MP Urges the Pharma Companies and Power Developers to appoint the trained manpower from the State

GANGTOK, 03 Feb: The State Institute of Capacity Building Karfectar was visited by the Lok Sabha MP, PD Rai on 2 February during which he interacted with staff, officials, trainees and also inspected the damages caused by the earthquake of 18 September. S.D.Dhakal, Chief Administrator welcomed the M.P. A brief meeting was also held in the Mini Conference Hall of SICB.
The M.P in his address highlighted the policy of the State Government and need of skill development for self employment.  He stressed the need to develop the entrepreneurship amongst the trainees so that they can be self employed to mitigate the livelihood options for them.  He suggested the Chief Administrator for initiating actions proactively for the placement of trained Security Personnel including the other trained personal passing out from Livelihood School in Pharma Companies, Power Developers, Universities and other Private Educational Institutions running within the State.
During the course of the meeting, the Chief Administrator, appraised the house about the establishment of the Livelihood Schools of different trades in all territorial constituencies of the State, the challenges being faced, the various activities executed by the Institute as partnership with Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise, Government of India, Lalmati, Guwahati, Assam and the financial status and needs of the Institute.  Similarly, Mr. Ranjan Rai, Deputy Director (Counseling Placement and Examination Cell) presented the placements made so far in various Companies and Institutions within and outside the State.  He informed that nearly 793 of the passed out trainees had found placements.
The MP further suggested for incorporating the integrated Environmental, Moral and Value Aided Components and the Soft Skills in the curriculum of the Livelihood School.  The Chief Administrator, S.D. Dhakal submitted that, these components would be included as soon as possible.  Shri Dhakal also informed that the first phase of data input are in process for Management Information System for ,attendance of Trainees, Trainers, Courses running ,Financial Status ,Stipend payment, Placement and Post Placement records but due to erratic connectivity of telephone lines of BSNL ,the same has been delayed but  it will be made operational by 28th February, 2012. The Hon’ble M.P. advised to consult the Service partners for the better placement and coordination for the benefit of the Sikkimese youth.

New learning centre of Sikkim Manipal University launched

A NEW LEARNING CENTRE OF SIKKIM MANIPAL UNIVERSITY  DISTANCE EDUCATION LAUNCHED  AT GLOBAL INFORMATICS IN GANGTOK
GANGTOK, 03 Feb: Taking a leap in the field of education and learning, Global Informatics, an ISO Certified Training Centre located at Rai Cottage, Church Road, Gangtok, proudly announces itself as the new authorized learning centre of Sikkim Manipal University Distance Education (SMU DE) in Gangtok.
Taking into account the popularity of SMU DE’s courses and the need of a centre to facilitate its courses for students in and around Gangtok, this new learning centre has been launched at Global Informatics, below Police Headquarters.
The launch of this new learning centre will prove a boon for people of all walks of life to undertake programs under SMU DE and uplift their professional careers as well as knowledge and expertise. From working individuals to housewives to businessmen all can take advantage of this new leaning centre at Global Informatics which has come to the capital now.
The role of Global Informatics shall be to provide counseling and tuitions to the students elrolled in the SMU DE programmes. The courses offered by the new learning centre is in the field of Information Technology, Management and Arts & Commerce on the Undergraduate as well as Post Graduate Level (BCA, MCA, BBA, MBA, BA,MA,BCom, MCom etc).
State of the art infrastructure and qualified academic counsellors are the highlights of the SMU DE authorised learning centre at Global Informatics . As a pioneer in the field of distance education SMU DE constantly innovates on its delivery systems. SMU DE has always been committed to quality education and keeps up its promise to both students and counsellors and hence its growing popularity year after year.
With EduNxt which is its award winning technology enabled Internet based Learning program SMU DE has established a collaborative and interactive environment that benefits students and counsellors alike. Sikkim Manipal University s Distance Education  SMU DE  programme more than 4 lakh  students  on roll.
SMU-DE  is also Ranked #1 in the student perception survey conducted by CAREERS360 magazine
To add to the perks SMU DE learning centre at Global Informatics also provides placement assistance to its passing out students.

NASBO welcomes scrapping of West Sikkim power projects

GANGTOK, 03 Feb: National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation [NASBO] has welcomed the cabinet clearance and the Government of Sikkim’s decision to scrap both the Lethang as well as Ting Ting Hydro Electric Projects slated over the Rathongchu River in West Sikkim.
NASBO has further requested the Government of Sikkim to issue necessary notifications to this effect, in a press release issued by its president, Sonam Kaleon today. The release also demands the scrapping of the Tashiding HEP.
“We are convinced that good sense prevails in the Government while we would congratulate the government when it issues necessary notifications to the above effect”, the release further states.

Lachen says NO to mineral water bottles!

GANGTOK, 03 Feb: On the occasion of World Wetlands Day on 02 February, the Lachen Dzumsa consisting of the Pipons, Gyambos, Chultimpa (representative of Lamas),along with the public of Lachen has decided to announce a ban on mineral water bottles in the village of Lachen and above from the upcoming tourist season. This decision has been made as an initiative for conservation of the holy lake of Gurudongmar situated at 5183 meters, which over the years has been growing as a tourist destination in the state. The lake area is a biodiversity hotspot and also highly significant as it is one of the main sources for river Teesta, and believed to be touched and blessed by Guru Padmasambhava. Receiving more than fifteen thousand visitors annually in the form of pilgrims and tourists, one of the major threats to the holy lake is from garbage disposal.
This was clearly indicated during the cleanliness campaign organised jointly by WWF-India and Lachen Tourism development Committee in collaboration with the Lachen Dzumsa around the lake side, on the occasion of World Environment Day 2011, which brought out 30 big sacks of tins, plastics of which a large part was mineral water bottles.  Not only Gurudongmar lake, an excessively huge amount of empty mineral water bottles were brought out during the cleanliness drive in Lachen Village also which highlighted an immediate concern for management of such garbage.
Understanding the need for having a proper garbage management and regulation process in place, Lachen Dzumsa, with assistance from LTDC and WWF will develop a strategy for monitoring of the garbage that goes up to the lake, and ensuring that it is brought back to Lachen. A proposal for construction of a garbage segregation chamber at Lachen is also in the pipeline. While all items that produce garbage cannot be regulated, the mineral water bottle is one such product that can easily be done away with, by provision of a safe alternative. Tourists will have to sensitized on the matter so that they understand the reason for the ban and also come to realize that natural mountain water is safer and healthier than those packaged and sold in plastic bottles. With the decision of this ban, Lachen becomes the first village in Sikkim to ban the use and sell of bottled water.
The model will look into possibility of complete ban on the use of bottled water in Lachen and Gurudongmar Lake with promotion of filtered water for the tourists at these villages. Proper testing of the water being provided in place of mineral water will be conducted by certified agencies to assure tourists on the safety of the drinking water.
After a series of meetings with the local stakeholders in Lachen, finally on the occasion of the World Wetlands Day, the Lachen Dzumsa proudly announces the strict ban on use and sell of bottled water in Lachen from the coming tourist season. This Dzumsa resolution will be imposed on all Tourists visiting Lachen, local Shops, hotels and the general public, and a fine will be prescribed by the Dzumsa against offenders. The local area MLA Mr. TW Lepcha has supported this positive initiative taken by the Lachen Dzumsa for tackling the garbage menace. Lachen Dzumsa looks forward to help and cooperation from Tourism Department, TAAS and Police Department to make this ban successful.
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UD&HD on a major developmental and beautification drive in Sikkim

