FRIDAY, MARCH, 21,  2008

Chief Minister meets BRO Project Swastik officials
Alternative Highway and maintenance of NH 31A come up for discussion

GANGTOK, March 20: The Chief Engineer of Project Swastik of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Brigadier RK Patyal, called on the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling at his official residence, Mintokgang here today morning.
While interacting with the Brigadier, the Chief Minister enquired about the latest developments in the widening of the Gangtok-Nathula Highway, among other related issues.
The Brigadier informed the Chief Minister that the work on the Gangtok-Nathula Highway is under progress.
Mr. Chamling asked Brig Patyal to execute the project in a proper manner. Proper care should be taken to prevent the mudslides during the raod construction period and avoid dumping mud and debris into the Tsomgo Lake. The sanctity of the Tsomgo Lake needs to be preserved at all cost and it should be protected from getting polluted, the Chief Minister told the Brigadier.
The meeting also discussed important issues relating to the alternative highway from Siliguri to Gangtok. Mr. Chamling said that the State Government has communicated with the Centre Government on the need for an alternative highway for the State on numerous occasions. He said a positive response from the Centre is still awaited.
The Chief Minister took the opportunity to request the Project Swastik officials to pay special attention to the Lanthey Khola landslide zone in North Sikkim which gets frequently disrupted during the Monsoons. A permanent solution needs to be worked out as far as these roads are concerned, Mr. Chamling told the BRO officials.
Sikkim, because of its strategic location, NH 31 A is the only way the State remains in touch with the rest of the country. The Sikkimese people unnecessary suffer whenever there is a disruption of any kind along the NH 31A, he said. Mr. Chamling also requested the Swastik officials to look into the condition of the road at Rambi on NH 31A.
The Chief Minister assured Bridger Patyal that his Government would communicate to the Ministry of Road Surface Transport on these matters and said that it was important to have NH 31A open at all times not only from the civil but also from the defence point of view. (IPR)

State observes World Water Day
Focus on conservation of water resources

SUMAN GAZMER
GANGTOK, March 20: The Capital needs at least 36 million litres of water on a daily basis.
The Minister for the State Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Menlom Lepcha said this here today. He was speaking as the chief guest on the occasion of the World Water Day at the Forest Department conference hall here today.
The programme was organized by the Central Water Commission (CWC) under the Ministry of Water Resources.
Claiming that water is being supplied according to the need of the consumers, the Minister informed that his department is supplying water after proper treatment, for which a treatment centre has been set up at the Selep Tank complex.
To save water from being contaminated, the department is carrying out regular maintenance of leakages in the supply pipes and also removing clusters of pipes from the Jhoras, he revealed. The department has completed the task of removing clusters of drinking water supply pipes from the Jhoras of Kazi Road and Tibet Road and the same will apply to other parts of the town, the Minister informed. He also expressed his deep concern over the decreasing glacier at the water source at Tamzey. Stating that the State Government is committed to develop water sources, he said that the State Government has carried out a state-wide plantation programme.
“Though Sikkim is small, the State is making contribution in the development of the nation by utilizing water resources,” he added.
While highlighting on the theme of the world water day ‘Integrated Water Resources Development and Management’, the Superintendent Engineer of CWC Saibal Ghosh said that the fast growing population, rapid urbanization, industrialization, temporal variations in water availability, water quality problems etc. demand integrated water resources development and management. Further he added that water is an integral part of ecological system and primary requirement of all aspects of life.
Addressing the function, the Secretary, PHED Pratap Basnet said that the people should think about serious water shortage in future. “According to the study of scientists, most of the glacier will vanish within next 40-45 years due to global warming as a result, there may be a shortage of water, he said. Every citizen of the society should play a pivotal role to create awareness among the masses,” he stressed.
The Secretary of the State Irrigation and Flood Control Department, KG Bhutia in his speech stressed on the conservation of water resources for the socio-economic development.
Similarly, DIG (Range) Akshay Sachdeva said that the water is finite and that the people should avoid the habit of wasteful use of water.

