SNT keeps Sikkim linked through the bandh

An SNT bus edges past a GJM picket at Rangpo, West Bengal, on
Wednesday morning

SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 09 Feb: The Sikkim Nationalised Transport [SNT] fleet is invariably the only reliable service when it comes to braving bandhs in neighbouring Darjeeling. The heli-service, even when it plies extra flights is limited by capacity [the Pawan Hans chopper is a tight 5-seater], and even the subsidised fares beyond most pockets. So when it comes to passenger service or the transport of essential commodities when the hills in the neighbouring State shut-down, it is the SNT that Sikkim turns to.
The scenario today, Day-1 of the indefinite bandh called by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha in the Darjeeling hills and extended to Sikkim traffic on sections of NH 31A snaking through Darjeeling district, had SNT essaying the same role again. GJM picketers did not allow any vehicle through except those of the armed forces and the SNT. A fleet of 10 SNT buses left Sikkim today and made it to Siliguri, while a fleet of 22 made it into Sikkim from Siliguri. This was the only road traffic which linked Sikkim to the rest of the world today.
A convoy of 10 SNT buses ferried people to Siliguri under an escort of West Bengal Police from Rangpo today.
The buses have left Rangpo at around 11:15 a.m. and safely reached the SNT complex in Siliguri at 3:30 p.m.
SNT officials were camped at Rangpo through most of the day to coordinate the exercise and were in constant touch with the drivers and conductors of the buses over phone throughout their journey to Siliguri.
This set of 10 buses were then advised to stay back in Siliguri overnight and undertake the return journey on Thursday after the situation on the highway was evaluated afresh.
As for the vehicles which made it to Sikkim from Siliguri, they were part of a 22-vehicle SNT convoy, again with West Bengal police escorts. These comprised 14 trucks, 3 tankers and 5 buses, all of the SNT.

New Employment Notice posted

A new post has been added to the Employment Bulletin section announcing 21 vacancies in 10 posts at the State Nodal Agency for Integrated Watershed Management Plan

At Mayalmu Sangh’s destitute home...

NGO CHIPS IN WITH A DONATION, BUT THE HOME NEEDS MORE CONSISTENT ASSISTANCE
GANGTOK, 09 Feb: Mayalmu Sangh, a destitute home for the mentally unstable, located at Metro Point, Tadong in Gangtok, were yesterday presented with a donation purchased from profits earned from a New Year’s party organised by a recently-formed NGO, Sikkimey Jan Sewa Samiti [SJSS], along with Dirty Angels Bikers Club and Quixotic Entertainment [an event management company]. A 2000 litre Sintex water-tank along with some kitchenware were presented by the SJSS president, Tshering Wangchuk Lepcha, to the Mayalmu Sangh president, Bindya Gurung.
The destitute home was established in 2008, starting with three inmates and now houses 30.
Ms. Gurung, while speaking to media persons, informed that the Home now needs to move into a larger space since the present rented accommodation is already too cramped. They have requested for allotment of a 100 x 100 feet plot to construct a proper Home to house the increasing number of inmates.
“We have approached the Chief Minister’s office but have not been able to get an appointment so far. We were then asked to keep an application ready for the purpose, which we have and are now waiting for an appointment to process the request,” she informed.
Water supply and lack of clothes for inmates are the other problems that the Home is facing at the moment, she added, appealing to the public to donate old and discarded clothes. She further expressed her gratitude towards all past and present sponsors, donors and those who have extended support to the home.
“Our ultimate objective is to help all mentally ill destitute from across the state,” she added.
SJSS’s Mr. Lepcha, while appreciating the Sangh’s efforts towards providing shelter to the mentally ill, expressed the need to encourage and support such work.
On the SJSS, he informed that there are 10 members as of now and aim at involving youth from all the four districts. On the organisation’s future plans, he informed that providing a platform for all artists in the state, providing necessities to deserving students who are financially backward are some of the things they are looking forward to achieving.
“We have spoken to some health officials and lawyers who will support us in our endeavour” he added.
[TSHERING EDEN]

Heli-service increases number of flights but there are only so many seats and so many flying hours

PAWAN HANS CHOPPER FLIES 4 FLIGHTS TO BAGDOGRA ON DAY 1 OF DARJ BANDH, PLANS 7 FROM TOMORROW ONWARDS
GANGTOK, 09 Feb: The Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation [STDC] Heli-Service, even though offering only a cramped 5-seater option, invariably runs more sorties when the highway shuts down due to bandhs or landslides. National Highway 31A was closed even for vehicular traffic from Sikkim due to a GJM bandh in the Darjeeling hills and this set up the Pawan Hans helicopter to fly four sorties to Bagdogra and back. The STDC had planned for 5, but inclement weather late in the afternoon forced it to abandon it last flight out.
Given the need to pack in more flights into the 7-hour flying hours the chopper service has in a day, STDC has started flying out of the Mamring ground at Rangpo instead of the helipad in Gangtok. This cuts down flight time by 20 minutes per two and fro flight from Bagdogra and serve the passengers just as well because it lands them in a bandh free Sikkim where they can continue their journey easily.
What the flights from Mamring also achieve is a central location even for passengers coming in from South and West districts, explains Vijay Thapa, General Manager, STDC.
Although the helicopter could swing on four two and fro flights today, starting Thursday, STDC plans to squeeze in seven flights.
Tickets have already sold out with all possible flights booked till 13 February. With only SNT buses allowed on the highway today, and no taxis or jeeps getting through, the rush is expected to only increase if the indefinite bandh called in the Darjeeling hills does keep Sikkim locked out for longer.

Census 2011 begins in Sikkim with Governor becoming the first resident to be enumerated

A Census enumerator calls on Governor BP Singh at his winter camp in
Rangpo to launch the Census 2011 in Sikkim on 09 Feb  

RANGPO, 09 Feb: The second and final phase of Census 2011 began today with the Governor of Sikkim, BP Singh, being the first person to be listed by the enumerators who called on him here at his winter residence in Rangpo.
Speaking to media-persons today, the Governor shared that his link with the Census of India has been very long and old. “The Census of India is a very true and proper verification of a person, it gives the person’s true information,” he said, adding that the task of an enumerator was very important as they are the persons who have to go to each and every house and get the details.
He further shared that he also found archives of the 1901 Census in Sikkim which have been kept in the Culture and Heritage Department in Gangtok. Commenting that he had gone through the 1901 Census, the first for Sikkim, he said that he was very happy that such records have been preserved.
Director, Directorate of Census Operations, Sikkim, Bhagwan Shankar, informed today that this was the second phase of the 2011 Census [under the theme ‘Our Census, Our Future’] being held in Sikkim from 09 to 28 February.
The enumerators will be going from house to house to record each and every person’s proper verification [and this even includes outsiders and foreigners who are residing in Sikkim], so that the true picture of the population can be brought forth, he said.
There are a total of 24 questions in the questionnaire which need to be filled out and these record all details of a person- name, age, educational qualification, sex [this time there is a third gender too].
“We should be able to give the preliminary finding of the Census by the end of March, this year,” he said.
[AMEET OBEROI]

