NHPC’s contract workers vent grievances to DM, win assurances of improvements in working conditions

TERMINATION OF ELECTRICIAN SHORT-CIRCUITS FOR NHPC, LEADS WORKERS TO SIT ON DHARNA, ATTRACTS ATTENTION OF SOUTH DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, EXPOSES DENIALS AND HURTS

NAMCHI, 06 May: A direct result of the 2-day bandh called by the ruling party to highlight labour rights has been the empowerment of workers who have since then been more expressive in getting themselves heard and demanding better working arrangements. The latest manifestation of this forcefulness was seen at the District Administrative Centre here today where more than 200 contract workers engaged at the Rangeet Nagar power station by the NHPC trooped today to get their demands heard and stared down the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation to heed their demands.
The flashpoint was the Rangeet HEP power station at Hingdam, South Sikkim, which follows the roundly criticised practise of hiring its workforce via a labour contractor. The spark was the termination of the services, “without any valid reasons” the protesting workers insist, of one Om Prakash, an electrician employed on contract basis by the NHPC. Protesting this issue, the workers began a dharna on 02 May at the power station, and weaved around the termination incident, listed out 11 demands enumerating denials they have been suffering for a long while now.
These demands were submitted to the NHPC Chief Engineer, Rangeet Nagar Power Station, the next day, 03 May.
When the deadlock showed no signs of approaching a resolution, the District Magistrate [South], AK Singh, called a hearing today to bring both sides to the discussion table.

Summit to engage youth in Climate Change dialogue

GANGTOK, 06 May: “Youth Alliance for Climate” [YAC], a network of the youth from the North East, has announced plans to organise a youth summit on 20 May at ICFAI University campus, Lower Sichey, Gangtok. The programme, a press release informs, is being held in “active association” with Laya and INECC (Indian Network on Ethics and Climate Change).
In a bid to generate awareness on climate change young people from different parts of northeast came together to form Youth Alliance for Climate in 2008 as a youth programme conducted by Indo Global Social Service Society as part of its SMILE programme. The participants of that programme decided to form a network as the discussion of the youth programme was on climate change, the release informs.

SPCC condemns SBS condition requiring govt servants to get loan applications recommended by MLAs

GANGTOK, 06 May: The Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee, in a meeting conveyed today, has strongly condemned what the party sees as the “discriminative policy” of the State Bank of Sikkim in new conditions added by it for the grant of loans to State Government employees.
Under the new policy, the release informs, the loan seeking State Government employees are required to obtain the recommendation of their respective area MLAs on the condition of repayment of the loan amount from their monthly salaries on installment basis.
“Such policy is in direct and blatant violation of the Fundamental Rights of the individuals as guaranteed by the Constitution,” the SPCC release issued by its vice president, Kunga Nima Lepcha, stresses.

Street play speaks out against discrimination of women

GANGTOK, 06 May: A street play, “Naya Shitij”, highlighting the social ill of discrimination against women and the girl-child, was performed today in Dzongu and Phodong in North Sikkim today.
The play has been sponsored by the Cultural Affairs and Heritage Department in collaboration with the North-East Zone Cultural Centre, Dimapur, and will be staged across the state.
Written by Jagdish Sharma and directed by Phurba Lepcha, the play features Yadav Sunam, Deepak Sharma, Rewati Lepcha, Anita Chettri, Ankita Tamang and M Pathak from Gangtok as actors.
The play will be staged at Namchi and Daramdin on Saturday and at Rhenock and Yangang in the coming days.

Lucky Draw at Lifestyle 2011 picks 3 winners

GANGTOK, 06 May: A lucky-draw was held today at “Lifestyle 2011”, an exhibition-cum-sale fair organized by the Nayuma Women’s Co-operative Society at Old Children Park Taxi Stand.
Visitors who had purchased goods worth more than Rs 200 at Lifestyle 2011 since it began on 07 April had received lucky draw coupons. These were put in a box and drawn by visitors at the venue.
The first prize, an LG washing machine, was won by Rajesh Kumar Agarwal of Ranipool, the second prize, Jaipuri quilt set, was taken by Amrita Koirala of Daragaon Tadong, and the third prize of a hand press juicer was taken by Ms Ananya of 1086 GREF. All the winners were informed over the phone by the management today itself.
The Nayuma Women’s Co-operative Society in-charge, TT Bhutia, informed that the fair is scheduled to continue till 12 May, but given the response it has received, it could be extended for one more month. The fair has 108 stalls occupied by the artisans from all over the country.

