New Year begins with some transfers and slew of promotions

GANGTOK, 10 Jan: The Department of Personnel began the new year with a flurry of office orders announcing promotions and transfers.
In an office order issued on 05 January, Chief Engineer [Electrical], Energy & Power Department, G Targain, was promoted as PCE-cum-Secretary, Energy &Power Department. The promotion is on officiating capacity, necessitated by the demise of the incumbent AK Giri. The office order in question details that regular promotion shall be made in consultation with the Sikkim Public Service Commission.
Changes at the Head of Department level continued on 09 January when Principal Secretary-cum-Development Commissioner, Development Planning, Economic Reforms & NECA Department, AK Yadav, was transferred and posted as Principal Secretary, Excise (Abk) Department, exchanging places with Nim Yethenpa who is the new Development Commissioner now.
The same day, Monalisa Dash of the IFS cadre currently posted as Joint Secretary, Chief Minister’s Office was transferred and posted as Joint Resident Commissioner, Sikkim House, New Delhi. Meanwhile, the Assistant Resident Commissioner, Sikkim House, New Delhi, Marcus Prabal Rai, has been transferred and posted as Under Secretary, Tourism &Civil Aviation Department, Gangtok, on deputation.
There have been a series of promotions in the Sikkim Police as well with DSPs Dhiren Lama and Sonam Pintso Bhutia promoted to the rank of Additional Superintendents of Police on officiating capacity from the date of joining.
Meanwhile three Police Inspectors –Kul Bhadur Gadaily, Renu Raj Chettri and Santosh Kumar Pradhan – have been promoted to the rank of Deputy Superintendents of Police.
Continuing with promotions, Trilochan Sharma, Additional Secretary, Department of Personnel, has been elevated to the Supertime Grade-II of the Sikkim State Civil Service in the PB-4-Rs.32000-60000 and GP of Rs.9000/-,as Special Secretary, in an officiating capacity with immediate effect.
At the Health Department, sixteen personnel of Sikkim State Sub-ordinate Para Medical Service (Technicians Grade-I) have been promoted as Technical Officers (Non-medical) in the Junior Grade of Sikkim State Para Medical Service. The sixteen are: Dadi Ram Dhakal, Ram Prasad Dhakal, Anil Pakhrin, Purna Singh Subba, Sancharaj Subba, Khemraj Koirala, Dalman Gurung, Ramesh Dahal, Bhaichung Bhutia, Indra Kumar Chettri, Bhawani Dhakal, Suraj Kumar Sujee, Love Mohora, Tashi Dorjee Bhutia, J.P.Uniyal and Tulshi Sharma.
Still at the Health Department, two doctors - Dr. Sandeep Pradhan and Dr. Sarita. Gurung – have been promoted, on the recommendation of the SPSC, to Consultant Grade-II (Dental) in the Selection Grade-II with immediate effect.
The promotion of Tashi Wangmu Sherpa and Shiromani Neopaney as Deputy Labour Commissioners on officiating capacity has also, on the recommendation of SPSC, been made on substantive capacity.
Similarly, Additional Director, Food Security and Agriculture Development Department, YK Pradhan, has been promoted as Director in the PB-4 of RS.32000-60000 and GP of Rs.9000 in the Sikkim State Agriculture Service with immediate effect.
Still at the Agriculture Department, seven Deputy Directors have been elevated to the rank of Joint Directors with immediate effect. They are: Tshering Phuti Bhutia, Palzor Namgyal, Namgay Dorjee, Mani Kumar Pradhan, Sherab Tshering Bhutia, Navin Karki and Asha Lama.
Meanwhile, Dr. LD Lepcha, Mission Director (NRHM), Health Department, has been promoted as Principal Director-cum-Mission Director (NRHM) in an officiating capacity with immediate effect.
Also at the Health Department, Assistant Director [Sanitation], Thotup Targain, has been promoted as Deputy Director (Sanitation) in an officiating capacity.

Golay demands promotions for all cadres of State Govt

GANGTOK, 06 Sept: Upper Burtuk MLA, PS Tamang, has demanded promotions for all other cadres of Sikkim government servants besides the State Civil Service where the State Government promoted a large number of civil servants last week.
In a press release issued today, Mr Tamang states that other cadres besides State Civil Services have not received promotions and demanded an explanation on why the non-SCS segment remains overlooked.
The MLA has also demanded the regularization of Muster Roll and Work Charge employees on the basis of seniority, stating that the government must provide equal treatment to all government employees serving under the Sikkim government.
At the same time, he has also welcomed the recent promotion of a large number [111] of State Civil Services cadre.

