Upgrades for Gyalshing and Jorethang municipal bodies

The State Cabinet, at its sitting 10 March, cleared the Urban Development & Housing Department’s draft Bill recommending amendments in the Sikkim Municipalities Act to upgrade the Nagar Panchayats of Gyalshing and Jorethang to Municipal Council level.
A post of Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s fanpage on Facebook informs that the Cabinet has cleared the draft bill proposing amendments to section 8 and 13 of the Sikkim Municipalities Act, 2007 and re-organisation and up-gradation of Gyalshing Nagar Panchayat into Gyalshing Municipal Council and Jorethang Nagar Panchayat into Naya Bazar Jorethang Municipal Council.
Subsequently, new wards of Byadong, Upper Kyongsa and Lower Kyongsa have been included under Gyalshing Municipal Council and two new wards, those of Sisney Naya Bazar B and Sisney Naya Bazar A have been included to Naya Bazar Jorethang Municipal Council, it is informed. The municipal elections are expected in April.

Khoj for Pratibha to be held at Gyalshing

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: “Khoj for Pratibha – Pride of Sikkim 2014”, a talent hunt for underprivileged children organized by the Young Energetic Society [NGO] is slated to be held at Community Hall, Gyalshing on 26 October.
Young Energetic Society has kicked-off a drive to search for talent from the underprivileged section and mold their talent so that they become Sikkim’s young superstars. Awareness campaigns about AIDS, TB, Drug Abuse and Breast Cancer will also be conducted.
The event was kicked off successfully at Mangan, North Sikkim on 01 September 2013 and has now reached Gyalshing. Deputy Speaker Sikkim Legislative Assembly, MB Dahal is expected to attend the event as the chief guest along with football star Bhaichung Bhutia.

Workshop on financial inclusion held in Gyalshing

GYALSHING, 23 Sept [IPR]: A financial inclusion workshop was held on 21 September at BhanuShalig which was organized by District Project Management Unit, Gyalshing, West Sikkim under the North East Rural Livelihoods Project [NERLP].
The NERLP is a World Bank-funded multi-state project being implemented by the Ministry of Development of North East Region (DoNER) in four eastern states of India i.e. Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. The NERLP is implemented in two districts i.e. South and West of Sikkim and 15 poorest wards of East Sikkim. The main objective of the project is to improve rural livelihoods, especially that of women by formation of SHGs.
The chief guest for the programme was ADC (W), BhimThatal who expressed that Government of India is providing more facilities to the North East Region especially for rural development where the banks play a major role.
AGM Reserve Bank of India, Gangtok, Tashila Ethenpa, informed that banks cannot deny opening of an account and that denying anyone the right to open an account goes against RBI’s banking laws.
He also informed people regarding the role of Business Correspondent in rural areas especially in those villages where the population is below 2000. In Sikkim, according to the RBI’s survey 757 villages still have population below 2000, where BC needs to be appointed which will lead to the successful implementation of financial inclusion.
The bankers mentioned that people were ignorant about many facilities due to which they go to the bank for subsidies only, very few of them go to take loan for different purposes. Yet, there are instances where people have taken loan under various heads and very few of them have repaid. This has discouraged banks to give out more loans to the people, it was added.
CBI Branch Manager, Gyalshing, MK Jha said that banks are always ready to help the people.The workshop concluded with the vote of thanks by the staff of District Project Management Unit, NERLP, Gyalshing.

Gyalshing SADA arrest

GANGTOK, 20 Nov: In a well coordinated effort, the West district police arrested one person in possession of contraband substances. A 19 year old resident of Old Petrol Pump area in Gyalshing was arrested on 18 November and booked under the Sikkim Anti-Drugs Act.
It was the head constable of the Legship police station who informed the Gyalshing police that the accused had boarded a vehicle in Siliguri and was on his way to Pelling with contraband substances. The vehicle was intercepted at Gyalshing bazaar and a search of the belongings of the accused landed the police with 344 capsules of Spasmo Proxyvon, 50 tablets of N10 and half a bottle of a cough syrup.