Janata Mela 2007-08 to begin from March 24

SE Report
GANGTOK, March 20: The Janata Mela 2007-08 is scheduled to begin in the State from March 24 to March 27, this year.
The Mela for the West District will be held on the first day at Kyongsa Ground, Gyalshing and in the south District, the Mela will be held at Baichung Stadium, Namchi on March 25.
For the people of the North District, the Mela will be held on March 26 and at Sichey Public Ground, Gangtok on March 27 for the East District.
In all the places, the Janata Mela will begin at 10:30am.
The Chief Minister Pawan Chamling will grace the occasion as the chief guest.

Our Correspondent
PAKYONG, March 20: Youths of ‘Christ the King Church’ will take out a mass rally within the St Xavier’s School campus tomorrow to mark Good Friday here.
People thronged the church early morning today for the preparation of the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper celebration.
“On Thursday evening i.e. the day before Jesus’ death, there will be an evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, where we will remember Jesus’ last meal with His disciples,” Father Paul Simick, of Christ the King Church, Pakyong informed.
He further said that the celebration will start at 6pm with full participation of the whole local community along with the priests.
On Saturday at 7pm, there will be a long scriptures reading from the Old Testament and the New Testament. On Sunday, Jesus’ victory over death will be observed because all Christian believes it as the salvation of the whole human race,” Fr Simick added.
During Easters, the 40 days Lent will be concluded. During 40 days lent, Christians will do special prayers, give alms and do fasting.
The Christ the King Church covers areas like Nob Gaon, Pachey, Samsing, Chalamthang, Aho-Centy, Upper Namcheybong, Lower Namcheybong and Basilakha and people from all these places ill attend the celebration in the church, it is informed.

National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation wants old laws of the State protected at any cost

SE Report
GANGTOK, March 20: The National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO 371F) has expressed surprise over the State’s Finance Minister and also the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s statement in the recently concluded Budget session of the State Assembly that he is not in a position to comment or give his opinion over the Union Finance Bill of 2008 in the Parliament.
In a meeting held here today, the organisation discussed on the proposed Union Finance Bill of 2008 providing exemption to the Sikkim Subjects holders from the ambit of the Central Income Tax.
According to a press release in issued by its president Sonam Kaleon, the meeting discussed that although similar Finance Bill in the Lok Sabha was withdrawn by the then Finance Minister Dr. Man Mohan Singh in 1994, since the then State Government promptly realized the implications of the bill, the present SDF Government, is still not in a position to comment of give its opinion or act over the possible implications of the Finance Bill 2008 in the Parliament even after the lapse of so many weeks.
The organisation has said that the “State Government must act promptly in convincing the Union Government to withdraw or divert the Finance Bill 2008 before it is passed or put to implementation in Sikkim if the State Government feels and is convinced that the bill in question would automatically overlap the Sikkim Income Tax Manual of 1948, protected under the Indian Constitution as a valid law in Sikkim.”
The organisation has also expressed concern over what it calls the State Government’s “lackadaisical and ignoring attitude on the matter,” which according to them would lend to the massive erosion of Sikkim’s distinct identity within the Union.
While stating that the present situation was “something unexpected for the Sikkimese people when they were absorbed in the Union in 1975,” the press release “cautions that the distinct Sikkimese character, which is supposed to have been preserved and protected by Article 371 F of the Indian Constitution should be kept without polluting.” Members of the organisation have further said that “both the State Government and the Indian Government will be held responsible if any untoward incident emerges from the Sikkimese population in the event of disturbing the old laws.”
The meeting also passed a resolution supporting the cause espoused by the Lepchas of Dzongu demanding the total scrapping of all the Hydel Power Projects from the Dzongu region, which has become a become a matter of concern for the entire Sikkimese people, the release adds.

NABARD sanctions projects worth Rs. 12.02 crore

SE Report
GANGTOK, March 20: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development NABARD has sanctioned 18 projects relating to Pay & Use Toilets and Rural Market projects under Urban Development and Housing Department and two projects relating to Rural Drinking Water Supply under Water Security & Public Health Engineering Department, Government of Sikkim as the last phase of sanction under RIDF-XIII.
In a press release, the Deputy General Manager and Office In-Charge, Subrata Gupta informs that in all, the total loan sanctioned under RIDF-XIII increased to a record level of Rs.42.16 crore in the current financial year.
This according to the release has been the highest level of sanction given by NABARD since the inception of RIDF in the State of Sikkim.
The projects sanctioned would go a long way in improving the rural infrastructure in the rural areas of the State, the release further informs.

