Raising Awareness of Sikkim's Red Pandas

A one-day exhibition of pictures of red pandas was held recently in India's northeastern city of Sikkim.
The pictures were taken by Gorlitz Zoo director Dr. Axel Gebaurer.
He says that the exhibition will create awareness among the locals about the need for conserving the red panda.
[Dr. Axel Gebaurer, Director, Gorlitz Zoo]:
"Exhibition of red panda unfortunately forgotten panda especially for our colleague in India to show the people to do some awareness something like it awareness program to show the people which rich nature they have here. And this is very important they know it because we have to do some conservation work for the red panda."
A forest department chief says there's a need to educate people, especially in rural areas, about the importance of preserving the red panda population.
[C Lachungpa, Chief Conservator of Forests]:

"When we try to understand that there is a need to know and educate the people especially in the village level---nearby the panda habitat. So these are some visual aid where people can realize importance of it. Because pandas living in the forest... with their existence without them we can't exist.”
Meanwhile, two recently born red pandas were named at the park.
The state's forest minister named one red panda cub “Nidhi” while Dr. Gebaurer named the other cub “Sonam”.
The park now has eight red pandas.

Raising Awareness of Sikkim's Red Pandas

A one-day exhibition of pictures of red pandas was held recently in India's northeastern city of Sikkim.
The pictures were taken by Gorlitz Zoo director Dr. Axel Gebaurer.
He says that the exhibition will create awareness among the locals about the need for conserving the red panda.
[Dr. Axel Gebaurer, Director, Gorlitz Zoo]:
"Exhibition of red panda unfortunately forgotten panda especially for our colleague in India to show the people to do some awareness something like it awareness program to show the people which rich nature they have here. And this is very important they know it because we have to do some conservation work for the red panda."
A forest department chief says there's a need to educate people, especially in rural areas, about the importance of preserving the red panda population.
[C Lachungpa, Chief Conservator of Forests]:

"When we try to understand that there is a need to know and educate the people especially in the village level---nearby the panda habitat. So these are some visual aid where people can realize importance of it. Because pandas living in the forest... with their existence without them we can't exist.”
Meanwhile, two recently born red pandas were named at the park.
The state's forest minister named one red panda cub “Nidhi” while Dr. Gebaurer named the other cub “Sonam”.
The park now has eight red pandas.

Gangtok as Seen from Google Earth

India, China begin 13th round of border talks

India and China began two-day talks in New Delhi on Friday to find "a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution" to their complex boundary dispute and hoped the discussions would further strengthen their "strategic partnership".

The Indian delegation at the 13th round of boundary talks is headed by National Security Adviser MK Narayanan, while the Chinese team is led by China's State Counselor and Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Dai Bingguo.

Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, a former ambassador to Beijing, and officials of the external affairs ministry and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) were also part of the Indian delegation.

Besides Dai, the Chinese delegation had Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei and officials of the defence ministry and department of boundary and ocean affairs.

Dai's visit to India is the first high-level visit from China after the United Progressive Alliance formed a new government in May after winning the general elections.

The talks will focus on devising a framework that will enable the two countries to delineate the final boundary between them.

"The government attaches high priority to our relations with China. We are not only neighbours, but we also enjoy a strategic and cooperative partnership," Narayanan said as the two sides began the delegation-level talks.

Narayanan said he was confident the discussions would lead to "further strengthening" of "the multi-faceted relationship" between the two countries.

China is willing to make joint efforts with India in the spirit of mutual understanding and accommodation to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the issue, a spokeswoman of the Chinese foreign ministry said in Beijing on Friday.

The two special representatives need to bridge the gap on the interpretation of political parameters and guiding principles finalised during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to India in 2005.

India accuses China of illegally occupying 43,180 sq km of territory in Jammu and Kashmir, including 5,180 sq km illegally ceded by Islamabad to Beijing in 1963. Beijing accuses New Delhi of occupying some 90,000 sq km of Chinese territory, most of it in Arunachal Pradesh.

The 13th rounds of talks are taking place against the backdrop of China's renewed assertions over Arunachal Pradesh that is claimed in entirety by both countries and recent strains in bilateral ties due to Beijing's perceived hostile posturing on issues affecting Indian interests.

In March this year, China tried to block a development loan for India at the Manila-based Asian Development Bank on grounds that part of it was meant for Arunachal Pradesh. India has also not forgotten Beijing's attempt to block a waiver by the Nuclear Suppliers Group that cleared global nuclear trade for New Delhi last year.

India and China, that fought a bitter war in 1962 and are now rapidly expanding their economic ties, had adopted the special representatives route in 2003 to resolve the border issue from a political perspective after diplomatic negotiations failed to yield results.

GangtokAug7 : XVII Annual Research Council Meeting 2009 of Indian Cardamom Research Institute Regional Station, Spices Board, was held at ICAR Research Complex on August 6. Mr. S.C. Gautam, Secretary, state food and supply department, was the chief guest and Mr. M.L. Arrawatia, Secretary, state science and technology department, was guest of honour .Mr. Gautam, in his address, said cardamom is one of the important cash crops and spices of the state and it is a major source of income of the farmers of the state. The government has also encouraged the farmers in the state for cardamom cultivation.
In a technical session, Dr. U. Gupta, senior scientist of Spices Board spoke on improvement of cardamom crop. Mr. A. K. Biswas and Dr. T.N Deka presented their papers agronomy and soil science and entomology, respectively.
Mr. Deka and Mr. PP Kanel, both directors of Spices Board, spoke on post harvest technology and transfer of cardamom technology. The Board usually submits its annual report of research done in the year for the improvement of spices in the state.

Sikkim Democratic Front refutes allegations of Opposition parties

GANGTOK, August 6: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) party has strongly condemned the statements given by a patched up opposition parties which appeared in local papers today.
The opposition parties in Sikkim who have no responsibility to the people have been spending away their time by distorting the reality in the past 15 years, said the party in a press statement.
The ruling front reminded that the State government had reserved a sum of Rs. 828 crores in the budget 2009-10 keeping in view of the interests of State government employees. Nobody can deny the fact that it only after the advent of the SDF government that there has been an unprecedented rise in the wages of the government employees, the party said.
“The SDF government has already constituted the fourth Pay Commission with an objective to increase the salaries of the government employees which will happen after the commission submits its report to the government”, said the ruling front while slamming the opposition parties for the condemnable politics.
Refuting the allegations over failure to fulfill the free ‘daal’ promise, the SDF party said that the BPL families will get four kgs of ‘daal’ free and works are in progress for this. As far the hike in price of sugar is concerned, the nation itself suffering from this, the party said.
The ruling front also clarified that the compulsory verification of the tenants enacted by the SDF government is targeted to maintain peace in the State. The party further highlighted the upcoming welfare measures to be implemented by the SDF government.

Car falls into Teesta river, four feared drowned

Gangtok, Aug 7 (IANS) At least four people were reported missing after a passenger car fell into Teesta river in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district Friday. Officials fear that the missing people may have drowned.
Two of the passengers fell out of the vehicle before it plunged into the river and were admitted in a hospital here with injuries, a police official said.

“The accident happened near national highway 31 A around 2.15 p.m. There were around six to seven people in the car including the driver. Two people fell from the car before it plunged into the Teesta,” the officer said.

The Siliguri-bound car was coming from the neighbouring state of Sikkim

CAG raps Sikkim Vigilance Police in audit report

GANGTOK, 7 AUG: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has rapped the Sikkim Police for filing “frivolous” vigilance cases as there has been zero conviction rate in such cases since the past six years.
The CAG audit report for the year 2007-2008 mentioned that not a single conviction has taken place out of the 80 vigilance cases registered in the state since 2003.
As many as 81 per cent were accused in this regard and 26 out of 32 were acquitted by the court in vigilance cases since 2003. The report also said that most of the cases were “frivolous” in nature.
The top auditor said the vigilance cases pending for investigation ranged between 29 to 100 per cent and the police authorities had failed to explain the reasons on record till date.
The CAG also questioned the credibility of the 47 per cent conviction rate in other crimes, as reported by the state police the National Crime Record Bureau in 2005, saying it has found this average to be at 17 per cent.
Highlighting a “sharp increase” in the crime rate in Sikkim over the years, the CAG said the state police had failed to tackle crime as per a coordinated operational plan.
The CAG said police had failed to implement the recommendations of the National Police Commission for modernisation of police force and prison administration, though the state government has signed an MoU with the Centre in this regard.
Police has failed to devise any long-term or medium term plan for crime management nor has it prepared an activity report to highlight its achievements and major activities, the auditor said.
The CAG said the police department had overspent beyond its annual budget between 2003 and 2008 - the period of audit.
The audit report also found that there was a shortage of 33 officials in the Sikkim Police Service (SPS) ranks and 284 constables during 2003-08, while at the same time, there was surplus strength of 109 officers comprising police inspectors, sub-inspectors, head constables and drivers.