Plastic surgery camp to be held in Gyalshing

GANGTOK, 28 Oct: The District Hospital, Gyalshing, West Sikkim in collaboration with Interplast Germany is conducting a Plastic Surgery Camp from 28 October to 08 November at District Hospital, Gyalshing.
An official press release from the DAC Rabdentse informs that a nine-member team of Doctors and Nurses have already arrived here at Gyalshing from Interplast Germany. The Chief Medical Officer, West in coordination with the West District Administration has made all the requisite logistic arrangements for conducting the camp.
The camp will be covering the cases of Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate and Burn Contractures. The camp is targeting to cover more than 50 cases from all parts of Sikkim and is the first of its kind held in the District in collaboration with the foreign Doctors and Nurses so far, the release mentions.
The following telephone nos. can be contacted for further information; District Collector, West -9434406753, CMO, West-9733076770, DMS, West -9733020950

Gyalshing police crackdown on unauthorized liquor sellers

GANGTOK, 01 Aug: Gyalshing police carried out a surprise raid on illegal sale of liquor on 31 July.
Five residences in Khorong, Sardong and Pelling were raided by the police and 30 vessels of liquor along with the aluminum container used for preparing alcohol, 04 cases of beer, one and a half case of XXX rum, 35 bottles of XXX rum [quarter], 10 bottles of Bag Piper Whiskey were seized from the houses.
The same shall be handed over to the Excise Department for further action, it is informed.

State Open Boxing tourney concludes in Gyalshing

GYALSHING, 04 July [IPR]: The 12th State Open (men and women) Boxing Championships, 2012 which commenced from 30 July concluded on 02 July successfully at Community hall Gyalshing. The event was organized by the committee of Gyalshing, under the aegis of Sikkim Amateur Boxing Association (SABA). 
A total of 198 boxers (124 boys & 74 girls) participated from all districts of the state in different categories. The chief guest on the final day was Deputy Speaker, SLA, MB Dahal and the guests of honor were MLA, Yangthang, PL Subba and District Collector West, Santa Pradhan.
Speaking on the occasion, chief guest Mr Dahal expressed his happiness at Gyalshing being chosen as the venue of this state level boxing championship by the organizing committee and was pleased to announce that such an event was organized for the first time in west District.
“This event shall certainly encourage the youth to take up boxing professionally and take the game to the international level making the state as well as the nation proud”, he added.
Further he recalled the various policies and schemes adopted by the government to encourage sports persons and the financial aid provided to them by the department.
Sr. S.P (Reserve line) PHQ, Pravin Gurung who is also the president of SABA outlined the objectives and aims of SABA. He said that he is overwhelmed to see the increase in number of young participants in the field of boxing over the years in Sikkim and added that it is due to the selfless efforts of the members of SABA for the last 17 years in the state. He thanked all the members of the organizing committee led by Sr. S.P (W), D.B Giri for organizing such a big event in Gyalshing.
The chief guest and guest of honor gave away the trophies, medals and certificates which were sponsored by Navin Cintury, who is also a reputed boxer of the State, in the memory of his beloved wife Late. Kripa Cintury.
In Sub-junior boys category, Sikkim Young Star Boxing Club bagged the 1st position and in Sub-junior Girls category, East district stood 1st.
In the Mens category, Sikkim Police were declared winners and East district were declared winners in the women category.
Madan Rai (East district) was declared the Best Boxer in the Sr. men category while Vabya Gurung (West district) bagged the Best Boxer title in the Sr. Women.
Milan Hang Subba and Arma Pradhan (East District) were declared Most Promising Boxers. Cash award was also handed over to Laltita Gurung for being selected for the National Boxing Camp at Bhopal.