70 people of Yangtam ward employed under NREGA

GANGTOK, MARCH 20: The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act ensures Right to Livelihood with 100 days of work guaranteed to those job card holders in rural areas. Under the Act, a household is taken as a unit and members can demand for manual work in their own gram panchayat. In East Sikkim there has been the largest number of demand of work under NREGA with 17,000 job cards already issued till December, 2007.
Aho Yangtam Gram Panchayat Unit has been successfully implementing work under NREGA. According to Panchayat President Shri Basu Dev Adhikar of Yangtam ward, 70 job card holders in his ward have bee employed for the flood control work at Rongrong Khola at Yangtam. The workers which include 34 women and 36 men have been employed since January this year to build bund and retaining wall of around 300 mtrs in length to control landslide along the river. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 10 lakhs. According the guidelines under NREGA a crèche is being run near the site of the work.
Besides, the ongoing work in the ward, water source development was also taken at Devithan. The project which cost Rs 1 lakh was completed in February, 2008 in which 19 persons were employed. 25 households to which water is sourced benefited from the work at 200 mtrs radius. Water tank and channel were built in the source to benefit the neighbouring households.
A flagship programme of the Central Government NREGA was launched in February, 2006 in which 200 districts were initially covered. The programme is now being extended to other districts in the country. (PIB)

THURSDAY, MARCH, 20,  2008

State Election Commission announces Panchayat bye-elections

SE Report
GANGTOK, March 19: The State Election Commission has announced bye-elections to fill up the vacancies of members in three Territorial Constituencies and five Gram Panchayat Wards in the State.
A press release informs that the bye-elections for Territorial Constituencies will be held at 8-Ringhim Nampatam, 11-Tshungthang and 15-Lingthem-Lingdem in North Sikkim, all of which are reserved for Scheduled Tribe.
In the GPUs, there is one seat each for West, South and East District and two in the North.
Tsokha-Kyongyek under 7-Yuksom GPU is reserved for ST, Zarung under 43-Barfung Zarung GPU for MBC, Upper Rakdong under 42-Rakdong Tintek GPU for ST, Gairee under Kabi-Tingda GPU for ST and Ramthang Khyongu under 5-Ramanthang Tangyek GPU for ST.
While the last date for filing nominations is on March 31, the last date for scrutiny is on April 1 and the last date of withdrawal of candidature is on April 3.
Polls, if necessary are slated to be held on April 24 from 8am to 4pm and by May 6, the election process will be over, the release informs.

