NIC Sikkim preparing a report for connecting jails with courts

Gangtok (UNI) The Sikkim unit of National Informatics Centre (NIC) is preparing a project report to connect the two state jails with the courts with video conferencing facilities. If the project is given the nod, Rongey jail in east district and Namchi jail in south district would be connected with video conferencing facilities with district and sessions court and chief judicial magistrate. Each court would have exclusive video conferencing at separate date and time and a total of 10 video conferencing links are proposed to be provided.The state prison administrator had requested NIC to prepare the project report.According to NIC sources, the video conferencing facility is expected to cost around Rs 2.5 crore.This video conferencing facility will allow criminal and their lawyers to present their arguments before the court while remaining within the confines of the prison. Escape attempts by criminals while transportation from jail to court and back will also be prevented with this new measure.NIC officials here said that the project can be completed in a year upon given consent. NIC has already set up video conferencing facilities in all the four district collectorate offices, Chief Minister’s residence and has its own such arrangement at its office in Gangtok.

Buddhist monks pray for Sikkim's sake

Gangtok (Sikkim): It's been one month since the beginning of a hunger strike against the 22 hydel power projects in Sikkim. There's been no response from the government yet, but activists in Gangtok are now getting support from unexpected quarters -- through prayers.
Says a Buddhist monk, Sonam Paljor, "When the river is diverted like, when the rocks are drilled, when the trees are cut, then it is our responsibility as Buddhist monks to pray. Our prayers start: may there be enlightenment of all beings."
These prayers are part of an attraction that draws tourists from across the world, but this , the lamas of Sikkim are praying for an entirely different cause.
These are prayers in the time of crisis, prayers they believe will save the wonderful land called Sikkim.
It's not the first time that Buddhist monks are supporting the cause. They have protested against hydel projects in Sikkim earlier too and successfully.
" We were able to bring a lot of awareness and stop the West Rathonghchu project. Sikkim is a place for meditation," says Sonam Paljor.
This time too, the monks are optimistic that their prayers and smiles will stop the hydel power projects especially the eight projects in Dzongu, the heart of their sacred land in the lap of the Kanchanjunga mountain.

Khecheopalri Lake of Sikkim

Khecheopalri Lake


Enveloped by green forest-laden hills, west Sikkim's small Khecheopalri Lake is sacred to Hindus and Buddhists alike. Many prayer flags surround the water. Local legend says that holy birds scoop away any leaves that may drift onto this revered lake.

How to Get There
Infrequent buses travel to Khecheopalri Lake from several nearby towns such as Pelling. A more convenient way to get here is via share-jeep.

How to Get Around
You walk around the lake. Share-jeeps are also available.AttractionsThe waterfall-fed Khecheopalri Lake is the area's star attraction and is a delightfully calm place to visit.

Every March/April (the dates vary from year to year), the "Butter Lamp Festival" takes place at this lake, which, as the name suggests, involves the floating of butter lamps.If you've got a couple of hours to spare, walk up to the little Khecheopalri Gompa, picturesquely situated above the lake.
Places to Stay and Eat
You can do both at the Khecheopalri Trekkers Hut, which has cheap dorm beds and private rooms (with communal bathrooms) that are clean and comfortable. The owners are helpful, and meals are available. Located 656 feet (200 meters) from Khecheopalri Lake.Also, a few simple snack stalls line the lake itself.For More InformationPelling Tourist Office Middle Pelling, Pelling; no phone.
Pelling, Sikkim, Information

Panaan Hydro Project Supporters Gather at Samman Bhawan,Gangtok

सरकारद्वारा जङ्घुको पवित्रता अक्षुण्ण राख्ने वचन

Gangtok, July21:In defiance of call given by CLOS President Gyatso Lepcha, a massive procession of supporters for Hydel Projects in North Sikkim including Panaan Project from Dzongu and other surrounding areas of North Sikkim marched to Gangtok and gathered near residence of Chief Minister who later met them in a meeting at Sammaan Bhawan. The supporters comprising 90% of Dzongu land owners and people from all walks of life displayed their open support to Government of Sikkim in their endeavour to carry-out sustainable economic development through setting up of series of projects to harness hydro electric power of Tees ta river in north Sikkim region including Dzongu.

Earlier North District official confirmed that landowners affected by the Panaan Hydel Project were indeed marching to Gangtok in strength to express their support for the proposed hydel project.This was probably done in response to the recent press conference arranged by CL OS in Gangtok during which it introduced to local media landowners from Dzongu who were opposed to the project and made a statement that these land owners were hood winked by local leaders and District Administration in North Sikkim into agreeing to sell their land for the project.

Dzongu MLA who organised today's rally of supporters despite CLOS expressing its concern over political pro-hydel procession later addressed the gathering after many of land owners and many other North Sikkim people openly spoke in favour of project and welcomed whole heatedly Chief Minister Pawan Chamling's efforts to economically develop the region.

The gathering at Sammaan Bhawan of pro-hydel supporters was addressed by Dzongu MLA, Health Minister Hissay Lachungpa.

And later also by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling who assured all present that nothing would be done to harm the traditions and way of living of lepcha people as Government would at all cost preserve sanctity of Dzongu.The chief minister and other speakers all accused ACT of being anti-development and that the hunger strike was being instigated by the opposition parties.

He said that Government would implement the hydel projects in the interests of state and its people and would not give it up due to political pressure of opposition who are misguiding young minds. He also said that government would not hesitate to take legal actions against employees who are openly associating with protests against policies of government.He expressed his displeasure over national media's highlighting of only one side of these projects .

Meanwhile the state government has disbursed compensation to the Project Affected People of the Teesta Stage V mega hydel project. Several houses in the Rakdong Tintek and Khamdong areas have suffered damages due to the 18 km tunnel being dug by NHPC.The implementation of the relief and rehabilitation package for the Stage V PAP is also on in full swing. ‘Several families have already got their due LPG connections while others are being processed,’ it was reported in the papers today

Aussie pet lovers campaign for stray canines in Gangtok

GANGTOK: Animal lovers from Australia today urged the state government officials and the police to protect stray dogs. Mr EN Doglers, project director of Vet Beyond Border, an Australia-based organisation for protection of animals, held a meeting with the state animal husbandry department and police officials at a hotel here today.Talking to reporters, Mr Doglers who led the Australian team, said: "As part of population control measures, stray dogs should be sterilised and not killed."The Australians' call assumes significance in the light of the fact that a large number of stray dogs were recently killed by the police in the state. Mr Akshay Sachdeva, DIG, Range, said: "We were compelled to kill the stray dogs as they had made lives miserable for the people here. The population of stray dogs had alarmingly increased in the state.”