Disaster management and rescue demos in Mangan

MANGAN, 06 May: The National Disaster Response Team of BSF, 2nd Battalion [Kolkatta], in coordination with the Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department office of Mangan, organized an awareness cum demonstration programme on disaster management & rescue at Mangan Bazaar today.
The programme was attended by Zilla Adhyaksha (N), K Lepcha coordinated by ADC (N), S Targain, Asst. Commandant BSF, DS Kanchan, DRM Coordinator, Kessang Nima, MNP Councilors, drivers and public of Mangan Bazaar.
The awareness series had started on Thursday at Mangan Senior Secondary School and will continue till 07 May in the North District, informed the DRM Department Coordinator.

Staying the Course on M&E

editorial:
The Chief Minister will be moving out on a month-long “Sikkim-bhraman” shortly. This tour, projected to reach every corner of the State, is, in the CM’s own words, his move to confer directly with the people, check ground realities for himself and plan the course ahead in consultation with the people. The tour will definitely accrue some political benefits by allowing people to vent their frustrations against their representatives and government officials directly to the Chief Minister and thus effectively keeping them within the fold and hopeful. But more than that, it is the clear focus on reconnecting with the real Sikkim that makes the prospects of this tour exciting. Responsibilities of the State can keep the person at the helm of affairs busy, and over time, the finger on the pulse of the people, which keeps successful politicians ahead in the game, sits lighter. While the CM addresses party meetings and official functions across the State on a regular basis, these venues allow only one-way conversations of the leader informing the janta of the plans and successes. On other times, only people with access and individual needs and demands get to meet the CM. A focussed road-trip of the State will allow for a more casual, and thus also more intimate interaction with the people when the real complaints, genuine instances of denial and the ugly instances of public privations induced by private profit will be confronted. This is an important initiative because after 17 years in power, the present government no longer has the luxury of blaming previous regimes for problems which continue to confound in Sikkim and with the fourth term now nearly two years old, the delivery promised ahead of the polls will need to have start manifesting.

CSWB Chairperson arrives today on 3-day Sikkim visit

GANGTOK, 06 April: Prema Carriappa, Chairperson, Central Social Welfare Board [CSWB], New Delhi, will be arriving in the State on Saturday on a three-day official visit.
In her maiden visit to Sikkim, Ms. Cariappa is scheduled to attend an interaction session with the representatives of various local NGOs here at the State Guest House on Sunday. She is also scheduled to visit some of the NGO-run CSWB sponsored centres for women.
There are 125 creche centres under the Rajiv Gandhi National Crèche Programme in Sikkim. These centres are run by local NGOs under the supervision of the State Social Welfare Board [SSWB] and receive 90% funding as Centrally Sponsored Schemes [from the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare through the CSWB- a Government of India undertaking.
Crèche centres were started in Sikkim in1977 after SSWB was constituted in the year 1976. At present, these centres are spread all over the state from Uttarey and Sophaka in West Sikkim, bordering Nepal and 17th Mile near Tsomgo to Lachung in North Sikkim.
Besides, there are 10 condensed courses meant for dropouts and women being run under CSWB and short stay homes and helpline centres sponsored by the Board have already earned kudos from the people.
Ms. Carriappa is scheduled to return to Delhi on Monday.

NHPC holds Chicken Pox vaccination drive in Rangrang

GANGTOK, 06 May: A Chicken Pox vaccination programme was organized today by NHPC, Teesta Stage-V Power Station at the Govt. Junior High School, Rangrang in North Sikkim. An NHPC press release adds that this vaccination drive was held after receiving necessary NOC from the Health Department here.
A total of 154 students from classes I to VII [up to 12 years of age] were administered Chicken Pox vaccine free of cost.
The NHPC medical team was headed by Dr. TKR Naga, Chief Medical Officer, NHPC Limited. The Medical Superintendent, District Hospital North, Mangan, Dr. PK Basnett, represented the Health Department to supervise the programme.
This is the second vaccination programme organized by NHPC; earlier, a similar programme was held at the Makha Secondary School in East Sikkim.

