Chief Secretary begins two-day tour of North district

SANCTIONS RS 20 LAKH FOR DEMOLITION OF CHUNGTHANG FOOD GODOWN
MANGAN, 23 Aug: Chief Secretary Karma Gyatso Bhutia started his two-day tour of North district today accompanied by the Land Revenue, Ecclesiastical, Road & Bridges and Food & Civil Supplies Secretaries and Chief Engineers of Power Department, UD&HD and Buildings & Housing.
The entourage was given a warm reception at Hotel Tamarind in Mangan by DC North, TW Khangsarpa and other officials of the district including Sr. SP North, BK Tamang.  The CS first visited the slide spot at Khedum near Lachung where the road to Lachung has been blocked due to huge land slides.  Here, the Secretary was given a warm welcome by the public and Pipon of Lachung in a traditional way.
The CS also interacted here with the BRO officials headed by Chief Engineer, Rajiv Sawney who explained about the road conditions. The Chief Engineer Power department informed that the work for the restoration will start from tomorrow.
The Lachung Pipon, Karma Lachunpa and Tenchung Lachunpa placed a demand petition to the CS which includes the construction of alternate road at the spot at Khedum towards the left bank of the river, construction of log bridge at the river, the restoration of electricity which has been damaged by the slide at Khedum and settling the ITBP dispute with local people in entering Domang area in Lachung.  The CS directed the DC North to hold a meeting with ITBP officials on the matter and also directed that the Pipon and some representatives of Lachung should be involved in the meeting.
The CS also held a meeting at Chungthang monastery with the public of Chungthang Subdivision including Lachen people.  The panchayat president, Chungthang GPU, Lendup Lepcha while delivering his welcome speech highlighted about the order of dismantling 13 buildings at Chungthang Bazaar which has been declared as unsafe, construction of proper rim treatment at Chungthang by Teesta Urja, increase in disbursement of kerosene in Chungthang area, construction of SDM, SDPO and BDO quarters etc.
Speaking at the programme, Mr. Bhutia stated that the Government of Sikkim has accorded top priority to the development and reconstruction of all assets that have been damaged by last year’s earthquake. The Chief Secretary sanctioned Rs 20 lakh for the demolition of Chungthang food godown and further gave positive assurance regarding all the demands placed by the people of Chungthang.
At the same time, the CS has asked the concerned officials of the BRO to extend full support towards community and social development of Chungthang while officials of BSNL were asked to undertake immediate restoration of telecommunication system.
He also informed that the 1200 MW power plant by Teesta Urja would be completed by the year 2013. Assuring to transform Chungthang into a model town as it is the gateway to North Sikkim, he stated that the state shall leave no stone unturned in disbursing fair packages for reconstruction of entire assets that has been damaged by the earth quake.
Further he informed that till the date the state government has received only Rs 200 crore out of the Rs 1000 crore from the Government of India which was announced by the PM as Earthquake relief fund.
Representative from Chungthang public, Tseten Lepcha highlighted the demands for the compensation of houses damaged by excessive blasting carried out by Teesta Urja where a report of 170 houses at Chungthang has already been submitted by the DC and also the dispute regarding the Gurudongmar Lake. While responding to the dispute of Gurudongmar Lake, the CS informed that the government will take up necessary steps to resolve the issue.
Also, the Secretary Land & Revenue highlighted that Rs. 50 lakh has been sanctioned for the construction of SDM quarter while Secretary, Ecclesiastical Department informed that Rs 2 crore has been sanctioned by the state government for reconstruction of Chungthang Monastery and Rs 5 lakh has already been allotted to the members of the monastery as reconstruction token.
The Secretary Food & Civil Supplies informed that the government is making a provision for open market of kerosene to the people where the subsidy for the BPL family will be credited to the bank.  She also highlighted that the department has been providing buffer stock of essential commodities to the district.
Similarly, the Chief Engineer Power department informed that by the next 15 days proper electricity supply to Lachung will be provided while the GM BSNL informed that by the next 15 to 20 days the service will improve and the Chief Engineer BRO assured proper road condition within the next two months.
On his way back to Mangan, the CS also met with the public of Naga where he was informed about the under construction multi-purpose play ground by former chairman Nim Tshering Lepcha.
The panchayat members of Dzongu headed by Panchayat Secretary Lum/Gor/Sangtok GPU also placed a demand petition to the CS related to the timely disbursement of CMRHM funds and establishment of State Bank of Sikkim at BAC Passindang in Dzongu.