Mortal Remains of S.W.Tenzing Assigned to Flame

Gangtok:The last rites of late former Chief Secretary and Advisor to Government of Sikkim S.W.Tenzing were held at the Penlong cremation ground on yesterday on July20.
Hundreds of mourners,including State Government officials attended late Mr.Ten zing's funeral which was declared as state holiday in respect of departed soul.
Mr.Tenzing passed away on July17 following a massive heart attack.He had retired earlier this year as an advisor to the state government.

Sikkim Cast its Votes in Favour of First Woman President of India

Vice President BS Shekhawat resigns

New Delhi, July 21 (IANS) The counting for the coveted post of President of India is finally over and UPA-candidate Pratibha Patil is officially now the first woman Head of State. Pratibha Patil took an early lead when she bagged 223 votes in Andhra Pradesh, a huge lead over NDA-backed independent candidate Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. With the UPA-Left combine solidly backing her, her victory has been a foregone conclusion for sometime now.

When the counting of votes in 14 states was completed, Patil had won 233,884 votes leaving Vice President Shekhawat, an independent candidate backed by the opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA), with 156,186 votes.The legislators in Kerala, Mizoram and Tripura voted only for Patil as Shekhawat drew a blank in both the states. It was a sweep for Patil in her home state Maharashtra, where she won the support of 223 MLAs leaving 58 for Shekhawat.It was a similar story in Haryana with her getting 74 to Shekhawat's 6, Himachal Pradesh (47-20), Manipur (55-5), Meghalaya (49-6) Andhra Pradesh (223-2), Arunachal Pradesh (58-1), Assam (92-20, four votes were invalid), Jharkhand (49-28) Delhi (50-19), Goa (25-14), Nagaland (40-12), Sikkim (31-1) and Tamil Nadu (171-59).

According to early information, Patil has won more votes than her Congress party expected. She is supported by the UPA, Left and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).The counting began at 11 a.m. in Room No. 62 of the parliament building where 692 MPs registered their votes Thursday.The ballot boxes from the 30 assembly houses across the country have been brought to the national capital for counting. According to parliament sources, the Election Commission is doing the counting according to the alphabetical order of the states.While Patil is expected to get more than 600,000 votes from the electoral college, Shekhawat may get around 300,000.The new president, to succeed A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, will be sworn in on July 25.

President Abdul Kalam gives away Rank and Bolt awards

President APJ Abdul Kalam on Wednesday gave away the “Rank and Bolt” awards to teachers and students who had emerged winners after competing at the state levels.The National Bolt award for teachers was won by Mr Brian Neil Aallang of Meghalaya while the national Rank award was bagged by Arunachal Pradesh student Chau Thoomten.

Sikkim's Jiwan Rai of Tadong SS School was one of the runners- up in the teachers’ category and Tshering Lhamu Bhutia,an ex-student of Tashi Namgal Academy also received runners-up award in student category for Sikkim. Ms. Bhutia is presently pursuing B.Com Honors from Bhawanipore College, Kolkatta."I would say I am one of the fortunate few who got this lifetime opportunity to meet such a great human being in person and receive the award from him.He has inspired much in me and my responsibility to be part of his vision 2020,"she said.

The awards were instituted by public sector Air India and English weekly The Week. Sikkim Express sponsored the events in Sikkim.Speaking after handing over the awards, the President said he was happy that the innovative venture, with the objective of developing responsible and active citizens and promoting a clean environment, was taken up.“This I consider an important programme which will facilitate capacity building among the youth and motivate teachers for their new initiative. Students and teachers are important participants in our national development missions”, he added.

“The primary focus of the students should be to excel in their studies. This is their first contribution to the development of the nation. The education system should instill in the minds of students capacities of inquiry, creativity, technology, entrepreneurial and moral leadership”.Referring to the contribution of teachers, Dr Kalam said to enable development of youth first and foremost, the teacher’s love for teaching was essential, with teaching as the soul of the teacher.“The teacher must realise that they are responsible for shaping not just students but ignited youth who are the most powerful resource under the earth, on the earth and above the earth. With their full commitment to the great mission of teaching, the teacher transforms himself or herself as a great teacher only when he or she is capable of elevating the average student to high performance. The teacher conducting himself or herself in a noble way itself is a lifetime message for students”.Speaking on the occasion, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel stressed the importance of corporate social governance and added that corporates and PSUs should take up social responsibility. AI, he said, had always come to the country’s help be it evacuation of Indians in Kuwait, tsunami victims etc.

Sikkim University VC Mahendra P.Lama felicitated

Darjeeling: Dr. Mahendra P Lama and Dr. Sunita Pradhan were felicitated at Gymkhana, Darjeeling by Nagarik Suraksha Samiti. Dr. Mahendra P Lama, the Vice Chancellor of proposed Sikkim Central University, recommended by president of India and Dr. Sunita Pradhan has researched on Red Panda.

Dr. Mahendra P Lama circled the town in an open jeep, accepting greetings from the people. Students from various schools accompanied the procession with traditional Nepali music.