Parakha meets to promote village tourism

GANGTOK, 06 May: A programme to promote village tourism was organised by Parakha Re-Incarnation Organisation, a local NGO, on 05 May, at Parakha BAC.
The programme began with an address by the president of the organisation, Kamal Gurung, who spoke on the basic requirements for village tourism and its advantages as an important source of income, informs a press release. He also briefly explained about the Kisan Bazar and benefits of having such a bazar for the locals.

Karmapa claimant offers a compromise- “Seat all three as Karmapa under my leadership”

GANGTOK, 06 May: Dawa Sangpo, a Karmapa claimant from Sikkim, expressed his desire to solve the Karmapa reincarnation imbroglio by offering that he was open to all three – Ogyen Thinley Dorje, Trinley Thaye Dorje and himself – being recognised as the Karmapa provided he led the troika.
Addressing a press conference today, he referred to the Dalai Lama's statement published in the Outlook magazine [of 24 January 2000] suggesting that the candidates sit together to solve the Karmapa issue.
Dawa Sangpo said today that he is ready to “compromise” and share the seat at the Rumtek Dharma Charka Centre with the “other Karmapa claimants” if senior religious leaders and the people want him to do so, provided that he was given the main seat and the other two followed his leadership.
Maintaining that he was the “genuine Karmapa”, he said that he was willing to make this “sacrifice” in the interest of the welfare and betterment of the people around the world. He claimed that the natural disasters and problems plaguing the world at present were because he has not been allowed to take his seat at Rumtek.

IBM “Systems Centre of Excellence” to come up in Siliguri

SILIGURI, 06 May: Surendra Institute of Engineering and Management (SIEM), Siliguri, announced on Thursday that an IBM Systems Centre of Excellence (SCoE) will be set up at the institute to train students and build “smarter skills on industry leading IBM Systems technologies and platforms”.
“The IBM SCoE, will provide an opportunity for students to learn new skill-sets on the latest technology platforms including AiX and Linux. IBM will also provide the institute with access to technologies relevant to the local market and equip the faculty with knowledge to ensure that students are able to gain first-hand experience on all IBM platforms at the college,” an SIEM press release contends.

Dawa Lepcha’s “Ritual Journeys” selected for Royal Anthropological Institute International Festival of Ethnographic Films

FILM WILL PREMIERE IN GANGTOK ON SATURDAY
GANGTOK, 05 May: “Ritual Journeys”, a documentary film by cinematographer, activist and passionate archivist of Lepcha culture and way of life, Dawa Lepcha, with Anna Balicki Denjongpa as anthropologist consultant, has been selected for the prestigious Royal Anthropological Institute International Festival of Ethnographic Films 2011. Dawa will be travelling to London to present the film at the festival to be held from 23-26 June 2011. Significantly, Dawa has also been selected for a 10-day [12 to 22 June] course on film editing at the University of Manchester. The film has also been selected for the Freiburg Film Festival, Germany.
Before London gets to watch the movie, the opportunity comes to all interested in Sikkim as it premieres this Saturday, 07 May, at the main hall, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. Entry is free for the premiere screening which will have ‘Nekung’ Keepu T Lepcha as chief guest and begin at 2 p.m.
The film is an intimate portrait of Meyrak, an 80-year-old Bongthing from Dzongu. Dawa followed Meyrak with his camera and recorded his daily life and rituals over seven years from 2003 to the year 2010.

Tsomgo traffic to move in set to time slots

ANAND OBEROI
GANGTOK, 05 May: The unreliability of the Jawaharlal Nehru Road [JNR] to Tsomgo and Nathula has proved a major setback for everyone involved in the tourism sector here. Frequent breakdowns in the connectivity status has led to stranded tourists requiring elaborate, and often dangerous, evacuation efforts. Now, the tourism stakeholders and BRO officials have agreed on a timing regime to streamline traffic on this axis to ensure better monitoring for everyone’s convenience.
Vehicles headed for Tsomgo and Nathula are now required to be on their way up by 11 a.m., after which no tourist vehicle will be allowed through the check-post above Gangtok. These vehicles will now have to start the return journey from Tsomgo latest by 3 p.m.
With JN Road blocked at two major trouble spots at 9th Mile and 13th Mile, the road has remained closed for the past three days. With 112 vehicles packed with tourists stranded on the wrong side of the slides on 2 May eventually evacuated, a meeting between all concerned authorities and stakeholders has thought it necessary to streamline responses to such situations.