Transfers and promotions

GANGTOK, 06 Sept: The State Government through an official order has re-designated Senior Superintendent of Police, Thakur Thapa as Additional Secretary to the Governor from his earlier post of Joint Secretary. He had been sent on deputation by the State Government from Sikkim Police Service to Civil Service two years ago.
Similarly, Chuksung Lepcha, Deputy Director, Raj Bhavan, Gangtok on deputation has also been re-designated as Deputy Secretary to the Governor.
On the other hand, Sonam Dadul Bhutia, Additional Chief Architect, Building &Housing Department has been given officiating promotion as Chief Architect with immediate effect on the condition that the regular promotion shall be made on the recommendation of the Sikkim Public Service Commission.
The government has also promoted Harka Bir Sankar, Gyalshing Rural Project and Dorji Doma Bhutia, Urban Project, Gangtok from the post of Supervisors under Women &Child Development wing of Social Justice Empowerment &Welfare department to the post of Child Development Project Officer in the PB-2 of Rs.9300-34800 plus GP of Rs.5000 on Co-terminus basis/Co-terminus with ICDS project under ICDS scheme 90:10% Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
The office order further states that the promotion is purely on Co-terminus basis/Co-terminus with the project and shall be reverted back to their respective post on termination of the project and the promotion on Co-terminus basis does not confer any right for regular promotion and seniority.
MK Rai, Joint Director (RMSA), Human Resource & Development Department has also been transferred and posted as Joint Director, Health Care, Human Service &Family Welfare Department, District Hospital, Namchi on deputation vice CM Shillal who has proceeded on retirement.

7 Special Secretaries promoted to Secy rank

GANGTOK, 27 Aug: The State government on Saturday promoted seven special secretaries to the officiating rank of Secretary with immediate effect.
Special Secretary Geeta Bhutia, presently posted as Secretary in the State Election Commission has been promoted in the rank of Secretary in the PB-5 of Rs.37400-67000 and GP of Rs.9500 in an officiating capacity and continues as Secretary, State Election Commission.
Special Secretary, Social Justice, Empowerment and Welfare Department, SK Shilal has also been promoted to the rank of Secretary in an officiating capacity and posted as Managing Director, State Bank of Sikkim, Gangtok, on deputation.
Similarly, Special Secretary SB Pradhan presently posted as District Collector [West] under Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department has been promoted as Secretary in an officiating capacity and posted as Secretary, Food Security & Agriculture Development Department and Horticulture and Cash Crops Development Department.
Special Secretary, Energy & Power Department, Tenzing Bhutia has also been promoted to the rank of Secretary in an officiating capacity and posted as Secretary, Sikkim Public Service Commission, on deputation.
Special Secretary DR Nepal presently posted to act as Secretary, Rural Management and Development Department has been promoted to the rank of Secretary in an officiating capacity and asked to continue as Secretary, RMDD.
Special Secretary SK Pradhan presently posted as Secretary in Sikkim Public Service Commission on deputation has been repatriated and posted as Project Director, SRDA, on deputation under RMDD. Similarly, LP Chettri, Project Director, SRDA under RMDD has been repatriated and posted as District Collector, West, under Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department.
On the other hand, seven Police Inspectors have been transferred and posted with the approval of the State Police Establishment Committee. PI Moti Lall Pradhan, Officer In-charge of Nayabazar Police Station has been posted as 2nd Officer In-charge of Sadar Police Station at Gangtok. Similarly, Police Inspector, Sonam Choppel Bhutia 2nd Officer In-charge of Sadar PS has been posted to the Vigilance Department.
Police Inspector DK Pradhan of Lachen Check Post and Police Station has been posted to the Criminal Investigation Department [CID], Sub-Inspector, Chewang Bhutia, Officer In-charge of Sombaria Police Station has been transferred and posted as Officer In-charge of Nayabazar Police Station and Roshan Gurung of Nayabazaar Police Station has been transferred and posted as Officer In-charge of Sombaria Police Station.
Similarly, Dorjee Bhutia of CID has been posted as Officer In-charge of Lachen Checkpost and Police Station, whereas Sub-Inspector Bishnu Kumar Pradhan of CID has been transferred and posted to Nayabazaar Police Station.

