law enforcing duties and a complaint was registered with the South district police investigations had to be continued.
Meanwhile, not satisfied with the action taken by SP South, Deeki has now decided to approach the Women’s Commission, Tribal Forum and even the Chief Minister with her grievances.

CM and colleagues submit details of assets and sources of income to Patra Commission

GANGTOK, 28 May: The Chief Minister along with twelve sitting and former Ministers and MLAs have submitted their response to the corruption allegations leveled against them by the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee in its booklet ‘Mahaloot in Sikkim’ along with details of material assets and sources of income to the state government appointed Justice (Rtd.) RK Patra Inquiry Commission here at his office near Tashiling Secretariat today.
SPCC’s ‘Mahaloot in Sikkim’ had made various allegations of corruption during the 16 years of rule of the Sikkim Democratic Front government in the state. The Patra Commission was then instituted to enquire into the allegations.
Earlier this year, Justice (Rtd.) R K Patra Commission had issued summons to the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) directing them to appear before the Commission with all the documentary evidence to support their allegations.
However, members of the SPCC including the party president Nar Bahadur Bhandari, congress youth leader, Avinash Yakha and two others had refused to appear before Justice (Rtd) Patra to give their depositions.
The Patra Commission will begin its hearing after examining the documents related to the sources of income and allegations made in the Congress booklet.
It may mentioned here that the State Government had called a special session of the Assembly on 10 January last year and passed a resolution to hand over the case to Justice (Rtd.) R K Patra, former Chief Justice of Sikkim who also holds the post of the Law Commissioner of Sikkim.

SHRPP alleges scam at Directorate of Lotteries

GANGTOK, 16 May: Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party [SHRPP] claims to have unraveled a huge scam running to crores of rupees involving the Directorate of Sikkim State Lotteries under the Finance Revenue & Expenditure Department. This, according to the party, has come to light from the information furnished by the Directorate to the RTI application filed by SHRPP treasurer and advisor, SB Gurung.
Mr Gurung informed that based on the open tender notice taken out on 25 October 2000 and tender process held on 21 November 2000, the State Government appointed Martin Lottery Agencies Limited, Coimbatore as distributor for minimum of Rs 1,600 crore turnover per annum for Weekly and Bumper Schemes with denomination of rupee one each for weekly and for bumper draws as permissible under the Lottery (Regulation) Act, 1998.
He informed that a MoU was signed on 17 February 2001 and was enforced from 09 April 2001 to 8 April 2006 for 17 weekly lottery schemes and bumper draws.
Mr Gurung mentioned that as per information received from the Directorate through RTI, Martin Lottery Agencies deposited Rs 43.53 crore for the financial year 2001-02 inclusive of Government revenue, prize payment, unclaimed prize and administrative charges. However, he said that there are no records of any payment made by the distributor to the state between 2002-06 and alleged that the state must have received payments but no official records were kept.
Mr Gurung informed that he has also sought the records for the period from 2006 till this year.
Party president, Dr AD Subba stated that SHRPP has been underestimated by the ruling and opposition parties in Sikkim and added that now the time has come to show the real power of the party. Responding to media queries on the upcoming Panchayat Elections, Dr Subba expressed doubts on the State government’s intention to conduct the elections but added that the party would contest if the elections are held.
General secretary, Tara Shrestha stated that in Sikkim’s political history there have been no “movements” as such that brought in change but every time “an event” has led to change in the state, so this year too an event will give rise to change.
During the press conference, the party also introduced its new central executive members, Punya Prasad Koirala, who joined the SHRPP after resigning from CPI [M], Dr Laxuman Karki of Ranipool and Phurba Sherpa. Likewise, the party also introduced its new members Phur Tenzee Sherpa and Chandra Hang Limboo from West Sikkim.

Sikkim RTI Forum alleges Lanco Energy of violating agreement

GANGTOK, 07 May: Sikkim RTI Forum has alleged that Lanco Energy Pvt. Ltd., a power project developer, is not adhering to the agreement signed with the State Government. A press release issued by the Forum states that, as per clause 4.30 of the agreement the power developers were supposed to adopt one village in the vicinity of the project site and provide facilities for the benefit of the villagers.
However, the release points out that according to the information obtained through RTI from the Energy & Power Department, Lanco Energy is yet to adopt a village which the release adds “clearly indicates that Lanco is not respecting the terms and conditions of the agreement”.
The Forum has requested the Chief Minister to look into the matter at the earliest and ensure that project developers work in accordance with the agreement.

