Horticulture inspection team returns impressed with Sikkim’s efforts

Dr. RC Upadhyaya, Chief Consultant (MIDH), heading the joint inspection team constituted under the Union Agriculture Ministry is on a seven-day visit to the State to review progress made in horticulture sector through central funding in the form of various programmes and missions.
An IPR press release informs that the team expressed deep appreciation for the “unprecedented initiative taken for the advancement of horticulture in the State and overall progress achieved in different fronts of horticulture sector”. Dr. Upadhyaya has given assurance for unlimited support in the coming days for horticulture development, the release adds.

Fisheries team inspects under construction fish tanks

GANGTOK, 26 Sept [IPR]: The Directorate of Fisheries had provided financial assistance of Rs. 30,000 each to fish farmers under Running Water Fish Culture (RWFC) funded through NFDB and State Plan.  The first installment of Rs. 15,000 was released in April 2013 and the second installment is to be released after construction of the fish tank by the beneficiaries.
In order to have an on-the-spot assessment of the progress on construction of fish tank, Secretary, AHLF&VS, DP Sharma accompanied by Addl.Director-II Fisheries, IP Chettri, Fisheries Block Officer, DB Chettri and Fisheries Guard, Durga Nepal inspected the tanks constructed by the farmers. The inspection was carried out at Lower Luing [Thami dara], Lower Berbing, Lower Lingdum, Upper Lingdum, Mindu,   Ray, Rumtek, Martam, Masa [Nazitam], Beng Khambong and Sirwani Chalamtam / Pegu Lakha.
The team from the Directorate of Fisheries met each and every beneficiary and expressed their satisfaction over the construction of the fish tanks.  All tanks are stocked with fish seed and fish have grown to fingerling size. Within the next 6 months there will be a good production of Carp fish from the above areas. The Secretary, AHLF&VS has expressed his satisfaction and happiness on the progress in field and congratulated the field officers and staff of East District for their sincere, devoted and hard work.
The effort of the Directorate of Fisheries is to bring local fish in the commercial centers throughout the State.

SDM inspects Dikchu Hydel Project site

...DIRECTS PROJECT DEVELOPERS TO UNDERTAKE PROTECTIVE MEASURES IMMEDIATELY
DIKCHU, 27 Dec:  Following public complaints against excessive blasting at the 96 MW Dikchu Hydel Project work site here which was damaging houses and private land holdings, SDM Gangtok, Dr AB Karki, inspected the affected area on 26 and 27 December. The Dikchu HEP is being developed by Sneha Kinetic Power Project Ltd
The inspection team also had BB Gurung [Panchayat President], representatives from SKPPL headed by TR Sharma, Sr. Manager HR and other officials, affected people and area youth.
The affected people here had complained that the project developer had not undertaken any protective measures for the houses and lands despite engaging in heavy blasting.  
The SDM inspected all the affected houses which have developed several major and minor cracks due to the blasting works which has also damaged private land holdings at Lower Rakdong, a village situated directly above the project site.
Inspection was also carried out at Chipley Khola area, 12th Mile, Sokpay, Raidang and Dikchu the affected villages which fall under Lower Rakdong ward in East Sikkim.
The SDM directed the project developer to immediately set up protective walls along the entire slide zone before the onset of monsoons so that no further damage is incurred. He further directed the project developer not to dump excavated soil on the slopes.
The project developer has agreed to construct protective walls in the slide zone within two months and an RCC protective wall from Dikchu Bridge to the crusher plant on the left bank of the river.
Apart from this, the affected people also requested for other contract works to be awarded to the affected people whose houses have been damaged and other transport work also to be given to them.
The SDM, while speaking to NOW! later, informed that the administration will also conduct a joint survey engaging the project developer and the state government in order to access the damages.