Taxi drivers object to SNT buses for sightseeing, confident that Gangtok-Darshan will be scrapped

GANGTOK, 05 May: The Central Joint Action Committee of the Local Taxi Driver’s Association [Gangtok] called on the Transport Minister, TT Bhutia, today and submitted an application seeking that the State government’s proposal to launch the Gangtok Darshan Bus Service in the capital be scrapped.
“After we learnt of the Gangtok Darshan bus service for tourists by the Sikkim Nationalised Transport [SNT], we immediately called on the Transport Minister,” informs Chung Chung Bhutia [president, CJAC of LTDA]. The Minister, in turn gavethem a verbal assurance that he would look into the matter and put the proposal on hold, the president added.
“Today, we called on the Minister again and have also put up a formal application regarding this matter, which was then forwarded to the Secretary, Transport Department, who sent the application to the Principal Chief Engineer and again has gone to the Minister for scrutiny,” the president said and added that the Minister has also assured to call on the Chief Minister and discuss the issue with him.

DC takes stock of LPG supply situation

IOC SETS UP NEW UNIT WITH 23,000 CYLINDER CAPACITY; HOTELIERS DIRECTED TO STOP PUTTING DOMESTIC CYLINDERS TO COMMERCIAL USE
SUBASH RAI
GANGTOK, 05 May: District Collector [East], D. Anandan has issued strict directions to the concerned authorities to ensure uninterrupted and adequate supply of LPG cylinders to consumers in the district. This, in response to complaints reaching his office that refills for domestic LPG cylinders were getting hard to come by. Officials at the District Administrative Centre [East] add that this action was also suo moto in light of the long queues of LPG expectant across town.
This, Mr. Anandan, told an emergency meeting conveyed by him at the District Control Room, MG Marg, on 03 May with representatives of the LPG distributors, including STCS, officials of the IOC and Food and Civil Supplies Department and members of the Sikkim Hotels and Restaurants Association.
The meeting was convened to ascertain the reasons behind the shortage of LPG refills in the recent weeks and came to the conclusion that this was a ‘temporary shortage’ caused because of the three-day continuous shut down of the LPG plant at Rangpo because of the West Bengal elections and observation of fire safety week by the IOC.

RTI applications attract violent reprisals in South Sikkim

GANGTOK, 05 May: “Anyone can seek information through RTI and Police Department is always there to ensure protection of the RTI applicants,” said Superintendent of Police [South], Manoj Tiwari, in response to a written complaint submitted to his office by “The Sikkim RTI Forum” on Wednesday, alleging that the cops have been “completely incompetent” in delivering on their duties.
In a written complaint addressed to SP [South], a copy of which was also marked to District Collector [South], Director General of Police, Chief Justice, High Court of Sikkim, Chief Secretary and the Governor, the Forum’s general secretary, DK Chettri, alleges that two instances of violent reprisals against RTI activists have remained unsolved in South Sikkim.

Press for Freedom

editorial:

03 May was the International Day for Press Freedom. It is a day when the fourth estate in most parts of the world, forever reporting on others, indulges in some vanity. But the day is much more than just an exercise in narcissism. It is more about remembering and recording the continuing struggle of those in the media to keep people informed. The fact that in every continent, journalists, editors and publishers are murdered, assaulted, detained and harassed is proof that freedom of speech exacts a high cost. World Press Freedom Day exists to recognise the sacrifices made in the struggle for freedom of the press and to put pressure on the numerous countries that continue to deny their citizens this basic human right. The current figures for suppression of free voice are telling: Over the last decade, more than 500 journalists lost their lives in the pursuit of their profession. Sixty killings were reported worldwide in 2010 alone. These figures do not include journalists who died in harness, covering a beat that could prove fatal not just because they are journalists, but because they were there. Publications continue to be censored, fined, suspended and closed down all over the world for what they choose to report and yet free voice exists - that itself is reason for celebration. Freedom of speech is a tricky issue and perhaps this is the right time to debate it. While it is easy to guarantee freedom of speech, since only censorship can deny it, it takes much more resolve to tolerate and appreciate it. Given the democracy we live in, freedom to report cannot be denied, it is the reaction to free voice which can leave a bad aftertaste. Threats and attacks are the physical reactions and economic constraints the more subtle form of clamping free voice and while these are deplorable, little can be done to contain them unless the society matures some more. As journalists, such pressures, not always from the outside, have to be accepted as unpleasant accompaniments which come with the territory.