AMEET OBEROI

GANGTOK, 03 Feb: The Urban Development & Housing Department [UD&HD] has a slew of developmental and beautification schemes for the state including the capital town of Gangtok as well as the bazaars in the districts. There are a number of major and minor projects, including beautification of notified town areas some of which are underway  and some which are yet to be started in all the four districts of the State, informed Dorjee Dadul [Superintendent Engineer, North/East, UD&HD], while speaking to NOW!.
Beginning with Gangtok, a state-of-the-art Foot Over-bridge is being constructed at Deorali at a cost of Rs. 488.72 Lakhs on which work is underway and will be completed soon. Also coming up at Deorali is a multi-level Car Park; the cost estimate for this is Rs. 1091.98 Lakhs.
Work kas already begun on the construction of Kissan Bazaar coming up on the hillside of Lall Bazaar traffic junction; the estimated cost of this project is at Rs. 1072.00 Lakhs. Furthermore Gangtok town is to be adorned with covered walkways and allied facilities which are to come up at Nam Nang. The work on these projects are also informed to have started.  These are being constructed at a cost of Rs. 1260.00 Lakhs. Most of the development projects, it is informed, are being undertaken under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
Meanwhile, under the Central Government programme of Basic Services for Urban Poor [BSUP], a project called the Integrated Housing & Slum Development Programme [IHSDP] is being undertaken at Old Slaughter House Area below Arithang and is on the verge of completion informed D Dadul, SE.
The department is also undertaking the repair and improvements of the urban roads and in fact sanctions have been accorded for 21 urban roads. A number of the road improvement projects have already been completed which include Jeevan Theeng Marg, approach road to the High Court of Sikkim, approach road to Deorali Girls Senior Secondary School, Bansilal petrol pump [Church Road] to Diesel Power House Road, approach road to Yatayat Bhawan and approach road to Raj Bhawan]. Another 6 roads will be taken up in the next phase which, it is informed, will be taken up soon.
In addition to these major projects at Gangtok, projects of smaller scales are also under progress, such as improvement work in and around Mintokgang and construction of RCC retaining wall, renovation and remodelling of Gangtok Municipal Corporation [GMC] office at IOC car parking at Deorali, upgradation and extension of 1.11 kilometer road at ICAR Complex at Tadong etc, it was informed.

Rs.350 lakhs for Vegetable production in Sikkim by GoI

GANGTOK, 03 Feb: The Horticulture and Cash Crop Development Department organised two days training programme for Progressive Farmers under Vegetable Initiative for Urban Cluster (RKVY) at the SAMETI Hall, Tadong near ICAR. Under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, Vegetable Initiative for Urban Cluster will be launched in major urban centres for implementation of vegetable initiative. This year, Government of India has earmarked a sum of Rs 350 lakhs for vegetable initiatives for Sikkim, for which Gangtok and Namchi has been chosen. As per this programme, vegetable seeds of seasonal, off seasonal, Rabi and Kharif will also be provided. A total of fifty progressive farmers of East District are participating in this training programme.
Minister for Agriculture and Horticulture, D.N. Takarpa in his inaugural address mentioned that Vegetable Initiatives for Urban Cluster is a National programme. Till date, the state has been emphasizing vegetable initiatives in rural areas and under this programme urban areas like Gangtok and Namchi will also be benefitted.  Sikkim is fortunate to be endowed with a variety of climatic zones which have a potential of growing a wide range of horticultural crops. Therefore, interest has to be cultivated amongst the farmers in enhancing production so that the demand of the state is mitigated from the state itself, he added.  The Minister also stated that this programme will not only fulfill both demand and supply in vegetable sector but will also increase the income of the farmers as well.
The Secretary, Agriculture and Horticulture, Vishal Chauhan in his address informed that Vegetable Initiatives for Urban Cluster is designed to increase vegetable production and productivity and marketing of the produce through farmers’groups. The scheme, he informed, is to be implemented in two towns of the state with focus on cluster vegetable production and income for the farmers as well as assured supply to consumers.  He also emphasized on the formulation of Farmers Interest Group so that it was easier to provide training and marketing also.
 While presenting the welcome address, Principal Director Horticulture, D.K. Rai appraised that there were 95 Farmers Producers Organisations in East and 75 Farmers’ Producers’ Organisations in South District out of which 1020 farmers in East and 750 in South will be selected.  Under this programme, a baseline survey has also been done by the Indian Gramin Service and NELSON Org for 700 hectares of land in East district and 300 hectares in South District.
 The inaugural programme was followed by the technical session whereby the Resource Persons from Indian Gramin Service and officials informed on package and practices of Kharif vegetables, nursery management and pest and disease control.
On the second day the participants are to be familarised with tools and equipments, nursery bed preparartion and seedling raising technique at Tadong Bamboo Nursery.

CM conferred Bharat Asmita Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar, 2012

GANGTOK, 03 Feb: The MIT group of Institutions, Pune, India has conferred the honour of Bharat Asmita Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar 2012 , Special Award for Life Time Achievement to Pawan Chamling, Chief Minister of Sikkim. At a well attended function the Chief Minister was handed over the award, a plaque, a citation, and shawl, by Dr. R A Mashelkar Padma Bhushan, and Chairman of the Bharat Asmita National Awards Committee.
The other imminent recipients of awards in their respective fields were Nana Patekar, actor/ director, Siddartha Basu, Mass media, Prof S Parasuraman, Director, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Prof Samir K Brahmachari, Director General, CSIR and Jayant Chaudhary, MP Lok Sabha.
Speaking on the occasion the Chief Minister apprised the gathering about the various developmental strides the state had taken in various areas such as Catch, Green Mission, Kutcha house free mission. While addressing the student community of MIT institute he urged the younger generation to inculcate the values of hard work, sincerity, and responsibilities and contribute towards nation building.

Started in 2005, the Bharat Asmita National Award is a prestigious award given to prominent luminaries in various fields such as education, social and political fields, science and technology etc. In the past some prominent recipients of these awards were T N Seshan, former Chief Election Commissioner, Jyotiraditya Sindhia, Rajdeep Sardesai, Mallika Sarabai and Bharka Dutt of NDTV.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by his wife Ms Tika Maya Chamling, O.T. Lepcha, MP Rajya Sabha, Principal Secretary to HCM and Secretary IPR.