‘Cliche-wrapped’ chowkidar attire for Prashant Tamang upsets hills

Gangtok,July 20: “Hum bolega to bologe ke bolta hai…” sang Prashant Tamang, and the hills erupted once again.
But it wasn’t in applause for the local boy who has made it to the last 10 of Sony’s Indian Idol contest.
The Gorkha community from Darjeeling to Sikkim — which has been voting en masse for Tamang and even holding rallies in his support — was furious the Calcutta police constable was made to dress up as a chowkidar for the song telecast last night.
“This has humiliated the entire Gorkha community. Does the channel want to send a message that Gorkhas are only meant to be chowkidars?” asked Tenzing Khambachay, commissioner of a Darjeeling municipality ward, voicing a grouse the community has long held.
Hill residents hoisted black flags at Darjeeling Chowrasta when Calcutta police orchestra — where Tamang is the lead singer — performed to drum up support for their colleague. Protest posters surfaced across the hills and residents wore black armbands through the day.
“Such crass stereotyping of our community must be challenged and countered,” said Tshering Topgyal, a Kalimpong resident who had organised a vote-for-Prashant rally a few weeks ago.
Tamang was enacting Pran’s role in the 1974 film Kasauti, where Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini play the sahib and memsahib to whom he sings. Two other Indian Idol contestants played Amitabh and Hema in the spoof.
The row over Gorkha typecasting comes soon after a Delhi police booklet for Northeast students was found to reinforce stereotypes.
“How many times do we have to prove ourselves?” asked Darjeeling MLA Pranay Rai. It was because of incidents like these that the hill people had to struggle for their identity — a reference to the Gorkhaland agitation — he said.
The hills have been following with pride the progress of the first local boy in the contest, and voting away furiously. In Indian Idol, which is in its third edition, the fate of contestants depends on the number of audience votes they can poll after each round.
Last month, hill residents had turned violent when SMSes they had sent didn’t reach Sony.
Tamang needn’t worry that the text messages will dry up after the chowkidar act, which sources close to him said he had been unwilling to do.
“It is now time for the hill people to cast as many votes as possible,” said Khambachay, who wondered why Tamang could not have been asked to play the policeman he is.
Stray voices of protest against the youth did rise. “Under no circumstances should he have agreed to do last night’s episode. We have been voting for him because we believed he was one of us. He has let us down,” said Jyoti Karki, a community leader in Kalimpong, who wants him to walk out of the show.
But others appealed to the hills to vote for Tamang with greater vigour. A meeting in Gangtok passed a resolution to continue supporting him.
“Many people have felt angry and hurt with Prashant because of the way he was dressed for the episode. We appeal to them all to continue to vote for him because he was compelled to do so by the channel. We will take up the issue with Sony, said Kishore Moktan, the convener of the Sikkim Journalists’ Forum.
MLA Rai wanted an unconditional apology from the channel.
But a Sony spokesperson in Mumbai said: “It wasn’t our intention to hurt anyone’s sentiments. He was dressed to suit the song. Some weeks back, another contestant, Abhishek, had dressed as a Tamilian to suit the song he was singing. We see nothing wrong in it.”

Indica Car Falls Below 600 ft Near Namchi

Namchi:A red indica Car belonging to Suren Rai an employee of RMDD,Namchi met with an accident near Debrung Golai while on its way to Namchi from Damthang last night.The vehicle was recovered from around 600 ft below the roadside.

Sikkim Police sources informs that Mr.Rai himself was behind the wheels when the accident took place and has sustained grievous injuries and has been referred to Siliguri.

The cause of accident has not been yet established and case is under investigation.

Eminent Persons Lecture Series Begins In Sikkim

SHYAM SARAN TO BE FIRST EMINENT PERSON TO LECTURE IN SIKKIM

Gangtok:The first in the Eminent Persons Lecture Series as promised by the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling sometime back starts with a Lecture from Shyam Saran,Prime Minister's Special Envoy and former foreign Secretary to Government of India , who is scheduled to deliver lecture on "Role of Border States in India's Foreign Relations & Regional Economic Cooperation" on Monday 23 July at 11.15a.m. at Chintan Bhawan ,Gangtok.

A press release issued by the IPR department informs that occasion will be attended by the Chief Minister of Sikkim Dr.Pawan Chamling as the Chief Guest and all members of the public and Media are invited.

The programme will commence with the welcome address by Secretary IPR,followed by the address of Chief Minister.The Keynote address than will be presented by the Mr.Saran,after which an inter-active session will be follow,to be co-ordinated by Vice-Chancellor,Central University of Sikkim Prof Mahendra P. Lama

DAY 31: ACT Submits 7 points Appeal to Chief Minister of Sikkim

GOVT. OF SIKKIM : Withdraw Hunger Strike So demands CanbeExamined in a month.

photo: Chief Secretary,Government of Sikkim

Gangtok:Today marks the beginning of 31st day that Dawa Lepcha and Tenzing Lepcha have gone hungry to impress upon the government of the need to scrap the different hydel projects coming up in North Sikkim and elsewhere in Sikkim. Dawa and Tenzing are at STNM Hospital while the rest of hunger-strikers are continuing the relay hunger strike at BL House located at TibetRoad ,Gangtok.

A flicker of light was beginning to glow with the statement of Chief Minister of Sikkim Dr.Pawan Chamling earlier this week during review meeting at the conference hall of the Tashiling secretariat that sacred Dzongu must be preserved and "the sanctity of Dzongu has to be protected at any cost" and same was further reinforced through a letter addressed yesterday to ACT by Chief Secretary of Government of Sikkim who called ACT to withdraw their hunger strike to create a positive environment for further dialogue and discussions on concerns put forward by ACT and its members.The Chief Secretary,it may be recalled,chairs the high power committee authorised recently by the Chief Minister to open talks with ACT to resolve the stand-off resulting in indefinite hunger-strike by members of ACT

Meanwhile in another development , NEAA has dismissed appeal of ACT against Teesta III.

ACT in their appeal had contended that the Public Hearing was not adequately publicized and that the Public Hearing Panel was not constituted according to EIA Notification and the Public hearing itself was ‘characterised by threatening speeches, accusations and denial of free and fearless democratic participation of the affected people’. Even DVD copies of Public Hearing proceedings had been supplied as documentary evidence.

ACT can now appeal to the Supreme Court against the orders of the NEEA.

Day 30 of hunger strike at BL House also witnessed more support to ACT , Twenty One Land Owners arrived from Dzongu to extend support and express solidarity with ACT and the Members on hunger strike. These Land owners are from Sakyong-Pentong, where the Panan hydel project in Dzongu is scheduled to come up.

A Lepcha"MUN" (Devi, faith healer..) was also seen calling the divine powers to bless and pray for the well-being of young hunger strikers.

Sikkim & Darjeeling Hills Turning Into Hot Zone

Rapid urbanisation and depletion of forest cover are contributing factors to global warming. Sikkim & hilly zones in North Bengal are worst affected.