District Consultative Committee meeting for West Sikkim held at Gyalshing

TWO NEW SISCO BANK BRANCHES TO COME UP AT HEEGAON AND SOMBARIA IN JUNE
GANGTOK, 21 June: The District Consultative Committee (DCC) meeting of West Sikkim was held at Gyalshing on 20 June. The meeting was chaired by District Collector of West Sikkim, Santa Pradhan and was attended by Assistant General Manager, Reserve Bank of India, Gangtok, Anil Kumar Yadav, LDM, State Bank of India, Gangtok, A K Das, along with branch managers of various banks in the district, NABARD officer and senior officers from line departments of West Sikkim.
During the meeting all the banking and developmental activities of the district were reveiwed for the quarter ended 31 March, 2012. During the deliberations DC, West, Mr Pradhan informed the house that there was a need for more brick and mortar branches in the district and he has received representations from the public for opening commercial bank branches at Rinchenpong, Kaluk and Yuksom.
He further added that due to heavy influx of tourists in West Sikkim and more particularly at Pelling there was a need to have foreign exchange facilities at State Bank of India, Pelling branch. He urged the Lead Bank to look into the matter as this issue was raised around two years back in the DCC and no tangible development has taken place till date.
The DC expressed unhappiness at the low level of attendance of banks’ branch managers at the DCC Meeting. He also discussed about the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) under which all the government payments pertaining to poverty alleviation and social welfare schemes will be credited to the beneficiaries bank accounts through electronic mode. In this regard the DC identified Central Bank of India to act as the Lead Bank for West Sikkim under the “One District-Many Banks-One Leader Bank” model.
AGM and the Lead District Officer (LDO) from RBI, Gangtok, Anil Kumar Yadav in response informed that two new branches of Sikkim State Co-operative Bank Ltd (SISCO Bank) will be opened in West Sikkim at Hee Gaon and Sombaria during this month. He added that at present there are 11 bank branches in the district and with the addition of two new branches the banking network will increase to 13 in West Sikkim.
Mr Yadav urged the bankers to dispose off the proposals and loan applications of the beneficiaies in reasonable period of time as delay in disposal and sanction/disbursement of loan would amount to lapses committed by bank employees which would attract disciplinary action by their banks as per RBI instructions.
He also apprised the house about the RBI’s revised Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme for the benefit of the farmers in the State. He informed that the revised Scheme aims at providing adequate and timely credit support from the banking system under a single window to the farmers for their cultivation and other needs such as to meet the short term credit requirements for cultivation of crops; post harvest expenses; produce marketing loan; consumption requirements of farmer household; working capital for maintenance of farm assets and activities allied to agriculture, like dairy animals, inland fishery etc and also investment credit for agriculture and allied activities like pump sets, dairy animals etc. Under the Scheme the implementing banks will have the discretion to adopt the same to suit institution and location specific requirements.
It was also informed by Mr Yadav that as per RBI’s recent directions henceforth, the banks will not be permitted to charge foreclosure charges/pre-payment penalities on home  loans on floating rate basis.
The meeting also deliberated upon other agenda items pertaining to PMEGP, SGSY, SJSRY, Financial Inclusion programme in West Sikkim etc. The NABARD representative informed the house about different subsidies for Sikkim during 2012-13 amount to Rs. 1.68 crore for the development of dairy, piggery and poultry sector in the State.
The DCC meetings are held on a quarterly basis in each district of the State to review the achievement of the Annual Credit Plan (ACP) targets by different banks located in each distict. District Collector is the Chairman of these meetings and the Lead Banks convene the DCC meetings with representatives from RBI, NABARD, SRDA, DIC, SKVIB, KVIC and other line departments of the State Government as members.

Gyalshing BAC to observe World Water Day

GANGTOK, 13 Mar: Gyalshing BAC, under Rural Management & Development Department, Gyalshing, West Sikkim will be observing “World Water Day” on 22 March in a befitting manner.
A press release informs that a Committee comprising of the BDO, Gyalshing as the Chairman, officers of the line Departments posted in the BAC as members, all presidents of the GPUs as members and Field Facilitator as the Member Secretary has been constituted to oversee the observance of the day.
This occasion is being observed in support and guidance of the Communication and Capacity Development Unit (CCDU) of SIRD, Jorethang.  On the occasion a Debate competition between the students of class IX and X standards of Lingchom Secondary School and Sakyong Secondary School within the BAC will be organised, the release mentions.
During the occasion, the importance and preservation of water through the Village Water Sanitation Committee (VWSC) will be discussed and the best performing Bare Foot Engineer of the block will also be chosen for the citation and cash prize of Rs.2000, the release informs.
Demonstration for the use of Chlorine through the Electro Chlorinator machine will also be done by the engineering cell of the BAC, which will help water users to consume clean drinking water at home or in schools through the use of chlorine by themselves. Distribution of sample chlorine to the participants during the occasion has been proposed, the release adds.
NGOs, various representatives of the association, teaching community and the students of the schools will be among those present on the occasion.