Our Constitutional Federalism-its exceptions and limitation.

News about team Anna agitation towards bringing about Jan lokpal bill has ended for a moment albeit raising an important question of the constitutional law in our minds. Debate took place in the houses of parliament striking the root of the federal structure enshrined in our constitution. Can there be a uniform legislation enacted by the parliament, given our constitution’s federal structure, under Article 253 that provides for both the Lokpal at the centre and lokayukta in the states? This is besides how and what should constitute a Lokpal? As a student of Law, pulled by my insatiable appetite for higher learning, I tried to flip through the pages of the constitutional law with which I have been out of touch for years now.
Article 253 deals with the legislative relations between centre and states. The chapter 1 of part X1 actually begins by Article 245 which provides that parliament can make laws for the whole or any part of the territory of India and so are the legislature of the states making laws for the whole or any territory of the states, deriving the legislative powers to make laws subject wise under Article 246.
Question arose as to why under the constitutional schemes of things that the Parliament enact laws through the Lokpal and the Lokayukta Bill, 2011 under Article 253 of the constitution in one go, making states compulsory to enact Lokayukta subsequently in their states, should the parliament passed that bill, 2011, thereby undermining the legislative authority of the states? Why parliament limits itself to making laws for the constitution of the Lokpal only at the centre, leaving the domain of legislation making of Lokayukta to the states itself?
It is understandable that besides owing business of making laws, parliament has certain obligations to implement the international treaty, agreement or conventions made or signed with any other countries at any international conference, associations or body. One such international treaty is the UN Convention against Corruption, which was signed and ratified by India. Article 6 of the Convention envisages a specific obligation for member states to establish regulatory bodies that prevent corruption. In order to implement this conventions signed by our country to fight against corruption, it was incumbent upon India as a nation to frame laws. While doing so, Article 253 has an exception to the rule contained under Article 246 and gives power upon parliament to make any law for the whole or any part of territory of India. Therefore, the Lokpal and the Lokayukta Bill was brought by the government under Article 253 to implement the UN convention within this exception clause although it impinges upon matters belonging to State list for setting up Lokayuktas in the States.
Thus, the competency of the state legislature and powers to make laws in its State list is subject to parliament’s power to make any laws under Article 253. Interestingly, once the laws are framed obliging those treaties, the federalism constraints imposed by Article 245 and 246 will be removed and the total field of legislation is opened to parliament. It has a non-obstante clause like Article 375F of our Constitution and takes precedence over other Article contained in this chapter of part VI of the constitution.
Parliament’s powers to make laws for states in implementing those treaties or convention was uphold by the Supreme Court in many cases including those which were referred to by the President of India under Article 143(1) of the constitution in its advisory form. In the court’s words, “Article 253 deals with legislative powers, and thereby power is conferred upon parliament which it may not otherwise possess”. Furthermore, under the Directive Principle of State Policy, states are supposed to foster respect for international laws or treaty obligations signed by its nation.
We already have a glaring case in India apposite to Lokpal controversy. In order to implement the Paris Principles, 1991 for better protection of human rights, the parliament has enacted the laws for the constitution of Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 under Article 253 itself which provides for constitution of National Human rights Commission at the centre and State’s Human Right Commission in the states as it would be like the Lokpal and the Lokayuktas.
Unfortunately, arguments raised in the parliament on such a crucial federalism issues were polemical and exaggerated more in tone and substance. Here, the role of Anna team is felt, nevertheless our parliament is already obliged to have laws in place to fight against corruption. Now the bill having jolted with so many ifs and buts and being stalled in the Rajya Sabha from passing it, it is assumed that it is kept under rest and recovery to be back soon, not killing it all together.



Hemant Rai,
Gaucharan, Assam Lingzey, East
(Currently BDO, Gyalshing, West Sikkim).

RK Patra Headed Commissions of Inquiry extended for 6 months

GANGTOK, 02 Feb: Contrary to reports and rumours of Retired Chief Justice RK Patra having resigned from service under the State government he, or rather the Commissions of Inquiry headed by him, have been given a fresh lease of life – at least for another 6 months – by the government.
Three of the Commissions of Inquiry headed by the Law Commission Chairman, RK Patra have had their terms extended for another 6 months. This includes the Commission of Inquiry instituted last January by the state government to look into allegations of misappropriation of government funds and corruption as leveled by the state Congress party. The state government has extended its term for another 6 months from 8 January. The next deadline for it to submit its report on the allegations of misappropriation on the charges accusations which have also been forwarded to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the state Congress, is 7 July 2012. Recently there were reports that Retired Chief Justice RK Patra had resigned; however it is now reported that this along with other Commissions of Inquiry have been actually just been served with extensions. This Commission has been conducting its hearings on a regular basis.

The next deadline for the two Commissions to submit its respective reports is 30 June, 2012. Their terms have been extended from 01 January this year.
In fact as regards the other 2 Commissions this is probably the sixth instance that the state government has decided to extend the term to enable the Commission to submit its report. One Commission of Enquiry was instituted by the government to examine and inquire into allegations of issuance of forged or fake Sikkim Subject Certificates and Certificates of Identification. This Commission was instituted in November 2009 and has yet to forward its report and findings. This Commission of Inquiry was to examine cases of unauthorized and illegal SSCs and CoIs as well as inquire into the prevalence of unauthorized or illegal trade licenses. While initially the Commission was to submit its report in 6 months’ time it has been served extensions and now for another 6 months.
The other Commission of Inquiry was instituted by the government to look into allegations of sale or lease or transfer of land from private individuals land owners to organizations and private companies etc. This Commission too is headed by Retired Chief Justice RK Patra and was initially notified in November, 2009. The report of this Commission is also awaited and has been provided with an extension of another 6 months till June.

Missing boy found dead after a week

GANGTOK, 02 Feb: The body of a boy missing for the past 8 days was found near the banks of the River Teesta under Temi police jurisdiction, South Sikkim on 01 February. As per reports the deceased, Krishna Chettri, a handy boy had gone down to the river quarry on 24 January and had been missing since then. His body was found floating in the river on 1 February and a case has been registered at the Temi police station.