Gangtok& Darjeeling:A RECENT study shows that Darjeeling — a hill station — has turned into an uncomfortably hot zone. According to data available with the North Bengal University’s weather station, the Queen of the Hills has undergone a remarkable change by way of annual temperatures in comparison with the situation till a few years back.A century ago the mean annual temperature of this town was recorded as 13.45 degrees Celsius. Now it is 14.5 degrees Celsius, according to the weather station. Moreover, the rise in temperatures in the hills is twice that in the plains. In the plains of North Bengal, which comprise five districts, the average rise is five degrees Celsius.Again, the temperature jump in Jalpaiguri has gone from 23.9 degrees Celsius to 24.45 degrees Celsius, Cooch Behar from 23.90 degrees Celsius to 24.50 degrees Celsius and Malda from 25.75 degrees Celsius to 26.20 degrees Celsius.While global warming is said to be the major cause and obvious reason for the rise in mercury levels in this hill station, a number of other local factors have contributed to the menace.Urbanisation and depletion of forest cover are the two important reasons. One of the immediate effects of global warming in the hilly areas is the soil condition – and soil is losing moisture rapidly.In recent years, Siliguri town has witnessed massive urbanisation characterised by a population growth of about 49 per cent and vehicular growth of 79 per cent. These have contributed to the steady rise in temperature. It is intriguing that Siliguri, in recent years, has shown a temperature hovering around 39-40 degrees Celsius in August. Ironically, Siliguri used to be compared with Cherapunji — that perennial rainfall zone in the North-east. Now it experiences a temperature graph similar to Delhi. Relative to the 1860-1900 period, global land and sea temperatures have increased by 75 degrees Celsius. Based on the estimates by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, 2005 was the warmest year since the late 1800s. Sikkim is no exception and experienced a warmer winter in 2005. What continues to surprise local inhabitants is that the temperature in Sikkim has refused to drop and mountain peaks and the upper ridges have not seen any snowfall. Clear blue skies and sunny weather dominated Sikkim last winter. Surprisingly, there was no significant rainfall during winter.The temperature recorded this year was one degree Celsius above normal. Such higher temperatures are attributed to the lack of several disturbances. Normally, Sikkim experiences snowfall, particularly in the mountain peaks, during winter but is has been conspicuous by its absence in recent years. The lowest temperature recorded on 28 December 2004 was 5.6 degrees Celsius while the temperature in the corresponding period shot up to 6.7 degrees Celsius. In 2004, Sikkim experienced eight days of winter rain but there was not much rainfall in 2005. Not surprisingly, the upper reaches that are usually covered in snow are no longer snowcapped peaks, even in winter. Rather, sporadic snowfall occurred in the Sikkim Himalayas. Sikkim witnessed a cold dry spell in 2005-2006, which is almost unprecedented. Such spells account for the lack of moisture on the grassy layer of topsoil, which could easily ignite and turn the forest into a virtual tinderbox. On 5 December 2005, 29 forest fires were reported from non-fire prone areas. East Sikkim was traditionally known as forest fire prone zone, yet it remained unharmed while West Sikkim bore the brunt of fire. This fire became visible from 1 December 2005 and flames were seen in Dzongu in North Sikkim. Most of the fire blazed in the steep rocky cliffs and destroyed ground grasses and minor flora.Again, a massive fire swept across the grassy highlands of Lachung in North Sikkim at an altitude of 10,000 feet, engulfing more than 300 hectares of biodiversity and its enormity led to the deployment of paramilitary forces. It also destroyed a lot of fauna. Thankfully, this blaze was prevented from spilling over into the famous Rhododendron Sanctuary at Yumthang, around 24 km from Lachung. The forest at Hegyathang in lower Dzongu, North Sikkim, also caught fire and this lasted for one week. Another huge fire erupted at Lasuney, adjacent to Dickchu. The village of Lausney will be threatened id such a blaze spills over the forest peak.With such incidents of forest fires coming up, the forest department has appealed to residents to be careful and support its effort to curb this menace. According to some sources, the shortage of manpower, infrastructure and funds have severely exposed the forest department and its efficiency and readiness in such calamities. “The total area under forest in Sikkim is 80 per cent with a lesser number of forest guards. It is a tough task to monitor such a huge expanse with such limited manpower,” says a senior forest official.But it is not just a problem of manpower or funds; there is a perceptible change in hill climate, which owes to the frequent destruction of forest cover. The only relief is that no major loss of wildlife or valuable flora has been reported. But one never knows, does one?

(Santanu Basu)

Thunder Miss Sikkim 2007

GANGTOK: The Rotary club of Tadong is set to organise the “Thunder Miss Sikkim 2007” contest here next month. According to the organisers, the beauty contest would help the female models from the state to prepare for the upcoming “Mega North East 2007” and the “Gladrags Miss India” contests. “The club is organising the contest for the first time in the state. We would shortlist the names of the 20 finalists soon,” said the president of the club. “The main objective behind organising the event is to help the youngster to shine in the field of modelling,” he added. The three winners of the beauty contest would get an opportunity to participate in the “Mega North East 2007” contest to be held in Guwahati. “The winners would also get a chance to participate in the Miss India contest,” the organisers, said. “To qualify for the national and regional level beauty contests, it is necessary for the female models from the state to first participate in a state level competition. The upcoming Miss Sikkim contest would help the female models a lot,” they said. The organisers are planning to hire judges from different places of the region, including Darjeeling, Sikkim and the North-eastern states. “Judges would be hired from outside the state for the final round. In preliminary rounds, we would hire five local judges,” Mr Rakesh Somani, a member of the organising committee, said. The organisers would charge an entry fee of Rs 200 from each participant.

NJP & Darjeeling on indian railway radar

PHOTO: IRCTC food plaza at New Jalpaiguri station.

Siliguri: Good news for visitors to the region.
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), in partnership with a Delhi-based developer group, will build budget hotels at Darjeeling and New Jalpaiguri (NJP) stations.
The IRCTC had floated tenders seeking expression of interest from private firms to build budget hotels in 20 towns across the country, including NJP, Darjeeling and Sealdah in Bengal.
All the hotels will be located close to the stations.
Zoom Royal Orchid Consortium, the Delhi-based developer group, bagged the contract to build 11 of these hotels, including the two in north Bengal (the others are at Chandigarh, Tirupathi, Nagpur, Agra, Pune, Bhopal, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Bikaner). The group will spend Rs 350 crore on the projects.
Both the hotels in this region will be built on the station campus, said Alex George, who is handling public relations for Zoom. “At NJP, the hotel will be constructed over 4,225 square metres and will have 100 rooms. The one in Darjeeling will have 20 rooms over 570 square metres,” he said. The projects costs will be Rs 12.23 crore and Rs 2.20 crore respectively.
George added that work on both the hotels is likely to start by the first week of September. “Architects have been finalised and we await approvals from the authorities concerned,” he said. “All 11 projects are expected to be completed within 18 months.”
IRCTC officials said the room tariff and other details were yet to be finalised.
“Nine other hotels will be built by two major realtors of Mumbai. The sites have been selected on the basis of the volume of passenger traffic and importance of stations located close to tourism sites,” an IRCTC official said.
Among the other sites are Secunderabad, Madurai, Vijayawada, Ooty, Rameshwaram, Jaisalmer and Kanyakumari, he added.
This is the third IRCTC project in north Bengal. Earlier, they had opened a food plaza at NJP station and an office in Siliguri, from where people can charter trains of all three gauges, including the Toy Train.