GJM locks down Sikkim

AMEET OBEROI
RANGPO, 09 Feb: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha picketers at the interstate check-post at Rangpo held up out-bound traffic from Sikkim today. This, as part of the indefinite bandh called by the GJM for the Darjeeling Hills following the death of three of its supporters in a police firing at Sipshu on the Darjeeling-Jalpaiguri border on Tuesday. While the highway has been kept open for Sikkim traffic through most of the recent GJM bandhs, this time, the GJM has extended the bandh to Sikkim traffic as well. The only relaxation they were according till late this afternoon was for SNT buses which were allowed through. A total of 10 SNT buses had managed to get past Rangpo till 1 p.m. today. Army vehicles, and those of other essential services [like BRO for road repairs] were also allowed passage from the Rangpo, West Bengal, picket. All other vehicles, including marriage processions [traditionally exempt from bandhs in the hills], were however stopped.
The situation remained unchanged till the filing of this post.

SNT allowed through while a passenger jeep is turned back from Rangpo,
West Bengal, on Day-1 of the GJM indefinite bandh, 09 Feb.

An SNT bus moves through the GJM picket at Rangpo on Wednesday

A desperate foreign tourist, his jeep turned back, explains that he has plane
tickets and connecting flights to catch

Eventually, the West Bengal cops and the GJM Nari Morcha [wonen's wing]
managed to get him a lift in an Army vehicle.

The GJM picket at Rangpo, West Bengal. 09 Feb 2011

New post added to litNOW!

New short-story, "one morning, April 1986", by Dorjee Tshering Lepcha posted in the litNOW! section. Check it out and leave a comment.

Hydel worker caught smuggling detonators

PURAN TAMANG
NAMCHI, 08 Feb: A labourer engaged with HCC, a construction company under contract with hydel project developer Lanco at Adit II and III at Karek below Namthang in South Sikkim, was arrested by Melli check post police yesterday when he was caught trying to smuggle explosive items out of state.
Source inform that one Gopal Tamang, working as a labourer at a Lanco construction site, was caught while trying to leave the State from Melli check-post in possession of 18 detonators used to fire dynamites.
The DC [South], AK Singh, while speaking to NOW!, further informed that upon receiving information from the Police, a magisterial raid was carried out at the construction site and the magazine house [where explosives are stocked] of Lanco Pvt. Ltd.
The DC informed that this magisterial raid detected some slackness in how the stock of explosives was being maintained and some portion of the magazine house was accordingly sealed.
The DC added that he will soon be submitting the findings of his investigation to the Police for further action. He also added that no further arrests have been made in connection with the pilferage and attempted smuggling of the explosives. He also confirmed that the confiscated detonators have not yet been conclusively traced back to the Lanco Magazine House. These could also have been stolen from the HCC construction site.
Meanwhile, the SP [South], Manoj Tiwari, who is currently on leave, while speaking over the phone, informed that the police was investigating the case in detail and trying to get to the bottom of things.

Burglary attempt at SBS Jorethang lands 4 suspects behind bars

NAMCHI, 08 Feb: Four suspects were taken into custody today in connection with the attempted burglary at the Jorethang branch of State Bank of Sikkim on Sunday night.
Sources inform that one person from Nandugaon and three from Jorethang have been placed under arrest in connection with investigations into the attempted break-in detected only on Monday morning.
The wannabe burglars, sources inform, had tried to enter the SBS branch by breaking through window, but could not effect a burglary. Had they succeeded, the bank would have lost nearly Rs. 98 lakhs lying in cash in the branch over the weekend.
The case is still under investigation.
[PURAN TAMANG]

Duo missing from Assangthang since Sunday found dead

NAMCHI, 08 Feb: The dead bodies of two persons missing since Sunday [06 Feb 2011] were recovered today, the two having died in a road mishap which went unnoticed.
31-year-old Timothy Rai, resident of 9th Mile, Assangthang, and Pancha Bahadur Rai, 41, a resident of Dumidara in Assangthang, had left together for the Sunday haat at Namchi and not returned home since. Their families had been frantically searching for the two since Sunday and a search party discovered the dead bodies in the forest area near the turning at 12th Mile on the Namchi-Jorethang stretch today.
Upon discovering the dead bodies, the ex-panchayat assisting the search operations reported the matter to the police who recovered the dead bodies from the site and handed them over the respective families after autopsy.
While the case is still under investigation, it is reasonably established that they perished in an accident. The scooter they were riding at the time was also recovered from the spot.
[PURAN TAMANG]

Darj DM requisitions army to quell Hill unrest

GANGTOK, 08 Feb: Media sources in Darjeeling and Siliguri confirmed late this evening that the Darjeeling District Magistrate has requisitioned the army to help normalise the situation in the Darjeeling Hills. This follows on the heels of national media reporting that additional paramilitary forces have been assured for the West Bengal administration. The situation in Darjeeling had collapsed to widespread anarchy and targeting of West Bengal state machinery in the Hills after a police firing on a GJM procession in Jalpaiguri left 3 people dead. The Darjeeling DM has reportedly submitted the request for army deployment to the West Bengal Government which has endorsed it and forwarded it to the Centre. Sources inform that given the situation in the Hills, the army could be deployed tonight itself.

Youth conduct health camp at Martam

GANGTOK, 08 Feb: Martam Charitable Youths Association organized a daylong health camp at Martam in East Sikkim near Rumtek on 06 Feb, informs a press release.
The camp was aimed as a service for residents of Martam-Nazitam ward and began at 10 in the morning. The camp provided free treatment and medicines to 180 people.
The association has expressed gratitude towards Medical Superintendent, STNM Hospital, Dr. IL Sharma, for providing the medicines, Dr. Dolkar and her associate, in charge, Martam PHC.