Martam Nazitam GPU awarded one of 9 best GPs in country

East District vigilance & monitoring committee discusses schemes and projects

GANGTOK, 02 Feb: The fourth District level Vigilance & Monitoring Committee meeting of East District was held on 31 January at Janta Bhawan, Gangtok under the Chairmanship of Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, PD Rai.
The ADC (Dev.) East welcomed the participants and requested them to actively participate in the meeting.
That Martam Nazitam Gram Panchayat has been awarded as one of the nine best performing Gram Panchayats out of more than 25000 GPs in the country was disclosed and shared by the ADC with the house. The District Collector, East in his introductory speech apprised the house on the importance of the meeting and  directed the BDOs to submit the estimates of MGNREGS passed in the Gram Sabha for placing before the DPC for the shelf of schemes, 2012-13 by first week of February,2012. He also apprised the house regarding the posting of new RS/ARS (Amins) in the newly created Circles and requested the Panchayat Presidents to accommodate them in the nearest Gram Prasashan Kendras and monitor their attendance so that they are accessible to the public.
The MP expressed happiness over Martam Nazitam Gram Panchayat being awarded one of the nine best performing Gram Panchayats and congratulated the entire MGNREGS team. He further expressed that due to such achievements, the Authorities of the Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India are also praising the state and with such dedication of the implementing agencies, demands of the people of the State are being considered.
The meeting was followed with discussions on the implementation of all Central and State schemes being implemented in the rural areas such as MGNREGS, PMGSY, ARWSS, SGSY, CMRHM,MMAY,IAY, OAP etc. The MP stressed on the implementation of SGSY which is being converged with the National Rural Livelihood Mission wherein this scheme will be implemented at the village level and will be beneficial to the unemployed educated youth. It will also be closely monitored.
He further stressed that all schemes sanctioned by the Chief Minister on the spot during his village to village tour be taken up on priority.
The meeting was attended by Bimal Dawari, Zilla Adakshya, East, Panchayat Presidents of East District, District Collector,East, ADC(Dev.)East, Representative of NGOs, Post Master of Postal Department, Joint Secretary, Welfare Department, Divisional Engineers, Block Development Officers, Assistant Engineers of BACs and officials of the District.

1st All India Police Science Congress in Sikkim

Senior-most officials to converge in Sikkim to discuss policing 
Sagar Chhetri
GANGTOK, 02 Feb: Sikkim Police has received an opportunity to host the prestigious 42nd edition of All India Police Science Congress for the first time in the state. Sikkim Police is organizing this congress under the aegis of Bureau of Police Research and Development, Ministry of Home Affairs, at Chintan Bhawan from 15 to 17 February.
This was announced during a press conference today addressed by the IGP [AP] Akshay Sachdeva, who has been designated as the Organizing Secretary for the congress, and SP [CID] Mrinalini Shrivastava, who has been designated as the Nodal Officer.
Around 150 delegates comprising of the rank of DGPs, ADGPs, IGPs, DIGs and SPs of state police forces of different states and senior officials from Central Para Military Forces, Intelligence Agencies, Military and Para-military Commanders and representatives from MHA are likely to attend the congress.
The IGP mentioned that this congress was a prestigious annual event and the state will be hosting this event for the first time. The main objective of the congress is to deliberate on various aspects of police professionalism and suggest measures and remedies to improve the structure and functioning of the police forces across the country.
He informed that the three days deliberations will have presentations by learned police officers, academicians of reputed institutions, research scholars and renowned retired police professionals. A couple of sessions of the congress are also likely to be chaired by the Governors from two states.
It was also informed that 35 research papers are likely to be published in the souvenir booklet which would be brought out by Sikkim Police. The congress has 12 themes for extensive discussions and debates varying from police reforms, police as facilitators to resolve minor disputes in the community to comprehensive training policy for India Police.
Likewise, police science congress will also deliberate on technical themes like emerging challenges to Cyber Security, new and emerging technology in police investigation, technology as an aid to fight left wing extremism and terrorism. The congress also has themes for human resource development and best practices and procedures to ensure integrity in police to be deliberated.
“Expert panelists will be summing up and drawing conclusions from various presentations and research papers which would then be forwarded to states for consideration by police forces across the country,” IGP Akshay Sachdeva informed. Copies of the deliberations would also be sent to all DGPs and police officers to take note for improvement in police functioning.
The Nodal Officer informed that the souvenir will be released by the Chief Minister on the inaugural day of the police science congress at Chintan Bhawan on 15 February. She informed that even the ADGPs of election bound states are coming for the congress.
Sikkim Police has been working hard on a war-footing for the success of this prestigious congress in the state and arrangements for lodging and transportation for the delegates are being made. Sikkim Police Law and Order wing is also making excellent security arrangements for the visiting delegates.
Sikkim Director General of Police has also formed different committees and teams to organize and facilitate the smooth conduct of the congress and senior officers of Police Headquarters are also busy in preparation for the event.

HRDD clarification of SSA guidelines and quality issues

GANGTOK, 02 Feb: The Sarva Shiksha Abhayan (SSA) is a centrally sponsored scheme. It is a flagship program of the Government of India. It is being implemented in the States by the State authorities but it has its own design and implementation features mandated by the Central Government.
It is now redesigned to be totally in synchronization with the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
Teacher qualifications, training and recruitment are covered in great detail in the framework of implementation.
The Government of Sikkim is desirous of implementing the said Act totally. This will be the bulwark of the Government’s total quality education mission. Hence there can be little compromise in this respect. The future human capital of our State is at stake and the caliber of teachers is central to the process of high quality delivery. In view of the above, the HRDD had placed advertisements in December 2011 seeking applications for employment under the guidelines set by SSA. The roles were advertised as being ad hoc and having a one year tenure, similar to those advertised in 2010. This form of recruiting is in line with the tradition of upgrading the skills of the teachers and also ensuring that the teachers meet with the qualification criterion as laid down by the SSA framework. In this design qualification criterion will not only be met but also positioning of teachers to remote schools which perennially suffer from lack of good teachers.
Hence more than 4,509 candidates were given the opportunity to face the interview this year.
It is therefore not possible to deny so many candidates from different Districts of the State an equal opportunity to the said jobs for the sake of a few when it was very clear that there would be a relook at the process when the appointments were given in March 2011.
It is understood that there are a few persons who are not desirous of following due process but would like to take the matter into their own hands by going on a fast. We sincerely hope and advise them not to be misguided thus. They should give up their fast. They need to wait for the result of the interviews in which so many young graduates and others have given their time based on the terms published.
We would also like to place on record that those who are on dharna have also taken the interview for the ad hoc posts for the current year. In fact, they have a better chance of selection compared to first time candidates since their past experience has been given due weight in terms of bonus marks in the interview. Thereby the department has duly recognized the service rendered by them by granting them bonus marks in accordance with the number of years they served and at the same time has given equal opportunity to many other qualified local candidates to compete for the ad hoc posts.
One should understand and appreciate the fact that such opportunities cannot be restricted to a selected few but to all eligible local candidates, in the interest of fairness and justice.

