Taking Rural Sikkim >>Forward

NABARD projects Rs. 486.86 crore credit potential for rural Sikkim, now for the banks to deliver

Bankers in Sikkim now have at their disposal a detailed checklist on Sikkim’s credit potential in agriculture and allied sectors for 2015-16. With the new financial year yet to begin, more pressure should be exerted on banks here to align their credit policies in sync with what the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development [NABARD] has projected for Sikkim in its State Focus Paper 2015-16 which was released on 05 February.
As per this document, the total priority sector credit potential for Sikkim stands at Rs. 486.86 crores, of which, the share of agriculture has been calculated at Rs. 176.37 crore. These are handsome figures, and the State Focus Paper provides a detailed breakdown on where and how the loans can be extended.

High Court stays MCI challenge to State’s recommendations on filling NE quota at SMIMS

19 affected students get relief, can continue medical studies in Sikkim

The single bench of the Sikkim High Court has granted relief to the 19 first year students studying medicine at the Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences here who, following a directive from the Medical Council of India, would have otherwise been “discharged” from the institute and would have had to discontinue their studies here.
The Medical Council of India had directed SMIMS to discharge these students latest by 17 February on the grounds that they had not been admitted on the recommendation of a Directorate of Medical Education and Research.

Jai Kisan, Anyone?

Agriculture still provides for a majority of Sikkim. It is time that its requirements were prioritised

When seventy per cent of the population, that majority living in rural Sikkim which registers agriculture as its profession, is extended less than 2% of the loans advanced by banks in Sikkim, one knows that an inexcusable denial is afoot. As per stipulations governing banking practices in the country, loans to the agriculture sector should constitute at least 18% of the total advances released by banks. In Sikkim, this figure stands at a dismal 01.51%. It would have been all well if the under-performance by banks was because farmers in Sikkim were so well off that they did not need loans to improve the productivity of their farms. But that is obviously not the case because the number of hands taking up the plough as also the total acreage under cultivation has been steadily declining in the State. This, however, is not a condition unique to Sikkim. 

Petition challenging teacher transfers withdrawn; Aggrieved teachers plan to return with individual petitions

The writ petition filed by nine teachers on behalf of a collective group of 202 teachers challenging the transfer orders issued to them by the Human Resource Development Department was withdrawn on 10 February after about a half an hour long hearing in the High Court. This, on the suggestion of the Court that since the petition related to a service matter, it should ideally be presented in individual capacity and cannot be heard en-masse like a Public Interest Litigation. Following this, the petitioners withdrew the petition with the liberty to return to court again with individual petitions clubbed together with those making similar arguments.

Milan’s stunts to thrill Superbike International Show in Shillong!

Milan Pradhan, the 26 year old stunt bike rider from Tashiding, is a respected name among bikers in Sikkim and has thrilled audiences across the State with his flawless stunt routines. Now, he is gearing up to debut in an international event, revving his Bajaj Pulsar 220 to impress among an array of superbikes which are being lined up for the “Superbike International Show” slated to be held on 14 and 15 February in Shillong. The event, organized by the XBHP, Shillong, has Milan excited because this will be the first time he competes in an international event.

A string of 14’s laid out in Crème Brulee treat for 14 Feb

Red Panda Films of Sikkim has announced plans to present “Creme Brulee”” to audiences here on Valentine’s Day. This Rabongla-based production house is all set to release its 14-minute long English short film, Creme Brulee on 14 February. Rizwan Khan of San Francisco-based Fiction King is the writer and director of the film which is being produced by Karma C. Bhutia, MD of Red Panda Films.
The production house had earlier held auditions from 06 to 08 February at Gangtok. 60 artists turned up for the auditions of whom 14 were selected for the film. The shooting began on 10 February at locations in and around Gangtok.

5th Large Cardamom auction averages Rs. 1,688/kg

The 5th auction of Large Cardamom for the year 2014-15 was carried out on 11 February at the Spices Board’s Auction Centre at Singtam. The 2897.4 kgs put under the hammer on the day fetched an average of Rs. 1,688 per kilo [Rs. 67,520 per mound], and as per CS Ghatani, Assistant Director, Spices Board, Singtam, the cardamom growers were satisfied with the auction and have assured to bring their produce for future auctions.