Darj burns after police firing in Jalpaiguri claims 3 GJM activists

INDEFINITE STRIKE CALLED IN THE HILLS, POSTERING EXTENDS BANDH TO NH31A AS WELL
SNOD TANKER SET ALIGHT AT TAR-KHOLA
GANGTOK, 08 Feb: The situation in Darjeeling hills collapsed to anarchy today as Gorkha Janmukti Morcha activists took to the streets torching West Bengal government property and bringing the hill district to a standstill. This, in a spontaneous reaction to news of police firing on a GJM procession near the Sipshu Tea Estate at Nagrakata in Jalpaiguri district which has now claimed three lives.
Initially, two GJM members, one of them a 24 year old lady from Kalimpong, had been killed in the police firing. Later in the day, a third person succumbed to injuries sustained in the police action. In the melee which visited this town on the Darjeeling-Jalpaiguri border, around 10 CRPF personnel are also reported to have been injured. An indefinite bandh has been called in the Darjeeling hills, and posters pasted along the highway announce that this time, traffic from Sikkim will also be blocked.
As news spread of the police firing and the casualties, violence broke out in the Darjeeling Hills and an immediate chakka-jam was called shortly after noon. The bandh was eventually lifted at around 4 p.m. to allow people stranded all over the hills to complete their journeys. The GJM has now called an indefinite bandh from Wednesday onwards.
While vehicular traffic to and from Sikkim on National Highway 31A [in parts which run through Darjeeling] is usually kept out of the purview of these bandhs, this time, GJM picketers along the highway have been pasting posters on all Sikkim-bound vehicles that this time, even Sikkim vehicles will not be allowed on the highway.
Those who travelled on the highway after the bandh was lifted today inform that while tension was not palpable, what was worrying was that there was no sign of either West Bengal police or paramilitary forces on the highway.
Meanwhile, news coming in from Darjeeling informs that following the police firing and deaths, arson broke out in the hills. The tourism office on the Mall in Darjeeling was set ablaze as was the forest dak bungalow at Jaldhaka in the Dooars. A police vehicle was also set alight in Darjeeling it is informed. Forest bungalows and sub-divisional offices were also torched in the Kalimpong sub-division.
Also in Kalimpong today, two North Bengal State Transport Corporation buses were set alight at the motor-stand. Also caught in the mob attack in Kalimpong was an SNT bus, the windshield of which was smashed. No one was however injured in the incident and the vehicle made it back to Sikkim when the bandh was lifted.
At Tar-Khola, the notorious West Bengal settlement ahead of Rangpo, however, a private petrol tanker [belonging to SNOD, Gangtok] headed for Siliguri from Rangpo was set alight. No one was injured and fire-fighters from Rangpo put out the flame, it is learnt.
The situation in the neighbouring Hills remains tense.

Volleyball tourney for North and East Sikkim begins in Tumin

DIKCHU, 08 Feb: The North-East Region (Sikkim) Volleyball tournament for teams from East and North districts got underway at Tumin-Barang in East Sikkim yesterday.
The tournament has been organized by the Yuva Jagriti Sangh of Lower Kambal and is being sponsored by the National Hydro-electric Power Corporation (NHPC), Teesta Stage-V.
The opening ceremony had the area MLA [Singtam-Khamdong], Am Prasad Sharma as chief guest accompanied by Chief Engineer (NHPC), AK Choudhary.
The opening match was played between United Brothers [Lower Kambal] and Sunakhari Club of Kokaley with the former team winning 2-0 in a best of three sets.  The match was refereed by Dilli Ram Basnett from Sports & Youth Affairs Department and had Depen Bhattarai as second umpire.
A total of 19 teams have registered for the tournament which carried a cash-prize of Rs. 30,000 for the winning team, Rs. 20,000 for the runners-up and Rs. 10,000 for the team coming in third.
[WANGCHUK BHUTIA]

My First Supersonic Flight - The F/A-18 Super Hornet Experience

Karma Paljor at Yelanka Air Force base, Bangalore. Suited up to fly the
F/A-18 Hornet 

KARMA PALJOR
I reached the Yelanka Air Force Base in Bangalore at 9 a.m. in the morning, and I was absolutely clueless on what to expect. I was undoubtedly very excited, but also a bit scared to be on my first supersonic flight. I had already done an extensive web search on precautions to be taken before such a flight, but there were no satisfactory answers, except for this oft repeated advice on carrying an air sickness bag.
The sickness bag I did carry, and to my relief I did not have to use it. Earlier, I had called up my good friend Group Captain Rameshwar Singh Talhan, who happens to be a fighter pilot, to get some advice.
“Just enjoy this once in a lifetime opportunity,” he told me, and then I took off.

THE SUIT UP AND THE BRIEF
I was kind of blank at the Boeing flight operations centre. I was at peace, and totally ready for the flight (pictures may say otherwise). Boeing’s Reggie Nathis suited me up. Formerly with the US Air Force, he was a picture of calm, the perfect person to G-suit anyone up. He had loads of patience and his words relaxed me. He told me I would not have any problem because I actually looked like a fighter pilot ;-) And then he handed me the air sickness bag (off camera).

Karma with Scot, the US Navy fighter pilot, who flew him
on the joyride

Scott, a pilot with the US navy, was my pilot for the day. He briefed me on what to do, expect etc on my flight. There were levers and instruments coloured in black and yellow, the ones I was not supposed to touch, ever. And then the part about ejection procedure scared me quite a bit. Rest was fine and fun, as he took me through the manoeuvres we were to do, and the G loads to expect when he warms me up for the flight. We were to be in the flight for at least 45 minutes. The part that excited me the most was that I would be allowed to take over controls and actually FLY a fighter jet.
I told Scott about my tiny experience with flight simulators and RC aircraft. And he told me I could try a couple of my own manoeuvres if I wanted.

THE TAKE-OFF
The F/A-18 Super Hornet flies fully loaded at the air show, which means it carries all the arsenal. And what an impressive array with an internal 20 mm gun, air-to-air missiles, together with air-to-surface weapons!
Getting into the cockpit was a breeze. Walking down the tarmac fully geared up gets you so much attention that you forget any discomfort that may have been there because of the G-suit. You feel sexy: rewind to Top Gun.
Once inside the cockpit, there are a number of belts to strap you in – also important because you don’t want to fall off when you are inverted. The only thing that was going through my mind was that I would never get these off in time in case of an emergency. All was well other than this.
I fiddled around with my helmet and my oxygen mask to be sure that I could remove it in case I felt like throwing up. All checks done, we were ready to take off. I opted for a gentler take off than the one they do for air shows.