Sikkim South & West districts out of bounds

Photo: The uprooted tree at Dhajey that has blocked the Rabongla-Namchi road

Rabongla (South Sikkim), July 19: More than 15 landslips on state highways have cut off South and West Sikkim from the rest of the state.
Rabongla in South district, 65km from Gangtok, remains inaccessible from all sides even as heavy rain continue to fall in the hill state. The Singtam-Rabongla road has seen as many as 11 landslips while the Namchi-Rabongla route via Damthang has been closed because of an uprooted tree. The mudslip at 5th Mile, Samdruptse, on the Damthang-Namchi road was a major one and it will take some time to clear the debris, district officials said.
Many of the agencies maintaining the routes said they were facing labour shortage. “There are so many landslides. In addition to that, there are not enough mud removing machines and bulldozers,” said a state government official.
Gyalshing, the West district headquarters, remains cut off because of landslides near Tashiding Fatak, close to Legship. Debris from the hill side accumulated at Kalej Khola has blocked the Legship-Jorethang route. Similar is the condition of the Rabongla-Yangang route because of a massive landslide near Pathing.
In East Sikkim, damage to houses and property was reported from Central Pendam and Khamdong constituencies. A house was flattened at Bhurung Gaon in Central Pendam while 13 others have been declared unsafe.
Block development officer (BDO) of Duga Robin Sewa said the entire village of Bhurung has sunk about 1.5 feet. Officials from the state mines and geology department have also visited the area.
More than 20 houses have been damaged in Khamdong constituency in East Sikkim. One house was partially washed away in Beng Khamdong, while 27 houses in Dung Dung, Thasa, Simik Aritar, Lingzey and Thangshing villages have been declared unsafe.
The roads to Khamdong also remain closed with landslides at three places. According to the BDO of Khamdong, Karma Loday Lepcha, relief will be provided to families which have been shifted to safer locations.

CLOS: Panan Land Owners Supports ACT

Gangtok: In a press release by Gyatso Lepcha, President of CLOS(Concerned Lepchas of Sikkim), Mr Lepcha stated that many of the mentioned land owners had given their consent unknowlingly. He further stated that most of the elderly landowners had been misled with false assurances by the Panchayat members and the power companies and made to sign on black papers on the pretext that they would be provided with housing grants, GCI sheets, and toilets etc!, roads leading to villages and homes and also promises of parchas (legal ownership document) of Forest land in exchange for the land they were to part with !The other members there stated that the public hearing had not been conducted legally since many of the people had been forcefully stopped from attending it. They also stated that the hill where the power house is coming up is sacred, like the hot spring located at the site of the power project and that since 1990 there was been opposition to the power projects. Further, they appealed to bring attention to Notification-3069 of 1950 which establishes Dzongu as a protected area of the state and that whether such old laws of Sikkim which are protected by Article 371 F of the Constitution of India had been amended in view of the present need for the developmental projects of hydel dams there.

The ACT appeal against Teesta Stage III dismissed by NEAA

Gangtok: The National Environmental Appellate Authority(NE AA) has rejected the appeal filed by the ACT against the Environment Impact Assessment and the Public hearing held for the Teesta Hydro Electric Project stage III.

In a decision pronounced on July05,2007, a three member bench of the Authority concluded that Contentions of ACT against the EIA and Public Hearing cannot be accepted and observed further that the Comprehensive Environment Monitoring Plan (EMP) and Rehabilitation Measures proposed in the management plans and R&R package strengthen the arguments of the respondents.

"This Authority has therefore decided to reject the prayers of the Appellant". The appeal, is accordingly,disallowed."

The order copies of which were released by the political advisor to CM K.T.Gyaltsen today reads:

ACT has approached NE AA in September 2006 with an appeal against the Environment clearance granted for Stage III by the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF).

The National Environment Appellate Authority has been established to hear appeals against orders granting environmental clearance. The Authority was established vide notification on 9Th April, 1997 after the enactment of the National Environment Appellate Authority Act.The Authority has a chairperson, vice-chairperson and can have up to three members. While the chairperson has to be a person who has been a judge of the Supreme Court or a Chief Justice of a High Court.The National Environment Appellate authority is a very important initiative in our quest for sustainable development and the preservation of our ecology and natural resources. The provides a greater voice to citizens in the adjudication of matters pertaining to the environment. The appeal rules for the authority have already been notified.

Filed on behalf of the ACT by its general secretary Dawa Lepcha, who is currently on hunger strike protesting hydel projects in North Sikkim.The appeal had listed the union of India,Government of Sikkim,State Pollution Control Board-Sikkim,and Project developersTeesta Urja Ltd as respondents.

The appeal was argued on three points:

• that the Environment Impact Assessment was 'inadequate and against the provisions of EIA notification 1994'



• that the Executive summary of the project and the EIA Report were not made available to the Public
  


• that the Public Hearing Conducted by the SP CB was 'faulty"
  

Based on these,ACT had prayed to Authority

• that Environment Clearance given to the project be stayed;
  


• that order issued to have the EIA revised taking into account relevant factors and providing complete information about the geological investigation
  
• that an order declaring the Public hearing held on 08June2006 be declared null and void
  

The case was heard over eight sittings, last held on May18,2007. The Ministry of Environment& Forests ,contesting the suggestion that no cumulative study had been conducted on the impact of six hydel projects envisioned on Teesta, placed that while granting Environment Clearance for Stage V in 1999 itself,the MoEF had stipulated that no other projects in Sikkim would be considered for environment clearance unless the carrying capacity study was completed.
Academically,such a study was undertaken by the Center for the Inter Disciplinary Studies of Mountains & Hill Environment(CISMHE),Delhi University.The expert committee of the MoEF considered the CISMHE Draft Report and based on their recommendation,the Ministry granted the Teesta stages III,IV,and VI , the Ministry disposed.

The ministry also clarified that the project developers would have to get their working designs cleared by the National Committee on Seismic Design Parameters,adding that the construction would also have to meet design specifications to protect against floods.