Angaalo Yo Maya Ko embraces Rongli

RONGLI, 05 May: Screening of the Prashant Tamang starrer Nepali movie, “Angalo Yo Maya Ko”, played out over two days at the Rongli Community Hall at Melatar with the last show on 01 May. The screening was organised by the Sangharsh NGO of Rongli. Present on the occasion were producer of the movie, Kishore Dungmali, and Assistant Director cum actor of the movie, Praja Pradhan.
“Bijayata Baraily’s flawless acting was the best in the film,” commented Suman Pradhan, a Rongli resident. He further said she was superb in her role of ‘Jasmine’.
“The story is well crafted, dramatic scenes and the comic scenes were enjoyable but the music could have been much better. Over all a well made film,” he added.

Sikkim Univ VC represents India at first meeting of South Asia Forum

GANGTOK, 05 May: The first meeting of the steering committee of the newly-created South Asia Forum concluded in New Delhi. The meeting decided to hold the first South Asia Forum Summit on the theme of “South Asian Economic Union” in September later this year, informs a press release.
Over 100 top business leaders, public figures, academics, politicians and representatives of civil society organizations are scheduled to participate in the summit.

Governor conveys Sikkim’s condolences to Arunachal Pradesh

GANGTOK, 05 May: Governor BP Singh, in a communication to the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Gen. (Retd.) JJ Singh, has conveyed Sikkim’s condolences to the people of Arunachal on the death of their Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu in a helicopter crash.
An official press release informs that in his message relayed today, Governor Singh writes, “On behalf of the Government and people of Sikkim please accept our heartfelt condolences at the tragic death of Shri Dorjee Khandu, the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, along with his colleague, his Personal Security Officer and the two pilots of the ill-fated Pawan Hans helicopter.
In the passing away of Shri Dorjee Khandu, Arunachal Pradesh and the country have lost a popular patriot and a hardworking leader for whom the welfare of his people were of foremost importance. He was a respected leader, deeply admired and loved by his people for delivering peace, progress and socio-economic development of Arunachal Pradesh. Shri Khandu is well known for successfully bringing water supply, electricity and road connectivity to needy far flung villages. He was a decorated soldier and a courageous individual who had rendered valuable service to the nation during the liberation of Bangladesh.
It is indeed an irreparable loss. My heart goes to family members of the bereaved families. I am with all of you in this hour of crisis.
I pray for peace.”

Workshop trains ‘frontline staff’ on scientific forest management

GANGTOK, 05 May: A three-day workshop to train “frontline staff” of the Forest Department on “Scientific Forest Management” began today with Minister Forest, Bhim Dhungel as chief guest.

PCCF-cum-Secretary, ST Lachungpa, addressed the gathering and highlighted several aspects of the new forest management regime.

An official press release informs that Mr Lachungpa said, “Over a period of 100 years of forestry in Sikkim the state has witnessed some major developments in the Forestry sector. It was the 10^th Chogyal of Sikkim, Sidkeong Tulku, who introduced the concept of Scientific Management of forest resources by establishing the Forest Department. Since then the Department has shown incremental progress in the management of forests as is evident with the increase in forest cover of the state of Sikkim. Now we are witnessing a major overall “paradigm shift” in Forest Management with the introduction of the concept of “Working Plan”. 

Alert neighbours beat down fire in locked appartment

GANGTOK, 05 May: A major fire was averted by the prompt thinking and action of locals here at Chandmari Wednesday evening.
A resident of Chandmari saw smoke coming out from a closed window of a rented room below the meat shop opposite TT&T Garage situated at Upper Chandmari ahead of the Forest Check post on the road going towards Dechiling at around 5.30 in the evening. He immediately informed the meat shop owner, but by then other residents had also noticed the smoke coming out of the window.