Money matters, and so do your complaints

Grievance Redressal Mechanism in Banks, Insurance and Securities Markets

by ANIL KUMAR YADAV

We are often left in a quandary when we have certain grievances related to our banking, insurance and securities & capital market investments and services. At times, even the branch managers and the sales officers at these banks and institutions are unable to resolve our grievances as we run from pillar to post seeking help and guidance.
We often get misled about the features of an investment or insurance product on account of miss-selling, get charged a fee or penalty that is exorbitant and at times the services which were promised while entering into banking relationship  never get delivered. If you are such a battered service receiver/ customer, what do you do in such a situation?

New academic year Blues

School’s reopen next week, and it is not just the parents who should be tense

The long winter break of the children are about to end now. Most of the schools, including Government schools, will reopen on 16 February for a new academic session. Like every year, it’s time again for parents to prepare for the several new challenges owing to their children’s education. It is obvious that the month of February is a tight-budget-month for every parent. Almost all private schools have revised the tuition fee and some schools have announced changes of school uniforms and the like. Parents working with middle-class budgets will be directly affected by this.

Namchi meets to discuss garbage management

Namchi, 09 Feb [IPR]: A meeting on Garbage Management/ Recycle plant was held at the Namchi Municipal Council conference hall today with the Scheduled Tribe Welfare Board chairperson, Lama Pem Tshering Bhutia, as chief guest. The meeting was presided by DC (South) Raj Kumar Yadav alongside SDM (Namchi) Bimal Chandra Rai, NMC (Vice Chairman) NH Ansari and officials from UD&HD, Forest Department and Councilors from NMC.
The DC spoke about the need for behavioral change in the public with regards to garbage management. He discussed the need for holistic development for proper functioning garbage dumping management, appropriate waste solutions and a comprehensive and integrated approach to waste management at Sipchu dumping ground.

Chamling urges Niti Aayog to adopt customised development planning for special states

CM attends first Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog

New Delhi, 09 Feb [IPR]: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling attended the 1st Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog here on Sunday. The first meeting of the newly formed NITI Aayog was convened at the Prime Minister’s residence. Chief Ministers of all states are members of the Governing Council.
Dwelling on the objectives and day’s agenda, the Chief Minister made a detailed presentation highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of Himalayan States like Sikkim and offered some very crucial suggestions for smooth functioning of the newly formed body.

“Niti Ayog should work out separate compensatory requirement for Himalayan states”

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s address at the 1st Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog in New Delhi on 08 February, 2015

Hon’ble Prime Minister, Chairman NITI Ayog Shri Narendra Modiji, Vice Chairman Shri Arvind Panagariya, Hon’ble Members, Ex-officio Members, Special Invitees, my esteemed colleague Hon’ble Chief Ministers, Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories, Officers of the Government of India, State Governments, ladies and gentlemen.
It is a great honour to be a part of this new initiative wherein the erstwhile Planning Commission has given way to a new platform for carrying out the agenda of National Development by giving a new mechanism for development, the NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India). The Planning Commission had outlived its utility and it was right to adopt an alternative approach to promote the country in terms of targeting a positive growth agenda and to attract global investments into the country. With the Hon’ble Prime Minister at the helm of affairs with his boundless energy and vision, the Government of India is committed to promote cooperative federalism in the country. We are committed to fully endorse, support and transform the vision of Prime Minister into a reality.

Kiwis for Raj Bhavan

GANGTOK, 07 Feb [IPR]: A  Kiwi plantation drive was organized under the aegis of the Governor at the Raj Bhavan complex today.

Frozen at Muguthang

A NOW! fileFoto of a Dokpa and his yaks in North Sikkim

Snow might have imperiled the Dokpas and their yaks now, but their way of life has been on the brink for a while…

Muguthang in Spring [foto: Karchoong Diyali]

Muguthang this winter [foto: Hill Media Network]

Dokpas, the yak herders, are hardy folk. They need to be, living as they do beyond the tree-line in the cold desert of North Sikkim. They live in near isolation and are a dwindling tribe who rarely call out for help, knowing full well that when a situation is too difficult even for them, assistance from those who do not know their life is a bit too much to expect. So, when they send out an SOS, it demands attention because they are clearly flagging a dire emergency. And they have sounded an SOS now. 

Even though they number only a handful, in fact because they are so few, Sikkim should pay heed and deliver what is actually very little that they are seeking. 