THE FLIGHT
The taxi down to the end of the runway felt like forever, and I really wanted to fly now.  Once at the end, we finally lined up for takeoff. The engine thrust was tremendous, and I could still hear the roar of the aircraft even as it was shielded by the canopy. The nose gear bobbed up a few times before we took off with all the power, a sharp left and we were away towards the zone “we were to play in”.
Once off the ground, it felt like never before. This was like being in air on a super bike. Scott told me that I could have the controls once we were in our flying area. But before that he would take me through the dreaded g force ‘warming up’. During my G-manoeuvre, I must have felt about 4 G’s pulling on my body. I thought I was going to black out for a few seconds. This feeling again has to be felt and cannot be put in words. I made Scott stop at 4G, as I thought I could not take it anymore.
Then at 10,000 feet, I was handed the controls. And all I had to say was, “I have the controls.” So I did have the controls on me.
After a couple of 180 degree turns it felt as if I was ready for a roll. I called out, Scott gave a go ahead, and I rolled left. And my, my, it was something!! By this time I was kind of feeling a little heady, so I gave the controls back.
Scott now wanted to show me F/A-18’s slow speed characteristics, and the aircraft just slowed down. The manoeuvre is called the High Alpha-High Alpha, when the aircraft is at a very slow speed with a high angle of attack. Scott was still able to control the aircraft even as it swayed from left to right.
It was quite something!
“You have controls!” I took over as we still had some time (simulator training really helps). Scott asked me if I was ready for another roll, I did want to but was not feeling up to it. But then I thought I would probably never get a chance to do this again. So I pulled myself up and rolled to the right, and felt the high!!
Time for speed test, wing levels and a full throttle burst, a full afterburner, and the beast roared forward – I could totally feel the kick. We slowed down and turned after a satisfying 45 minutes on the Super Hornet.
Thank you God!
[The writer is a senior correspondent with CNN-IBN]

MLAs from Hill Areas Committee of Manipur arrive on Sikkim visit

GANGTOK, 08 Feb [IPR]: Members of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) and officers of the Manipur Legislative Assembly led by their Chairman, MLA T. Kipgem, along with his wife and the MLAs WM Maknga, K Raina, A Newmel, Sr. Deputy Secretary T. Nengzakham and Reporter/ Translator Mr. Robindro , who are in Sikkim on a four-day official visit, called on the Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Asembly, KT Gyaltsen, and visited the Assembly today.
The visitors from Manipur, who had earlier visited Namchi and Tsomgo, were all praises for Sikkim and impressed with its overall development and the governance, a feeling which they conveyed to the Speaker today.
The Hill Areas Committee (HAC) was constituted under Article 371-C of the Constitution by the Presidential Order in the year 1972 especially for the state of Manipur. At present, the committee has 20 members/MLAs elected from Hill Assembly Constituencies.

Fresh tarmac for highway edges from Tadong to Ranipool

GANGTOK, 08 Feb: The Border Roads Organisation has been at work with patch-work carpeting of National Highway 31A from Gangtok to Ranipool. This project, which began a week ago from Convoy Ground at Tadong, is still layering the edges of the highway along the Tadong stretch. It is expected to continue through the month, weather permitting.
Needless to add, the cramped highway already burdened with more traffic than was ever projected for it, is narrowing into a bottleneck at these worksites where traffic jams are common. While these can be unraveled without too many delays, the jams get worse when always-in-a-rush VIPs or in-tearing-hurry taxis jump the line and clog the road.
ANUPA RAI

CoI scrutiny underway at DACs, racing towards 20 Feb deadline

GANGTOK, 08 Feb: All the four district administrative centres in Sikkim are busy with the verification of Sikkim Subjects Certificates and Certificates of Identification, a task assigned to them by the State Government with a deadline set for 20 February.
Confirming the same, a senior official at the DAC, East, informed that the verification process was underway full swing and that the officials were trying their best to complete the task within the prescribed deadline.
The District Collector [South], AK Singh, when contacted, informed that his office was seeking the assistance of the Special Branch to complete the task and informed that a letter to this effect was dispatched to the Superintendent of  Police [South] on Monday yesterday.
Meanwhile, the DC [West], Santa Pradhan, informed that they have assigned the task of preliminary verification to the Panchayat members.
“After their verifications, our office will carry out the final process,” Mr. Pradhan said.
Regarding the 20 February deadline, the he stated that it was unlikely that this deadline could be met and that they will be requesting for more time.
On total numbers of CoI holders in West Sikkim, he said, “I can’t tell the exact figure right away, but we have a 427-page preliminary list with every page containing at least 12 names.”
SUBASH RAI

First lot of Residential Certificates to be issued within a month

GANGTOK, 08 Feb: People eligible for the recently notified Residential Certificates will have to wait a month or little longer to secure one for themselves. These certificates, as per a State Government notification issued a couple of months back, is to be issued to all those who have been residing in Sikkim since before 26 April 1975 or are permanent employees of the State Government, but do not have a Certificate of Identification [issued to Sikkim Subject Certificate holders and their descendents].
The matter, anyone who has been following political developments in Sikkim will recall, is a hotly debated one between the ruling party and those in the Opposition, with the latter seeing it as something which will dilute the status of the Sikkim Subjects. This, of course, has been dismissed by the State Government, with the Chief Minister often detailing that the RC is not at par with Sikkim Subjects.
As for the reason why the RCs have not yet been issued, a senior official at the District Administrative Centre [East] informs that this is because the State Government first wants the district authorities to complete the verification of Certificates of Identification. As things stand, this task is to be completed by 20 February, but it is a major undertaking and could take longer.
“After completing this verification of Sikkim Subject Certificates and CoIs, we will proceed with issuing RCs,” the official said, adding, “Within a month or little longer we will be able to issue the first lot of RCs to the eligible applicants.”
He further informed that the authorities are also currently working on the guidelines, shape, size, format, colour and other technical details of the RCs.
SUBASH RAI

Lepcha students complete special coaching classes for Board exams

GANGTOK, 07 Feb: The valedictory function of a month-long winter coaching oganised by the Sikkim Lepcha youth Association for Lepcha students appearing for board exams [class X and XII] this year, was held on 04 Feb at Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School, a press release informs.
The occasion had the Dzongu MLA, Power Minister Sonam Gyatso Lepcha as the chief guest and was also attended by Padmashree Keepu T Lepcha, Chief Engineer, Energy & Power, G Targain, Asst. Commissioner, IT Centre, Lhendup Lepcha, Deputy Director, HRDD, Sonam Lepcha, president, Renjong Mutachi Rong Tarjum, CT Lepcha and TT Densapa, the release adds.
The participants of the coaching put up a cultural programme to express gratitude to their patrons and teachers for their support and guidance during this coaching period. The teachers and other volunteers were also given away the certificates as a token of appreciation by the chief guest, the release informs.
The organisers expressed gratitude towards the Minister and MLAs associated with the organization, particularly, chairman DT Lepcha, Director HRDD, CS Rao, Dr. Chultim, ACF, Forest, James Karthak, Deputy Director, HRDD, Sonam Lepcha, Principal, TNSSS and all the tutors of the coaching class who devoted their previous time and also the well wishers, adds the release.