Minister inspects Health facilities in East district

GANGTOK, 09 Dec [IPR]: Minister for Health Care, Human Services and FW Department, DN Takarpa, accompanied by Dr. T. Yethenpa, Director Health Services, and other officers of the department visited the District Hospital Singtam on 05 December.
The Minister and the team were shown around the hospital by the CMO (East) Dr Tshering Lhaden and DMO (E) Dr. Reeta Gautam who also appraised the Minister regarding the problems faced by them in their daily functioning.
The team then visited the Melli PHC where CMO (South) Dr. Bimal Rai took the team around the PHC. The Minister was satisfied with the general cleanliness and the infrastructure development under NRHM. The Minister during his interaction with the officials of the district assured them that the government will give positive response towards the problems faced by them and their requirements which are in the interest of the general public will be fulfilled by the government.
The team also visited Rangpo PHC where Dr. Upasana Gurung appraised to the Minister about the health centre and the pressing matters faced by them. She also appraised about the repairs conducted in the PHC on the damages caused by the 18th September earthquake.
Finally, the Minister and his team also visited the PHSC at Majhitar.
During the visit the Minister felt satisfied with the stock of medicines available at the PHCs and at the District Hospital, Singtam.

Damage enormous, but situation under control

The day is clear, making the scars even starker. An IPR aerial photograph of Chungthang on a flight into the North District subdivisional town of Chungthang on Monday. Pegong can be seen in the foreground and Chungthang and the hills further north fill the background. 

The CS and DGP at Chungthang

CS, DGP AND RELIEF COMMISSIONER TOUR SLIDE-RAVAGED NORTH DISTRICT
GANGTOK, 24 Sept: Chief Secretary Karma Gyatso and Director General of Police Jasbir Singh accompanied by the Secretary cum State Relief Commissioner S.B.S Bhadauria visited Mangan and Chungthang today and also made an aerial survey of the landslide and flashflood affected areas of North district. The officials toured the affected area on the Pawan Hans helicopter of the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation.
The damage is enormous in locations directly hit by slides and flashfloods, the Relief Commissioner informs in press communiqué issued this evening, highlighting that the access route from Gangtok to Mangan and onwards to Chungthang and towards Lachen and Lachung are littered with around 80 landslides of various dimensions.
The Chief Secretary also held a meeting with the officers & staff of Chungthang Sub Divisional Office, Army, BRO, members of panchayat and other concerned and reviewed the current situation in the area.
Several issues and immediate concern were discussed at this meeting and directions issued to resolve them.
Upon being informed about the limited diesel and petrol stocks at Chungthang, the CS requested the Army and BRO to meet the civilian requirement till further arrangements are made, the Relief Commissioner informs.
Like was the case after the earthquake last year, water supply lines have been disrupted at Chungthang this time as well and at present, the water supply is being done through tankers. The concerned engineers are working on restoration and informed the meeting that regular supply will be restored within 4 days.
The telecommunication network has also been hit and at present only the mobile phone network is working but some areas don’t even have this coverage, and accordingly the Chief Secretary directed the concerned agencies to reach network coverage to all the areas, the RC informs. Meanwhile, Satellite Phones have been provided.
Chunthang’s power supply requirements are currently being met through generators and regular supply is expected to be restored within 7-10 days.
As for the damaged road connectivity, the CS directed BRO to put all resources into opening of the roads for vehicular traffic at the earliest and suggested that temporary diversions be made for smaller vehicles. This is being taken up immediately, the Relief commissioner informs.
On the stocks available in the cut-off areas, there is no shortage of essential items at present and buffer stock of foodgrains is available for at least a month, officials inform.
At the meeting, the Chief Secretary also directed the Chungthang SDM to carry out all relief & rescue operations efficiently and to distribute Relief & Ex-Gratia to affected families.
Meanwhile, the State Govt. plans to approach the Ministry of Home Affairs and National Disaster Management Authority to send a central team immediately to assess the damage and to provide financial support for rescue & relief.
The CS also convened a meeting at Mangan with the District Officials to assess the situation.
When informed of the need to air-drop ration at Toong, Naga, the meeting decided that the service be made available on Tuesday itself.
The North District Administration has also sought the services of a suggested team from the Mines, Mineral & Geology Department to assess the stability in Mangan and Chungthang area. The Chief Secretary assured that the team will be immediately deployed.
The CS also directed the DC, North to take all measures for relief & rehabilitation of affected families. Although the damage is extensive, the situation is well under control, the Relief Commissioner assures.