SAIMON PAUL RAI
GANGTOK, March 19: With the introduction of snow skiing at Phuni Valley on March 17, this picturesque valley located 18 km ahead of Lachung, will henceforth serve as the skiing centre where tourists visiting this part of the country could enjoy the sport in a relaxed pace.
The vast open spaces above the snowline have been open to the skiing enthusiasts. The awesome height at 11,000 feet and spread of the snow clad mountains, with the added advantage of powdered snow are tempting enough to magnetize the adventurous spirits of the avid skier, providing all the thrill and excitement attached to the game.
Realizing the immense prospect for tourism, the Blue Sky Tours and Travels in collaboration with Sikkim Mountaineering Association has successfully introduced the sport-a time for the tourists and locals to rejoice at.
The State Health Minister, Hissey Lachungpa officially inaugurated snow skiing in a function held at Phuni on March 17 in the presence of Senior Superintendent of Police (North)-Tshering Bhutia, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Chungthang) Norgay Bhutia and Sub Divisional Police Officer (Chungthang)Tshering Norbu.
According to the organizers, the new Ice ski terrain being developed at Phuni valley will definitely fire-up the imagination of ski-lovers as it offers a new challenge to their spirit of adventure.
The educated unemployed youths of the region can now opt for undergoing a snow skiing course to become professional skiers and thereafter train the skiing enthusiasts both within and outside the State for monetary benefits, organizers said. Besides, the former can participate at snow skiing competitions at national and international levels.
Speaking to mediapersons, managing director of Blue Sky, Palzor Lachungpa, informed that the newly introduced snow skiing will be made available to tourists at the designated location for another 10-15 days on trial basis with its fee going up to as high as Rs 150 for a time duration of 30 minutes. “We will work on the project report on snow skiing, which will then be submitted to the State Government at the earliest for appraisal so as to play a host to the sport on a much broader perspective in the forthcoming future,” Mr Lachungpa added.
He further added that plans are underway on the part of the organizers towards organizing national level snow skiing competitions alongside to upgrade an advanced ski slope newly opened at Yumthang, 6 kms further north from Phuni and to introduce ski-doo snow racing with the sole objective to attract hordes of tourists to North Sikkim which otherwise the inflow of tourists was on the decline.
Meanwhile, Kazi Sherpa, a professional skier from Sikkim Mountaineering Association on his part stated that snow skiing facilities and training for beginners will be available during the best part of winter months starting from the first week of January to mid week of March but it would all depend upon the availability of snow. “This is now the only place in the entire north-east where the Ice skiers can indulge in their favorite sport in the winter months with a setting just perfect both for the beginners and the seasoned,” he maintained.
A group of six freshly trained professional skiers including Pema Wangchuk Bhutia hailing from Bojoghari in East Sikkim, Mohan Biswakarma (Saleptanki), Mingma Sherpa and Dawa Sherpa, both from Kupup, Sonam Wangchuk Lepcha (Burtuk) and Kazi Sherpa (Baluwakhani) recently attended a 15 day long Snow Skiing Course at Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports at Manali (Himachal Pradesh) through the capacity building training programmes of the Sikkim government.
These professional skiers are available to guide and instruct the skiing enthusiasts in the sport.
It was a short duration requirement based course for beginners. The trainees were imparted training in elementary techniques of skiing like ski exercises, sliding on skis, straight running, side slip, snow plough and turn, fall and recovery.
Speaking to Pema Wangchuk Bhutia, he stated that he is positively looking forward to undergo a further advanced training course in skiing and thereafter participate in skiing competitions.

RMDD store keeper’s house raided by vigilance sleuths

GANGTOK, March 19: The State Vigilance Department has cracked down on State Government officials under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
This time, an official from the Rural Management and Development Department (RMDD) has come under the scanner of the Vigilance Department sleuths.
As per the information received from the Department, a team of officials of Sikkim Vigilance Police conducted searches at the office and residence of Lakpa Tshering Gensapa, Store Incharge of the RMDD, Jorethang, Chandmari East Sikkim and Mazi Goan, South Sikkim on March 18.
The raid was made in connection with a criminal case registered against the Store In-charge on 17/31 08 u/s 13(2) r/w 13(I) (e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 for having amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
A search warrant was obtained from the court leading up to the raid. During the search at the residence of Mr. Gensapa, 173 incriminating documents and cash Rs. 5,67,430 was seized by the Vigilance.
In addition 240 gms of gold jewellery, besides other house hold items, were also taken on record during the inventory.
According to the FIR registered against Mr Gensapa, he is alleged to possess three RCC buildings and four plots of land in East and South Sikkim besides a Scorpio Mahindra Vehicle. His assets are worth of Rs. 82 lakh against his known income of about Rs. 24 lakh. (IPR)

Limboo-Tamang organizations to pursue seats reservation with the Centre

NIRMAL MANGER
GANGTOK, March 19: Following the Central Government’s announcement of holding next elections as per the new delimited constituencies published on September 4, 2006, the Limboo-Tamang seat reservation issue has yet again surfaced in the State.
The President of Sikkim Yakthung Spasok Fujumbo, SP Subba said that a joint team of Tribal Forum, Sikkim Sangh Buddhist Association and Limboo Literary Society will be soon pursuing the matter with the Central Government.
While stating that the main demand in the memorandum is the amendment of Section 7 of the People’s Representation Act 1950, Mr Subba said that the Limboo Forum has submitted the same to the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling through his advisor, BB Gooroong.
He further said that a request has been made to introduce a mechanism whereby Limboos and Tamangs are notified for equitable welfare schemes in the State. “We also want the State Government to pursue the matter with the Central Government,” he said.
“According to our understanding, the President Ordinance differ the delimitation of constituencies till the finalization of the seats under a special clause of Indian Constitution,” Mr Subba fuirther added.
Meanwhile, President of All Sikkim Buddhist Tamang Association, Kumar Yonzon said that they will soon lead a joint delegation to the Chief Minister once they get an appointment with him.
Talking to SIKKIM EXPRESS on the issue, Mr. Gooroong said: “Since the State Assembly has already passed the Bill in the recent budget session, the ball is now in the Central Government’s court.” The reservation for Limboo-Tamangs will be done only after bringing an amendment in the People’s Representations Act of 1950, he maintained.