Considering the series of affidavits,counter-affidavits and rejoinders,the Appellant Authority accepted "the EIA Report has made a detailed examination of the geological conditions of the project areas and related aspects"

Going over the EIA Report and the Environment Management Plan for Teesta Stage III, the Authority has accepted that environment impact has been 'properly assessed'.

Amdo Golai Road Opened for Light Vehicles

Gangtok: On June13, huge boulders from a hill next to the traffic point at Amdo Golai came tumbling down on the bypass and blocking traffic along the route which was generally used by Siliguri-bound vehicles .

Today on July19 almost after45 days of work ,traffic along the Amdo Golai road was restored for light vehicles and a sigh of relief can be experienced from the faces of area residents, especially students and business community of Amdo Golai who were faced with loss of business due to road closure. The traffic could only be restored after special grade explosive were used to fragment the huge rocks without causing vibratory damages that often results from use of general explosive used in road-making by GREF /Border Road Organisation.

Heavy duty Vehicles and Trucks are still banned from the Amdo Golai Traffic Point till further order as per information received.

US Consulate Promotes Academic Collaboration with Sikkim

Gangtok: The Public Affairs Officer of American Center, Kolkatta Mr. Douglas G. Kelly accompanied by Ms. Karuna Singh Program Manager on visit to Sikkim in their address to the media persons at Press Club of Sikkim on July 18 about the US concerns on the protection and preservation of wildlife in the eastern Himalayas including North Eastern States at the time when the two Asian countries India and China are extending their trade relationships in the new changing global scenario.

Mr. Kelly while highlighting the purpose of his visit in Sikkim referred about the observation made by Steven Glister, Chief of party support Group, A S E A N Wildlife Environment Network, based in USA who had visited Sikkim recently and had series of meetings here with the environmentalists and the officials of Forest Department and extend co-operation to protect and conserve the flora and fauna of Sikkim. In the wake of trade with China through Nat hula boarder and Sikkim being in the location of a strategic boarder of India and again the climate of Sikkim is very unstable and fragile, the life of flora and fauna of Sikkim is at vulnerable point hence to protect the environment is utmost need of the time.There is need for protection of wildlife in a very systematic and scientific manner and hence US is concerned about the protection of the wildlife which is rich in Sikkim, Mr. Kelly said.

He also informed that due to border trade, there is every possibility of smuggling of valuable wildlife animals across the border. Referring to the observation of Glister, he said that there will be periodic discussion with the officials of forest for the sake of protection of wildlife animal of Sikkim. Director Kelly further said that his visit to Sikkim is to introduce the scope of study to the local students here in US universities and to find out the collaboration in the universities and colleges of the both countries in the days to come. “The main reason behind our Sikkim visit is to study the education standards in the state and offer help to the state’s educational institutions,” Mr Kelly, said. Mr Kelly who recently visited China, said: “The education standards in China are very high.”he said that he planned meeting with the students at Sikkim Government College, Tadong Sikkim Manipal University, Tadong and SMIT, Majitar on July 19 where he will deliberate about the scope of studies in US Universities. For any student, who desire to study in US, they can access the information easily or can avail information from American Centre, Kolkatta. He shared his experience about the people of China as he had worked in China earlier, stating that Chinese people are very anxious to know more about Indian people and culture and do trade and business. He praised the positive role of journalists of Sikkim about reporting the protection of environment and wildlife. He also presented books and magazine for the library use of Press club of Sikkim.

Sikkim Assembly Today for President of India Election

Gangtok: A special session of Sikkim Assembly will be held today on July19,2007 to enable its members and any other visiting MLA or M.P.from other Indian constituency to cast their ballot-papers for voting in election of President of India.
Sikkim Democratic Front is supporting UPA candidate Smt. Pratima Patil for the post of President of India.
In today's election ballot paper where a member has to mark '1' against the name of the candidate of his/her choice .With more than a dozen parties, accounting for over 6.32 lakh votes in the electoral college, supporting Pa til's candidature, the Congress is not worried about cross-voting. Instead, its prime concern is to ensure the ballots are marked properly. And it is not as easy as it may sound. The elector is supposed to mark '1' against his/her candidate's name. Putting a tick mark in the box, spelling out the number, rewriting, overwriting or slashing it would make the vote invalid. The value of an Uttar Pradesh MLA's vote is the highest at 208, and that of a Sikkim MLA's vote is the lowest at 7.

Today is billed as a proud and historic day for Indian women, as lawmakers prepare to vote on Thursday for the country's first ever female president. Patil, who campaigned in 21 states, did not go to her home state Maharashtra where the Shiv Sena is backing her. "What will happen to our Muslim vote if she is shown with Bal Thackeray," he asked. Battling BJP's charges of financial irregularities, the Congress ensured that in keeping with the EC's guidelines, Patil did not use any government machinery for campaigning. She flew in private jets, met MPs and MLAs in hotels or party offices and attended dinners — all bankrolled by the Congress

More Shower forecast spells fear

Photo: The damaged TLDP-IV site at Kalijhora.

Gangtok/Siliguri: The forecast of a heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours has left residents of north Bengal and Sikkim apprehensive, especially after Monday’s downpour triggered a series of landslides in the hills.
The deluge had turned the Teesta turbulent, sweeping away makeshift huts and machinery from the NHPC’s Teesta Low Dam Project (TLDP)-IV site at Kalijhora, 25km from here. Some of the machinery were traced to a spot near Sevoke, about 5km downstream.
A.K. Singh, the chief engineer of TLDP-IV, said the quality control lab at the site was also washed away. According to Singh, the usual volume of water flowing past the site is around 1,000 cusec. This had increased to 5,300 cusec yesterday, but came down to around 2,000 cusec today. “We will use cranes to pull out the machinery after the water recedes,” Singh said.
Traffic movement on NH 55 — connecting Siliguri to Darjeeling — has resumed.
Jalpaiguri Met office sources said there were chances of heavy rainfall throughout sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim in the next 24 hours. North Bengal Flood Control Commission has withdrawn the yellow alert on the Teesta.

International fair in Siliguri

Siliguri: The Indian Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) today finalised plans for the first international trade fair in Siliguri.
ITPO officials said a Second Eastern Himalayan Expo would be held at the Indira Gandhi Maidan here from December 21 to 27 this year.
This was announced after a meeting today with administrative officials and members of local trade bodies.
“Last year, we had organised a similar fair in Gangtok. This time we expect participation from different neighbouring countries, which will send exhibits to be sold here,” said Naseem Ishaque, the general manager of ITPO, this evening.
“We are not just confined to Delhi’s Pragati Maidan now and are spreading our arms to encourage trade across the country,” he added.
At the meeting, the project director of the District Rural Development Cell in Siliguri, Paritosh Roy, suggested that the state self-help group fair be held jointly with the international fair. ITPO officials have agreed to the proposal.