DoP introduces time-bound promotion scheme for police personnel

GANGTOK, 17 July: There has been much consternation and dissatisfaction among members of the State Police service over promotions and while much of the dissent over this matter never spilled out into the open there was disgruntlement within the ranks over the issue of long pending promotions especially those in the lower ranks; the petition filed by Adup Tshering also added to the consternation. However, the State government, through the Department of Personnel, has now issued a scheme of time-bound promotion for those in the state police service from Constable to Assistant Sub Inspectors. 
As per the scheme, a Constable is to be promoted to the rank of Lance Naik on completion of 10 years of service; a Lance Naik will be accorded the rank of Naik on completion of 5 years of service and a Naik is to be promoted to the rank of Head Constable on completion of 5 years. On completion of 5 years, a Head Constable will be entitled to promotion to the rank of Assistant Sub Inspector.
Furthermore, and what should also bring cheer to the police ranks, these promotions up to the post of ASI will be on a time bound basis and not linked to any vacancy. Needless to add, most of the force in the lower ranks is pleased with the issuance of this order of the state government.
On the other hand the department has also notified the scales of pay to the members of the State Police Service as follows: a PI is entitled to Pay Band-2 of Rs. 9300-34800 & Grade Pay of Rs. 5000 as admissible to Under Secretary in the State Civil Service which is already availed by the Inspector of Police.
A DSP is entitled to Pay Band-2 of Rs. 9300-34800 & Grade Pay of Rs. 5400 which is already availed by the Deputy Superintendent of Police; ASPs are entitled to Pay Band-3 of Rs. 15600-39100 & Grade Pay of Rs. 6200 as admissible to Deputy Secretary in the State Civil Service which is already availed by the Additional Superintendent of Police; an SP is entitled to Pay Band-3 of Rs. 15600-39100 & Grade Pay of Rs. 7200 as admissible to Joint Secretary in the State Civil Service; SSPs are entitled to Pay Band-3 of Rs. 15600-39100 & Grade Pay of Rs. 8700 as admissible to Additional Secretary in the State Civil Service and officer in the rank of a DIG is entitled to Pay Band-4 of Rs. 37400-67000 & Grade Pay of Rs. 9000 as admissible to Special Secretary in the State Civil Service.

TRANSFERS & PROMOTIONS

5 Addls promoted to Special Secy rank 
GANGTOK, 17 June: The Government of Sikkim has promoted five Additional Secretaries to the post of Special Secretaries in an officiating capacity with immediate effect. The five promoted are Laden Tshering, SCS, Additional Secretary of Food Security & Agriculture Development Department, L P Barfungpa, SCS, Additional Secretary, presently posted as Director, Commerce & Industries Department, C C Wangdi, SCS, Additional Secretary, RMDD, S T Gyatso, SCS, Additional Secretary, DPER&NECA Department and Surendra Kumar Pradhan, SCS, Additional Secretary, presently posted as Secretary, SPSC.
Their regular promotion will be made in consultation with the SPSC, states an office order.
Similarly, Kishore Pradhan, BDO,BAC Martam under RMDD has been transferred and posted as Under Secretary, District Hospital, Singtam under Health Care, Human Service &Family Welfare Department in place of Anita Subba, Under Secretary, District Hospital, Singtam who has been transferred and posted as BDO,BAC Soreng.
Somnath Adhikari, BDO,BAC Soreng has been transferred and posted as Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Soreng under Land Revenue and Disaster Management department vice Aishwariya Singh. Rinzing Choden Bhutia, Under Secretary, Jorethang, UD&HD has been transferred and posted as BDO,BAC Yuksom under RMDD in place of Suraj Gurung, BDO Yuksom, who was transferred and posted as Under Secretary, Jorethang under UD&HD.
Similarly, Khemraj Bhattarai, BDO,BAC Parakha has been transferred and posted as BDO,BAC Martam, East Sikkim under RMDD in place of Kishore Pradhan and Tshering Bhutia, Assistant Chemist, Mines Minerals &Geology department has been transferred and posted as BDO,BAC Parakaha, under RMDD, on deputation in place of Khemraj Bhattarai.

Promotions

GANGTOK, 04 June: The state government recently put into effect a series of promotions where the state’s officers have been re-designated to different posts.
Additional Director General of Police (Special Branch & Home Guards), Abhijit Datta, has been promoted and re-designated as Special Director General of Police from 01 June.
Three other Additional Director Generals of Police - Oma Hang Subba of Police Headquarters, T. Norbu of CID and Janga Basnett of Training Branch - have also been promoted and placed in the Pay-Band of Rs. 80,000 (fixed) on ex-cadre basis. They have been designated as Special Director Generals of Police on charges currently held by them.
Similarly, seven Sikkim State Civil Service cadre special secretaries have been promoted to the Supertime Grade-I as Secretary. Amongst them are KT  Gyaltshen, currently posted as Special Secretary, Land Revenue &Disaster Management Department, CT Wangdi currently posted as Secretary, Labour Department, Ms. DL Topden, currently posted as Special Chief Electoral Officer, Election Department, KL Gyaltshen currently posted as Secretary, Sikkim State Electricity Regulatory Commission, KS Topgay currently posted as Secretary, IPR Department,  Jemima Pradhan currently posted as Secretary, Food Civil Supplies &Consumers Affairs  Department and Tsegyal Tashi currently posted as Secretary, Transport Department.
Consequently, K T Gyaltshen and D L Topden, SCS have been transferred and posted as Secretary, Printing &Stationery department and Secretary, Housing Board, respectively.
Arvind Kumar, IFS currently posted as Principal Resident Commissioner, Sikkim House, New Delhi has been promoted as Principal Chief Conservator of Forest in the rank, status and posted as Principal Secretary-cum-Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Forests, Environment &Wildlife Management Department. Similarly, Anil Kumar Mainra, IFS, Additional PCCF and Thomas Chandy, IFS both of them returned from their long term study leave abroad have been promoted as PCCF in the rank and status on the ex-cadre basis and posted in the rank, pay and status as that of the PCCF(Environment) and PCCF(JICA) under Forests, Environment &Wild Life Management Department respectively.