Inspection reveals impending disaster at Bringbong

GANGTOK, 18 July: The District Collector [North] accompanied by the Passingdang BDO along with the concerned Assistant Engineer and other officials of the district level Disaster Management team conducted a joint inspection of a spot near Hee-Gyathang where a landslide had occurred recently.
A press release informs that during the inspection conducted on 17 July, it was observed that owing to last year’s earthquake, visible cracks had developed on a land mass along the DSM road and a heavy boulder was hanging precariously on the hill above the Bringbong area. This poses a threat to the government Primary School and seven houses located directly below it, the release adds.
On inspection, it was felt that immediate action needs to be taken before a disaster occurs and the public, panchayat and DC North assured full cooperation for this purpose.
Taking all this into account, the BDO concerned has alerted the general public of Bringbong and asked them to take safety measures. The concerned officials of the GREF have also been intimated to take up restoration of the disrupted road connectivity, the release further mentions.

15 trade licenses seized in surprise inspection of Ravangla Bazaar

GANGTOK, 27 June: An official team conducted a surprise inspection of Ravangla Bazaar, South Sikkim today and seized a total of 15 trade licenses.
The team headed by SDM, Ravangla, PK Rai, comprised of SDPO, Ravangla, Mordent Thapa, SHO, Ravangla P.S. K.B.Gurung, Deputy Commissioner and Inspector Excise, DCSO, Dy. Director, Animal Husbandry, Bazaar Inspector and Health Inspector.
According to a press release, during the daylong verification in the Bazaar, 15 trade licenses were seized on account of sale of banned and unauthorized items and as invalid licenses. Two rateboards, one Pool Parlour being run without license by one Rikshal Bhutia and many packaged commodities with no expiry date have also been seized by the UD&HD officials.
Similarly, four domestic LPG cylinders were also seized by DCSO from some hotels while one illegal Bar was found being run in the Bazaar and the case has been registered, the release mentions. Health Officials also issued fine for smoking in Public Place under COTP Act. The licenses of a tea shop owned by Norden Bhutia and a hotel owned by Tara Diwas Gurung were also seized on account of unhygienic condition of the kitchens.
All shop owners, hoteliers, have been directed not to sell decayed food items and banned items henceforth by the inspecting team of respective departments, the release adds. SDM, Ravangla also issued a warning to maintain cleanliness in all hotels, shops and bazaar adding that if any one is found violating the same then they will be punished as per the law.

High Court Justices make surprise inspection of Lower Courts, seize court files

GANGTOK, 14 June: Following a surprise inspection of the lower courts here today, the Sikkim High Court Chief Justice Permod Kohli and Justice Sonam P Wangdi seized several court files pertaining to court cases suspecting gross irregularities in them (court files).
The surprise inspection, sources in High Court inform, was necessitated by a string of complaints received by the High Court against the functioning of a section of the lower courts here. Although details of the documents seized by the Justices today could not be ascertained, sources add that the High Court is clearly dissatisfied with what it sensed in its inspection today.
Chief Justice Permod Kohli and Justice Wangdi arrived at the lower courts here at Sichey shortly after noon today and were there for around three hours and made a close assessment of the working of the lower courts.
The Sichey complex houses the District & Sessions Court [East & North], two Special Division courts, one court of Chief Judicial Magistrate and one Judicial Magistrate court. The Justices inspected the workings and documents of all the Courts today.
Highlighting that the functioning of the lower judiciary comes under the watch of the High Court, some strong measures can be expected next, sources add.