Common Platform to being agitation with ‘Pratiwad Rally’ at Gyalshing Bazaar

DEMANDS OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION ON THE SCRAPPING OF TING-TING AND LETHANG POWER PROJECTS FROM THE STATE GOVT
GANGTOK, 02 Feb: Common Platform against Ting-Ting, Lethang and Tashiding Hydel Power Projects announced the launching of a “physical agitation” against the three hydel power projects on the Rathong-Chu river in West Sikkim today. The Common Platform, comprising of members from eight different organizations against hydel projects, will begin its agitation with the ‘Pratiwad Rally’ on13 February at Gyalshing Bazaar. Members of the Platform also started distributing pamphlets for the same today.
Addressing a press conference, All Sikkim Educated Self-Employed & Unemployed Association [ASESE&UA] president, Nawin Kiran stated that although there have been news reports on the scrapping of Lethang and Ting-Ting hydel projects, no official gazette notification has been issued by the State Government so far. On the same, he added that until this happens the Common Platform will continue its movement at different levels.
Common Platform spokesperson, Tenzing Chewang Bhutia mentioned that as these projects fall under the 10-km radius of a National Park, so technically Ting-Ting and Tashiding projects have not received the environment clearance from the National Wildlife Board. He further added that the protest in West Sikkim shows that the people are against these projects.
Welcoming news reports on the scrapping of the Ting-Ting and Lethang projects, Mr Bhutia however questioned the government’s interest in continuing the Tashiding project. He further demanded that the government confirm the scrapping of these projects through an official notification.
“We demand the government to apply the same logic behind scrapping the Ting-Ting and Lethang projects and also scrap the Tashiding power project,” said Mr Bhutia.
Citing the statement of the Power Minister published in a local newspaper that these projects would generate revenue, SIBLAC convener, Tseten Tashi Bhutia questioned that if the people do not want the project then what is the use of the revenue. He further stated that the State government needs to choose whether it is for its people or the power developers.

Four teams for Red Fest finals

GANGTOK, 02 Feb: Four teams from the four districts of the state will play it out for the top spot as the best team in the finals of the state level Red Five football tournament which started on 6 January here in the capital.
Four teams have qualified for the finals as district champions who will play against each other on 4 February at Guards Ground, Tatangchen. The top team will receive a cash prize of Rs. 50,000, while the second and third teams will receive Rs.30, 000 and Rs.10, 000 respectively.
It may be informed that the tournament kick started from MG Marg with the participation of over 100 teams from all the four districts. The selections were carried out by the organizers in every district headquarters out of which the best teams from each district qualifying for the finals.
Speaking to NOW! Aketh Targain from Hope Foundation which is one of the organizers of the tournament informs that the finals will be played from 10 am and that other programmes like Hip-Hop dancing and performances by rock bands will be included in the festivities on the scheduled date.
“Through your newspaper we want everyone to know that the finals are open to all. Everyone is welcome to watch the matches and enjoy the performances lined up for the day. The day will be full of excitement and all are invited to share the experience,” says Aketh Targain.
The five a side football tournament has been initiated by Sikkim State AIDS Control Society [SSACS] in association with Boys Club, Bethesda society, SNP+, RUN and Hope Foundation. “Play Safe” is the theme for the tournament which will also see women national players from Sikkim playing an exhibition match during the finals.
It may be recalled that the event is intended at sharing the message of an AIDS free society and highlighting awareness on drug and alcohol addiction to the youth. The tournament is a part of the Red fest which is being implemented in three stages namely, the Positive Intervention in Schools, the Red Ribbon Super band Contest and the Red Five football tournament.

One arrested at Nayabazaar

GANGTOK, 02 Feb: Nayabazaar police has arrested one person on charges of possessing contraband substances. According to reports the police raided the house of one Prashant Subba, 28, of Nayabazaar on 01 February. During the raid the police found 384 capsules of spasmo proxyvon and 62 tablets of N10. Prashant has been arrested and charged under the Sikkim Anti Drugs Act, 2005.

SHRPP celebrates its decadal anniversary

GANGTOK, 02 Feb: Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party [SHRPP] celebrated its decadal anniversary at the party president’s residence at Nam Nang today. On the occasion, the party has also adopted three political programmes and decided to hold state-wide meetings beginning this month.
An SHRPP press release issued by its general secretary, Tara Shrestha states that the three programmes of the party will be earthquake relief, corruption and price rise.
SHRPP president, Dr AD Subba congratulated the members of the central, district and constituency level committees on the decadal anniversary of the party and also thanked the people and well wishers for supporting the party till now, the release mentions.
On the occasion, the party also dissolved its ad-hoc committee and reconstituted a new ad-hoc committee for the next six months. Inactive members of the party were not included in the committee, the release also mentions.
The party president highlighted that SHRPP has created history for being in existence for 10 years even if it has never been in power, the release further informs.

Third phase of in-service training for teachers concludes in South Sikkim

NAMCHI, 02 Feb: The valedictory function of the third phase of In-Service Training on Proficiency Development of Teachers of South District in Mathematics and other topics related to school activities was held here at the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) Namchi on 01 February.
During the programme the chief guest, Deputy Director HRDD South, AK Das thanked the trainees for participating and getting enriched in professional skills and requested them to hone these skills.
He also highlighted on the moral aspects of education and expressed that teaching methods should also change with the changing times. He cited the importance of primary teachers compared to teachers at the secondary level and added that change in the attitude is necessary in order to focus more on CCE and RTE. Stating that ‘one year failure’ is a negative term he urged the teachers to focus more on the ability of the children.
He also highlighted on the importance of the English language and the practice it needs for which he said that it is not only the duty of the concerned teachers but everyone else. Apart from that he also addressed many other topics related with the teacher, child and education system as a whole.
Principal DIET, Dr. Ranjay Sinha in his address said that effort from both sides i.e. trainee teachers and lecturers are necessary as the feedback from the trainees reflects the impact of the training held. He added that the feedback given by the trainees were good and advised the trainee teachers to introduce lots of activities for the children and further suggested the implementation of whatever they have learnt during the training period in their respective schools.
The last day of the training also included feedback by the trainees. In their feedback they said that they learned new methods of teaching instead of traditional methods along with new methods of teaching in mathematics and how to make it exciting for students. Expressing their eagerness they said that they learned friendly methods of teaching and demanded similar trainings to be organized time and again. The programme concluded with the distribution of certificates to the trainees.

Gyalshing accident claims one

GANGTOK, 02 Feb: A 17-year-old boy who forcibly took a utility truck from a driver met with an accident leading to his death at Gyalshing. According to reports the deceased, Bhim Prasad Sharma of Borphok, South Sikkim took the utility truck of his brother in law and while driving reportedly hit a cement parapet causing him serious head injuries. He was immediately taken to the Gyalshing hospital where he is reported to have succumbed to his injuries. His brother-in-law, Tika Ram Chettri, had parked the vehicle near the Sabzi Mandi, Gyalshing and gone to the bazaar when the deceased took the vehicle without his knowledge.