SNT paid private construction company before completion of work, alleges Sikkim RTI Forum

GANGTOK, 02 May: The Sikkim RTI Forum has alleged that Sikkim National Transport [SNT] made full payment to Avery India Pvt Ltd for the construction of Electronic Weight Bridge at Rangpo Mining, East Sikkim and Melli Check Post, South Sikkim despite the work being incomplete.
A press release issued by the Forum’s general secretary, DK Chhetri states that according to information obtained through RTI, the work was awarded to Avery India by SNT at the cost of Rs 60 lakh and the payment has already been made. The said work was to be completed by April 2011 but is yet to be completed, the release alleges.
In an FIR lodged at Rangpo Police Station, the Forum has alleged that SNT officials responsible for the said work “favoured Avery India in bill payment violating the agreement of the said construction work”.
The release further claims that at Rangpo a sign board says that the Weight Bridge Construction work is an outcome of the Chief Minister's 100-day tour when actually the agreement with Avery India was signed in February 2011 by the Transport Department.

Sonam Lachungpa serves legal notice to Govt in follow-up to police GD against Minister

GANGTOK, 18 April: Following the lodging of a police complaint with the Sadar police alleging misappropriation of public funds by Minister RB Subba from the Sombaria branch of the State Bank of Sikkim during his first term in office, Sonam Lachungpa and others have now issued a legal notice to the State government seeking details on the action taken on their police complaint.
Earlier, the body calling itself the “Fact Finding Team on Corruption” had released a book alleging that the Minister was behind the SBS Sombaria branch scam. Armed with this publication, Mr. Lachungpa had approached the Sadar police and lodged a complaint. A general diary was registered by the police. Subsequently, the complainant had also approached the Director General of Police with his complaint and allegations.
Now, seeing that no action has been initiated, a legal notice was issued by Mr. Lachungpa today to the DGP and the Chief Secretary to explain the action or inaction on the complaint lodged with the police. The legal notice has been issued by advocate Udai P Sharma and it is informed that a week’s time has been provided for a response.

Jharkhand tribals flee GREF road project alleging ‘torture’

2 OUT OF 34 LABOURERS ESCAPE TO JHARKHAND, LODGE COMPLAINT THERE
GANGTOK, 04 April: Two Scheduled Tribe labourers from Jharkand who fled Sikkim recently, have complained to the police there that they were exploited and not paid for more than a month by their employer while engaged in road construction work here. The two hail from Dumka in Jharkhand and were part of a road-gang of 34 reportedly engaged by GREF on road works here. The Dumka Superintendent of Police, when contacted by NOW! confirmed the complaint which was first reported in a section of the national media.
The duo reportedly escaped from Sikkim on 12 March. As per media reports, a person by the name of “Hembrom” had been tasked [reportedly by GREF] to supply labourers for road construction projects here in Sikkim.
The two labourers who escaped - Dilip Murmu and Hopna Soren – have also claimed that they were denied their wages.
The escaped labourers have lodged a complaint with the Dumka SP, Hemant Toppo, to whom they have also alleged that they were “made to work at gunpoint and also thrashed by the contractor’s men”.
The escaped duo, both belonging to Bisriyam village in Dumka district, also reportedly handed over the copy of a letter apparently sent by General Reserve and Engineering Force (GREF) to Hembrom. However, the two could not even say where in Sikkim they were working. The SP has been requested to rescue the other labourers from the group still in Sikkim where, as per the escaped duo, they continue to suffer similar privations.
The letter does not bear the signature of any GREF official. However, it asks one Mukhtar Hembrom to supply 50 labourers to work under it in Sikkim.
Talking to NOW! over the phone, SP Dumka, Mr. Toppo confirmed that he had received such a complaint a few days ago.
“Yes we have received a complaint and are currently enquiring into it. We have also written to the company which had taken these labourers to respond to the allegations. If we do not receive a satisfactory answer from the company then we will lodge an FIR,” SP Toppo said.
He further stated that the two had managed to contact the other labourers who reported that they were alright.
“However, their location is still not known and we are trying to ascertain where they were engaged from the complainants,” the Dumka SP adds. Once the location is known the Sikkim Police will be contacted, he said.
It is reported that as many as 34 labourers, between 18 to 40 years of age, and natives of Raneswar block of the Dumka district in Jharkhand, were taken by one Mukhtar Hembrom of Dhebadih village in neighbouring Shikaripara to work in Sikkim in January where they started work on 28 January. One of the complainants, Dilip Murmu, has been quoted in media reports as informing that Hembrom had promised that GREF would pay them Rs. 17,000 each for three months of work, apart from free lodging and food.
He added that before escaping from Sikkim, the duo promised the rest of the labourers that they would return with enough money to bring them back to Dumka as well.
Sujan Soren, brother of a labourer in Sikkim, said, “The contractor, on learning about the escape of two labourers, took the rest of them to an unidentified location.” He further alleged that he received a phone call from his brother saying they were being continually tortured.
“We have collected sufficient money from the kin of the labourers, but we are clueless about how to ensure their safe release, as we have no idea of their whereabouts,” said Kandan Murmu, whose sons Sanatan and Shyamlal are in Sikkim.
The SP said he would investigate the matter and bring those guilty to book if there was any evidence of the local men being forced into bonded labour.
“According to a letter, GREF entrusted Mukhtar Hembrom with supplying 50 labourers from Dumka,” he said, adding the police would probe whether GREF was involved in any foul play.
DIG Range, Sikkim Police, Vineet Vinayak, when contacted, stated that he had not received any formal or informal complaint as yet but in the event that a complaint was made, he would definitely look into it.