Power Minister tours still cut-off Bey-Pentong in Dzongu

EXPRESSES DISSATISFACTION WITH SLOW PACE OF ROAD RESTORATION WORKS
MANGAN, 18 April: During his two-day tour of the isolated areas of Upper Dzongu especially Bey and Pentong villages under Sakyong-Pentong GPU, the area MLA, Power Minister Sonam Gyatso Lepcha, expressed dissatisfaction over the slow progress of road restoration works by the PWD. The villages of Bey and Pentong remain cut-off even after seven months since the September earthquake.
This shows the slackness and negligence on the part of the PWD department, the Minister said.
Several villages of Sakyong-Pentong GPU have been cut off denying access to even basic facilities ever since the earthquake brought along a wave of destruction to this area. The restoration of roads is still underway at Lingzya where there are several slides which need to be cleared and new road formations cut out. The road between Lingzya and Bey which is barely 4kms was severely damaged in last year’s earthquake.
On being asked about the course of action that will follow his visit, the Minister said that he will submit the overall report to the Chief Minister and take other necessary steps.
Also part of the entourage till Bey village were SDM Mangan, PW Lepcha, Zilla member, Sakyong-Pentong, Toknam Lepcha, Panchayat Secretary, Nima Lepcha, representatives of Confederation of Indian Industry headed by Laxmi Limbu Kaushal and Khurshid Dar, Head CII. The entourage walked on foot from 12th Mile till Pentong village which took two days to cover.
The Minister also took stock of the status of under construction projects of the Chief Minister’s Rural Housing Mission in the area and urged every beneficiary to carry out the work focusing on quality and quantity as well. He also met senior citizens of the village in order to learn about their problems. The Minister also enquired whether relief money had been handed over to the affected families.
A short function was held at Gram Prasashan Kendra, Pentong where he held a meeting with local panchayat and the general public. The Zilla member, Toknam Lepcha placed a demand petition of the GPU on behalf of the people regarding up gradation of the ropeway and restoration of road till Bey at the earliest.
While addressing the villagers here, the Minister said that the panchayat being the representative of the village should play an important role in the development of the village and for the proper utilisation of the programmes and policies of the government. He further added that CRHM houses constructed in the area should be earthquake resistant.
As the Bey village is located amidst ample greenery, the Minister urged the villagers to opt for eco-tourism and home stays which can be a permanent source of income in the area. He also directed the concerned panchayat and the health staff to organize some health awareness programme in the village.
While highlighting the issue of panchayat election, the Minister said that there would be 50% reservation for women in the upcoming panchayat election and also said that people should not disturb the peaceful environment of the village on the issue of panchayat election.
The Minister also visited the Ringpi Bridge between 12th Mile and Pentong which was in a dilapidated condition and announced that the reconstruction of the bridge has already been sanctioned. He also announced that four houses damaged by the earthquake at Pentong village will be covered under the Prime Minister’s relief fund.

Minorities Commission member tours North Sikkim, wants project developers to do more for the people

MANGAN, 18 Nov: Member of National Commission for Minorities, Spalzes Angmo, accompanied by the NCM Joint Secretary, was on a two-day tour of North Sikkim on 17 and 18 Nov. They were accompanied by DM (N), TN Kazi, Welfare Officer (N), PW Lepcha and former chairperson, Pintso Lepcha of Dzongu.

“Will write to PM to allow Karmapa to visit Sikkim” - CM

CHIEF MINISTER COMPLETES HIS 42 DAY VILLAGE TOUR AT KABI
WANGCHUK BHUTIA
PHODONG/KABI LUNGTSOK, 01 NOV:  The chief minister completed his 42 days village tour today with his last visit at Kabi-Tingda constituency where several demands placed by the public were approved and sanctioned by him on the spot.

CM directs permanent restoration works to begin within a week

CHIEF MINISTER’S NORTH SIKKIM TOUR
GANGTOK, 30 Oct: The CM during his tour of the affected areas of North Sikkim stated that permanent restoration works would soon begin in the area. So far temporary restoration works were only being undertaken but now with the situation returning to normal the restoration works would be permanent. He further expressed that such work should start within one week’s time. 

SLYA team tours North Sikkim, collects update and grievances

GANGTOK, 23 Oct: A team of Renjyong Mutachi Rong Ong Shejum (Sikkim Lepcha Youth Associaiton) consisting of the members from Rakdong Branch, Fumbong Lho Timpyem and Reymindu Timpyem Kyong Ong Shezum and led by its cultural secretary, Karma Tshering Lepcha toured earthquake affected parts of North Sikkim recently, a press release informs.

SHRP dismisses CM’s North tour during Diwali as causing ‘inconvenience’

GANGTOK, 23 Oct: Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad has condemned Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s upcoming tour of North District, the area worst affected by the 18 September earthquake.