HCPC Kamrang lifts Inter-Denomination Football cup

NAMCHI, 07 Feb: HCPC Kamrang lifted the Inter-Denominational Football Tournament here at the Bhaichung Stadium today.
The final matchwas played between EPCS Ranguthang and HCPC Kamrang with the latter winning the contest 6-4 in a tiebreaker.
Organized by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Sikkim (EPCS), Namchi, on the theme “Universal Brotherhood and Peace”, the final match of the tourney was chaired by Principal, New Light Academy, Lobzang Lama, as the chief guest accompanied by the Jailor, District Prison, Namchi, Arone Targain, RO (T) Tseten Lepcha, retired DSO NB Dungamali, Elders and Pastors’ from different churches of South District.
Regulation time of the final match ended in a 1-1 goal with Nim Tshering Lepcha of EPCS Ranguthang scoring the first goal and Phurba Lepcha of HCPC Kamrang equalising in the second half.  The tiebreaker, as mentioned, went in favour of HCPC Kamrang.
Also today, the organisers put together an exhibition match between EPCS Namchi Veteran vs. Youth which the veterans won 3-1.
A colourful cultural programme was also performed by youth representing different churches and the day began with a prayer by Elder D. Pakhrim of EPCS, Namchi.

Sikkim Subject Bachao Committee announces meetings for Mangan and Sombaria

GANGTOK, 07 Feb: The Sikkim Subject Bachao Committee, a collective of Opposition parties rallied against the State Government’s move to issue Residential Certificates [to those who have been residing here since before 26 April 1975], at a meeting held yesterday under the chairmanship of the committee president, State Congress president Nar Bahadur Bhandari, decided to hold meetings at Mangan [on 20 Feb] and Sombaria in West Sikkim [on 28 Feb] to argue its stand against the RCs.
A press release issued by the committee’s spokesperson, the Sikkim National People’s Party president, Biraj Adhihari, informs that yesterday’s meeting also reaffirmed the commitment of the members to protest the RC regime and strive to have the concerned notification withdrawn.

Daragaon sensitised on Urban Risk Reduction Programme

A jhora flowing near the venue of the URR meeting was cleared by the GMC last November. It's getting clogged with waste again.

WARD COUNCILLOR FLAGS BLOCKAGE OF JHORAS AS A WORRY
GANGTOK, 07 Feb: A meeting on “Sensitisation on Urban Risk Reduction Programme” for Daragaon ward in Gangtok was organized by the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) at Hotel Comfort Inn here on 05 February, a press release informs.
The programme which was chaired by the Gangtok Mayor, KN Topgay, and commenced with a welcome speech by Councillor, Daragoan Ward, Bhasker Basnett, who detailed civic problems and suggestions for Daragoan ward, highlighting the blockage of drains and jhoras due to rampant waste disposal that could lead to different hazards in the future, informs the release.
The State Project Officer, SSDMA, Bhupendra Sharma shed light on the background information and current progress with respect to URR Programme for the state.
DPO (East), Karma Dorjee Wazalingpa, made a presentation on Community Based Development Preparedness (CBDP). Various mappings, resources and other considerations towards achieving CDBP were also explained.
DPO (North) Sonam Lepcha, made a presentation on the preparation of Village Disaster Management Plans, explaining the 7-step process towards preparing a village disaster management plan – namely, review and analysis of past disasters in the area, mapping, formation of village disaster management teams, specialized training to the teams, formation of Community Contingency Fund, approval of the plan, mock drill and updating the plan. Based on the above points laid down by the DPOs, a committee will be formed for Daragaon ward and they will be trained accordingly.
Assistant Engineer, SSDMA, Dichen Namdul, presented a power-point presentation on Disaster Risk Reduction which focussed on the impact of disasters and ways to achieve risk reduction.
Common risks due to architectural and constructional features and solutions towards safe construction practices were also discussed. Urban/ Rural Planner, SSDMA Diki Wangmu Bhutia, discussed the ongoing process of techno-legal regime with respect to disaster management.  Also, IT specialist, SSDMA Ada Lawrence, spoke about the upcoming one stop knowledge centre for disaster management in the state.
Finally, the Gangtok Mayor made suggestions on the need for co-ordination and practical implementation of the URR Programme. He also stated that the programme should start from the grass root level so that even the public can participate in the process, the release adds.
Also participating in the programme were Deputy Mayor, Gangtok Municipal Corporation councillors, school teachers, Aganwadi workers, youth club members, NGOs and officials from SSDMA.

It’s Saraswati Puja on Tuesday

GANGTOK, 07 Feb: It is Saraswati Puja on 08 Feb [Tuesday], and as the accompanying photograph bears out, the artist selling idols of the Goddess Saraswati at Tadong has hardly any idols left for last-minute buyers.
“I have been camped here for a week now,” he shared between mouthfuls as he ploughed through his lunch of puffed rice. The largest statue in his inventory was 4.5ft tall which fetched him Rs. 1,500 and smaller ones of 1 ft height were still going for Rs. 200.
As we were leaving, he shouted after us, “If you want to see a wider variety and taller statues, go to Sichey, another artisan has brought a larger stock this year and is displaying them there.”
This remains the only time we have come across someone recommending his competitor’s wares, its perhaps the purity which underlines the essence of Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge. It is also perhaps apt that the worship of the Goddess of Knowledge comes a day after schools and colleges reopened across Sikkim today.
ANUPA RAI

CM interacts with youth of Namthang-Rateypani

NAMTHANG, 07 Feb [IPR]: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling met with the youth of Namthang-Rateypani constituency at the Namthang Block Development Centre yesterday. Around 200 youth were present in the short interactive programme during which Mr. Chamling was felicitated by the youth representatives of the constituency for his support and motivation towards the development of the youth of Sikkim.
Addressing the youth, the Chief Minister said that the biggest disadvantage compromising the prospects of the youth was their own state of dilemma and indecisiveness regarding their choices in life and stressed that this drawback is preyed up by vested interests to misguide the youth into promoting personal gain of the opportunists.
Mr. Chamling added that for this reason, it was now his aim to make the youth constructive, skilled, self-reliant and above all, aware citizens. Sikkim, he stressed, was in need of youth with a wider outlook who could steer the State towards a better tomorrow.
Towards this aim, the State Government has implemented youth-oriented schemes for skill and capacity development. The government has also ensured that through these schemes, the youth are able to utilize the ample opportunities created in the State in different sectors.
He also urged the youth not to allow antisocial elements to take advantage of their weaknesses for personal gain and take a strong stand against such opportunism.

Recruitment of SIs for SAP deferred

FRESH VACANCIES FOR SIs IN SIKKIM POLICE TO BE NOTIFIED WITHIN A COUPLE OF MONTHS
GANGTOK, 07 Feb: The process of recruitment of 12 Sub-Inspectors in the Sikkim Armed Police [notified on 14 December 2010], and scheduled to start from 09 February [Wednesday], has been deferred by 2 to 3 months “due to unavoidable reasons”, informs a press communiqué received from the DIG [Range], Sikkim Police, today.
The DIG informs that fresh notifications inviting vacant posts of SIs in the Sikkim Police, and not exclusively in the Sikkim Armed Police, will be issued in due course.
As for the candidates who have already submitted their applications of the vacancies announced in December last and obtained proper receipt, they will not need to submit fresh applications when the new vacancies are advertised within a couple of months, the DIG adds.