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.

VC refutes allegations of irregularities in SU recruitment process

GANGTOK, 28 Feb: Sikkim University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mahendra P. Lama, while responding to allegations of irregularities in the recruitment process underway at the University [read, “Faculty allege irregularities in SU recruitment process”, NOW! issue dated 28 Feb 2011], countered today that the best selection boards have been constituted for the selection process. He stated that protest “is expected” since the selection process was tough and competitive, adding, “We only wish that these colleagues of ours had raised these baseless issues before the selection process started and before they were not selected by the selection board.”
A section of the faculty members at the SU yesterday petitioned the Executive Council of the University levelling several allegations against the VC and the manner in which the recruitment process has been managed. They have contended that the selection committees need to include nominees of the Executive Council, but since the interviews were held in the interim between the First and Second ECs, the entire panel was constituted by the VC himself. This exercise of “emergency powers” [when the VC acts on behalf of statutory bodies] is explicitly disallowed by the Ministry of HRD, the protesting faculty members contend.
Responding to the allegations, the VC said, “We have read the contents of the note. The second EC which is the highest decision making body of the University had its first meeting on 22nd Feb 2012 and approved all the appointments (including many other issues in the agenda) and in fact highly appreciated the consistent efforts put up by the faculty members and management team for making all the appointments process transparent and bringing the best available faculty members to this new University.”
He reiterated that best selections boards were constituted to “carry out these exercises effectively and efficiently”.

SHRPP alleges SDF of making public dependent on the state

GANGTOK, 28 Feb: Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party has claimed that the Chief Minister has accepted the fact that during the 18 years of the Sikkim Democratic Front Party’s government no change has come in the people’s condition in the state. In a press release issued today, the party has alleged that the people of the state are still dependent upon the government which has been accepted by the CM himself exemplifies the weak policies of the government.
The release demands that the SDF party should take responsibility for this trend of dependency in the public during its second decadal celebration on 03 and 04 March.