Nathula thaws for border trade resumption

GANGTOK, 05 May: The annual business event, the Indo-China border trade over Nathula, began yesterday, two days after the official date for re-opening owing to the bad weather conditions. Trading was otherwise scheduled to begin on Monday.
The Nathula border trade with Tibetan Autonomous Region, was scheduled to have begun on 02 May, Monday, but was held up due to heavy snowfall over the weekend and landslides which blocked out access till Wednesday.
According to immigration officials, although traders from both sides made their respective journeys to Serathang [in Sikkim] and Rinchengang [in Tibet] on 04 May, no trading has taken place thus far.
Yesterday, 52 traders from Tibet came over to Serathang and 10 from Sikkim travelled to Rinchengang.
This was to be a one-day respite, with no crossovers reported today.

CM to proceed on Sikkim road-trip to confer directly with people

GANGTOK, 04 May: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, spoke for a brief 15 minutes while addressing the central executive meeting of the Sikkim Democratic Front at the party head office here today, his brevity, however, was packed with substantial announcements. The Chief Minister is also the president of the ruling party.
Mr. Chamling announced that starting 17 May, he will move out on a “Sikkim Darshan”, taking a road-trip across Sikkim, “reaching every settlement in the State accessible by road”, in a “direct-interaction” effort to connect with the people more intimately.
The “Sikkim Darshan”, he shared would take the better part of a month and he will be accompanied on this tour by his Cabinet colleagues, MLAs and heads of departments to facilitate on-the-spot mediation where possible and ground updates to inform later follow-up.

ATTC posts record campus recruitment success

GANGTOK, 04 May: A record number of 63 second year students of Advanced Technical Training Centre (ATTC), Bardang, have been selected by Anand Automotives, in a campus recruitment drive held recently, informs a press release.
The students of Manufacturing Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics and Tool and Die-making have been selected a year before they actually pass out from the institute. The institute also has a tie-up with Anand Automotives for industrial training of final year students in which the company awards stipend and free accommodation to the trainees at various locations in India.
At present 63 final year students of Manufacturing Technology and Mechatronics are undergoing industrial training for a period of six months at places like Pune, Dharwar and Pantnagar, the release informs.

Bhaichung’s United Sikkim scores first win, beat Md Sporting

SIKKIM IN THE SECOND DIVISION I-LEAGUE
GANGTOK, 04 May: A lone goal by Johnny D Meyongar helped United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] registers its first win in the final round of second division I-League in Shillong on Wednesday. Bhaichung’s USFC had drawn all its previous three matches.
Playing this crucial match they gave its all and defeated Kolkata’s Mohammedan Sporting Club 1-0.
After three drawn matches in a row, this was a very crucial match for the club and the win has kept its hope alive in the final round. With this first win, the USFC is on the third position with 6 points from four matches at present. The top-2 teams will qualify for the main I-League. USFC still has 3 matches to play.

Trade license fee- just, or too much?

GANGTOK, 04 May: The increased fee structure announced for acquiring and renewing trade licenses has been in the news of late, played up by Opposition parties and also causing some amount of confusion among business people here. In fact, it even came up at the ruling party’s CEC meeting on Wednesday, with a request forwarded to the Chief Minister to consider rolling back the hike. The CM has assured to look into the matter.
Before all this happened, earlier in the day, NOW! contacted the Gangtok Mayor about the issue. The municipal bodies have been authorized to collect the fees and issues new trade licences and renewals.
The Gangtok Mayor, KN Topgay, while responding to comments that the hike was too steep, maintained that the increased slabs are “normal and affordable” for the traders.
He explained, “The increase in the Trade License fee is taking place after around eight years and the new slabs have been worked out seeing the volume and quantum of business generated. The new structure is affordable for all concerned.”