SIKKIM : Himalaya Sojourn Photo Gallery

O utside the city of Gangtok, Sikkim, 15-year-old monk Karma Yonten Phuntsok wanders the Lingdum Monastery all alone. "The other monks were away at a retreat," says photographer Steve Winter. "Young Phuntsok was, in effect, the keeper of the temple for the day. He was a bit shy but performed his duties with a calm demeanor."

T he name Gangtok, given to this capital of the Indian state of Sikkim, means "hilltop." This shot, taken outside the main market, shows a sloping topography crowded with buildings. Sikkim itself is a lofty, formerly independent kingdom between Nepal and Bhutan that is nestled in the shadows of the Himalaya. Elevations in Sikkim range from a thousand feet above sea level up to 28,000 feet. Though its population is mostly Hindu, Sikkim is noted for its numerous Buddhist monasteries.

A pprentice artist Urgen Bhutia puts the finishing touches on a painting at the Government Institute of Cottage Industries. This center, with a showroom where visitors can buy finished works, teaches young people a craft they can use to help make a living. "Bhutia paints beautiful tankas, which are traditional Tibetan paintings, that are sold at very good prices," says photographer Steve Winter. "Other handmade goods available when I was there included carpets, stuffed animals, woven scarves, and other clothes."

I shot this traditional Tibetan sacred text at the Tendong Lho Rum Faat, a festival celebrating the Lepcha culture in the town of Gyalshing in west Sikkim," says photographer Steve Winter. "Participants told me the text was over 200 years old and contains prayers of the Lepcha people." The Lepcha are the aboriginal inhabitants of Sikkim, with their own language and script.

{ Photographs by Steve Winter Text by Scott Stuckey}

PALZOR STADIUM OF GANGTOK

While tracing the history of Paljor Stadium it is indeed very difficult to ascertain it's origin. The old timers recall this flat piece of land being used by the Tibiten traders to station their herds of Sheep en-route to the plains of Sikkim and India.Originally the Paljor Stadium was popularly known as Polo Ground. Chogyal named it around 1943 possibly because Britishers and few members of aristocratic family of sikkim played polo ground. Around 1939 one of the Political Officers, Sir Basil Gould had sanctioned Rs. 3000 to the Forest Department and ordered that the grass demonstration farm be set up there. Kikuyu Grass from Africa and Venezuela grass were grown for the soil binding, The whole task was completed in April 1941. Paljor Stadium proved to be a major venue of all public meeting including those of Prime ministers and religious leaders. The ground as been hosting the Independence day and republic day celebrations and also all major atheistic events. It was on 24th July 1998 that a High Power state Committee constituted by the government took a decision to upgrade and renovate the existing Paljor Stadium. The project of redesigning and modernizing cost was around Rs. 30 Crores, out of which Rs. 15.36 Crores was from DONER contribution and remaining from the State coffer. The actual work took off in the year 2001. The modern look of the stadium was designed by M/S Archtech Consultant Pvt. Ltd., Kolkota and it's execution was assigned to Civil Engineers Enterprise Ltd. Kolkota. Initially the project was scheduled to be completed by March 2004, but owning the additional work the date was shifted to April 2005. The Paljor stadium being developed more as a Sports Complex, it is under the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs. After the completion of Pajor Stadium the dreams of taking sports to the next level is fulfilled. Sikkim will once again be featured in the map to host National and International football and other games. The state also hopes to channelize the energy of the youth towards sports. Many battles will be fought and won in this ground, however all in good spirit.

A "Yellow Alert" for Teesta River

Crumbling rocks and rain batter Darjeeling hills & plain Areas near TeestaRiver.

Darjeeling:Blinding rain triggered landslides across the Darjeeling hills today and the turbulent Teesta is threatening to breach the danger mark.
A tea garden worker was buried under the debris in his house near Kurseong as boulders came crashing around seven this morning.
The rest of the family fled sensing danger, but Kishan Rai, 35, who was sleeping, couldn’t be alerted.
The toy train shed off Darjeeling station was completely destroyed. Three engines were trapped under debris and a century-old steam engine, which was parked outside, was covered in tonnes of slush.
Chedup Lepcha’s house near the station is hanging.
Papilla Rai, who lives in Sivitar, near Kurseong, was cooking when her roof caved in.
“My relatives said they had screamed to send me a warning, but I couldn’t hear them, probably because of the rain,” she said from hospital.
Pasang Sherpa of Mirik was pulled out of several feet of mud by paramilitary jaw- ans. “Our house is below a road lined by hotels but with no drain. The water swept all the mud into our house and buried my husband. He was watching TV,” said Binita.
Darjeeling received 190mm of rain between 8.30am yesterday and 8.30am today, the Met office in Calcutta said.
Finance minister Asim Dasgupta said there were no reports of tourists being stranded in the hills.
National highway 55, which connects Siliguri with Darjeeling, was cut off by debris 25km from Siliguri. One of the lanes was cleared by evening.
The highway connecting Sikkim to the rest of the country was opened to traffic this evening after remaining blocked by two landslides between Rangpo and Gangtok for the best part of two days. Small vehicles are still finding it difficult to negotiate the stretch.
Heavy to very heavy rain has been forecast in sub-Himalayan Bengal for the next couple of days.
A “yellow alert” has been issued for both banks of the Teesta, from Sevoke to the Bangladesh border at Mekhliganj in Cooch Behar.
“The water level (from the riverbed) has risen to above 150m at Coronation Bridge and to 85.65m near Jalpaiguri,” the flood control commission said. “A red alert would be issued in case it goes up 3m more.”
One of the piers supporting the bridge over the Bala- son at Matigara tilted because of strong currents, a railway engineer said. The metre gauge track leads to Katihar through Bagdogra and Naxalbari.

Sikkim Celebrates Drukpa Tseshi

Drukpa Tseshi ( 4th day, 6th Tibetan month, 27 July, 2001)Prayers at the main Monasteries in Sikkim to celebrate Buddhas first teaching of the Four Noble Truths.