Common Platform takes out rally in Gyalshing against hydel projects

GANGTOK, 13 Feb: The Common Platform for Joint Action against hydel power projects in Sikkim took out a peaceful ‘Pratiwad Rally’ in Gyalshing Bazaar on Monday. The rally started from Kyongsa Ground and went upto the District Administration Centre [West]. A memorandum was also submitted to the Additional District Collector [West].
The members of SIBLAC, All Sikkim Educated Self-Employed & Unemployed Association, Save Sikkim, NASBO, ACT, CLOS, NASS, Gyalshing Bermiok Suraksha Sangh and other organizations participated in the rally carrying placards and banners.
People carried placards with slogans like ‘Scrap the Tashiding hydel project immediately like Ting-Ting and Lethang HPP’, ‘Save Sikkim’ and etc through Tikjuk, Pelling, Sakyong, Gyalshing Bazaar. The rally finally concluded at its starting point at Kyongsa Ground.
Addressing the people, SIBLAC convener, Tseten Tashi Bhutia demanded that Tashiding project should be scrapped immediately like the other two projects on Rathong Chu River. He issued a warning that if the project is not stopped within one week then they would again go to protest carrying black flags this time.
ASESE&UA president, Nawin Kiran stated that the movement will continue until the government shuts down all hydel projects in the state. Likewise, Save Sikkim president, Mani Kumar Khatiwara also stressed on the immediate scrapping of the Tashiding project.

Passing out Parade held at Livelihood School for Security Guards at Gyalshing Bermiok Constituency

GANGTOK, 09 Feb: The three months training for the Security Guards was completed on 08 February 2012 under Gyalshing Bermiok Constituency.  The training was conducted with the syllabus under the collaboration with Indira Gandhi National Open University.  The Security Guards are trained on Basic Security, Industrial, Hotels, Banks, Cash Escort Duty, Multi-national Companies and Embassy Security.  The training also focused on Fire Fighting, First Aid and Hygiene, Communication Manners and Etiquettes.  The course also give emphasis on Security Regulation Act, 2005, IPC, Cr.PC and other miscellaneous laws related with the guarding the places.  The State Institute of Capacity Building has appointed, special English teacher for developing their communication skills in English so that they can deal with the people who cannot understand other Indian Languages.  This will also help the trainees to their placement outside the State.

Earlier, an examination was conducted where 40 students passed successfully; however, the extra classes are being conducted for holding the re-test of eight slow learners.  The certificates were awarded by the Chief Administrator of the Institute Shri S.D. Dhakal in a programme accompanied by the Joint Chief Administrator, Shri K.B. Pradhan.  Shri Dhakal presented a motivational talk to the passing out and new batch of trainees.  Shri Pradhan also presented a talk on discipline and life skills.  The above is as per a press release issued by Deputy Director, IBS Yadav.

Gyalshing-Bermiok SDF members felicitate Padam Shree Kedar Gurung

GANGTOK, 08 Feb: Sikkim Democratic Front members of Gyalshing-Bermiok constituency felicitated Kedar Gurung, a literary figure of Gyalshing, for being conferred the prestigious Padma Shree Award recently.
The felicitation function was held at Gyalshing community hall and was presided over by the Deputy Speaker and Gyalshing-Bermiok MLA, MB Dahal and was also attended by Gyalshing Nagar Panchayat president, IK Neopaney and vice-president, Roshan Gurung and other members.
Also during the function, four ward committees of SDF party under the Gyalshing Nagar Panchayat unit were dissolved and new committees were constituted.
In his address, Mr Dahal congratulated Mr Gurung for the award and for making the state proud. He further encouraged him to continue with his good work and contributions in the field of literature and urged the party members to take inspiration from him.
The Area MLA also urged the newly appointed members in the different committees to contribute towards the party and for the development of the state and to work for the welfare of the people of the area.