Managing Committee for Khangchendzonga Tourist Villa, Ranka

GANGTOK, 02 Feb: The Khangchendzonga Tourist Villa cum Socio Cultural & Amusement Park located at Ranka has now got a Managing Committee to for the park management purposes. The Cultural and Amusement Park was finally leased out as a joint venture by the state government, particularly, the Tourism Department to Civil Engineers Enterprises Private Ltd (CEEPL)in October last year after years of languishing.
The Managing Committee is headed by the Secretary, Tourism Department and includes Controller of Accounts of the Finance Department, Chief engineer of CEEPL, the Chief Engineer of the Power department  and also the SP and DC East District. The Chief Accounts Officer, Tourism is the member secretary. The managing committee is informed to have been constituted with the approval of the state government.
It is informed that  for the operation of Accounts the signature of the Member Secretary and a representative of Civil Engineers Private Ltd. (CEEPL)  will be necessary on all cheques. Further it has been directed that no expenditure is to be incurred without the approval of the Chairman.

Addl Commissioner, GoI, impressed with Sikkim Horticulture

GANGTOK, 02 Feb[IPR]: The Additional Commissioner, Government of India was on a 3 day visit to the state and during his stay, was very impressed with the strides made by Sikkim in the Horticulture sector.
Wonderful work in Horticulture Sector is the final comment made by S.K. Singla, Additional Commissioner as per a release issued by IPR. He was in the State from 30th January to 01 February, 2012 to inspect developmental works undertaken in horticulture sector and implemented through the Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States. Mr. Singla visited different govt. farms and establishments including Mazitar horticulture farm, Bermiok farm, Cymbidium Development centre at Rumtek, Model Floriculture Centre located at Maniram and the joint venture establishments of anthurium and cymbidium. Also visited were floriculture units, vegetable farms and fruit plantations under the private sector at different places in East and South districts.

In the government farms and establishments, he was shown plots wherein demonstration of emerging concepts in horticulture like high density orcharding and canopy management systems in addition to incuding drip irrigation system, greenhouse technology, multi-tier system of plantation, etc are conducted for the benefit of farmers. He was impressed with the collection of germplasm materials in govt. farms / centres and the progress of activities being undertaken like tissue culture production of cymbidium orchids and orange seedling production in hi-tech greenhouse facilities.

The private sector units visited included cymbidium clusters at Assam Lingzey and Ramaram, vegetable production farm maintained by two women SHGs at Assam Lingzey, lilium plantation at Tangzi and plantation of fruits like orange, peach and guava at Khamdong. While interacting with farmers at different places, he advised the farmers to sincerely follow instructions and recommendations made by the departmental experts. He further suggested converging MGNREGA scheme with horticulture activities to leverage farm output. In addition to these, he observed that the amount of publicity is not matching with the achievements made and hence suggested wider publicity to highlight the good work done in horticulture be organized.

Vigilance & Monitoring Committee meeting held in South District

NAMCHI, 02 Feb: The District Vigilance and Monitoring Committee convened a meeting under the chairmanship of Lok Sabha MP, PD Rai in the Conference Hall of District Administrative Centre, here in the headquarters of South District.
During the meet Mr PD Rai informed that the meeting was about keeping an eye on all the ongoing developmental programmes and flagship programmes of the centre like MGNREGA, PMGSY, IYA, etc, and the State Government in the South District.
The meeting which was attended by Panchayats of various GPUs of South District, put forward their problems and grievances regarding the developmental works going on in their respective GPUs and Blocks.
Concerned officers and BDOs who were also present during the meet presented the status of the developmental works going on in their respective blocks and in the district and also answered the queries put forward by the panchayats and the members during the meet.
The concerned officers and BDOs also gave an account of the work going on in the district under MGNERGA, PMGSY, IYA, old age pensions etc.
The MP appealed to all the concerned officers to be vigilant and monitor the work going on in their areas and ensure that the developmental works were in progress in full flow.
The meeting was also attended by MLA, Sonam Gyatso Bhutia, Deputy Chairperson Namchi Municipal Council, DC, AK Singh.

State Cabinet takes decision on 3 HEPs in West Sikkim

LETHANG AND TING TING SCRAPPED, TASHIDING "UNDER EXAMINATION"

GANGTOK, 01 Feb: The state government has finally taken its decision on the three hydro projects under scrutiny in West District. Two projects, namely, the 96 MW Lethang and the 99 MW Ting Ting projects have been scrapped by the government. As for the third project, the 97 MW Tashiding hydro project is ‘under examination’. This is the decision of the state government a month after the high powered committee under the Chief Secretary was constituted to examine issues related to the implementation of the 3 projects and make recommendations to the state government. The decision to scrap the 2 projects and further examine the status of the Tashiding project was taken at the state cabinet meeting held on 25 January.
The decision on Ting Ting and Lethang projects were not so hard to take as there have hardly been much investments or construction activity related to these projects. In fact, as regards the Lethang project, it had not even been accorded approval by the National Wildlife Board. The National Wildlife Board had rejected the project proposal for the Lethang HEP in November, 2010. As regards Ting Ting, the project was in the initial phases of land acquisition.
As for the 97 MW Tashiding project in Tashiding – Yuksom constituency and being developed by Shiga Energy Limited the state government will ‘further examine’ the project. In fact it is informed the power developer has spent more than Rs.100 crore already and the project is in an advanced stage with tunnels and adits being constructed including the colony for the officer’s quarters. The land acquisition has also been completed and the site of the power houseidentified and approach roads under construction. With the power developer having invested such a huge amount there will be complications if it’s taken off the grid and legal repercussions cannot be ruled out. Only recently the affected people living in the project area had formed coordination committees to supervise the implementation of various works which the project would entail in their area.
The decision of the state cabinet is obviously based on the report of the high powered committee which had submitted its report to the government last year itself. The opinion of the committee on the projects was that it should be scrapped; this opinion had then been forwarded to the Law Department. The cabinet meeting of 25 January was the first cabinet this year during which the report of the committee was put up and discussed and finally, decided upon.
Several organizations including Buddhist organizations had made several representations to the state government raising concerns about erosion and disturbance of certain religious and cultural symbols attached with the Rathong Chu river on which all the three named projects were to be developed. The Minority Commission had also taken up cudgels on behalf of the protesting associations and organizations on similar grounds and had even written to the Prime Minister.