Huge revenue and prosperity from hydro project in Sikkim not realistic - ACT

GANGTOK, August 6: Basing on the White Paper on hydel projects, the Affected Citizens of Teesta has said that the State Government’s contribution of 26 percent equity share in the hydel projects through loans taken from project developers and the subsequent repayment with interest from 12 percent free power that the state is to get from the projects has dazzled the public with promises of huge revenue and prosperity.
Quoting the White Paper that taking a loan for equity contribution might not be very attractive proposition, ACT general secretary Dawa Lepcha has questioned the reasons for the random implementation of numerous projects in such haste “if the future prospect of revenue generation on which the hydel projects are being justified and glorified is in serious doubt”.
He has further raised concerns whether projects would function as being projected before the loans are paid back given the volatile nature of rivers, landscapes and the receding glaciers.
He added that the paragraph from the White Paper surely does not give a promising picture.

Zero penalties in Sikkim Information Commission to 40 RTIs since 2005

GANGTOK, August 6: The Sikkim State Information Commission (SIC) would soon come up with a cache of publicity materials in local vernacular languages to create more awareness among the people about the benefits and usages of the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI).
The pamphlets and booklets in Nepali, Bhutia and Lepcha language would be used as a tool to inform about RTI to people at all levels.
Established under the RTI Act 2005, the State Information Commission has recorded zero penalties in the State in relation to 40 RTI queries filed with the SIC since it assumed office in 2005.
Sikkim is among the first States in northeastern India to issue a notification for implementation of the RTI Act.
The SIC has also conducted several training programs for the officers and bureaucrats to ensure better understanding of the Act. The commission which has its State office in the capital would soon set up district units at South and West districts to make RTI more accessible and effective for the people of the districts.
It is also learnt that, though the State’s performance hasn’t been ranked at the national level, the State report for 2007-09 has been forwarded to the State government for its consent and approval. The report would then be sent to the National Information Commission for further analysis.
The Right to Information Act 2005 was enacted by the Parliament of India giving its citizens’ access to records of the Government at all levels. The Act, guarantees that any citizen may request information from a ‘public authority’ (a Government body) which is required to reply expeditiously or within thirty days.
Information disclosure in India was hitherto restricted by the Official Secrets Act 1923 and various other special laws, which the new RTI Act now relaxes

World's Unique Tourist Spots

Seattle’s Wall of Gum
Since the 1990s people have been depositing their masticated gum, resulting in a colourful sight on this wall in Seattle, US. The wall started in the 1990s, when people waiting in line didn't have a place to discard their gum, so they tacked it on the wall. The idea stuck, and now the wall has accumulated almost 20 years worth of chewed gum. Now, the 15 foot high and 50 foot wide wall is thick with gum! Some intrepid visitors have even moulded shapes and faces out of their masticated gum.



Forecourt of Grauman’s Chinese Theater
Here people get down on their hands and knees to place their fingers in the moulds of their favourite stars. Grauman's Chinese Theatre is a movie theater in Hollywood, famous for the footprints, handprints and autographs by nearly 200 film stars. But during this intimate look at Hollywood's best, hands can get a bit grimy given that millions of fans sprawl on the ground and place their fingers in the molds of their dream stars.


Oscar Wilde’s Tomb in Paris
This tomb has a rainbow of hundreds of visible kiss marks adorning the grave. The graffiti on the monument is from admirers and fans of Oscar Wilde, the great Irish author, over the years - in lipstick. The tomb has been covered in all of its glory with lipstick, as fans dutifully clamour to leave lipstick traces on the monument. The oils from the lipstick threaten the tomb, and visitors have also been asked to stop kissing the tomb, although the practice still continues

St. Mark’s Square in Venice
It is full of hungry pigeons that are often touched and petted by tourists. St. Mark's Square lies in the heart of Venice and is one the most photographed attractions in the world. During the day, it is filled with people, pigeons and music. Feeding the pigeons in the square is a popular activity among the travelers. A visitor can purchase packets of corn from the vendors in the square and take his pictures balancing the birds on the arms.



Blarney Stone in Ireland
The stone at Blarney Castle gets kissed by up to 400,000 mouths every year. It is located in the village of Blarney about 5 miles (8 km) northwest of Cork, Ireland. The Blarney Stone is a block of bluestone built into the battlements of Blarney Castle. It attracts millions of visitors from around the world who wish to tour the castle and kiss the stone. According to legend, kissing the stone endows the kisser with the gift of gab, eloquence or skill at flattery

Sikkim's largest glacier melting

Gangtok , Aug6: Alarmed over reported shrinkage of the 26 km Zemu glacier in the eastern Himalayas, which is the main source of water for Teesta river, due to global warming, Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling has sought an"authentic report"on the issue.

At a meeting with Forest department officials, Chamling sought an&aposauthentic report&aposabout the glacier receding , an official release said today.

In an interim report presented to the state government earlier this year, it was revealed that the glacier has shrunk by three to six meters.

The report said that in some cases the recession of pristine glaciers was caused by under-construction power projects which raised the temperature affecting the ecology and environment of the state.

A status report on all glaciers was prepared by a study team comprising eminent experts at the initiative of the Science and Technology department last year.

Sikkim has the largest number of 84 glaciers, with Zemu being the biggest.

Forest and Wildlife Secretary S T Lachungpa said he would soon form a committee on climate change to study the impact of global warming on glaciers in the Himalayan state before compiling a report.

It would take a couple of months to study the physical status of the Zemu glacier, he said.
PTI

Gangtok Boys battered on soccer field

The students, who were beaten up, at the Sadar police station on Wednesday and (below) MD Sadam who was punched on the nose.

Gangtok, Aug. 6: A friendly football match between SSB jawans and students of a local school yesterday turned into a free-for-all between the players and supporters of the paramilitary team, leaving at least seven boys with bruises and bloodied nose.

The SSB posted in the state were playing the quarter-final match against the students of Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School on the grounds of West Point to mark the host institution’s golden jubilee celebrations.

According to those watching the match, all was well till the second half when the SSB was awarded a free-kick that yielded a goal taking the score to 3-1 in favour of the jawans.

“The players of our school protested as one of our students was injured and was still lying on the ground when the referee blew the whistle for the free-kick. There was an argument, but the jawans were adamant and began shoving and pushing around our team members. At this, supporters of both sides began fighting,” said a witness.

B.D. Chhetri, a teacher of the Tashi Namgyal school, was also not spared. “I ran into the field to pacify the two sides but I was also given a beating and the jawans alleged that I had incited the students,” Chhetri said.

Seven students were treated for their injuries at Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial Hospital. They are Kasam Sherpa, Sonam Tseten, M.D. Sadam, Aditya Chhetri, Tseten Lepcha, Sonam Palden and Paras Baraily. Except for Tseten who is a Class IX student, all others are from Class X.

The injured teacher and the students alleged that following the refereeing dispute, SSB jawans in the gallery cheering their team had rushed down and mercilessly beat them up. “Those who were supposed to be our protectors, hammered us with their fists and kicked us with their heavy boots and lathis even when we were fleeing. Some of the injured ran away home bleeding,” a student said.

Cops from the Sadar police station soon arrived and brought the situation under control. “We have registered a case against unknown persons for causing the violence and an investigation is on,” said Tshering Sherpa, the officer-in-charge of the police station.

The principal of West Point, the host school, M. Subba, said the organising committee of the football tournament would be meeting later today to decide on the fate of the match.