CM inspects infrastructure development work at SGC Tadong

DIRECTS DEPARTMENT TO PREPARE DPR ON THOUROUGHFARE PROBLEM, ANNOUNCES 2 NEW BUSES FOR THE COLLEGE
SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 14 Mar: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, accompanied by the HRDD Minister, NK Pradhan, UDHD Minister, DB Thapa who is also the area MLA, and Chief Secretary Karma Gyatso, visited the Sikkim Government College, Tadong today.
The objective of the visit was to inspect the ongoing infrastructure development works in the campus and to resolve the long pending problem of the thoroughfare faced by the people living in the periphery of the college. The people living in this area have been facing the problem of thoroughfare as the road they use passes through the campus. The people have hence been demanding an alternative road towards the colony in the periphery of the college.
The Chief Minister, after listening to the problem, directed the concerned department to take a holistic approach and prepare a comprehensive project report to solve the problem once and for all. Sanctity and security of the college should not be a compromise while preparing the project report, the Chief Minister stressed.
Further, college being a public property illegal interference and encroachment of college land should be dealt with very seriously, he directed. In this regard, he also urged the people to take the responsibility of maintaining the sanctity of the educational institution.
“The government is trying its best to give world class educational facility to the students but the responsibility has to be borne by the people as well. It is very much important that the mindset of the people changes,” the Chief Minister added.
While going through the details of the ongoing construction work and advising the engineers and the contractors on quality issues, the Chief Minister directed the Human Resource Development Department for up-gradation, carpeting and proper drainage system of the existing road inside the college premises. Stating that quality should not be compromised at any cost he added, “We are trying to make our state a model in every aspect and people from every walk of life should give their cooperation for this job. The students should take the social responsibility and voice their grievances on issues of quality”.
Later, in his interaction with lecturers and students, the Chief Minister stated that the present work, projects and schemes of the government were aimed towards ensuring a better future for the people of Sikkim. On the same, he stressed that equal contribution and participation by the students and people of the state would help the government reach its mission to make Sikkim a model state.
Speaking on saturation of government jobs, the CM stated that if the people accepted this reality, then half of the problems would be solved because ample opportunities had been created in other sectors. The State is trying to move in the direction of developed countries and the students should reset their mindsets accordingly and aim big and not get misguided by negative and irresponsible elements, said the CM.
The CM also encouraged the students to contribute to the government’s effort towards ensuring quality education and to be responsible towards the state by guiding and supervising it towards prosperity.
Responding to the college’s demands, the CM announced 2 new buses and one bus each to other government colleges across the state except the Gyalshing Degree College. He also directed the PHE Department to set up drinking water facilities for the students in the college campus. He assured to provide audio-visual facility and computers to the college and to work on every other demand placed by the college.
Directing the heads of different departments to prepare a comprehensive DPR to work on the needs of the college he said that all fund provisions will be considered under the Vote of Accounts.
The College Principal, Dr MP Kharel highlighted the various requirements of the college and urged the concerned departments to complete the ongoing works within the scheduled time. Likewise, lecturers and students also spoke on the various needs of the students and the college.
The Chief Minister was also accompanied by his Political Advisor, KN Rai, District Collector [East], D Anandan, SDM Gangtok, Dr AB Karki, Councilors, heads of various government departments and local gentries.

Roads and Bridges Minister inspects ongoing road construction work in West Sikkim

