GANGTOK, June 13: The State Cabinet met on June 8 in the Cabinet Hall here at the Tashiling Secretariat, which was chaired by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling.
Ministers and secretaries of all departments were present during the meeting.
A number of proposals of various Departments were approved and sanctioned during the meeting.
SOCIAL JUSTICE, EMPOWERMENT AND WELFARE DEPARTMENT
Proposal seeking confirmation of the administrative approval and financial sanction to transfer Rs. 25 Lakhs to the Sikkim Tribal Residential & Ashram Educational Institution Society for land acquisition / land compensation and construction of Eklavya Model Residential School for students of Scheduled Tribes at Gangyap, Tashiding under 100 percent Central grant was approved and sanctioned.
FOREST, ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
Proposal seeking administrative approval and financial sanction of Rs. 36 lakhs and to utilize Rs. 16.20 lakhs out of this amount which had been released already by NEC as the first installment for the development of Eco-Tourism in Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary, West Sikkim. The Cabinet approved the proposal and sanctioned the said amount. However the Cabinet directed the construction activities should be strictly eco-tourism friendly, and blend with the environment. There should be minimum use of rods, cement, GCI sheets and local materials should be preferably used, the meeting directed.
ROADS AND BRIDGES DEPARTMENT
The Cabinet has approved the proposal to start a fresh tender process for the construction of an Airport at Pakyong, East Sikkim, on P.P.P. basis in due rejection of all previous offers received by the Department. The proposal to engage a Consultant to frame the terms and condition, was rejected for putting the work to fresh tender at Global/National level by the Cabinet.
TOURISM DEPARTMENT
The proposal seeking administrative approval and financial sanction for the development of Trekking Trail to Bhaley Dunga from Yangang and other infrastructures in South Sikkim at the cost of Rs.115.07 lakhs was approved by the cabinet and the said amount sanctioned. The proposal seeking administrative approval and financial sanction for the development of Lepcha Heritage Centre at Satam, Yangang, in South Sikkim for Rs. 247 lakhs was also approved and sanctioned.
The Cabinet also approved the proposal seeking en-bloc sanction and confirmation of the sanction for transfer of fund to Water Security and Public Health Engineering Department, Government of Sikkim for providing water supply for the Growth Centre at Samlik Marchak amounting for Rs. 3.20 crores with the proviso that only Rs. 64 Lakhs would be transferred in the Current Financial Year as mentioned in the Cabinet memorandum No.145/DI dated 23.5.2007.
The proposal seeking administrative approval and financial sanction for the release of an advance of Rs. 1 crore to the Mani-choekorling Development–cum-Managing Committee who is undertaking the project for construction of giant statue of Lord Buddha and other amenities including an approach road, garden, etc. at Ravangla, South Sikkim was approved.
RURAL MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
The proposal seeking administrative approval for the change in the location of the work on Augmentation & Extension of Rural Water Supply Scheme at Lower Wok under Wok Constituency sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs.5,00,000 to Block Tar in Rayong Tinkitam under Wok Constituency at the same costs was approved during the meeting.
ENERGY & POWER DEPARTMENT
The Department’s proposal seeking administrative approval of the ‘Draft Agreement between the Government of West Bengal and Government of Sikkim for the development of 120 MW Rammam State – III’ was approved.
FOREST, ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
The Cabinet approved and sanctioned funds for the work of Catchment area treatment of Teesta Stage – V for Rs. 760.29 Lakhs and also sanctioned en-block approval and confirmation of the expenditure already incurred beyond the approved project cost of Rs. 464.36 lakhs.
COMMERCE AND INDUSTRIES DEPARTMENT
The proposal seeking administrative approval and financial sanction to release Rs. 70 Lakhs (Rs. 50 lakhs under Plan and Rs. 20. lakhs under Non-Plan) for the first six months to Sikkim Khadi Village and Industries Board as Grant-in-Aid has been approved.
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT (MOTOR VEHICLES DIVISION)
The Cabinet approved the proposal seeking approval to introduce luxury tourist vehicles (motor cab), as per the provisions of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 and the Sikkim Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules 2007 which are to be registered under SK-06 series to give a separate identity. It has been directed that priority should be given to the educated unemployed local youths and the department should ensure that the applicant has garage provision before issuing the permit. Further, the Drivers should be physically fit and able to communicate in English and Hindi languages and the operation age of the vehicles should be mentioned.
FINANCE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE DEPARTMENT (IT & CT)
The proposal seeking approval to levy 12.5 % VAT on ‘tobacco other than biris and raw tobacco’ by amending the Schedule I and V of the Sikkim Value Added Tax Act, 2005 approved.
LABOUR DEPARTMENT
The draft of ‘The Sikkim Labour Protection (Amendment) Rules, 2007’ duly amending the Sikkim Labour Protection Rules, 2006 has been approved.
ROADS AND BRIDGES DEPARTMENT
The Cabinet sanctioned Rs. 9,50,00,000 for the work of widening, upgradation of pavement & drainage system along the Rangpo – Duga – Pandam Road (Nahakul Pradhan Marg) KM 1st to 15th in East Sikkim under CSS (MORTH) and approved to accept the lowest tendered rate of 32.86 % above the tender value.
SOCIAL JUSTICE, EMPOWERMENT AND WELFARE DEPARTMENT
The proposal seeking administrative approval and financial sanction for the construction of Class III Quarter at Lachen Secondary School, North Sikkim at an estimated cost of Rs. 30, 90,000 was approved and the amount sanctioned.
The Cabinet also considered and approved the proposal of the department to deploy the Dauphin N3, 9-seater Helicopter in the State. The department was directed to submit proposal to the government for allowing the use of Helicopter for Government servants and for commercial use throughout the State.
Sikkim Served Fresh Daily