In a media statement today, the office of the adjutant of 24 Battalion of the SSB stationed in Gangtok refuted the charges and alleged that the students were the ones to attack first. “When the SSB took the lead the students had been misbehaving both in and outside the field (sic). They threw stones and attacked the SSB players with poles uprooted from shelter created for the players on the edge of the ground, some of the jawans were injured and treated at the hospital,” the statement read.

Morcha displays ‘seized’ Sikkim liquor

Darjeeling, Aug. 6: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha today put on display all the “illicit liquor” it had seized on Tuesday in an effort to build a positive public opinion on the work that the Gorkhaland Personnel has been doing “to bring about social reforms” in the hills.

Amar Lama, a central committee member of the Morcha, said the seized liquor would be handed over to the excise department.

The Morcha leadership dared K.L. Tamta, the north Bengal inspector-general of police, to arrest GLP members “who are working for the betterment of society”.

Reacting to Tamta’s announcement recently that police would act tough on GLP members stopping cars and conducting searches, Binay Tamang, the assistant secretary of the Morcha, said: “When we are doing something good for our society, Tamta is talking about action. Even if a single GLP member is arrested, there could be unrest in the hills and the state government along with Tamta will be responsible for it.”

The Morcha also said the GLP, its cell of uniformed volunteers who are paid Rs 1,500 a month, had every right to “assist the government” for the general good. “There is a clear provision in the CrPc which allows citizens to arrest people for the betterment of society. The fact that we could manage to seize so much illicit liquor on a single day suggests that the police and excise department are not doing their job. What are we to understand if Tamta is against us seizing such liquor. Does he want the trade to flourish?” asked Amar Lama.

The inspector-general admitted that the citizens had the right to put a stop to illegal activities. “But there should be a token police presence and the people have to requisition help from us. Nothing can be done unilaterally,” he said. Tamta had said GLP members found checking vehicles would be booked for wrongful confinement, obstruction of roads and even extortion. “Even the army and the paramilitary forces are not entitled to search randomly, then how can the GLP have the right,” he had said.

Deputy commissioner of excise (preventive) P.T. Bhutia said he did not know whether the law permitted citizens to seize liquor. “I will have to look up the rules, but carrying liquor for commercial purposes without proper papers and without paying the state concerned the revenue is illegal.”

Darjeeling district magistrate Surendra Gupta, however, said the GLP cannot seize liquor without authorisation. “And the excise department cannot accept the so-called seized liquor as doing that would mean that the government is putting an official stamp on the seizure,” Gupta said.

The Morcha maintained that it was “pained” at hearing adverse criticism from Sikkim on its activities. “The lobby of smugglers is strong everywhere. They are trying to start a misinformation campaign through the Sikkim media,” said Tamang.

Colonel (retired) Ramesh Allay, the chief of the GLP, said the display was the outcome of one day’s manning of the Sikkim border.

Sikkim takes up RTI awareness in local languages

GANGTOK, 6 AUG: The Sikkim State Information Commission would issue material in vernacular languages to create awareness about the benefits and usages of the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI). Pamphlets and booklets in Nepali, Bhutia and Lepcha languages would be used for the purpose. Established under the RTI Act 2005, the SIC has recorded zero penalty in the state in relation to 40 RTI queries filed with the SIC since it assumed office in 2005. Sikkim is among the first of the northeastern states to issue a notification for implementing the RTI Act.
The SIC has also conducted several training programmes for state government officers and bureaucrats to ensure better understanding of the Act.
The commission would soon set up district units in South and West districts to make RTI more accessible and effective for the people of the districts.
It is also learnt that, though the state's performance hasn't been ranked at the national level, the state report for 2007-09 has been forwarded to the Assembly for consent and approval. It would then be sent to the National Information Commission for further analysis.

Strike cripples banking in Sikkim

Gangtok Aug6: Banking transactions in the Gangtok and rest of Sikkim came to a near halt on Thursday as over 2,000 staff and officers of nationalised banks began their two-day demanding higher salaries and starting the pension option once again. Even ATMs were closed for any banking transactions.

Despite well-publicised assurance by prominent bankers, ATMs today were non-functional on the first day of the nationwide strike by bank employees.
Most of the ATMs ~ belonging to both private and nationalised banks ~ did not even open up their shutters this morning. The very few ATMs that opened today were running dry on cash even at the very beginning of the day, leaving the public at sea. People were running from one spot to another to find a functioning ATM to get some cash, but all in vain.

The call for strike was given by the United Forum of Bank Unions, which consists of bank officers and staff of more than eight organisations.
Though State Bank of Sikkim and co-operative banks continued functioning normally, their bulk of transactions does not amount to more than 15 per cent of the total banking transactions in Sikkim.

Bank employees held their gate meeting outside the office premises of the various Banks in Gangtok and other parts of Sikkim to support strike call of their Union.

S U Deshpande,General secretary of National Organisation of Bank Officers (NOBO), told media that the strike was total' as none of the employees from any public sector bank reported for work.

Deshpande said the call for strike came in reaction to the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) backtracking from a settlement formula, earlier agreed upon. "The federation had demanded a 20 per cent rise in salary, considering the work pressure and increasing burden of responsibility. The IBA had agreed to offer a 15 per cent rise, but on the 4th of August it backtracked, saying they can not offer anything more than 13 per cent. They also deferred any decision on reopening of the pension option," Deshpande elaborated

Three Chinese intruders in North Sikkim to be sent back

Gangtok, Aug 6 (PTI) The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to send three Chinese nationals, who had intruded into the country through Indo-Sino border in Sikkim, back to China, highly placed sources said today.

The Chinese nationals of Tibetan origin were arrested by the army from Katau area in north Sikkim nearly two months ago and interrogated by intelligence agencies.

The police and military authorities apparently did not find evidence of ulterior motives behind the infiltration and a report was forwarded to the MHA for a decision.
The decision to send them back was taken by the MHA recently and the report has reached the authorities in Sikkim, the sources told PTI here.

The three intruders were being held at an undisclosed destination close to the Sino-India border in north Sikkim for being sent back to their country at an opportune time, the sources told PTI here

Assam Lingzey flash floods spells devastation

Assam Lingzey (East Sikkim): Rainfall of 4th August night around 9.30 and sudden spurt of high rise of water in the stream Takcham Chu caused landslide resulting in extensive destruction in various parts of Assam Lingzey under Namcheybung Constituency. Villages like Pastenga, Khola Gaon, Kabra Botey, Goucharan suffered huge damage. A 80 ft high bridge that links Naitam and Assam Lingzey is heavily damaged by gushing water.
From 14th Mile to Setipool near Ranipool, ginger fields, cardamom field, orange field are all damaged. Around 200 families of Pastenga power colony are under serious threat of landslide as large cracks are seen around their quarters. Being fearful, they have started removing valuables from their houses and some of them have already left the area. The road that links Pastenga with Ranipool Bazaar has been breached by landslide and people have lost connection with Ranipool.
As the mishap happened at night, many people could not save their cattle. One milching cow along with the shed of Krishna Bdr. Tamang of Nimthang Saramsa, four pigs of Anand Rai of the same area are lost.
Area MLA Mr. Beg Bahadur Rai, SDM East Dr. AB Karki, Chief Engineer Roads and Bridges along with departmental officers and panchayats visited the devastated area Wednesday. The MLA promised to the victims to provide every possible help. After assessment victims will be compensated within a week, he said. For construction of a protection wall, he has asked the DC to take early initiative.
Local people raised their voice to implement Brahmaputra Yozna, a project to construct bridge and dam over the three main rivers of the area as a solution. MLA Mr. Rai also agreed that implementation of said project will solve problems of locals.