DIRECTS CONTRACTORS AND OFFICIALS TO EXPEDITE WORK ON WAR-FOOTING
GANGTOK, 14 Mar: Minister Roads and Bridges, RB Subba inspected two ongoing road construction works from Intake power house to Jhakri Dhunga and Sopakha to Chewabhanjyang in West Sikkim on Tuesday. He was accompanied by Superintendent Engineer, Roads and Bridges [West], Divisional Engineer, Roads and Bridges Deptt [Gyalshing], DFO [Wildlife], ACF [Territorial], Assistant Engineer and Junior Engineer Roads and Bridges Deptt [Kaluk Sub-division], concerned contractors, panchayat and local public.
A press release informs that the Minister walked throughout up to 3.40 Kms length along trace cut road of Jhakri Dhunga. He expressed displeasure at the slow pace of work and directed the contractors and the officials to expedite the work on war-footing and complete the work at the earliest.
He further directed the contractors to make the trace cut length of 3.40 Kms trafficable within 40 days without fail, for which he took an undertaking from the contractors, the release mentions. He has directed the officials of the Department to extend maximum support by issuing requisite stock materials and machinery to the contractors. He observed that the road needs to be re-aligned to avoid massive rock cutting involved in the original alignment in order to ensure timely completion of the road.
While re-aligning the road private lands need to be acquired for which the Minister directed the Panchayats and public to pursue the matter with the landowners and submit NOC to the department at the earliest. For connectivity to the Upper Ferek busty he expressed that it would be better to provide a bifurcated link road of about one kilometre from the road towards Jhakri Dhunga. He also directed the officials to conduct a survey for the link road to Parengaon.
The release further informs that regarding the 18 Km long road from Sopakha to Chewabhanjyang under construction he directed the contractor to make the road trafficable up to 5.50 Kms within 20 days positively. Beyond 5.50 Kms, 12.50 Kms length of the road runs along the reserved forest land and Kanchanjunga Biosphere. For necessary clearance he has directed the DFO [Wildlife] and ACF [Territorial] to render full cooperation to the Department so that the Government’s top priority project is completed within the stipulated time, the release adds.

DDO North inspects under-construction CMRHM houses in North Sikkim

WANGCHUK BHUTIA
MANGAN, 16 FEB:  The DDO(N), RM & DD, Chewang Gyatso Bhutia, BDO, BAC Mangan, ST Tamang, DE, Zilla, Dilip Sharma accompanied by Asst. Engineer, JE's, supervisor and Panchayats jointly inspected and supervised the CMRHM pucca house work being carried out by 171 beneficiaries of Tingchim-Mangshila GPU and 88 beneficiaries of Namok-Swyem GPU. Total 1131 beneficiaries are enlisted under the CMRHM scheme from the entire North district.
The DDO North, informed that pucca house with GCI roof with one slab is estimated at Rs.3.5 lakh and with RCC slab is estimated at Rs.4 lakh.  He  also directed the beneficiaries to complete the construction by the end of March 2012 and take up quality work otherwise the funds will not be released as per the direction of the Chief Minister to make Sikkim a kutcha house-free state.
It may be mentioned here that, due to delay in supply of raw materials by suppliers of MGNREGA scheme the ground leveling and foundation work of CMRHM is being delayed and day-by-day the rates are rising, so raw materials should reach on time while the department’s monitoring staff which ensures that quality work is in progress are also short in supply.

AHLF&VS official team tours East Sikkim to assess status of ongoing schemes

Sagar Chhetri
GANGTOK, 01 Feb: An Evaluation of Silage Making and Green Fodder Cultivation of Oats at farmers’ field level at different places in East Sikkim was carried out by the department of Animal Husbandry, Livestock Fisheries & Veterinary Services [AHLF&VS] on 21 January.
The team of officials led by the Secretary, DP Sharma, made a field visit to Rumtek, Pastanga Assam Lingzey, and Pabyuk-Naitam where a maximum number of Milk Cooperative Societies are concentrated, to assess whether the farmers have been taking advantage of the benefits distributed by the department.
An AHLF&VS press release informs that while inspecting cultivable fields of the beneficiaries where oat seeds were sown in one or two places they found oat grass have grown fairly well and in some fields farmers have carried out their first harvest and are now waiting for the next harvest. Due to severe cold and shortage of water, growth has not taken place as expected, the release adds.
However, farmers have expressed their satisfaction over the benefits distributed by the Department which are meant for the farmers, it is informed.
The team also visited Silage making sites at Pastanga, Assam Lingzey and Pabyuk-Naitam.
According to the release, silage making is a scientific method of preserving green fodder grasses whereby fodder tree leafy green grass are put in pit measuring 7’x7’x5’ for about three to four months in air tight condition and the product is then fed to animals during the dry period when availability of green fodder is less.
Though this technology is an old one, it has been recently introduced at the field level in the State and the department has provided cash amount of Rs.27, 500 each to the beneficiaries for construction of Silo pit, the release states.
The team found that some of the farmers of Pastanga and Pabyuk are doing well in dairy farming. The team also inspected Chaff cutter provided to farmers to know whether they are being used for the specific purpose and it was found that farmers were satisfied and expressed their happiness that after availing chaff-cutter no fodder grass is being wasted, the release mentions.
The Secretary assured to provide all possible support from the department to the farmers and encouraged them to help make Sikkim self sufficient in livestock products.  He also visited Namcheybong, Nandok and Raigaon where Fish Pond construction has been allotted to the people. Some of the beneficiaries have started harvesting of Common Carp, Black Carp fishes while some of the farmers shared that they have already harvested 2.5 kg of Carp Fish which were sold locally, the release further states.