Buddhist festival celebrated to mark the first teaching of Buddha at Saranath. Religious prayers are held in all the monasteries of Sikkim with offerings of butter lamps. The highlight of the occasion is Yak race at Muguthang in Lonak valley, North Sikkim, which is a colourful and rare event.

Governor V. Ramarao and Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling have greeted the people of Sikkim on the occasion of Drukpa Tseshi, an important festival of the Buddhists of the world. The day is important for the Buddhist people because Lord Buddha had first given his sermon to his five disciples at Sarnath. After attaining the knowledge of bliss and enlightenment, Lord Buddha had started to preach the Dharma. On the occasion, the Buddhist people offer prayer at monasteries all over the world. In Sikkim too, people offered prayer on the occasion

International Nepali Literary Society Plans Sikkim Chapter

Gangtok:International Nepali Literary Society (INLS), Washington D.C. was established in 1991 and incorporated in the District of Columbia, USA. It is an international organization of volunteer members who are interested in languages, literature, art and music of Nepal.Mission StatementThe mission of INLS is to preserve and promote Nepali Identity by uniting people of Nepali origin around the world through continuous encouragement for promotion of Nepali languages through writing, reading, publishing, distributing, and translating Nepali literature, culture, art, music and dance. of.

Prof Mohan Sitoula, President, International Nepali Literary Society is presently at Gangtok who has been warmly welcomed by Nepali Sahitya Parishad, Sikkim and Press Club of Sikkim. While Prof. Sitoula was guest of honour in the 193rd Bhanu Jayani celebration on 13 July orgnized by Nepali Sahitya Parishad, he was present as Guest on the occasion of foundation day of Press Club of Sikkim on July 17. During his stay, he interacted with many literary and journalistic persons about the mission and objective of International Nepali Literary Society. During his brief discussion with two litterateurs and journalists Shri Subash Deepak and Bijay Bantawa at Wichar Prakashan, Gangtok, Prof. Sitoula said that he is very much eager to open a Sikkim charter of International Nepali Literary Society and highlighted about the objective of society. Shri Deepak and Shri Bantawa gave assurance to Prof. Sitoula to extend co-operation in this mission and emphasized that since Sikkim is making all round effort to develop Nepali language and literature, the idea of opening a charter will be indeed purposeful. Shri Deepak suggested that while evaluating the contribution of Nepali language and literature of Sikkim, one has to go the history of Sikkim right from the contribution of Apatan Sahitya Parishad and late Kashiraj Pradhan who edited first literary and news magazine Kanchenjunga from Sikkim.

FLOWER POWER

Flower power

You have to visit Sikkim just to see the variety of orchids on display at a show

Be dazzled By the orchids

Make your travel plans now, for it is springtime in Sikkim, one of the most scenic States of the country. The highlight of the season is the orchids that are on display at the Flower Show in the capital Gangtok.

The show is extremely popular with tourists as one can see the various species of these exotic blooms that grow in the tiny State under one roof.
The mighty Mount Kanchenjunga at 8,586 m, the third highest peak in the world, towers over the land.

Conducive terrain

The Himalayan terrain is said to be extremely conducive to the growth of orchids, and some 600 species grow in the State. In fact, they can be seen flowering on the hillsides till August.
The Gangtok orchid show is held in a glasshouse made of plexiglass. The orchids are grown under controlled conditions in a specially designed orchidariums. The plants are temperature-sensitive.
Thus the display area is well ventilated, and efforts are made to recreate conditions akin to tree shade as orchids in Nature grow protected from direct sunlight.

Warmth and light

The plants enjoy humid and warm climes, and burst into life when there is even a light rainfall. To keep the humidity levels high, there is a small water body in the middle of the display area.
The flowers are prized for their ornamental value. The Indian Council For Agricultural Research (ICAR) has set up a National Research Centre for Orchids at Pakyong, Sikkim.

One of the most important species, Cymbidium goeringii, is native to the State. Popularly called Noble Orchid, this small white blossom is the State flower. The research centre also protects endangered species. Walking through the orchid show is an experience by itself. Understandably, it is a paradise for shutterbugs. At every turn, you are bound to find different colours and mind-boggling variety.

Some of the irresistible species are the Pure Choice Susan, Abacus Pure Love, Splatters Spotted Velvet, Valley Splash, Green Spectacle and Porter’s Dream. There is also an exhibition of flowers throughout the year, and the highlight is the rhododendron, of which 36 species can be found here.

Orchid Sancturies
The show is on near the White House Complex at Gangtok. Entry fee is Rs. 10, and visiting hours are between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. There are also two established orchid sanctuaries at Singtam and Deorali.

Sikkim Hydro Projects :Rs 30,000 crore in next 10 years

Gangtok:A relay hunger strike organised by Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), an NGO in Sikkim, entered the fourth week . The NGO has been demanding the scrapping of hydro-power projects in the state.
The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) said it will not bow to any pressure as the projects are of “paramount importance” for state’s development. The government claimed that the strike has been organised with “outside” support as none of the land-owner of Dzongu area has taken part in the protest.

"The agitators are from Kalimpong, Darjeeling and other areas. They do not belong to Sikkim,” claimed Bhim Dahal, former MP and a leader of the SDF.
He said the Dzongu residents are satisfied with the land compensation deal.
Government officials pointed out that the state and central government had been monitoring the environmental and forest clearance in all seven hydro projects in north Sikkim.
Of the 31 hydro projects, most are coming up on the public-private partnership (PPP) model with government equity share participation. National Hydroelectric Power Corporation is the only public sector undertaking that has got three projects in Sikkim.
Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said, “In the hydro-projects, the investment will be above Rs 30,000 crore in the next ten years. The total power generation will be over 6,000 MW. The state will earn huge revenues by selling power to other states.”
He added that investment in the industry and tourism sectors will be Rs10,000 crore during the same period.
But the NGO claimed that the projects would damage the environment and could also pose the danger to the state’s tribal population.

NTPC Cheques for Teesta V affected in East Sikkim

Gangtok, July 17: Nearly 400 people whose houses have been damaged by the construction of the Teesta Stage V hydel project in East Sikkim have been compensated.
The affected people are from Rakdong Tintek and Khamdong of East district. National Hydroelectric Power Corporation, which is implementing the 510mw project, has cleared Rs 1.6 crore for the compensation package.
Additional district collector Naveen Chettri today said the relief, ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000, has been distributed to 80 per cent of the affected people whose houses are located within 50m of the underground tunnel of the power plant.