Tumin gets Omkareshwar Shiva Mandir
CM calls for spiritual development

GANGTOK, March 19: The Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling, has said that along with material progress, genuine endeavour should be made for spiritual development as well.
He said that Sikkim is a land soaked in spiritualism and effort should be made by one and all to transform Sikkim into a “Dev Bhumi” which should be manifested not only in hundreds of mandirs, monasteries, churches and holy places of different religions dotted all around Sikkim but also in all pervading faith of the people of this State.
The Chief Minister said this while inaugurating the Omkareshwar Shiva Mandir at Auigachi, Tumin, East Sikkim this morning.
Conceptualized by Pandit Dharmanand Nepal, the mandir is constructed on a land donated by the Nepal family. Pandit Dharmanand’s eldest son DR Nepal is the main inspiration behind the construction of this mandir, who, with the help and contribution from the members of his village is able to translate the dream of having a Shiva mandir at Auigachi into reality
Incidentally, the mandir is constructed on the particular spot where 18 wise Pandits had performed Puran recitations many years back and sanctified the land.
The Chief Minister said: “We should be able to make good use of religion, literature, philosophy and politics for the benefit of all and not the other way round. Life is short and every second counts, he said and continued that the brief span of life we have at our disposal should be used for carrying out good works for others and the State and should not be wasted by indulging in negative acts.”
Earlier, the Chief Minister accompanied by Cabinet Ministers, MLAs and other dignitaries took part in the puja inside the mandir.
The Area MLA Norzang Lepcha gave the welcome address and DR Nepal delivered the vote of thanks. The entire programme was efficiently conducted by Jagdish Sharma. (IPR)

SE Report
GANGTOK, March 19: Sikkim is poised to grow at 6.7 per cent during the 11th Plan (2007-2012).
This is the assessment of the National Planning Commission that minutely examines economic fundamentals of growth and other parameters of national economy as well as of the states. The National Planning Commission has released the 11th Plan document to the states concerned.
Amongst the North Eastern States, Nagaland will grow at 9.3 per cent, Assam at 6.5 per cent, Meghalaya at 7.1 per cent, Mizoram at 7.1 per cent, Arunachal Pradesh at 6.4 per cent and Tripura 6.9 per cent.
The national economy is already growing at 9 per cent.
Punjab is the economically slowest growing state. The other state with the slowest is Manipur that has been bracketed with Punjab as its growth rate will also be 5.9 per cent.
Haryana will be growing at 11 per cent, West Bengal will be growing at 9.7 per cent, Himachal Pradesh at 9.5 per cent, Uttaranchal at 9.9 per cent, Andhra Pradesh at 9.5 per cent, Maharashtra at 9.1 per cent, Jharkhand at 9.8 per cent and Orissa will be growing at 8.8 per cent, Tamil Nadu at 8.5 per cent, Chhattisgarh at 8.6 per cent, Bihar at 7.6 per cent, Rajasthan at 7.4 per cent, Madhya Pradesh at 6.7 per cent, , Jammu and Kashmir at 6.4 per cent, and Uttar Pradesh 6.1 per cent.
While the tiny state of Goa will be fastest growing state with its rate pegged at 12.1 per cent by the Commission, among the major states, Gujarat will be the economically fastest growing at 11.2 per cent as pegged by the Planning Commission. Karnataka will also be growing at the same pace.
Among the union territories, the growth rate of Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been projected at 5.4 per cent, Chandigarh at 13.5 per cent, Delhi 11.2 per cent and Pondicherry 9.1 per cent.
In the agriculture sector, Punjab sector will grow at an average of 2.4 per cent, Bihar will grow at 7 per cent, Jharkhand 6.3 per cent, Gujarat 5.5 per cent, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra each at 4.4 per cent, Tamil Nadu at 4.7 per cent, West Bengal at 4 per cent, Karnataka at 5.4 per cent, Haryana at 5.3 per cent and Andhra Pradesh at 4 per cent.