Faculty allege irregularities in SU recruitment process

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY PETITIONED WITH STRING OF ALLEGATIONS AGAINST VC
GANGTOK, 27 Feb: The recruitment process underway at the Sikkim University, rumblings against which have been around for a while now, came out in the open today with a section of the faculty petitioning the recently formed Executive Council alleging irregularities in the recruitment process and levelling some direct allegations of nepotism and abuse of power by the Vice Chancellor. Six Assistant Professors of SU have approached the Executive Council with their allegations and released copies of their petition, along with documents in support of their argument, to the Press today. The VC could not be contacted for comment till the time of going to print.
The protesting faculty members, all six of whom are among the twenty “internal candidates” who have been overlooked in selections to permanent teaching positions after interviews conducted recently, have challenged the appointment of the selection panels solely by the VC when the Sikkim University Act clearly stipulates the involvement of the Executive Council in this process.
They argue that the VC has done so by exercising his “emergency powers”, highlighting further that an Office Memorandum of the Secondary Education & Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India, clearly stipulates that the VC “should not” exercise his emergency powers for “Routine matters like creation of teaching and academic posts, appointment to the said posts, finalizing recruitment procedures etc.” and that these  “should invariably be placed before the authorities ordinarily empowered to take decisions in such cases”.
The protesting faculty members are convinced that the VC violated this Office Memorandum [which conveys explicit directions of the President of India who is the Visitor of all Central Universities], when he finalised the recruitment procedures by himself instead of allowing the Executive Council which is “authority ordinarily empowered” a role in it.
The six faculty members who petitioned their Executive Council today are: Rajendra Prasad, Shailendra K Mishra, Tapas Kr. Bayen, Manoranjan Mishra, PM Sorel and Rinki D. Kesharwani. All of them are Assistant Professors at SU in different Departments.
Responding to the obvious criticism of this being a case of sour grapes, a press statement issued by Mr. Prasad contends that although “such irregularity in the recruitment process and unfair practices have been going on for a long time in the University, however due to the absence of the Executive Council there was no competent body to approach” thus far.
The second Executive Council of the University was introduced at its first meeting only last week on 22 February. The earlier Executive Council had demitted office on 03 April 2011. The protesting faculty members allege that the selection interviews for 16 of the 20 academic departments of the University were intentionally timed for a period when the University had neither an Executive Council nor an Academic Council in place.
The petition marked to the Executive Council points out that while the posts were created in 2008 and eventually advertised in April 2010, selection interviews were not held until 2012, after both, the Executive and the Academic [in August 2011] Councils had demitted office.
The Sikkim University Act stipulated that the selection committees to recruit faculty members shall include nominees of the Executive Council selected from a panel of names [“for their knowledge of, or interest in, the subject with which the post is concerned”] recommended by the Academic Council. This, the petition contends, has not happened in the present recruitment process with the selection panel appointed by the VC solely by himself since there were no required Councils in office at the time.
They mention in their petition that while the SU administration might justify the VC’s actions on the grounds that the First Executive Council had empowered him to do so before its term ended, this exercise of emergency powers is explicitly denied by the Office Memorandum of the Ministry of HRD quoted earlier.
This, the VC did, the petitioners are convinced, so that he could favour some candidates while expelling several internal candidates he had personal problems with. The petition goes on to highlight that the entire process was unduly rushed. Even though the interviews were held two years after the posts were advertised and applications received, it was held in New Delhi with the shortlisted candidates given very little advance notice on the dates or venue. As a result, only between 50 to 55 per cent of the shortlisted candidates made it to the interview, the petition points out.
The six faculty members have demanded that the Executive Council, in light of the arguments placed, cancel the recruitment process which has already taken place and stay the ongoing recruitment process, re-notify the recruitment advertisement and restore the services of all contractual teachers till new appointments are done.

NSUI president demands explanation on pvt universities issue

GANGTOK, 09 Feb: National Student Union of India [NSUI], Sikkim president, Binod Chhetri has asked for an explanation from the State Government as well as Sikkim BJP president, Padam Chhetri on the allegations made by the latter with regard to the authenticity of private universities established in the state.
A press release issued by the NSUI president states that “if the government fails to give any explanation regarding the matter then we will be forced to believe that the allegations made by Padam Chhetri are valid”. It may be mentioned here, that the State BJP president has questioned the authenticity of the various private universities established in the state and earlier demanded that the Governor ask the Chief Minister to prove that Presidential assent on the Acts establishing the universities in Sikkim had been acquired.
Stating that the future of the students depends upon the degree accorded by these universities, the release further expresses that politicians should not play with the future of the students without any valid reason.

SHRPP accuses State Govt of ‘carelessness’ and ‘mismanagement’

GANGTOK, 11 Jan: Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party [SHRPP] has accused the State government of ‘carelessness’ with regard to attending to the needs of the affected people of the 18 September Earthquake. The party has alleged that even after four months since the earthquake, proper shelters have not been provided to many people in such cold weather.
A press release issued by its general secretary, Tara Shrestha, alleges that when the public is facing such problems the Chief Minister is not even in the state which signifies his lack of concern for the people. Further alleging ‘mismanagement in the state administration’ the party has decided to write to the Governor and Union Home Ministry about the same, the release informs.