Music to pave way for an AIDS-free Sikkim

JUKE BOX, NIGHTMARES, DEATH SQUAD, DAMAGERA, AND FUZZY LOGIK IN THE FINALS OF THE RED RIBBON SUPER BAND CONTEST
ANAND OBEROI
GANGTOK, 01 Feb: Red Ribbon Super Band Contest is one platform which has brought together different generations of rockers from all over the state to perform on one stage. Who would have imagined that a young death metal band would emerge from a remote village and jam with big names in the rock n roll circuit here? This is what makes this competition one of the biggest rock fests to ever hit the state.
Red Fest is an initiative of Sikkim State AIDS Control Society [SSACS] to reinforce the messages on HIV and AIDS among the younger generation. 63 bands from across the state had participated in the contest out of which 10 bands made it to the semi finals at the Namchi Municipal Hall on 30 January.
In what turned out to be one of the toughest times for the judges, five top bands from the state were selected to fare against each other at the finals scheduled for later this month.
According to Uday Rai of Serenity Home which is also one of the organizers the five bands selected for the Grand Finale of Red Ribbon Super Band contest are Nightmares, Death Squad, Damagera, Fuzzy Logik and Juke Box from Gangtok and Death Squad, a death metal band from Namchi. It may also be added that Juke Box is the only band that has a female vocalist.
“According to the judges, the quality of performances is going up with every song of every round. Like one judge puts it, “the talent we have seen here is tremendous. With a little guidance and dedicated practice every band can be up there with the greats.” adds Uday.
The judges for the competetion comprised of eminent personalities namely Albert Gurung, Surja Solomon Rai, Diwash Rai, and Donald Lepcha.
He also says that competitions such as these should be an annual affair which will take the message of an AIDS-free society to the regional and then the national level. He informed that are invited for the finals to be held in Gangtok for which the date and venue will be decided soon. He added that the finals will also be an event which will have veteran bands from the state performing to pay tribute to Late Stephen Namchu, a local hero who had music in his blood.
With ‘Juke Box’ performing the composition in their classic rock style and Damagera doing the number in their “happy metal” [a term they use for the death metal they play] version, the crowd could not help but asking for more since the bands gave justice to each and every number they belted out.
Speaking to NOW! Siddhartha from Damagera said that they played their self compositions “Pristine” and “Damned for Eternity” which was well received by the audience. He added that Sikkim has never seen a bigger fest than this which has brought both veterans and new comers together on one stage.
Similarly, Dominic from Juke Box which has two members for whom this was the first performance said that no one actually needs drugs and alcohol to enjoy or play great rock and roll music. “I am pretty sure that this fest is trying its best to clear the misconception amongst the youth that music goes well with substances of abuse. The message that music is a drug in itself has gone through and we will take it as an achievement if we are able to convince even one youth from refraining from these social evils through our music,” he explains.
The semi final was a great show with all the bands giving it their best shot. The judges also commented on the new trend amongst the local bands which was to play their own compositions rather than covers. “Just a Phase” a song with the lyrics given by SSACS was also a treat as the music changed from band to band who performed the song as per their own genres.
What also makes the competition a perfect platform is that the message of an AIDS free society and awareness on drug and alcohol addiction is also being highlighted through the different bands that performed to a packed auditorium.
Sharing his views on the competition, Khituk T Lepcha who drove all the way from Gangtok to witness the semi finals said, “I am very happy and proud that we have such talent within our small state. MTV has held a similar competition at the national level which had around 200 bands participating and here there are 63 bands only from our state, this shows that we have the talent which has to be molded through programmes such as this.”
It may also be mentioned that Red Fest is being implemented in three stages namely, the Positive intervention in Schools, The Red Ribbon Super Band Contest, and Red Five open football tournament. Red Fest has been organized by SSACS in association with Hope Foundation, Serenity Homes, Recovering Users’ Network (RUN), and Sikkim Network of Positive People (SNP+). Nayuma Television and 93.5 Red FM are the official media partners of Red Fest. The audio-visual department is being managed by MAARK Pictures, Gangtok

Pre Paid taxi service at Namchi to grapple with Tourists and Parking

Puran Tamang
NAMCHI, 01 Feb: Namchi has now got its own pre paid taxi service. The local taxi drivers of the south district headquarters have started a pre-paid / reserved taxi service Namchi bazaar to Siddhesvara Dhaam and other tourists spots in the area. Such taxis are mostly parked at the Parking Plaza and there is a ferry system used by the drivers.
This will be a uniform system for all vehicles entering Namchi and has been introduced by the Localk Taxi Drivers’ Association, Namchi. This, they have done, with the support and cooperation of the Namchi police and largely keeping in mind the bustling tourist season. Further, the pre-paid taxi service has been introduced in view of the traffic nuisance that has been created recently with the huge traffic heading for the Siddesvara Dhaam in Namchi.
With the increasing menace of traffic snarl ups the Association was of the view that such a system would be required sooner or later in view of the various festive seasons during the year and especially parking space a major concern. On the other hand such a system would also be able to provide an opportunity to the taxi drivers to earn a handsome amount and gain from the booming tourist flow especially the pilgrim tourists.

Two youth missing; 1 dead in Upper Dzongu

GANGTOK, 01 Feb: In another incident 3 youth of Upper Dzongu have gone missing. A police search has recovered the body of one of the missing identified as Karma Lepcha. The body was found lying on the banks of the Rongong Chu in North Sikkim in Upper Dzongu. It was the sister of the deceased, Anzee Lepcha who had alerted the police after her brother failed to return home. The police were alerted on 29 January. The other two are Lhakpa Lepcha and Pemchung Lepcha. All three are informed to have gone towards Rongong Chu a few days ago. A police party led by SDPO [Mangan] left for Rongong Chu soon after the complaint was filed and found the body of Karma. Two days later the police team returned to Mangan and the body was forwarded to the Mangan hospital. There do not seem to be any external injuries on the body of the deceased and the police are on the hunt for the missing two persons as well.

1 charged with forging Residential Certificate in Rangpo

GANGTOK, 01 Feb: A case of forgery has been registered on 31 January in the Rangpo Police Station against one Tanvir Ahmed, resident of Rangpo Bazaar on receiving an FIR from ADC [East]. He has been charged with using a fake and forged Residential Certificate.
According to reports, a copy of Residential Certificate [RC] bearing memo number 1026, dated: 25-04-1994 of Tanvir Ahmed was forwarded to the office of the ADC [East] for verification for genuineness by Municipal Executive Officer, Rangpo Nagar Panchayat. While verifying of the record it was found that the Certificate was not issued from the office of the ADC [East] and was found to be forged.
A case under section 468/471 [forgery for purpose of cheating and using as genuine a forged document] has been filed in the Rangpo Police Station. Tanvir is yet to be arrested.

300 complete DONER sponsored tourism training by TAAS

GANGTOK, 01 Feb: Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) successfully completed a set of ten courses for tourism stake holders of North East Region and sponsored by North Eastern Council (NEC), Ministry of DONER and further supported by Government of Sikkim. A press release issued by TAAS also informs that there has been excellent feedback on the programme by the trainees.  All the eight North East States including Sikkim participated in the trainings. A total of 440 trainees had applied for the courses of which 300 participants successfully completed the courses and were handed their certificates. Examinations were conducted for all the courses and the trainees were also asked to prepare a project reports.
The programme included trainings on Capacity Building, Air Ticketing, Marketing and that for Trekking Cooks and German language. As per the press release the last 4 trainings for (1) German   Language, (2) Marketing, promotion Publicity, (3)(Advertising, Air ticketing, Banking &  Foreign Exchange and (4) Trekking Cook. Were completed with the valedictory function held here at Gangtok. Capacity building trainees drawn from all eight states, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Sikkim.
 The certificates were handed out at a valedictory function organised here at Gangtok by the Chief Guest Mr.Karma Tashi Bhutia, Managing Director, Royal Demazong Hotels & Resorts, Mrs. Lee Pandi Targain, Assistant Director, Tourism, Mr.S.K.Pradhan former President TAAS and the Managing Director Siniolchu International and senior members of TAAS.