38 Assistant Engineers Transfered by Government of Sikkim

The Governor is pleased to order the following transfers and postings with immediate effect:-

1. Shri M.K. Rai, Assistant Engineer, RMD Department, Namchi is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, Roads & Bridges Department, Namchi vice Shri Dambar Rai;

2. Shri Rinzing D. Gyatso, Assistant Engineer, UD&HD, Jorethang, is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, RMD Department, Jorethang vice Shri P.N. Pulger;

3. Smt. Nilam Rai, Assistant Engineer, RMD Department, Gangtok is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer Roads & Bridges Department vice Shri Satya Prakash Rai;

4. Ms. Pema Donka, Assistant Engineer (HQ), HRD Department is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer (East), Irrigation & FC Department vice Shri Khirod Megi;

5. Shri Thinley Gyatso, Assistant Engineer, Roads & Bridges Department, Rabong, is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, Water Security & PHE Department, Gangtok vice Ms .Dorjee Laden;

6. Shri Kaziman Chettri, Assistant Engineer, BAC Melli is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, Roads & Bridges Department, Daramdin vice Shri Tara Subba;

7. Shri Khirod Megi, Assistant Engineer, Irrigation & FC Department, Gangtok is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, SPDC vice Shri Sanjay Singh;

8. Shri Prithiman Gurung, Assistant Engineer, RMD Department, Soreng is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, Roads & Bridges Department, Jorethang vice Ms. Karuna Kumari Rai;

9. Shri N.B. Thapa, Assistant Engineer, Irrigation & FC Department, Gyalshing is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, RMD Department, Kaluk vice Shri Ramesh Subba;

10. Shri Dambar Rai, Assistant Engineer, Roads & Bridges Department, Namchi is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, RMD Department, Gangtok vice Smt. Nilam Rai;

11. Shri Sonam Pintso, Assistant Engineer, Buildings & Housing Department, Namchi is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, HRD Department, Gyalshing vice Shri Sonam Dadul;

12. Shri J.N. Dhakal, Assistant Engineer, Buildings & Housing Department, Soreng is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer (Project), RMD Department vice Shri Narendra Pradhan;

13. Shri Sanjay Singh, Assistant Engineer, SPDC is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, BAC Rabong vice Shri Namgay Lepcha;

14. Shri Bildat Rai, Assistant Engineer, Roads & Bridges Department, Yangang, is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, RMD Department, Soreng vice Shri Prithiman Gurung;

15. Shri Narendra Pradhan, Assistant Engineer (Project), RMD Department is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, Roads & bridges Department, Singtam vice Shri Saurab Tsheirng Lepcha;

16. Shri Satya Prakash Rai, Assistant Engineer (East), Roads & Bridges Department is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, Buildings & Housing Department, Pakyong vice Shri Sangay N. Bhutia;

17. Shri Ashim Basnet, Assistant Engineer, SPDC Mangan, is transferred and posted as Assistant Enginer, Roads & Bridges Department, Ravongla vice Shri Thinley Gaytso;

18. Shri Binod Adhikari, Assistant Engineer, RMD Department, Rongli is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, SPDC Mangan, vice Shri Ashim Basnet;

19. Shri Namgay Lepcha, Assistant Engineer, BAC Rabong is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, Roads & Bridges Department, Yangang vice Shri Bildat Rai;

20. Shri Karma Sangdup Bhutia, Assistant Engineer, Water Security & PHE Department, Singtam is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer (HQ), HRD Department, vice Ms. Pema Donka;

21. Shri M.K. Mohra, Assistant Engineer, RMD Department, Gyalshing is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, Water Security & PHE Department, Singtam vice Shri Karma Sangdup Bhutia;

22. Ms. Dorje Laden, Assistant Engineer, Water Security & PHE Department is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, Irrigation & FC Department, Namchi vice Shri Smt. Pemla Tshering;

23. Shri Ramesh Subba, Assistant Engineer, RMD Department, Kaluk is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer (West), Roads & Bridges Department vice Shri Bikash Rai;

24. Smt. Pemla Tshering, Assistant Engineer, Irrigation & FC Department, Namchi is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, RMD Department, Rabongla vice Shri Raju Tamang;

25. Shri Saurab Tshering Lepcha, Assistant Engineer, Roads & Bridges Department, Singtam, is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, UD&HD, Gangtok vice Shri Moti Chand Pradhan;

26. Shri Sonam Dadul, Assistant Engineer, HRD Department, Gyalshing, is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer (West), Buildings & Housing Department vice Prabhakar Basnet;

27. Shri Bikash Rai, Assistant Engineer (West), Roads & Bridges Department, is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, RMD Department, Gyalshing vice Shri M.K. Mohra;

28. Shri Sangay N. Bhutia, Assistant Engineer, Buildings & Housing Department, Pakyong is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, Irrigation & FC Department, Gyalshing vice Shri N.B. Thapa;

29. Shri Moti Chand Pradhan, Assistant engineer, UD&HD, Gangtok is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, RMD Department, Namchi vice Shri M.K. Rai;

30. Shri Tara Subba, Assistant Engineer, Roads & Bridges Department, Daramdin is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer (Project), Water Security & PHE Department vice Shri Zangpo Tshering Bhutia;

31. Shri Prabhakar Basnet, Assistant Engineer (West), Buildings & Housing Department, is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer (Stores), RMD Department, vice Shri Songden Karthak;

32. Ms. Karuna Kumari Rai, Assistant Engineer, Roads & Bridges Department, Jorethang is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, Buildings & Housing Department, Soreng vice Shri J.N. Dhakal;

33. Shri Navin Kumar Gurung, Assistant Engineer, Buildings & Housing Department, Singtam, is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, UD&HD, Jorethang vice Shri Rinzng Gyatso;

34. Shri Zangpo Tshering Bhutia, Assistant Engineer (Project), Water Security & PHE Department is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, RMD Department, Rongli vice Shri Binod Adhikari;

35. Shri P.N. Pulger, Assistant Engineer, RMD Department, Jorethang is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, Buildings & Housing Department, Namchi vice Shri Sonam Pintso;

36. Shri Songden Karthak, Assistant Engineer (Stores), RMD Department is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, Buildings & Housing Department, Singtam vice Shri Navin Kumar Gurung;

37. Shri Raju Tamang, Assistant Engineer, RMD Department, Rabongla, is transferred and posted as BAC Melli vice Shri Kaziman Chettri;

38. Shri Khagendra Tamang, Assistant Engineer, HRD Department, Namchi is transferred and posted as Assistant Engineer, RMD Department, Namchi.

Government of Sikkim Divisional Engineers Transfered Today

August6: The Governor is pleased to order the following transfers and postings with immediate effect:-

1. Shri Dorjee Dadul, Divisional Engineer (North), Buildings & Housing Department is transferred and posted as Divisional Engineer, UD&HD, Gangtok vice Shri Neeraj Pradhan;

2. Shri C.K. Das, Divisional Engineer, Water Security & PHE Department, Ravangla, is transferred and posted as Divisional Engineer (East), Roads & Bridges Department vice Shri Tensung Lepcha;

3. Shri Damber Chettri, Divisional Engineer, Health Care, Human Services & FW Department is transferred and posted as Divisional Engineer, Roads & Bridges Department, Rabangla vice Shri C.V. Basnet:

4. Smt. Asha Gurung, Divisional Engineer (Planning), RMD Department is transferred and posted as Divisional Engineer (Planning), Buildings & Housing Department vice Shri Devi Prasad Gurung;

5. Shri Chetraj Mishra, Divisional Engineer, SPDC, is transferred and posted as Divisional Engineer (West), Energy & Power Department;

6. Shri P.K. Bhujel, Divisional Engineer (HQ), Buildings & Housing Department, is transferred and posted as Divisional Engineer (Planning), RMD Department vice Smt. Asha Gurung;

7. Shri Devi Prasad Gurung, Divisional Engineer (Planning), Buildings & Housing Department is transferred and posted as Divisional Engineer, Roads & Bridges Department, Soreng, vice Shri K.C. Sharma;

8. Shri A.B. Subba, Divisional Engineer (Project), Buildings & Housing Department is transferred and posted as Divisional Engineer, Zilla East;

9. Shri Tensung Lepcha, Divisional Engineer (East), Roads & Bridges Department is transferred and posted as Divisional Engineer (HQ), Buildings & Housing Department vice Shri P.K. Bhujel;

10. Shri Pramod Agarwal, Divisional Engineer (South), Tourism Department is transferred and posted as Divisional Engineer, SPDC on deputation vice Shri Chetraj Mishra;

11. Shri L.K. Vijayan, Divisional Engineer, HRD Department, Namchi is transferred and posted as Divisional Engineer, Water Security & PHE Department, Ravangla vice Shri C.K. Das;