Forest Minister leads inspection tour to projects around Gangtok

GANGTOK, 22 Jan: Forest Minister Bhim Dhungel, accompanied by PCCF-cum-Secretary, ST Lachungpa and senior officers of the Forest Department visited the worksites of the Japan International Corporation Agency [JICA] assisted Pangthang Nursery, Golitar Project in East Sikkim, proposed floriculture nursery at Bulbuley and the ongoing road construction work at Forest Colony on 21 January.
All the projects except for Golitar are being carried out under the JICA assisted Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest management Project. Infrastructure development under JICA is carried out mainly to strengthen the administration of the Forest Department.
The PCCF-cum- Secretary stated that the majority of the existing forest infrastructure was constructed way back in 1957 and is in a dilapidated condition. Under JICA competent architects have been involved to develop the existing infrastructure.  The designs are all of a high standard and as far as possible it has been designed in a manner so as to leave less carbon footprint.
The three major structures are the office building at Deorali, Training Institute at Pangthang and the officers’ quarters at Forest Colony. The design of these structures is based on the concept of having a green building including designs that are energy saving, for example the use of space heating centers, solar panels, water harvesting ecological waste treatment, vertical garden, insulating the entire building with eco-friendly material.
In addition to these major buildings there is also provision for the new construction of Range Offices, Check Post and Block Offices. There are also plans for improvement of forest infrastructure destroyed during the recent earthquake of 18 September, 2011 all over Sikkim under SBFP.
The Forest Minister, Bhim Dhungel while speaking to media persons at Golitar informed that supporting facilities, approach roads at the Fambong Lha Wlidlife Sanctuary and the Sanctuary were being prepared for the ‘High End Tourists’ that visit Gangtok and are interested in nature.
The area would be developed as a nature integration centre having facilities of cafeteria, viewpoint, car park, living quarters, eco huts along with an artificial lake for the visiting tourists, he added. The project started in November 2011 at an estimated cost of Rs. 4 crore and is set to be completed by 2014, the Minister further informed.
This is a unique and innovative work taken up by the department and regular visits are being made by department officials to see that quality work is being done by the people as envisaged by the Chief Minister, the Minister informed.
The Pangthang Nursery, the first of its kind has been constructed by the Forest Department. The main objective of creating the Semi Hi-tech Nursery at Pangthang is to propagate important species of wild edible fruits, like Pomsi, walnut etc, informed ST Lachungpa [PCCF-cum-Secretary].
Species of ecological importance like Larix, Betula etc also nee to be propagated and conserved for which ex-situ propagation is necessary. Also in certain forestry species the natural regeneration in the wild is difficult due to abiotic and biotic factors. Certain species have less viability, he added.
The seedlings will be grown in special root trainers. The advantage of root trainers is that they will occupy less space, the roots will be well trained and survival percentage will increase. Root trained seedlings are easier to transport to the plantation site without disturbing the roots. Also root trainers help in air pruning the roots thereby making it more hardy.
Unlike polybags which has to be disposed after use, root trainers can be reused, so it is more eco friendly, he further informed.
Meanwhile, The Secretary further stated that the Bulbuley Floriculture Nursery, under JICA assisted SBFP project will be propagating species that are of aesthetic value. The plants grown in this nursery will be used for beautification of roads during green mission, in gardens all over Sikkim and tourist spots.
It is designed in a manner that is in conformity with the landscape of that area. A simple green house will be created that will house temperate and tropical species, the existing footpath and gazebo will be improved so that visitors can also enjoy the beauty of the forest, wilderness and the existing waterfall. It will be a compact ecotourism site and will showcase Japanese cherry, peony, maple species etc.
Construction of new officers’ quarters at Forest Colony since the existing quarters are old and insufficient is also proposed and the road being constructed under JICA assisted SBFP Project will lead to these quarters, informed Manjit Singh [APCCF].
The design and planning stage of the quarters have already been completed and it is now at the tender stage. Within a period of a month the tender will be done, he said and added that it is also proposed to create a new Gangtok Range Office.
Also present during the tour were Dr. Anil Mainra [APCCF-cum-Project Director], Mrs. Bharati [CCF,Territorial], Dechen Lachungpa [DFO SBFP,N/E], and Forest department officials.