For the immediate future, the Dokpas [of Muguthang in North Sikkim] want fodder to be airdropped for their yaks, next, they want telecom connectivity, and for the long term, they want one of their more educated younger ones to be trained as a paramedic and posted among them with at least some basic medical supplies. 

Why they are making these demands will be explained in more detail in the following paragraphs, but what cannot be ignored is that the demands are very basic and can be met through the corporate social responsibility kitty of even a mid-sized company. Some proactive engagement from the administration [which was on welcome display in the latest instance] and more civil society concern [still awaited] should power through the political engagement required to iron out the situational kinks which could obstacle delivery of even these simple demands.

Borders versus Border People

Geopolitical realities have no respect for traditional linkages, but people should

The news report about how the Dokpas of Muguthang in North Sikkim have been snowed in this winter is about much more than just a seasonal hardship. Read about their situation and it becomes clear that they are being imperiled not so much by the snow, as by the march of time which is fast pushing their lifestyles to extinction and by changed political situations which have conspired to deny them survival practices which had evolved over centuries of living in the cold desert. The Dokpas themselves give their traditional lifestyles just another decade. A unique way of life is in the final flickers of being extinguished, and while even the Dokpas will not want artificial life support, it is important for Sikkim, and in fact the world at large, to understand what conditions are playing the villains in conspiracy here.

EIILM wants govt to take over

VISHNU NEOPANEY
The Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management [EIILM], a private state university  based out of Malbasey in West Sikkim, has almost always since its inception in 2006 been in the news for the wrong reasons. Matters for the institute came to a head towards the end of last year when the Enforcement Directorate attached all its bank accounts in end-October 2014. The institute is facing several charges, some of which have reached the courts, and now, with even its bank accounts frozen, its sponsoring body, Malvika Foundation, has written to the Chief Minister seeking that the State Government take over the university. This letter is dated 01 January 2015 and the institute and its sponsoring body have since then also approached the High Court with an appeal to make the Sikkim Government take over the university.

The employment/ unemployment conundrum

SUBASH RAI
Sikkim, used to awards and all round appreciation, ended the year 2014 with the rather disconcerting broadcast that it has the highest unemployment rate in the country. Needless to add, this created quite a flutter, much embarrassment, quick denials and strong criticism.
This statistic is also in contradiction with other socioeconomic indicators of the State since Sikkim does boast a very high per capita income and has registered growth of a faster clip than most other states of the country. While in eyes of the lay people, employment and unemployment are clear cut identifiers, in the hands of data crunchers, it becomes a complicated status update. This leads to contradicting reports and widely different projections by different agencies. The unemployment rate in Sikkim also appears caught in a similar conundrum.

Rising to the top and still dreaming high!

Urban Inc brings hip-hop back on the scene

TSHERING EDEN
Trailblazing their way through the swarm of pop and rock, Sikkim’s first hip-hop crew, ‘Urban Inc’, marks the beginning of a resurgence of hip-hop in the State. While Sikkim rode the hip hop wave in the 90s along with the rest of the world, it extended only to hoarding Tupac albums, oversized clothing, loud accessories and hip hop slang. It could not go much beyond that. Now, two-albums-old [their second album was released in September last year], Urban Inc symbolizes the coming of age of hip hop in Sikkim.
The last few years have seen a growing trend in terms of the number of youngsters taking to hip hop not just as a ‘look’ to sport but as a medium to express themselves. ‘Breaking’ and ‘b-boying’, hip hop dance crews like BRSTP and others are also an emerging trend while graffiti art, long associated with the hip hop culture, has popped up in certain corners of the capital. Although too early to say that this popular culture has taken over Sikkim, there is definitely a whiff of it spreading across this hill state.

STDC to manage Kailash Mansarovar luxury Yatra through Nathula

With India and China having exchanged notes on modalities for opening Nathula as a second route for pilgrims undertaking the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, the state nodal department, Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, has handed over the responsibilities for the entire management and coordination with Ministry of External Affairs for pilgrims to Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation [STDC]. The Yatra through Sikkim is scheduled to begin from June. This is the first luxury route to Kailash Mansarovar from India and pilgrims, after crossing over from Nathula, will travel on to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet, from where they will take the Kailash-Mansarovar highway. Thus far, from India, the only route to Kailash involved an arduous and dangerous trek through Uttarakhand. The only vehicular travel option was via Nepal.