12. Shri Neeraj Pradhan, Divisional Engineer, UD&HD, is transferred and posted as Divisional Engineer (South), Tourism Department vice Shri Pramod Agarwal;

13. Shri C.V. Basnet, Divisional Engineer, Roads & Bridges Department, Ravangla, is transferred and posted as Divisional Engineer (Project), RMD Department;

14. Shri K.C. Sharma, Divisional Engineer, Roads & Bridges Department, Soreng, is transferred and posted as Divisional Engineer, SPDC on deputation vice Shri Rajiv Subba;

15. Shri Y.N. Gautam, Divisional Engineer (West), Tourism Department is transferred and posted as Divisional Engineer (Planning), UD&HD vice Shri R.N. Sharma;

16. Shri Rajiv Subba, Divisional Engineer, SPDC, is transferred and posted as Divisional Engineer, Roads & Bridges Department, Gyalshing vice Shri Basant Tamang;

17. Shri M.K. Subba, Divisional Engineer, Water Security & PHE Department, Gangtok is transferred and posted as Divisional Engineer (East), RMD Department vice Smt. Shanti Tamang;

18. Shri R.N. Sharma, Divisional Engineer (Planning), UD&HD is transferred and posted as Divisional Engineer, HRD Department, Namchi;

19. Shri J.B. Basnet, Divisional Engineer, RMD Department, Namchi is transferred and posted as Divisional Engineer, Health Care, Human Services & FW Department vice Shri Dambar Chettri;

20. Shri Bhupendra Kothari, Divisional Engineer (West), Energy & Power Department is transferred and posted as Divisional Engineer, RMD Department, Namchi vice Shri J.B. Basnet;

21. Smt. Shanti Tamang, Divisional Engineer (East), RMD Department is transferred and posted as Divisional Engineer (East), Water Security & PHE Department;

22. Shri Basant Tamang, Divisional Engineer, Roads & Bridges Department, Gyalshing, is transferred and posted as Divisional Engineer (Project), Buildings & Housing Department vice Shri A.B. Subba;

23. Shri Sanjiv Rai, Divisional Engineer (North), RMD Department is transferred and posted as Divisional Engineer (North/East), Buildings & Housing Department vice Shri Dorjee Dadul.

Sikkim Government Transfers Superintending Engineers Today

Gangtok Aug6: The Governor is pleased to order the following transfers and postings with immediate effect:-

1. Shri Rinzing Dorjee Bhutia, Superintending Engineer, Water Security & PHE Department is transferred and posted as Superintending Engineer, SPDC vice Shri T.P. Sangderpa;

2. Shri T.T. Bhutia, Superintending Engineer, HRD Department, is transferred and posted as Superintending Engineer, Tourism Department vice Shri Prakash Chettri;

3. Shri Mohammad Sahid, Superintending Engineer (Planning), Buildings & Housing Department, is transferred and posted as Superintending Engineer, HRD Department vice Shri T.T. Bhutia;

4. Shri T.P. Sangderpa, Superintending Engineer, SPDC, is transferred and posted as Superintending Engineer, RMD Department vice Shri B.P. Kharel;

5. Shrii B.P. Kharel, Superintending Engineer (P), RMD Department is transferred and posted as Superintending Engineer, Water Security & PHE Department vice Shri Rinzing Dorjee Bhutia;

6. Shri Wangdi P. Takarpa, Superintending Engineer (South/West), UD&HD, is transferred and posted as Superintending Engineer (Planning), Buildings & Housing Department vice Shri Mohammad Sahid;

7. Shri Prakash Chettri, Superintending Engineer, Tourism Department is transferred and posted as Superintending Engineer (South/West), UD&HD vice Shri Wangdi P. Thakarpa.

Doppler Weather Radars (DWR) in the Sikkim Soon

Gangtok,Aug 6 : The Ministry of Earth Sciences has sanctioned six Doppler Weather Radars (DWR) in the Northeast soon and in the first phase two DWRs will be set up at Agartala and Dibrugarh (Assam).
Official sources here today said the DWR would be able forecast of any natural calamity well in advance in a small geographical area and since Tripura had witnessed heavy rainfall and flash flood, DWR would help the administration to manage any possible disaster.

In second phase four more DWRs would be set up in other parts of Assam, Nagaland, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, officials said, adding the entire hilly part of Northeast was prone to disaster.

Earlier, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) set up 50 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) in the North-East by March 2007 and about 20 telemetry stations to monitor seismic activity. At present, IMD has 12 IMD full-time observatories, besides 23 part-time observatories and 400 rain gauge stations. The IMD had also planned to set up three Doppler weather radars for flood and weather monitoring as well as to support aviation services.

--- UNI

Sikkim Farmers get better yield from new maize seeds

Pakyong: Farmers of Namcheybong have been benefited for growing maize. The maize seeds like ATMA variety Hybrid-C-1837 were provided free by the Agriculture Department, Government of Sikkim and also free trial of fertilizer like Nature Vel AG provided by the Clover Company. President of Barpipal SHG, Damayanti Dahal, Tshering Sherpa, Dhan Prashad Sharma and Romit Lepcha are the farmers who have tried the seeds as well as fertilizers in their maize cultivation.
They said that the maize production has been better compared to that from local seeds. The farmers were provided 5 to 10 kg of maize seeds

Barcelona trip to boost Nehru Cup title defence: Bhaichung Bhutia

Indian football team's month-long Barcelona tour yielded the desired result and will do a world of good to its Nehru Cup title defence, captain Bhaichung Bhutia said on Tuesday.
Talking from Barcelona, Bhutia said the side has achieved what they had set out for from their training stints at the FC Barcelona facilities. "It is always good to have a pre-season tour. The facilities are great here in FC Barcelona and so it has been a very good tour. The boys are making the most of the facilities and we are in fine shape and ready for the Nehru Cup," Bhutia said.
He said the best part of the training tour has been the improvement in the fitness level of the boys, especially the youngsters, which will give them the confidence in the August 18-30 Nehru Cup.
"The fitness level of the boys has improved a lot and (coach Bob) Houghton has allowed all of them to play (in the first two practice games against Spanish third division sides). So they are in the mix, which is great," he said. Bhutia would not compare the trip to the team's 2007 tour of Portugal ahead of the Nehru Cup which India won but said they have achieved what they had set out for from the tour.

Sikkim debt stands at over Rs 1000 crores

Gangtok, August 5: Government of Sikkim has internal debt of Rs 908.86 crore as on March 31, 2008. This internal debt comprises market loans bearing interest of Rs.741.68 crore, loans from Life Insurance Company of India of Rs.80.76 crore and loans from other institutions comprising of Rs.86.42 crore.
The Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, which was placed in state assembly on last July 30, said that the state government has loans and advances from central government was amounting of Rs.315.82 crore comprising that pre-1984-85 loans of Rs.3.84 crore, Non-Plan loan of Rs. 91.74 crore, loans from state Plan Schemes of Rs.196.47 crore, loans from Central and Centrally sponsored plans schemes of Rs.20.37 crore, and loans from special schemes of Rs.3.40 crore.
The liabilities of the state has gone upto the Rs.3808.32 crore at the end of financial year 2007-08 including the internal debt, loans and advances from central government and contingency fund of Rs.1.00 crore, small savings, Provident Funds of government employees of Rs.335.12 crore, deposits of Rs.34 crore, reserve funds of Rs.129.42 crore, remittance balances of Rs.102.98 crore. It includes surplus on government accounts Rs.1981.08 crore, CAG report said.
The sate government has fixed assets on gross capital outlay of Rs.3307.37 crore loans and advances of Rs.5.12 crore which includes other development loans, loans to government servants and miscellaneous loans, advances of Rs.1.03 crore, the Report said.