ASDASG dharna enters sixth day

GROUP PREPARING TO APPROACH PRESIDENT, GOVERNOR
Ameet Oberoi
GANGTOK, 01 Feb: The health condition of the president Sonam Sherpa and the vice president C Tamang of All Sikkim Departmental Adhoc Staff Group [ASDASG], who have been on an indefinite hunger strike since the evening of 29 January is detoriating. They were visited by doctors from the Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial [STNM] Hospital today and yesterday as well who advised them to take medicines because of health problems. However both the agitating teachers have refused. This is in protest to the non response or non intervention on behalf of either the state government or officials from the Human Resource Development Department [HRDD].
The dharna by the ASDASG today entered its sixth day while the hunger strike went into its fourth day today. The two, along with other members of ASDASG, teaching and non teaching staff of the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan [SSA] and HRDD have been sitting on a dharna here at the District Administrative Centre [DAC] premises situated at Sichey since 27 January. “We want the State government to take some action and address the problems being faced by adhoc teachers [teaching and non teaching] of SSA and HRDD, but till now no official from the state government or the HRD Department has come and spoken to us”, informed the ASDASG president Sonam Sherpa. He added that they had already submitted their memorandum of grievances and demands to the Minister HRDD and the Secretary HRDD.
The ASDASG has also constituted a negotiating team from amongst their members in the event of  any future talks; besides the group is also preparing a memorandum to the Governor and the President of India very soon.
We are even ready to sacrifice ourselves, so that we can set an example for the future generation and that is why we are following the Gandhian principle, the president said and added that if there was no action taken either by the State Government of officials from the HRD Department then they would be left with no option but to sacrifice their lives.
It was alleged by the demonstrating teachers that the department had not been following the proper norms and criteria so why was it showing them NCTE rules when it came to the issue of their appointment. We just want to be given equal opportunity and the extension of our tenures, stated the president.
They informed that other leaders who were approached had also expressed helplessness and they further clarified that they were apolitical. At the same time they welcomed support from all quarters.

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.

Tadong branch of Lions Club presented charter certificate

RANGPO, 01 Feb: Charter certificate presentation programme for Lions Club of Tadong was held at a local hotel in Gangtok today. Chief guest of the programme, district governor Lions Club International 322f, Binod Kumar Agarwal handed over the charter certificate to the Tadong Lions Club president, Purusotam Agarwal duly signed by the Club’s international president, Dr Wing Kung Tam.
Secretary of the Club, Santosh Kumar Singh addressing the programme highlighted the Club’s activities carried out after the installation of the Club on 25 August last year. The chief guest, Mr Agarwal in his address, appreciated the work done by the Tadong Club and all other three clubs of the state during the 18 Sept earthquake 2011. He informed that twenty three new members have now joined this international club which has 13, 80, 000 members in 750 districts of 46105 areas in 208 countries.
Also present on the occasion were zone chairman H P Kharel, district chairman Sanjay Agarwal, Lions service in Sikkim Pawan Kumar Agarwal, district chairman food bank project Raghubir Agarwal, district chairman GLP, sponsoring club Ranipool president N L Mundra along with members from Lions Club of Rangpo, Lions Club of Ranipool, Singtam and Kalimpong. [from SANJAY AGARWAL]

STA and SUTWA condole the passing away of former member

GANGTOK, 01 Feb: A joint meeting of Sikkim Teachers’ Association [STA] and Sikkim United Teachers’ Welfare Association [SUTWA] was convened on 31 January at STA headquarters in Tathangchen, Gangtok to condole the demise of Late RP Sharma who passed away on 21 January 2012.
The meeting observed two minutes silence to pay homage to the departed soul, who was a senior advisory board member in STA for a long time, informs a press release. He had worked as a teacher at Rongyek JHS till the last working session 2011.
The STA as well as the SUTWA will remember him for his contribution towards the welfare of the teaching community and the association. He had extended his selfless service not only to the teachers’ associations but to many other social and literary organizations as well, the release mentions.
The association deeply prays for the peace of the departed soul as well as for courage to the family members in this time of bereavement, the release adds.

Suicide

GANGTOK, 01 Feb: One suicide has been reported from Ravangla, South Sikkim. According to reports a 22 year old woman, wife of Harka Bahadur Chettri, resident of Rayong, Sardung committed suicide by hanging herself. She along with her mother in law had gone to Sevek cowshed from Rayong Sardung and while the mother in law returned the deceased did not. Later a search team found that she had committed suicide by hanging in the Sevek jungle.

Artificial Insemination training by Animal Husbandry Deptt

Sagar Chhetri
GANGTOK, 01 Feb: A residential training course for private Artificial Insemination Workers was inaugurated by the Animal Husbandry, Livestock, Fisheries & Veterinary Services [AHLF&VS] Secretary, DP Sharma at Sikkim Livestock Development Board [SLDB] training centre at Deorali today.
A total of 15 participants Sikkim Milk Union from the four districts will undergo with this 45-day long training on artificial insemination, which is being organized by the SLDB in collaboration with the AHLF&VS Department. The training has technical officials and experts of AHLF&VS Department as the resource persons who will be covering all the concerned subjects theoretically and practically. The training will consist one month theory and practical classes at the venue and another 15 days will comprise of hands-on training with experts on the field.
In his inaugural address, Secretary, DP Sharma encouraged the participants to attend the training seriously to be perfect artificial insemination workers in order to earn their livelihood and also to provide useful service to rural people. He also mentioned that the aim of the training was to produce self-employed and self-reliant people.
The Secretary informed that the state government has been give priority to the rural population and has been working for them to uplift their economic status through capacity building programmes in order to enhance their skills. He suggested that the trainees adopt other animal husbandry related and agricultural professions apart from the artificial insemination profession and assured to provide full support from the department in their future endeavors. He stated that animal husbandry had a huge scope and potential.
Deputy Director [Breeding], Dr Sanjay Gazmer informed that a total of 200 private artificial insemination workers across the state were trained till date from which 129 have been actively working in their respective areas. He further informed that this was the eighth batch to undergo such a training. He informed that after conclusion of the training, the department will also be providing all required inputs to the participants.
The inaugural function started with a welcome address by the SLDB CEO, Dr. B Badola.  The function was also attended by senior officials of the department.

Letter:

We the public of Khangsee, Namcheybong busty, East Sikkim beg to state that we have requested the Secretary, Irrigation Department, several times to shift the on-going work to the actual site of landslide here. However, the Department has not taken any action and work continues at the site where there is no landslide.
[signed by 20 Namcheybong residents]