Conmen preying on new ATM card users

NO OFFICIAL COMPLAINTS FILED YET, BUT PEOPLE HAVE LOST SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS AFTER DIVULGING THEIR ATM CARD DETAILS TO STRANGERS

ANAND OBEROI
GANGTOK, 07 Feb: Con artists appear to be preying with some degree of success on new ATM card users in the State, especially the elderly who are not familiar with the use of their debit cards. Laying out a simple plan of hanging around ATM counters pretending to be withdrawing cash, from what has been pieced together thus far, they arrive as timely assistance to new ATM users fumbling with their cards. After they have punched in the pin code for these users and completed the transactions for them [something which also reveals the deposit status to them], they take the game to the next level. Pretending to fumble, they make the target drop the ATM card and when fetching it for them, exchange the card with a dummy. The entire bank balance of the ‘hit’ is then theirs for the taking.
Of course, the con-artists need not even bag the ATM card, because with the account details, including the pin-number acquired, they can use the person’s bank account to complete there own online transaction.
Interestingly, no official police complaint has been filed on this con yet, but NOW! has managed to confirm two such incidents, one from Singtam and the other from Gangtok. It may also be mentioned here that similar tricks have been reported from across the country where they have been a nuisance for a while now.
In one instance of this sleight of hand con, a lady, when she received her updated bank statement, learnt that her account had been cleaned of Rs. 45,000 through ATM transactions she did not make. In her case, the transactions were online, the ATM details used up make railway bookings.
The lady, it is informed, has filed a complaint with the bank in question and also with the Reserve Bank of India office in Gangtok and an internal enquiry is reportedly underway at present.
In the other instance, another lady walked in to withdraw cash from the ATM, but when she checked her account balance, discovered that it had decreased by Rs. 20,000 since her last visit without her having made any such withdrawal.
Both complainants have refrained from filing a police complaint and are pursuing the matter with the bank at present. Word on the racket has however spread and reached even the cops.
OC, Sadar Thana, PI Tshering Sherpa, when contacted, confirmed that no official complaint has been filed with them, but added that even they have heard of the incidents and that lookouts have been posted to ATM counters to report back any “suspicious activities”.
“We will be able to investigate the case only if we have an official complaint, however, what also seems to be the case is that people losing money after divulging their ATM card details to strangers is not a new thing elsewhere, and it is primarily carelessness which is to blame,” he stated.
In this regard, he cautioned people against sharing their ATM card details with strangers.
Meanwhile, RBI officials share that the con is simple and already quite common elsewhere in the country where a person is planted at an ATM counter acting as someone trying to complete a transaction while others are waiting in line. Once they zero in on a potential victim, they act as if they are helping him/ her out and ferret out account details from the unsuspecting person.
“The conman actually pushes the person holding the card and once the card or the purse is dropped all over the ATM counter floor, the conman actually exchanges the card and since they have already found out the pin-code number, they can now draw money from someone else’s account,” they explain.

The Gainey Brothers- their dreams and their reality

SUBASH RAI
GANGTOK, 07 Feb: 17-year-old Tikendra Gandarva and his younger sibling, 15-year-old Shyam Gandarva, hail from Bhojpur in Nepal and are a treat to meet in Gangtok, the town they serenade as a Gainey duo, strumming out soulful folk melodies from their Sarangis. The scour the streets of Gangtok, visiting neighbourhoods in all corners, seeking out audiences who will indulge their art and help them save up the target kitty they have set for themselves before returning to complete their education. The first song they invariably perform is, “Sarangi ko taar ley mero man ko gita gauncha”, [the strings of the Sarangi sing out my heart’s song].

The duo arrived in Sikkim around a year back and share a rented room with a cousin at 6th Mile, Tadong, just above Holy Cross School. They picked up the family tradition of the performing arts and this, in a matter of speaking, is their first professional gid.
Shyam, a Class VII dropout is the vocalist, while Tikendra, after passing Class X, joined his younger brother and assist in composing and strumming the right chords for songs chosen by Shyam.
The brothers admit that they were both eager to continue their studies, but had to start earning because their parents earned barely enough to keep the kitchen fire going.
“We are save something from our earnings everyday and the day we reach the target we have set for ourselves, we will return home and resume our education,” they share confidently.
On their earnings, they inform this varies from day to day. “On a good day, we earn up to Rs. 500, but on most days this is between Rs.200-300, barely enough to pay for the routine expenses.”
Just as their earnings, their experience with the patrons of their art is a mixed bag as well. While some people are indulgent, most don’t care and then there are some who are downright abusive.
About one such experience, the brothers inform of how an elderly man took them home one day and kept them there for the entire day, making them sing all their songs and then insisting that they teach him how to play the Sarangi.
How did the day end?
“At the end of the day, he abused us and threw us out without giving is a single paisa,” says Tikendra.
Why? “Because we could not teach him how to play the Sarangi properly”. In a day!
But such episodes are rare, and the brothers can still find it in themselves to smile often.
About the future, Tikendra, the elder brother, wants Shyam, the one with the delectable vocals, to pursue his blessing and is committed to find him a platform where his adroit skills will be recognized and celebrated.
Shyam, shy by nature, when asked what he wants of the future, says he would want his brother to complete his education and occupy an important chair as a government officer back home in Nepal.
They have set a deadline of April to return home, hopefully with enough savings to pursue at least some of their dreams.

Lanco organizes cancer screening camp at Sirwani

MANGAN, 07 Feb:  A daylong cancer screening camp was organized here at Sirwani near Singtam on 04 Feb by Lanco Foundation, a division of hydel project developer [Teesta Stage VI] Lanco which carries out the Corporate Social Responsibility activities of the parent organization. The cancer screening camp was held in collaboration with CELON LABS. Last Friday marked the World Cancer Day.
Around 80 people benefited from the screening camp, coming in from around 10 nearby villages like Dochung, Sirwani, Dipudara etc.  The camp was attended by General Manager Lanco, SK Sarkar and AGM, Satish Tomar, paramedical team, officials from Lanco and the general public.
Screening for breast cancer was held for women above the age of 45 years and oral cancer screening for men above the age of 50. Dr. Basab Sarkar, a cancer specialist from North Bengal Medical College conducted the screening.
An awareness session was also held before the screening camp during which Dr. Sarkar shared tips on cancer, its causation and precautions. He informed people of the symptoms and explained common cancers like those of blood, lungs and head/neck cancer.
Dr. Sarkar also informed that around 70 to 80% of the breast cancer cases can be cured as could other cancers if they were detected in time.
[WANGCHUK BHUTIA]

Residential Certificates are not at par with Sikkim Subject Certificates, CM reiterates

NAMCHI, 06 Feb: The Residential Certificates [to be issued to those who have been residing in Sikkim since before 26 April 1975 but do not possess Sikkim Subject Certificates] are meant to check influx and secure the future of Sikkim and the Sikkimese but the Opposition parties are seeking to mislead the people into believing that RCs will compromise the status and significance of Sikkim Subjects, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling stressed today. He was speaking at the Sonam Lochar celebrations organised at Kateng in Namthang, South Sikkim.

