Organic orientation held for South farmers

An orientation programme on Organic Farming Systems, organized by Horticulture and Agriculture Departments, was held at the Community Hall, Namchi, on Friday, 28 November. Mrs. Tika Maya Chamling was present as the chief guest for the programme attended by 480 farmers from the South District.
Mrs. Chamling spoke about the advantages of Organic Farming and shared tips on organic farming techniques with the farmers. She emphasized the need for farmers to be well informed about the use of organic fertilizers and also informed the participants about the latest initiative of the State Government to provide one-time compensation to farmers who face crop failure. Underling the need for effective marketing mechanism to promote local organic products, she urged eco-tourism stakeholders to endorse Organic Farming by using only local organic products in their home stay and other village tourism businesses.
During the programme, Secretary of Horticulture and Cash Crop Development Department Khorlo Bhutia informed about the recent Bill passed by the Legislative Assembly to regulate sale, distribution and use of inorganic agricultural inputs and livestock feed to prevent risk to human beings or animals and environment. He informed that the Kisaan Bazaar located in Namchi will soon be functional and that the farmers can sell their organic produce in the bazaar without any hindrance.

Orientation prog explains smooth fund flow of MDM scheme

NAMCHI, 11 June: An orientation programme was organized by the Mid Day Meal section, Human Resource Development Department today at Namchi Government Girls’ Sr. Sec. school.

The programme aimed to familiarize heads of schools of South District with the implementation of “Green Channel” fund flow through E billing for speedy payment and smooth running of the Mid Day meal scheme in the state. The programme was chaired by the Director, Language and Mid Day Meal, MP Subba which was also attended by JD (S), MK Rai, Deputy Director (MDM), DK Rai, AD, DB Rai, KS Bhutia and KK Sharma.

The programme started with the welcome address by Deputy Director (MDM), DK Rai which was followed by an address by JD (S), MK Rai where he dwelt on the significance of Green Channel. During the programme it was informed that Green Channel is a central government initiative and said to be among the largest flagship programs being implemented through the country.

The main objective behind the ‘Green Channel’ is to facilitate timely flow of funds to the schools for MDM scheme. There will be a mechanism in place for online entry of actual number of children availing the MDM scheme. The online entry will be uploaded at the HRD department’s webpage and this is being done to ensure accountability, transparency and effective utilization of funds.

Director MDM, MP Subba in his address appraised the house on the importance and need of the new system. He said that the main objective of the system is to facilitate timely fund flow to the schools for the MDM scheme. He also spoke on academic institutionalization of various disciplines.

He also expressed his dissatisfaction over the academic functioning of government schools and said that despite well qualified teachers in government schools, its students still cannot compete with private school students in many respects.

He appealed to all academicians to fulfill their responsibility to groom children studying in government schools of state. He also assured to give every possible facility from the department and added that teachers and administrators must lay emphasis on quality education and must be committed and honest to their profession.

Pema T. Bhutia [APC MDM] presented a power point demonstration on how to feed the MDM data on the web portal. There was also an interaction session between the departmental officials and heads of different schools.

The programme concluded with vote of thanks by KK Sharma [AD, MDM].