Namcheypong MLA visits flood affected areas of Mile 14 and Setipul

GANGTOK, August 5: MLA Namcheypong Beg Bahadur Rai today visited the flood affected areas of Mile 14 and Setipul in East Sikkim.
The torrential rain that occurred last night has badly damaged the crop and the cattle at Assam Lingzey, Kabra Botey and Goucharan.
A party communiqué adds that the bridge which was the lifeline for the people of the area has also been washed away by the flood. Besides, the road leading from Mile 14 to Gangtok has been washed away disrupting the entire vehicular movement.
During the visit, the MLA interacted with the local villagers and assured that the affected family will be fully compensated as per the government’s rule, the communiqué said

Gangtok Football field disintegrates into a battlefield

TNHSS students hammered black & blue by SSB jawans

GANGTOK, August 5: The West Point school ground, popularly known as Guards Ground, today turned into a battlefield with the supporters of two football teams protesting their way into a bloody encounter that left several students battered and bruised.
The ‘wrestlemania’ took place today afternoon during the quarterfinal match between ‘TNites’, a team cobbled by the students of TNHSS and the football team of Sahastra Seema Bal (SSB), a paramilitary force deputed in Sikkim.
The match was the second quarterfinal game of the West Point Golden Jubilee football tournament which had commenced recently.
According to the students, the match was going well until the second half where a dispute crept over a decision by the referee. It is informed that the school team protested over the decision which then snowballed into an open confrontation between the supporters of both the teams.
Judging by the bruises, bloody noses and a possible hand fracture that the students suffered as the accompanying pictures show, it is to realize that which team emerged victorious from the scrape and which came second best.
At least seven students and one teacher of TNHSS sustained injurious in the beating from the hands of the SSB jawans. The students were treated at STNM hospital and discharged after first aid.
The injured students were Kasam Sherpa (Class XII) and MD Sadam (Class X), Sonam Tseten (Class X), Aditya Chettri (Class X), Tseten Lepcha (Class IX), Sonam Palden (Class X) and Paras Baraily (Class X).
The injury toll of the students is more as many students stamped all over by the SSB did not report to the hospital for treatment. Many of them simply ran away to their homes with their injuries, the injured students said.
Those savages did not even spare the school teacher, the terrified students said to media referring to their teacher DB Chettri who also took some beating. I had gone to field to control the situation but I was beaten up by the jawans who accused me of inciting the students, the injured teacher said.
The injured teacher and students told media that when the game disintegrated following a refereeing decision, the SSB jawans from the spectators’ galleries rushed to the field leading to the assault.
They came with bamboo sticks and rods and hammered us even as we were fleeing, accused the students. They also kicked us with their heavy boots, said the injured students to media.
Gangtok Sadar Police quickly intervened to control the situation before matters went out of hand and hauled both sides to the police station. The police were taking inputs from both sides till late in the evening to proceed ahead with the matter in the best possible manner keeping in the view that it was students and paramilitary jawans involved in the matter

Himalayan Viagra excites Sikkim government

GANGTOK: In an attempt to mobilise its untapped bio-revenue, the state government is all set to legalise the collection and marketing of an exotic medicinal herb, cordyceps Sinensis, from the highland forests of Sikkim.

Cordyceps Sinensis, popularly known as “caterpillar fungus”, is also known as “Yarcha-Gombuk” in the Himalayan region. Owing to its aphrodisiacal properties it is better recognised as “Himalayan Viagra.” One kilogram of the caterpillar fungus is said to fetch as much as US $2,000 on the global market.

Earlier this week, the "Cordceyps Sinensis (Yartsa Gunbu/Vegetative Caterpillar) Collection and Selling Rules-2009" notification, defines the collection and marketing rules of the exotic medicinal herb, along with provisions for penalties that would come into force with its inclusion in the official gazette.

Nepal and Bhutan have already legalised the collection and marketing of the exotic medicinal herb. Cordyceps sinensis, a rare combination of a caterpillar and a fungus, is found in altitudes above 4,500 metres in the Himalayas. In Sikkim, it is found in areas like Green Lake, Dzongri, Thamjey, Nathu La Pass, Doman Valley, Tholung Pass and other areas above 8,000 ft. All these areas are under the forest department. Though no resource survey of this medicinal herb has been conducted in Sikkim, the forest department says that it knows where the herb can be found.

After a proper survey of the demarcated areas, the state forest department has framed certain rules for the collection of Cordyceps Sinensis. Only registered Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) and Eco Development Committees (EDCs) are allowed to collect the medicinal herb after obtaining permission from the Range Officer. Field verification via approval of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) of the State forest department will also be required. No collection is permitted in the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in the State.

The quantity collected would then be auctioned by a committee set up by the State government with 75 per cent of the proceeds going to the JFMC who have collected the Cordyceps Sinensis while the remaining 25 percent will be deposited in the government revenue.

The State government will also undertake research to determine the proper techniques of collection, drying, value addition, storage and transportation of Cordyceps Sinensis and then train the relevant persons. Experts on medicinal plants here have welcomed the proposal. They also said that foreign technology is readily available to artificially produce the medicinal herb in Sikkim.

“Nachyo Babary”, a dance competition in Sikkim on the cards

Gangtok: Swar Sikkim will be conducting “Nachyo Babary”, a Dance Galaxy Championship 2009. Audition will be held all over the State - 17th -18th August in Mangan, North Sikkim, 21-22 August in Geyzing, West Sikkim, 24-25 August in Namchi, South Sikkim and 29-31 August in Gangtok, East Sikkim. This is informed in a press conference held at a local hotel on Tuesday.
Mr. D D Bhutia, Ex Minister, is the chief patron, Padmashree Dr. G S Lama, President, Roshan Rai, Vice Presiednt, Repden Bhutia, General Secretary and Shyam Pradhan, Publicity Sectary of the organizing committee. The championship will be for age group 14-25 years. The aim of the programme is to provide a platform for singing and dancing to develop talents in those sectors, said Mr. Bhutia. In the audition round, “judgment will be purely based on group dance, group coordination, choreography, rhythm and timing, body movement and basic dancing skills”, said Dr. Lama adding, “maximum number of participation should be 6-10 participants in a group”. Pre-quarter to final round competition will be held at Gangtok and each dancing group has to perform two items – one in pure folk form, which is compulsory, and any other. From pre-quarter two teams will be eliminated in every round of the competition. Out of top ten groups only four groups will perform in final round for the championship of the competition. 1st prize is Rs.1,00,000, 2nd prize Rs.30,000 and 3rd prize Rs.20,000 cash, along with trophy, certificate and gift hampers.

Sikkim to ‘push back’ spy

Gangtok, Aug. 5: Dilip Kumar Roy, a suspected ISI agent and a Bangladeshi national who served a six-year jail term for espionage, will be “pushed back” into his country by the Foreigners Registration Cell of the Special Branch of Sikkim Police.

Soon after Roy had been released from jail on August 3, the special branch took him into custody. Sources said Roy had been sent with Bengal home department officials yesterday and would be pushed back into Bangladesh in two days.

Roy was arrested by the Sikkim police in 2003 for gathering information on the Indian Army activities in Gangtok. He was picked up from near the Black Cat Division main gate at Deorali on the outskirts of Gangtok.

The accused was a former Bangladeshi army man and had been sentenced to 10 years in prison and slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 by the Sessions Court, East and North districts under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, in 2006.

Three months ago, a division bench of Sikkim High Court, headed by Chief Justice Aftab Hussain Saikia, commuted his sentence to six years.

Roy, who was the first person to be convicted of espionage in Sikkim, had earlier also filed an appeal in the high court. Rejecting the plea, the high court observed: “…we are of the considered view that the above finding and conclusion arrived at by the learned trial court warrants no interference by this court.”

When the foreigner was nabbed, various incriminating documents were recovered from his possession. They included a task-slip regarding army deployment and movement, along with a sketch map of the same, a diary with phone numbers and papers containing information about the army’s deployment in Gangtok and Siliguri.

In the second appeal, N. Rai, the counsel for the petitioner, submitted that Roy had already spent five years and nine months in prison — more than half the total period of the sentence — and had children back in Bangladesh who were facing financial hardship because he was the main bread-earner of the family.

This was objected to by public prosecutor Karma Tinlay. But the high court, after taking into account the overall circumstances of the case, observed that the interest of justice would be served even if the 10-year imprisonment was remitted to six years.

“He will be handed over to Bangladesh authorities at an undisclosed location on the border in Bengal,” Rai said.

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha patrol stays off highway to Sikkim

Kalimpong, Aug. 5: The Gorkhaland Personnel was today conspicuous by its absence along the 32-kilometre stretch from here to Rangpo on the Sikkim border where 24 hours ago they had stopped cars on NH31A to search for liquor and drugs.