AHVS Deptt officials visit Rangpo following pigeon death reports

GANGTOK, 16 Jan: Following the death of pigeons in Rangpo Bazaar reported in local newspapers in the past few days, officials of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services from Gangtok inspected Rangpo Bazaar today. The officials also held a meeting with Rangpo Nagar Panchayat vice-president, Pushpa Mishra, regarding the issue.
AH&VS Director, Dr T Lucksom, AH&VS Deputy Director, Dr SM Rai and staff of Rangpo AH&VS accompanied by Ms Mishra surveyed the area and inspected the pigeons. The team has also taken live pigeons as samples for lab tests.
Dr Lucksom urged the people of Rangpo not to panic as it is not avian flu but a parasitic infection. Informing that pigeon samples have been taken to the departmental laboratory to ascertain the cause behind the deaths, he again urged the people not to panic and added that there is no big threat to humans.

Official team inspects rainwater harvesting and other project sites in Sumbuk

SUMBUK, 05 Jan: An official team led by Additional District Collector (Development) South, Deepak Kumar Pradhan, visited the construction site of Rolu-Khani Khola rainwater harvesting for ground water recharge from Tamley Taar to Tarey Bhir covering 100 hectares where the intervention was completed for the ground water recharge through MGNREGA at Lungchok- Kamarey, Turuk-Ramabung and Turuk-Ramabung Gram Panchayat Units under Sumbuk BAC.

District Monitoring Committee inspects CMRHM houses in Martam and Dentam blocks

GANGTOK, 19 Dec: The District Monitoring Committee [DMC] headed by the Additional District Collector (Dev), West inspected the progress of the Chief Minister’s Rural Housing Mission in Hee-Martam and Dentam Blocks on 17 Dec.

Official team inspects CMRHM works in South

NAMCHI, 15 Dec: A team of officials headed by Additional District Collector (Development) today inspected ongoing and completed works under the Chief Minister’s Rural Housing Mission at Namthang Block and Assangthang Gram Panchayat under Namchi Block.

ADC leads inspection of developmental works under Temi Tarku block

GANGTOK, 06 Dec: The Additional District Collector (Dev.), South District, along with BDO Temi and other officials inspected various works being under taken under Temi Tarku block on 05 Nov, informs a press release.

Health Minister inspects STNM Hospital

GANGTOK, 30 Oct: Health Minister, DN Thakarpa, accompanied by Principal Director, Dr. RL Sharma, and Director Health Services, Dr. Tshering Ethenpa, inspected STNM Hospital on 26 Oct, informs a press release issued by the Additional Medical Superintendent, STNM, Dr KB Gurung.

DC leads team on earthquake damage inspection around Namchi

ALL GREIVANCES WILL BE ADDRESSED, EVERY ASSISTANCE PROVIDED, DC ASSURES
NAMCHI, 21 Oct: District Collector [South], AK Singh, along with a Disaster Management team today visited areas around Namchi to verify the extent of damage caused by the 18 September Earthquake.