The CM called on the people to now ask Opposition party leaders to explain how the Residential Certificates could be equated at the same pedestal as the Sikkim Subjects, an identity protected by the Constitution of India.
The Chief Minister explained that the RC was introduced to secure a clearer identity for those who have been residing in Sikkim since before the merger [but did not possess Sikkim Subject Certificates], and stressed that this was not even Constitutionally possible to create a ‘certificate’ equal in value or significance to the Sikkim Subject Certificate.
The move is not to replace the Sikkim Subject Certificates, he assured, and thus was not a violation of any Old Law either, he added.
The Residential Certificates, he contended, was in favour of the people of Sikkim and was a decision preceded by a lot of serious thinking and clear commitment to the interests of the Sikkimese, he stressed.
“Those protesting it should be held to account by the people because these groups are trying to put hurdles in smooth functioning and better development of Sikkim,” he said.
He pointed out how the SDF Government had succeeded in winning Income Tax exemption for Sikkim Subjects and held it up as an example of the care with which the government looks out for the interests of the Sikkimese.
“With this [Income Tax] exemption, we have enhanced the value of the Sikkim Subject Certificate and people should realise that we have never done anything to undermine the importance of Sikkim Subjects in the 17 years that we have been at the helm of affairs in the State,” he stressed.
Confident that he had the trust of the people, the CM however rued that people tend to remain silent spectators, opting to remain neutral even when their interests are directly at stake. Democracy, he stressed, required people to get involved and send out clear signals to agent provocateurs bent upon vitiating the peace in the State and derail development here.
While on an involved citizenry, the CM also commented that the collective participation which democracy encourages should be extended to the cooperative movement in the State and called on the cooperative societies to benefit from the government decision to award them works of up to Rs. 50 lakhs. “Don’t sell these works on a commission. Carry them out, benefit from the experience and profits and make the society stronger,” he appealed. He said that the performing cooperative societies could even be considered for works of up to Rs. 5 crores.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of a Tamang Community Centre at Kateng. He was also felicitated by the Sonam Lochar organising committee today. The CM was accompanied by Ministers Tilu Gurung, CB Karki, Namchi-Singithang MLA Binod Gurung, senior party leaders and officers of various departments.
He also interacted with the youth of Namthang-Rateypani constituency at the Namthang Block Administrative Centre.
[PURAN TAMANG]

Sikkim Olympic Association readies 25-member contingent for National Games

AMEET OBEROI
GANGTOK, 06 Feb: A 25-member contingent, comprising of Karate-kas, Taekwondo martial artists and boxers representing Sikkim, is all set to leave for the 34th National Games to be held in Jharkhand from 12 to 26 February, informed the Sikkim Olympic Association president, PK Pradhan, while addressing a press conference here today.
The 25-member Sikkim squad includes 4 officials and while the Karate and Taekwondo events will be held in Ranchi, the boxing matches will be fought at Jamshedpur, the other venue for the National Games.
With the martial arts set to be played from 13 to 15 February, these teams and accompanying officials will be leaving for Jharkhand on 08 Feb while the boxing team will join them later on 15 February [the boxing matches are scheduled from 20 to 25 February].
“Due to certain circumstances we do not have an archery team and because we have not qualified even once in football till now, we do not have a football team representing the State in the National Games,” Mr. Pradhan added.
He also shared that Sikkim has done quite well in the National Games thus far in terms of medals even though the State fields a smaller contingent as compared to other states. In the 33rd National Games held in Assam in 2007, Sikkim had won 6 medals [two gold, two silver and two bronze].
HT Basi [general secretary, SOA], in turn, informed that more players from Sikkim need to participate in various national level championships to come in the top-8 rankings if they are to qualify for the National Games. The position holders in the National Games then receive the opportunity to play for the country, he informed.
“Till now our players have been doing well in just the three disciplines of Karate, Taekwondo and boxing and are qualifying in the top-8 at the national level, thus being able to participate in the National Games,” he explained.
The final target for any association, department or club should be to take part in the National Games, he stressed.
The 25 member contingent leaving for the 34th National Games has PK Pradhan [president, SOA], HT Basi [Chef-de-Mission], Aswin Oberoi [treasurer, SOA] and Dr. Passang Phempo [Medical Commissioner].
The team list for Karate is: Bidan Subba [Coach], Arjun Rai [Team Official], Mongol Kumar Rai [Manager], Suju Gurung, Hem Kumari Rai, Sukraj Mangar and Dichen Lepcha [Sportspersons].
For Taekwondo- Trilok Subba [Coach], Dawa Tamang [Manager], Sabina Sundas, Naksum Bhutia, Pempa Doma Tamang, Binny Tamang, Meera Chettri and Tshering Ongmu Bhutia.
Boxing- Sarkey Subba [Coach], Meena Pradhan [Manager], Priti Gurung, Usha Rai, Madan Rai and Ongyal Sherpa [Sportspersons].

Court rejects HP Govt’s application to keep Rabgay Choesang in police custody

KARMAPA’S OFFICE CONFIDENT THAT 'WILD SPECULATIONS' WILL BE DISPELLED, CLARIFIES THAT LAND PURCHASE WAS ALWAYS ABOVE BOARD 
GANGTOK, 06 Feb: In a statement released late last evening, the Karmapa Office of Administration announced that the Himachal Pradesh State government's application to retain Rabgay Choesang in police custody was rejected, and Rabgay Choesang, also known as “Shakti Lama”, office staff member at the Sidhbari Monastery who was taken into arrest following raids which led to the recovery of around Rs. 8 crores in cash, has now been transferred into judicial custody.
“We are aware that a thorough investigation is needed to arrive at the truth. We remain confident that the Indian justice system will arrive at that truth and dispel all the wild speculations that are now circulating. We will continue to cooperate fully with the investigation, and we look forward to having our monk home soon,” the Karmapa Office of Administration conveys in its latest statement.
The statement also reiterates that the “ongoing” purchase of land by the Karmae Garchen Trust “is and has been in full compliance with Indian law”.
“It is in no way a benami land transaction. The land was being purchased by the Karmae Garchen Trust in its own name, in a transaction that had been duly disclosed to the Kangra District Collector's office. The DC's office issued a no-objection certificate as well as an essentiality certificate. As such, the Trust had been granted all preliminary approvals required in order to proceed to the next step in acquiring the land,” the Office informs.
It adds that the effort to purchase land to build a residence and monastery for the Karmapa has consistently been reported to and approved by the appropriate government authorities and was also discussed open in the press as recently as in October 2010 and as far back as in March, 2006.