The Telegraph toured the route from 11am to 4pm, but did not come across any GLP patrols today. The local people and the police at Melli and Rangpo said there were no pickets in the area at all.

Yesterday, K.L. Tamta, the inspector-general of police, north Bengal, had said action would be taken against the GLP if its members stopped cars along the highway. He had said the GLP was not authorised to conduct searches on private vehicles and the uniformed youths of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha would be booked for obstructing roads, wrongful confinement and extortion.

Kipa Tshering Bhutia, the leader of a GLP patrol at Third Mile, when contacted over his cellphone said he and his team were at their base camp in an undisclosed location. “We were told not to come out today, that is all I can say,” Bhutia said.

Harka Bahadur Chhetri, the Morcha spokesperson, said only the chief of the GLP, Colonel (retired) Ramesh Allay would be able to say about the cell’s activities. Repeated attempts to contact the GLP’s in-charge proved to be futile.

However, Morcha sources said a decision had been taken to not go in for any confrontation with the police on NH31A. But Morcha leaders claimed that the GLP was checking the smaller roads that connect the Darjeeling hills to Sikkim.

“The smuggling of liquor usually takes place through the smaller roads and trails that connect the Kalimpong subdivision to Sikkim and the GLP is very much present there. About Rs 50 lakh worth of Sikkim-bottled liquor is smuggled into the hills every day, though I cannot say how much quantity was seized today,” said a Morcha central committee member.

Buddha statue at South Sikkim to wait another year

GANGTOK, 5 AUG: Works to set up the 90 ft tall Buddha statue at Rabong in South Sikkim would take a year more. Architects and sculptors continue to toil to complete the statue at Sangkhola near Singtam. The proposed 125ft statue of Sangay Chomden Dey (Lord Buddha in Sikkim) in a sitting position would be the tallest Buddha statue in the world.
Twenty workers (eight from Jaigoan in West Bengal and 12 from Kathmandu, Nepal) have been working for over 12 hours daily on the project for the past two years.
Mr Krishna Khati, a metal worker at the work site in Sangkhola said that the nickel-aluminum bronze alloy statute with steel frame inside would weigh over 57 tonnes. After completion, the structure would be dismantled into adjustable parts and transferred to Rabong, the site for the statue.
The Sakyamuni project started in 2006 to mark the 2550th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha. The project covering an area of 22.5 acres would have an eco-garden and other tourist amenities along with the giant statue.
Interestingly, the relics of Lord Buddha would be offered to the statue to enhance its significance and add Rabong to the Buddhist religious circuit in India. Last November, relics of Lord Buddha were collected from across eight Southeast Asian countries for the project. Somdet Phra Nyanasaamvara, the 19th supreme patriarch of the Buddhist order in Thailand had offered the relics. Besides, Thailand, Myanmar, Japan, South Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Taiwan and Vietnam have also offered relics.
Those are under tight security at the newly built Karma Thekchenling Monastery.

Zydus Health Care workers protest over hike in launch package

RANGPO, August 4: The agitated workers of Zydus Health Care, Bagey Khola and Hindustan Construction Company, Tarkhola, Sikkim today boycotted their works and staged a dharna at the factory premise.
The workers of Zydus Health Care have stopped working since yesterday evening demanding immediate return of the notice regarding 100 percent hike in launch package and several other demands.
More then 350 workers working under one labour contractor was on dharna today.
However, after the intervention of Sikkim Democratic Labour Front leaders, the problems were solved and work resumed from this afternoon. BM Ramudamu, the working president of SDLF alongwith other members of the Front met the workers of Zydus and listened to their grievances.
Mr. Ramudamu assured the workers to raise voice regarding their problems.
Later, during a meeting organized at the factory campus between the company management, labour contractor and workers delegation, the management returned their notice regarding the hike in launch rate and assured to take the demands of the labourers positively.
The SDLF leaders also met the agitators of HCC workers at Tarkhola and assured positive support

Raksha Bandhan wishes from Sikkim Governor, Chief Minister

GANGTOK, August 4: On the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Governor BP Singh and Smt. Karuna Singh have extended their warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Sikkim.
In a message, the Governor said that Raksha Bandhan which is being celebrated in the country from time immemorial reflects the sanctity, which has been accorded to the brother-sister relationship. It also reminds us of the need to develop a sense of “Raksha” or protection for our families and beyond, he added.
The Governor expressed the hope that the festival of Raksha Bandhan will help in strengthening the bonds of love, unity and brotherhood among all sections of the society.
Similarly, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and Smt. Tika Maya Chamling have also expressed their greetings and good wishes to the people of Sikkim, on the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan

Three students from North Sikkim chosen for State level Science seminar

GANGTOK, August 4: Yangchen Doma Lepcha of Phensong Secondary School, Dechen Ongkit Lachungpa of Chungthang Secondary School and Pema Chukie Lepcha of Hee Gyathang Senior Secondary School bagged first, second and third positions respectively in the District level Science seminar held at Mangan Senior Secondary School on August 3.
The seminar on ‘Chandrayaan: promises and concerns’ organised by the State Institute of Education, HRD Department Gangtok in collaboration with District HRD Office North District saw the participation of 11 schools out of 15 Secondary and Senior Secondary Schools of the District.
The winners were judged by Medical Officer Mangan TT Kaleon, DIO (North) NIC, Mangan SK Shukla and TGT (Bio) of Tingchim School Priscilla Rai.
It is also informed that these three winners will represent North District in the State level science seminar to be held in Gangtok in the first week of September later this year.
The Principal of Mangan Senior Secondary School Pempa Lhamu was the chief guest of the programme. Also present were Deputy Director, SIE SK Gajmer, Assistant Director, SIE Mala Rai and SR Adhikari and SIA North Budha Hang Subba

Mangan-Singtam Highway opens for traffic

MANGAN, August 4: The Mangan-Singtam Highway opened for traffic today.
GREF labourers took about seven days to remove the rubbles and mud brought down by the heavy rains last week on the road at Mile 4.
The road was blocked for over a week when landslides triggered by heavy rains hit the iron bridge over Barkhola, Mile 4 at Lower Mangshila.
The Siliguri and Singtam taxi services had been plying from Sankalang via Pheedang light vehicle bridge.

Proposed iconic Bhaleydunga Skywalk to cost Rs. 1200 cr: Pre-feasibility Report

GANGTOK, August 4: An international consultancy firm has in its pre-feasibility report pegged the estimated cost for the proposed iconic Skywalk at Baleydunga peak in South Sikkim as an integrated tourism destination to around Rs. 1200 crores.
The lump sum cost involves construction of three finger shaped glass skywalks connected through a tunnel in the rocky spur of Baleydunga cliff standing an elevation of 10,102 feet.
With Chief Minister Pawan Chamling since 2007 giving a keen interest in the realization of this iconic tourism project of a skywalk on top a mountain cliff on the lines of the Grand Canyon Skywalk, the Sikkim Government had engaged the services of Grant Thornton, an international consultancy firm to draft out a feasibility study on the project.
The company representatives in India today made a presentation on the pre-feasibility on the Bhaleydunga Skywalk project here at Chintan Bhavan in presence of the Chief Minister, cabinet ministers, MLAs and departmental heads.
During its presentation, the consultancy in its preliminary estimates, put the total cost of the full scale integrated tourism centre of Bhaleydunga Skywalk to Rs. 1200 crores. The tentative cost of the skywalk is Rs. 500 crores with the rest of the amount to be spent on created allied supporting infrastructures like cable car, tourist complex, accommodation centre, nature and spiritual complex and other tourism amenities in the cliff, Yangang and Dhapar areas.
“Creation of skywalk in isolation may not be sufficient for long term sustainability. There is a need to develop the skywalk as an integrated tourist destination”, the company representative said adding that the world class technology will be infused in the proposed skywalk so that the Bhaleydunga Skywalk cannot be replicated elsewhere in the world thereby maintaining its singularity.
The firm had already visited Sikkim seven times in the past one and half years and have already submitted the interim and draft report after detailed conservations with the government officials.
“This will be an iconic project and will develop Sikkim as a unique tourism destination”, the presenters said.
As per the project structure, the design of the glassy skywalk at Bhaleydunga has been proposed like a three fingered fork at ninety degrees each protruding out from inside the top of the cliff. The proposed skywalk will stand at an elevation of 10,102 feet and the cliff would be connected by a ropeway from the nearby hamlet of Yangang.
With the Bhaleydunga hill falling with a forest protected area, the firm stressed on the need to ensure minimum damage to the natural habitat. This environmental consciousness reflects in the pre-feasibility study, the firm said.
During its studies, the firm has engaged in active deliberations with Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation, Tourism department, Travel Agents Association of Sikkim, environment specialists and conducted a market survey by consulting Federation of Hotels & Restaurants Association of India, Sikkim Hotels & Restaurants Association and international travel agencies to analyze the tourist circuit within the Bhaleydunga range.
The Unique Selling Proposition of the Bhaleydunga project is that novelty is essential to accord iconic status and infusing of cutting edge technology to make the structure difficult to be replicated.
It may be added here that the Chief Minister has being pressing ahead with the project and had only recently briefed the Central ministers on the project seeking their support for the early commencement of the project.
“Construction of Skywalk at Baleydhunga shall commence from the earliest with budget provision of Rs. 1 crore for this financial year”, Mr. Chamling had said while presenting the Annual Budget for the year 2009-10 recently in the State Assembly.
The project seeks to propel Sikkim into the international tourism map besides becoming a landmark of its own in the Himalayan State.
Detailed feasibility study report will be submitted in the next phase.