Starting on a startup?

STPI to host workshop series for aspiring entrepreneurs

TotalStart Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Developers along with Software Technology Parks of India [STPI] has announced plans to organize a series of workshops themed, ‘How to Start Up a Start Up’, starting with the first workshop scheduled for 05 March 2015 here in the capital. TotalStart Sikkim Innovation & Incubation Center will also be inaugurated at STPI Tadong on the day.

On the stands, now!

The latest edition of the paper is on the stands. Pick up your copy now!
Those interested in a free pdf subscription of the paper can drop a mail to
now.subscribe@gmail.com

CM condoles GNLF founder Subhash Ghisingh's demise

HE WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR HIS YEOMAN SERVICE TO INDIAN GORKHAS - CM
GANGTOK, 30 Jan: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has expressed deep sadness on the demise of Subhash Ghisingh on 29 January at New Delhi. Late Ghisingh was the founder of Gorkha National Liberation Front.
In his condolence message posted on Facebook, the CM has said, "I have been deeply saddened on hearing the passing away of Shri Subhash Ghisingh, the Founder of Gorkha National Liberation Front on 29th January at New Delhi. My prayers and condolences are with the bereaved family. 

CABINET SANCTIONS

The following proposals were approved and sanctioned by the Cabinet which met at Samman Bhawan on 27th January 2015.
URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING DEPARTMENT
1. The proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs 1800.37 lakhs for the project “Extension of Central Park, Namchi, South Sikkim (CSS).
ENERGY AND POWER DEPARTMENT
2. The proposal seeking approval and sanction of Rs 615.94 lakhs for the implementation of 10 Micro Hydro Electric projects (MHPs). Administrative approval is also solicited to drop three projects v.i.z. Bala, Buthang & Sawa and to utilize the saving of Rs 146.07 lakhs on account of these projects to cover the shortfall.

CM condoles Justice RK Patra's demise

GANGTOK, 28 Jan [IPR]: The Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and Mrs. Tika Maya Chamling have expressed their deep, profound and heart-felt condolence on the sudden demise of Justice Radha Krushna Patra, the former Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court, and presently the Chairman Law Commission.
He was 72 years old and was under treatment at the SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack since 24 January 2015. He was admitted in the hospital after he complained of chest pain and was diagnosed with pneumonia and respiratory problems.
He breathed his last on the morning of 28 January at 9:30 am and is survived by his wife Madam Laxmi Patra and daughter.

Trials for SAIL football academy

GANGTOK, 28 Jan: Steel Authority of India Limited [SAIL] will be organizing a two-day selection trial for its football academy on 30 and 31 January here at Paljor Stadium. As per the requirement of the organizers, the candidate should have been born after 1 January 1999 with minimum height of 5 feet 6 inches and should not have more than 28 teeth. The candidate should bring the supporting documents for age verification and no TA and DA will be given.

Lepcha youth organize quiz competition on R-Day

GANGTOK, 29 Jan: Sikkim Lepcha Youth Association organized a Quiz Competition on the theme of Republic Day on 26 January 2015 at T.N.S.S. School auditorium. The programme was part of the ongoing Winter Coaching Class 2014-15 session organized by SLYA and was attended by Sonam Dupden Lepcha (Chairman, Primitive Tribe Welfare Board) as the chief guest.

Sikkim Chamber of Commerce thanks CM for directive extending govt benefits to old settlers

GANGTOK, 23 Jan: The Sikkim Chamber of Commerce, in a press communiqué issued on behalf of all the traders and businessmen of the State, has welcomed and expressed “heartfelt gratitude” towards Chief Minister Pawan Chamling for acknowledging and issuing directives to Local Bodies to ensure that Government Benefits are availed by Sikkim Subject Holder, COI Holder, Old Residential Certificate holders, Trade License Holders and persons having Residential Houses in Bazaar areas. The CM made this announcement at a meeting held on 17 January at Manan Kendra, Gangtok. “The said decision will create an atmosphere of belongingness and responsibility for traders to contribute positively towards development of Sikkim,” the press release issued by the SCC president Ashok Sarda puts on record.

