Monks and stakeholders protest pharma work on disputed land

GANGTOK, MAY 11:  More than hundred people, including monks, protested what they see as unauthorized excavation works begun on Rumtek Monastery’s land holdings here along NH 31A at Namli under Tumlabong gram panchayat unit in East Sikkim. The protest was led by Old Rumtek Monastery Managing Committee [ORMMC].
It may be recalled that land measuring 7.74 acres  was leased to a Gujarat-based pharmaceutical company, Alembic Pvt Ltd by the Deuchi [a monk body of the Old Rumtek Monastery] for Rs 4.15 crores for 99 years in 2007.
Committee president, Karma Tshering Bhutia alleged that the said deal is now under a judicial probe, and argued today that the pharmaceutical company had started the excavation work breaching the High Court’s order. “We have gathered to oppose and stop the preliminary excavation work” he added.
According to the Committee members, the Sikkim High Court in its recent judgment has directed both the parties [the Pharma Company and ORMMC] to approach the appropriate forum to resolve the matter.
Members further expressed that when there has not been a hearing on the issue, how could the company begin excavation woks? They alleged that it was a total violation of the court’s order and, they added, there was a written document issued during Chogyal’s regime that the no one can sell the land under the Old Rumtek Monastery.
The members had raised an objection to the excavation which reportedly began last Sunday and filed an FIR against the contractor at Ranipool Police Station.
“The contractor was unable to show us the work order of the contract awarded to him by the company, so we have filed a report in the police station against the contractor for starting the work illegally,” general secretary of the committee, Rinzing Bhutia informed.
He added that the committee also wants stringent action from the state government against the officials who cleared the now-challenged registration of the land in the company’s name despite the written objections raised by sixteen individuals in 2008. It is informed that later the government had again de-registered the land citing official errors and de-registration was then challenged by Alembic company in the Sikkim High Court.
They informed that they are now planning to file a case at District Court in Gangtok on the matter. The monks and people of thirteen monasteries under Old Rumtek Monastery registered their protest today.

Committee set up to revise compensation dues for lands under army occupation in North Sikkim

GANGTOK, 02 Dec: The State government through the Land Revenue Department has set up a committee comprising of concerned officials of North district including the DC to revise the rates of compensation as per the prevailing market rate with respect to standing crops, trees, vegetables, fruits etc to be paid to locals whose lands have been forcefully occupied by the army.
This is in response to the directive of the High Court of Sikkim and the same was submitted to the court. Earlier the court had noted its dismay over the response of the North district administration on this matter especially when it was submitted that compensation computed by the officials for the 7 families in Thombu whose lands have been under army occupation for a number of years was just over Rs. 30,000, total for the years; further more the compensation had been assessed at the rates of 2006.
On 20 November the matter came up for hearing when Additional AG, JB Pradhan submitted a copy of the minutes of the meeting held in the chamber of Secretary, Land Revenue where it was decided to constitute such a committee. It was further submitted that the committee would require 6 weeks time to complete its process of compensation assessment and prepare its report.
However the court, on perusal of the report of the committee noted that “…the emphasis seems to prepare the reply to be filed before the court.” This, the court, noted, gave the impression that the entire exercise of constituting such a committee “…is intended to camouflage the real purpose and hoodwinking the court”.
At this the Additional AG submitted that the said paragraph would be rectified. The court, however, noted that it did not appreciate the manner in which the Minutes of the meeting had been drawn. With the next date set for February, 2013 the court directed that a detailed affidavit be filed including consideration of the report of the committee regarding the revision of compensation.
Earlier when the matter had come up in October it had been submitted by the Defense Estate Officer that with regard to hiring charges of land of 14 cases to be paid by the army, Rs.3.51 lakh had been paid by cheque to the Secretary, Land Revenue. The court had then directed that immediate disbursement of the amount to the concerned families.
On 20 November it was submitted that hiring charges of private land owners in Chungthang block had been paid and that land owners of other blocks were being approached for payment. The court hoped that the process of payment would be complete by the next date of hearing. The court had also directed earlier that interest component whether payable under any local or central law be considered.
The High Court, in October, had also directed that the Union of India be made a party to the petition through the Cabinet Secretary by which all departments of the union government would become parties to the proceedings. It also observed that since the state of Sikkim was a party through the Chief Secretary all departments of the state were deemed as parties to the petition.
Also appearing for the central government was government advocate Karma Thinlay and Amicus, DR Thapa.