Gyalshing accident claims one

GANGTOK, 02 Feb: A 17-year-old boy who forcibly took a utility truck from a driver met with an accident leading to his death at Gyalshing. According to reports the deceased, Bhim Prasad Sharma of Borphok, South Sikkim took the utility truck of his brother in law and while driving reportedly hit a cement parapet causing him serious head injuries. He was immediately taken to the Gyalshing hospital where he is reported to have succumbed to his injuries. His brother-in-law, Tika Ram Chettri, had parked the vehicle near the Sabzi Mandi, Gyalshing and gone to the bazaar when the deceased took the vehicle without his knowledge.

Young Boys to represent Sikkim at Sub Junior nationals

GANGTOK, 15 Jan: A Sikkim Football Association [SFA] team comprising of players from the Young Boys Football Academy of Gyalshing, West Sikkim, left on Saturday to represent the State at the 34th edition of the Sub-Junior National Football Championship for the Coca Cola Cup scheduled to be held in Cuttack, Odisha, from 18 to 27 January.
The state team comprises the entire set of young and promising footballers from YBFA and is accompanied by their coach, Namgyal Bhutia, and manager, Palden Bhutia.
Before leaving for the tournament, SFA had organized a 15-day coaching camp for the team at Kyongsa Ground, Gyalshing.
Speaking to NOW! over the phone from Gyalshing, the coach, Mr Bhutia informed that the Young Boys Football Academy has footballers from all eight constituencies of West Sikkim.
He mentioned that the team is in a good form and enjoy a fluid coordination on field. He expects them to do well at the tournament and definitely clear the qualifying round of the tournament.
He also expressed gratitude on behalf of the Academy to the SFA for providing an opportunity to the YBFA footballers of West Sikkim to represent the State and assured that the team will put in its best effort to do well.
Area MLA, PL Subba, who is also the YBFA Chief Patron, DC [West], Santa Pradhan, who is the YBFA patron, and other executive members of the academy wished the the team well and sent them off with khadas at a special send-off function organized at Kyongsa Groug yesterday.
The Sikkim team will be playing its first qualifying match against Jharkhand on 19 January followed by the second and final qualifying match against West Bengal on 21 January. If it clears this round, it will be playing in the semi-finals on 25 January.

Burglary in Gyalshing

GANGTOK, 03 Jan: A house break-in and burglary has been reported from Gyalshing. As per reports, the house of Binu Pradhan was broken into during the holiday period sometime between 23 December and 01 January, 2012. The break in came to light when the house owner returned home from her village in Sombaria. As per reports, the miscreants made away with Rs. 12,000 and a number of gold ornaments kept in a Godrej almirah.

Another wife succumbs to domestic violence

GANGTOK, 22 Nov: A case first filed as an Unnatural Death [UD] at the Gyalshing Police Station has now been converted into murder and the accused arrested by the police on 21 November. This is the second time in less than ten days that domestic violence has ended in death for a lady in Sikkim. It might be recalled that a lady had been battered to death by her husband in Gangtok on 14 November.

Bhutia Kayrab Yargay Tshogpo conducts district-level meeting

GANGTOK, 07 Nov: West District Bhutia Kayrab Yargay Tshogpo, a literary association of Bhutia Language organised its district-level meeting at Kyongsa Girls Senior Secondary School, Gyalshing on 06 Nov, informs a press release.

Cleanliness drive by Gyalshing police

GYALSHING, 04 Nov: Gyalshing Police conducted a three-day cleanliness drive at Gyalshing Bazaar. All jhoras and drains falling under the Gyalshing Nagar Panchayat were cleaned starting from 8 30 am till 3 30 pm. 

Gyalshing girl wins state-level Science Seminar

GANGTOK, 21 Oct: Pranisha Chettri of Gyalshing Girls Senior Secondary School was adjudged the Best Speaker at the state-level Science Seminar-2011 held today at Modern Secondary School auditorium. She spoke on the topic, “Chemistry for Human Welfare: Promises & Concerns”.

GYALSHING HOSTS THE ADI KAVI’S DESCENDANTS FOR BHANU JAYANTI

The 197th Bhanu Jayanti celebrations at Gyalshing, West Sikkim, on 13 July had special guests - 15 descendants of Bhanubhakta Acharya who had been invited over for the occasion from Nepal. On the day, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Nepali Research Centre at Gyalshing, developed at a cost of Rs. 8.22 crore, and which also houses the world’s largest statue of Bhanubhakta. [shared by ST gyatso]