Jorethang to host national Muay Thai championship

JORETHANG, 23 Jan [IPR]: The 5th Muay Thai India PRO-AM National Muay Thai Championship 2015, organized by the Muay Thai Association of Sikkim and sanctioned by the Muay Thai India National Federation, is going to be held from 28 January to 05 February in Jorethang. The contest is being organized with an objective to motivate the youth from refraining or indulging in anti-social activities while also promoting the tourism industry of Sikkim.  

Saras Fair concludes on a high note in Jorethang

Self Help Groups notch up sales of close to Rs. 50 lakhs

JORETHANG, 23 Jan [IPR]: The valedictory function of the SARAS Fair 2015, organized by the Sikkim Rural Development Agency (SRDA), was held at SIRD Karfectar, Jorethang today. Area MLA cum Minister of Health and IPR Department, AK Ghatani, attended the function as the chief guest accompanied by Chief Administrator-SICB cum General Secretary of the Jorethang Maghey Mela Committee, SD Dhakal; Project Director (SRDA) Namrata Thapa; Director (SIRD) Suchitra Rasaily; Additional Director (SIRD) Bishal; President Jorethang Nagar Panchayat Purosuttam Agrawal alongside the officials from NEDFi Namchi, participants from the SARAS fair and the SRDA officials.

CM lays foundation stone of Rai Khim

GANGTOK, 22 Jan [IPR]: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling laid the foundation stone of Rai Khim, a multi-purpose traditional centre of the Rai community, here at Lumsey in Tadong today.
The programme, organised by the Sikkim Akhil Kirat Rai Sangh, was also attended by Speaker KN Rai, Ministers, senior Government officers, members of the organising committee and local gentry. The ceremony included the Ridhum Mundhum, the traditional ritual of the community.

National Voters Day on 25 Jan

GANGTOK, 22 Jan [IPR]: The State-Level programme of the 5th National Voters’ Day is being organized at 11 a.m. on 25 January at Chintan Bhawan, Gangtok. The newly enrolled voters of Gangtok, Arithang, Upper Tadong, Upper Burtuk and Shayri assembly constituencies have been invited to participate.

Dr. Bhandari conferred Fellowship of European Society of Cardiology

Gangtok, 22 Jan [IPR]: Dr. K. Bhandari, the Director General-cum-Secretary, Health Care, Human Services & FW Department, who also happens to be the a first Super Specialist in the Northeast Region and Sikkim, was awarded the Fellowship of European Society of Cardiology at a function held in Mumbai on 18 January 2015 for his qualification, experience and contribution in the field of Cardiology.
The European Society of Cardiology is the largest academic body for Cardiologists worldwide having the membership of more than 90,000. Among the 90,000, a few are awarded Fellowship on the basis of their qualification, years of experience and contributions in the field of Cardiology. The convocation function was presided by the President of European Society of Cardiology, Dr. Prof. Fausto Pinto among other Association members from Europe and USA.

First Law Secretary of Sikkim passes away

GANGTOK, 21 Jan: Bhim Raj Pradhan, son of Late Kashi Raj Pradhan and Late Laxmi Devi Pradhan, who served Sikkim as the first and longest serving Law Secretary, passed away at Paramount Hospital in Siliguri at 8.35 PM on 20 January. He is survived by his wife Bindumati Pradhan, two sons and their families. The funeral is scheduled to be held in Gangtok on 22 January.

Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment comes into force in Sikkim

Buildings & Housing Deptt to ensure GRIHA compliance by govt buildings

GANGTOK, 20 Jan: The State Government has notified the distribution of subjects among Departments under the Government of Sikkim (Allocation of Business) Rules, 2004 and entrusted the Buildings & Housing Department to act as the nodal agency to ensure compliance to GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment).

When Maghey Mela tries too hard to be hep and happening :-(

This year’s Maghey Mela celebrations, at least at some of the venues, were among the longest ever celebrated in the recent history of Sikkim. At some venues, the mela is still going on, touching nearly a fortnight of Mela. But sadly, this longest-ever celebrated festival was not the ‘funnest’ one as visitors rued that ‘there was no charm’ and also that the melas were ‘boring’.
It was also seen that besides old venues, some new locations with new organizers were added and it was obvious that expectations were high on the part of the mela lovers to experience some new forms of entertainment. While visitors were attracted to such new additions, they also missed the old staples which used to especially entertain the low budget visitors.