STDC Chairman thanks all for the success of IRF

GANGTOK, 04 May: Chairman, Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation, Narendra Kumar Subba on behalf of the committee has extended his gratitude to all who helped in making the festival a success.
Mr. Subba has thanked the Forest, Wildlife and Environment Department, Tourism Department, MLAs and ministers of West Sikkim, Zilla Panchayat,  Panchayats, SDM West , concerned officers, police personnel, West District tourism societies and  stakeholders , tour operators, travel agencies, hoteliers  for their support , informs a press release.
He has also extended his gratitude to the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling for giving Sikkim international recognition by organizing such events, the release adds.
Finally, Mr. Subba has thanked all those who extended help in organizing the final concluding programme of the festival and to the public of Dentam and Uttarey.

Akhil Sikkim Chettri Bahun Kalyan Sangh forms new executive committee

GANGTOK, 04 May: Akhil Sikkim Chettri Bahun Kalyan Sangh unanimously nominated NR Bhattarai as its chief patron in a meeting conveyed on 01 May under the chairmanship of the present president, Dr. IL Sharma at its office in Ranipul.
The meeting formed its new working executive committee and also presented bank account and land acquisition papers. Mr. Sharma thanked all former members of the working committee for their contribution towards the welfare of the community since the formation of the association, informs a press release.
He especially extended his gratitude to the president of the ad-hoc committee, KP Kaushik, working president, Hem Kumar Karki, general secretary, Dr. Uday Chettri, and other members for their short yet valuable contribution. The newly formed committee also thanked Mr. Kaushik for providing a room for the sangh.

Drivers want truck owners to offer better employment benefits

GANGTOK, 04 May: The Sikkim Truck Drivers Association has decided to write to the truck owners demanding that henceforth, the truck drivers be paid minimum salary as per the Labour Department Notification [amended] vide No. 5/DL dated 1.7.2010. The notification also directs that duty be curtailed to 08 hours per day and medical benefits and life insurance cover be provided from the owner’s side.
A meeting of the Association held at its head office under the chairmanship of its president, Mingma Sherpa today, also fixed June 2011 as the final deadline for the implementation of the notification. During the meeting it was also resolved that appropriate steps be taken if the owners fail to fulfill their demands within the stipulated time frame.

CM condoles death of Arunachal CM

GANGTOK, 04 May [IPR]: The Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling and Mrs. Tika Maya Chamling have condoled the untimely and tragic demise of the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Dorjee Khandu. The Chief Minister has expressed his deep sorrow and anguish on the demise of Dorjee Khandu and has sent a condolence message to the bereaved family on behalf of the people of Sikkim. The Arunachal Chief Minister, it may be recalled, was killed in a helicopter crash in his State.

Study on Cane propagation begins in Dzongu

GANGTOK, 04 May: A research survey on ‘Cane/ Rattan’ is being initiated by the Department of Science and Technology and Climate Change under the project “Cane/ Rattan propagation and its value addition in the Dzongu tribal reserve area, North Sikkim” funded by SEEDS Division, DST, Govt. of India, informs an official press release.
The study is part of a pilot research project on sustainable use of cane for livelihood and create alternative source of income in the region as it is apparent that large cardamom, a major crop of rural Sikkim, is dying out due to several causes, the release informs.
ASO-cum-Principal Investigator for the project, SR Lepcha, informs that cane plantations have dramatically reduced in the State, therefore, the present study is particularly focussed on development of propagation techniques of the local cane species.

Fire-fighting awareness drive in Sichey

GANGTOK, 04 May: An awareness programme on fire fighting and disaster management was organized by United Sichey Social Organization with the support of State Disaster Management Department and Fire and Emergency Service at Sichey Secondary School ground on 30 April for the students and the local public.
The programme sought to generate awareness on natural calamities and impart basic fire fighting skills, and provide guidelines to prepare and tackle such situations. The programme, also supported by live demonstrations was actively participated by the students and the public as well, informs a press release.

SDF condoles Arunachal Pradesh CM’s death

GANGTOK, 04 May: SDF has expressed its deepest regrets on the death of the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Dorjee Khandu, in a helicopter crash. The party, in a press release issued today, has conveyed that Mr. Khandu was an efficient and able leader with ¬great patriotic zeal and a stalwart of the entire North Eastern region and the country.
Acknowledging his death as a great loss to the nation, the SDF party has conveyed its condolences to his family and the state and stated that the party stands by the bereaved family and people in their hour of grief, adds the release.