(sikkimexpress)

8,00,000 tourists projected in Sikkim by 2015

Gangtok, Aug 5 : An international consultancy firm has projected footfalls of at least 8,00,000 tourists annually in Sikkim by 2015 making the Himalayan State a major tourism centre.
Out of these projection, the firm, has put the numbers of international tourists to be around 34,000.

East Sikkim being the gateway to major tourism hotspots will be attracting more than 5,00,000 tourists annually by 2015, the consultancy firm representatives said while presenting the ‘developmental guide plans of Gangtok, Namchi, Geyzing and Mangan’, the headquarters of the four districts of the state.

The presentation for the stakeholders was made here yesterday at Chintan Bhavan, Gangtok which was attended by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, Speaker K T Gyalsten, Cabinet minister, MLAs and a host of senior civil authorities.

While Presenting the tourism component of the urban renewal plan, the representatives said that keeping in mind the figures of tourists, there is a requirement of an additional 8753 rooms.

The tourism traffic in East Sikkim will remain high and as per the urban master plan for Gangtok, there is an urgent need to have larger and better managed hotels.
There is also a lack of quality eateries in Gangtok, the study noted.

The consultancy firm has also called for developing religious, eco-tourism and natural attractions, reviving the handicrafts and handlooms products and decentralisation of permit system to decongest Gangtok.
The company forecasted two more casinos in Gangtok.

All these aspects will be highlighted in the Tourism Master Plan report for Sikkim later this year, the consultancy said.

Regarding Namchi, the firm said that the South district is strong on religious and cultural activities.
The limitations of tourism facilities should be upgraded, it suggested and also highlighted the need for more tourism facilities and infrastructures in North and West districts.
--- UNI

Minister of Building and Housing Mrs. Tilu Gurung addresses conference at Namchi

Namchi: A two-day Coordination Conference and Table Top Exercise on Urban Fire was inaugurated here Monday at the conference Hall of District Administrative Centre by Minister of Building and Housing Mrs. Tilu Gurung who was chief guest of the inaugural function in Zilla Upadakshya, South, Himal Tamang was special guest.
The conference has been organized by the National Disaster Management Authority, Government of India in collaboration with the State Disaster Management Authority, ditrict authorities, NGOs and Panchayats.
Addressing the gathering the Minister appreciated the step of the Central and state authorities and said that such conference will help all levels of the society to know about natural disaster. Mrs. Gurung further said that the green mission in the state with the vision of Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling will help Sikkim to control the forest fire in near future. The main resource person of the day Maj. Gen. VK Datta, Senior specialist (CB & ME), National Disaster Management Authority, highlighted all aspects of a disaster and its management. District Collector, South, Mr. AK Singh spoke of the Emergency Plan in respect of Relief, Rescue, Temporary Shelter Arrangement, Water, Sanitation and other services in South district. Mr. Pempa N Sherpa, District Project Officer (UNDP) gave the key note address. Other resource persons were National Disaster Response Force and Army representative, Additional SP South, Lawang Bhutia, District Medical Officer South Dr. SM Pradhan, PI Fire, Namchi IK Rai and SE Road and Bridges, South.
(Sikkim Reporter)

Major General ASC visits Sikkim Milk Union

Major General ASC of Eastern Command visited Sikkim Milk Union
Gangtok, August 4: A team of Army Officials from Eastern Command, Kolkata lead by the Major General (MG ASC) Rajendra Prasad Rai visited the Sikkim Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd on 4th August 2009. The Sikkim Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd is supplying Milk to Army establishments in Sikkim and West Bengal.
As a part of inspection, the MG ASC visited Sikkim Milk Union along with the Commanding Officers of Sikkim ASCs Col. Jivan Zende and Col. Ashish Sirsekar and Maj. Upadhyaya this evening.
The MG ASC complimented the efforts taken by the Sikkim Milk Union in delivering quality milk to its consumers including the army. He has visited the Gangtok Dairy plant at Tadong and appreciated the process being followed the Sikkim Milk Union in the processing, packaging, storage, quality control and delivery.
During the visit, the MD Sikkim Milk Union requested the MG to provide more opportunity to serve Army by adding additional stations including one in Changu for milk supply.
MG ASC assured to look into the possibilities and conveyed the same to his officials to work on the proposal.
The MD, Sikkim milk MD Dr. P Senthil Kumar explained the quality aspects of Sikkimilk products and expressed the happiness over the relationship between the Army and the Sikkim Milk Union and assured all necessary support to army in the days to come as well. All the milk union officials were present during the visit of MG ASC and conducted the visit cordially.

Bangladeshi held with military documents ends jail term in Sikkim

Gangtok, Aug 4 (PTI) A Bangladeshi national, who had been jailed following seizure of some secret documents relating to military locations of the country six years ago, has been released, official sources said today.

Dilip Kumar Roy, aged about 50 years, was released from Rongyek bail yesterday. Under police escort, he left for Kolkata from where he will go to Bangladesh, the sources said.
Arrested from near the army cantonment premises in Deorali, the Bangladeshi national had been charged under provisions of the Official Secrets Act.

He was arrested in 2003 and sentenced to a 10-year jail term.
Roy filed a petition in the Sikkim High Court earlier this year reeking leniency after which a division bench of the Sikkim High Court reduced his sentence to six years which ended yesterday.

Sikkim CM Pawan Chamling keen to present Sikkim with skywalk

Grand Canyon Skywalk

Chamling keen to present Sikkim with skywalk

GANGTOK, 4 AUG: The Sikkim chief minister Mr Pawan Chamling today said that his government was keen to present the state with a skywalk at Bhaleydhunga. The project is expected to propel Sikkim into the international tourism map besides becoming a landmark of its own in the Himalayan state. An international consultancy firm has in its pre-feasibility report pegged the estimated cost for the proposed skywalk at Rs 1200 crore approximately.
The lump sum cost involves construction of three finger-shaped glass skywalks connected through a tunnel in the rocky spur of Bhaleydunga cliff at an elevation of 10,102 feet.
Mr Chamling has been interested in the realization of the tourism project atop a mountain cliff on the lines of the Grand Canyon Skywalk. In this regard, the state government had engaged the services of Grant Thornton, an international consultancy firm to draft a feasibility study on the project.
The company’s representatives in India today presented the pre-feasibility on the Bhaleydunga Skywalk project at Chintan Bhavan in Gangtok in presence of the chief minister and other ministers.
According to the firm representatives, the skywalk would cost around Rs 500 crore while the rest amount would be spent on allied supporting infrastructures like cable car, tourist complex, accommodation centre, nature and spiritual complex and other tourism amenities. The firm has already submitted the interim and draft report of the project to the state government.
The proposed glassy skywalk at Bhaleydunga would be a three-fingered fork at an elevation of 10,102 feet and a ropeway from the nearby hamlet of Yangang would connect to it