TAAS begins online promotion of Sikkim Snow Fest

GANGTOK, 31 Jan: Around 20 lakh e-mail invitations for the ‘Sikkim Snow & Cultural Festival’, a tourism recovery mission to restore pre-earthquake tourism status in the State, have been carpet bombed by Travel Agents Association of Sikkim [TAAS] to corporate sector, associations, tour operators and honeymooners in India and Southeast Asia, since 05 January.
“Eight computer operators are sending around 70,000 e-brochures of the snow festival daily from our office. We are targeting honeymooners, corporate sector, tour operators and associations of different professions and sending them e-mails”, said TAAS general secretary, Sonam Norgay Lachungpa reporters today.
The snow festival, organized by TAAS and supported by the Sikkim government, commences from Valentine’s Day and ends on Leap Day. The TAAS general secretary said that the e-mail consists of a home page of www.sikkimsnowfest.com where the recipient can click and enter the website to read the different activities outlined for the festival.
“We have tied up with a matrimonial website for getting the e-mail address of newly married couples and are sending them links to our website. The response is very encouraging as we are getting lot of enquires and feedback from potential tourists. Some of our members have already got bookings for the festival”, said Mr Lachungpa.
TAAS president, Lukendra Rasaily said that a big buzz through internet promotion has already been created for the upcoming festival. “January and February months are a lean tourism season in Sikkim. But now, through this festival, we have created a big buzz and enquires from tourists are coming in. We want tourists to visit Sikkim also during January and February so that we have a long tourism season in Sikkim. We have decided to continue the snow festival annually”, he said.
The e-mails will be continuously forwarded till the end of the festival and we aim to send 1 crore e-mails, said Mr Rasaily.
TAAS software consultant Jayant Das said that a special e-mail extractor software is being used to get the e-mail addresses of the targeted sector in India and Southeast Asia. “Once the email addresses are extracted, our computer operators start sending the e-mails to all. We are getting a thousand hits every day to our website and the numbers are increasing daily”, he said.
The snow fest website link has already been uploaded in the official website of Sikkim government and Sikkim Tourism department.
“All our members are also using the social networking site, Facebook, to promote the snow fest. Several travel writers are interested in coming to Sikkim and cover the event”, said Mr Lachungpa.
The snow fest has already received attention nationally with Australian born travel writer Sherell Cook writing a post on the festival in an Indian travel portal. “Himachal Pradesh is a popular destination for snow seekers in India, however if you're looking to have fun in a winter wonderland, this year Sikkim has something special to offer”, she writes in her post with details on the festival and a link to sikkimsnowfest.com
As part of the promotion activity, the TAAS will also be sending 1 lakh SMSes to all tour operators in the country. “Such kind of mass tourism promotional activity through e-mails and SMSes is being conducted for the first time in the country. We have good teamwork in TAAS and the Sikkim government has been very supportive”, said the TAAS president.

Govt Employee promotions linked to clearance of utility bills and taxes

GANGTOK, 09 Nov: All government employees are now required to produce clearances of utility bills and taxes at the time of their promotion.

Karma Gyatso to take charge as Chief Secretary on Monday

GANGTOK, 29 July [IPR]: Additional Chief Secretary Karma Gyatso, an IAS officer of the 1977 batch, has been promoted as Chief Secretary to the Government of Sikkim. His promotion will come into effect from 01 August 2011. He will also hold additional charge of Finance, Revenue and Expenditure Department.
Mr. Gyatso started his career with the State Government in 1975 and held many key portfolios such as Department of Tourism, Department of Planning, Economic Reforms and North Eastern Council Affairs, Finance, Animal Husbandry Livestock and Veterinary Services, Land Revenue and Department of Personnel.
An experienced administrator, he is widely travelled both within and outside the country and has done a stint on Economic Reforms in Sydney, Australia and Auckland New Zealand. He was also a signatory of the MoU for the Nathula Border Trade and was instrumental in the opening of the Border Trade at Nathula during his tenure as Principal Secretary, Commerce and Industries.