5 firms shortlisted for consideration as Project Management Consultants for JICA-assisted biodiversity and forest management project

GANGTOK, 06 Feb: The Forest Department has received 19 proposals from interested organisations to its call inviting “expressions of interest” as “Project Management Consultants” for the JICA-assisted Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project [SBFP]. The notice inviting expressions of interest was reportedly published in a national daily and two websites on 10 May 2010. Following the receipt of 19 proposals, the Department had constituted a committee to evaluate the firms which has shortlisted five firms, these are:
1. GITEC, Consult Gm (L), Germany ICNET, Japan JPS Associated (P) Ltd., Delhi
2. Nippon KOEI Co. Ltd., Japan, Nippon KOEI India Pvt. Ltd.
3. The Louis Berger Group INC, USA, Padeco Co. Ltd., Japan
4. NJS Engineers, India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, NJS Japan, Agri-consulting S.P.A. Italy
5. GTZ-IS, New Delhi (L), Germany, TMI-India (P)
A press communiqué received from the SBFP Joint Director, BP Pradhan, informs that all the firms have been issued Request for Proposal documents following approval received from JICA and have been given 45 days to respond. The pre-bid meeting, participated by all these firms, the Joint Director informs, was held on 06 Oct 2010.

High-yielding cows distributed to beneficiaries in Bhusuk

SPEAKER URGES PEOPLE TO PURSUE SELF-RELIANT PRODUCER STATUS
GANGTOK, 06 Feb: Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly, KT Gyaltsen, has urged people, especially beneficiaries who receive direct aid from the government, to leverage this assistance and the other opportunities created in the State to become self-reliant producers and abandon consumer/ dependent lifestyles.
Mr Gyaltsen was speaking at a function organised by the Animal Husbandry Department at Bhusuk near the capital here yesterday. Mr. Gyaltsen also happens to be the area MLA.
He stressed that the State government was working towards providing various benefits to the people right at their doorsteps in the hope that this would leave the people free of basic worries so that they could concentrate on establish self-reliance at the individual and community level. These programmes like the distribution of milching cows at Bhusuk yesterday, were in fulfilment of promises made by the Sikkim Democratic Front in its election manifesto and were guided by the Chief Minister’s vision for the State, he said.
He also directed the beneficiaries to use the distributed cows to supplement their incomes on a regular and sustainable basis and not sell the cows for instant cash returns which would defeat the purpose behind the initiative.
Speaking on the potential of the area, Mr Gyaltsen shared details of various upcoming developmental projects and activities in Syari constituency.
Earlier, Joint Director [East], AH&VS, Dr RK Tamang, informed that the cows were being distributed as part of the Dairy Mission launched by the State government. For the Syari constituency, cows have been brought in from the hill belt of West Bengal and provided to 40 beneficiaries.
Deputy Director [East], Dr. Sangay Dorjee Bhutia, in turn, shared the various difficulties faced by him and the team to bring these cows into the State and urged the beneficiaries to take proper care of these cows.
He informed that of the 40 high milk yielding cows brought for beneficiaries in Syari constituency, 20 were to general beneficiaries under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yojana and 20 to beneficiaries from the Scheduled Tribes, under the Tribal Sub-Plan.
[SAGAR CHHETRI]

SNPP wants President to constitute committee to study and evaluate abidance of Tripartite Agreement and Constitutional soundness of Merger

GANGTOK, 06 Feb: The Sikkim National People’s Party [SNPP] has written to the President of India, calling on her office to institute a committee to look into how the guiding principles of Sikkim-India relations, as codified in the Tripartite Agreement of 08 May 1973, study in detail what the SNPP sees as violation of the letter and spirit of this Agreement and then make adequate recommendations “so that the merger of Sikkim with the Union of India is never questioned again”.
Addressing a press conference here today, the SNPP president, Biraj Adhikari, contended that the memorandum has been submitted on behalf of the Sikkimese people, and that it draws the attention of the President of India to what claims are “failings of the Constitutional arrangements for Sikkim”, as well as the violation of the Tripartite Agreement of 1973, the agreement which started the process of Sikkim’s association with the Union of India.
Sharing details of the memorandum, Mr. Adhikari informed that it states, “Despite the fact that the people willingly signed the agreement, the events leading up to the ‘merger’ which took place in 1975 seem more to define an annexation, and it would be an affront to the self respect of the Sikkimese people to continue calling it a merger without taking concrete steps to rectify the gaping holes in the administrative and constitutional arrangements which were devised to affect this merger”.
Reportedly, the letter also conveys the SNPP’s fears that “anomalies regarding constitutional provisions” could have a direct bearing on national security, as they leave scope for “interference by external agencies”.
Stating that prior to 1975, relations between Sikkim and the Government of India were guided by the Indo-Sikkim Treaty of 1950, which was taken out of the picture by the 36th amendment of the Indian Constitution formalising the merger, the memorandum adds that though the party “has yet to determine if the Parliament of India has the jurisdiction over an international treaty, it feels that forces inimical to Indian interests could use this as an excuse to foment unrest within Sikkim, which again shall have direct consequences for national security.”
Mr. Adhikari argued today that the arrangements of the merger have not stood the test of time and that violations of the Tripartite Agreement were becoming “increasingly apparent with the unchecked exploitation of Sikkim’s natural resources and the massive influx which is drowning the people in their own lands, despite the special provisions under Article 371f of the constitution, which prohibits such things.”
The memorandum adds, “Your Excellency may recall that in 1977, the then Prime Minister of India, Shri. Morarji Desai, had publicly acknowledged that what was done to Sikkim was “wrong”, and it is admissions like these and others- and to rectify which nothing has been done in the last three decades- which bring about a feeling of distrust, especially  among the educated young generation, which the party feels shall not be healthy in the long run. The party feels the statement above of the Prime Minister should be seen in the light of the guidelines adopted by the International Commission at its fifty-third session in 2001, regarding the Responsibility of the States for internationally Wrongful acts, and process for reparation of injury as per these guidelines be initiated, so that the self respect of the people is restored.”
Mr. Adhikari was accompanied to the press conference by the SNPP treasurer, Delay Namgyal Barfungpa, and appealed that the requested committee include Sikkimese representatives and be instituted “immediately with the seriousness which it deserves”.
[ANAND OBEROI]