ACT concerned over Himagiri taking up CAT work under project cost

SE Report
GANGTOK, March 19: The Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) has raised concerns over the go-ahead given to private project developer for Catchment Area Treatment works in the Khangchendzonga National Park and Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve areas.
“As per the response sent by the Department of Power and Energy to the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) dated August 29, 2007 pertaining to petition filed by the ACT, on the clearance granted to Himagiri Hydro Energy Private Limited, the department among other admissions has admitted that 400 hectares of Khangchendzonga National Park and Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve has been marked for Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) work,” informs an ACT press release.
While stating that the “CAT plan in a disguised form is to help check landslides and riverbank erosions up stream of the dam so that the reservoir will not be affected by siltation and flood material, among other thing,” ACT general secretary Dawa Lepcha has asked the State Forest Department whether they could take up the same with its own budget “if CAT really means for improvement and upgradation of forest and National Parks.”
Mr Lepcha in the release informs that “the reply also admits that core zone of the Biosphere Reserve should be kept absolutely undisturbed and therefore there should not be any other kind of activities which will become detrimental to the existence of animals and their habitats and so on.”
He has further expressed concern whether “the engineering measures as marked out in the EMP and in the clearance letter, like Brushwood, DRSM, crate wires, Bench terracing works which are to be carried out for the duration of 4 to 5 years involving labourers local or non-local affect the National Park.” “Not just engineering measures, there are Biological measures, NTFP Regeneration measures in the National Park,” the release reads clarifying “all these works in the National Park has to be carried out because the MOEF in the clearance condition has said Bio diversity conservation management plan has to be followed in toto.”
The ACT general secretary, who has resumed the hunger strike, also asks why the CAT works are done at the project cost. “The land that has been acquired and the money paid by the company for the same could have been used for the purpose,” he added.
“It obviously means that CAT work is for the protection of the reservoir of the project in a disguised form, and therefore it should be treated as a part of the project,” the release further states.

PT Gyamtso condemns news report; clarifies role of “Gyaltsen Committee 1976”

SE Report
GANGTOK, March 19: Former Rajya Sabha MP and now the Chief Advisor of Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad (SHRP), PT Gyamtso, has commented a news report on the alleged role of “Gyaltsen Committee 1976”.
In the rejoinder to a local Nepali daily published from Siliguri, the former MP has said that there is no point in commenting on how Sikkim had undergone change from a monarchical rule to a full-fledged democratic State of the Indian Union. “This is history now and many books have appeared on the subject and there is nothing one can do about it. One can only think and introspect how it has benefited the common man. I am a strong believer of the fact that it has benefited all sections of the community in terms of ameliorating one's own economic condition,” the rejoinder reads.
While pointing out “factual mistakes” in the newspaper, Mr Gyamtso has clarified that the Gyaltsen Committee was constituted during LD Kazi’s regime in 1976 and it is incorrect to say that it was done during Nar Bahadur Bhandari’s regime. “Although it is about 32 years now that this Committee was constituted, the name of Late Sir RB Mukhia who was a Secretary in the Government has been inadvertently left out,” he stated adding “I do not remember whether Late D.C. Lucksom was a member of the Committee. I was a Deputy Secretary in the Government and the Secretary of the Committee and my job was confined to preparing the minutes of the meeting.”
He further informed that Late TS Gyaltsen, the Chief Secretary and Cabinet Secretary and the father of KT Gyaltsen, the present Political Secretary to the present Chief Minister was the Chairman of the Committee.
He further informed: “As the agenda was to recommend cases persons for inclusion in Tribal group, we took a copy of the West Bengal module for discussion. As far as I remember, only two meetings were held to discuss the matter. In the first meeting, the Chairman of the Committee brought out the subject of inclusion of Tsongs into the Scheduled Tribe group on the ground that this community had enjoyed separate protection during the Chogyal’s regime. The proposal was vehemently opposed by some members of the Committee and when the Chairman kept on persisting the point, some members had even threatened to resign from the Committee. Thereafter the meeting was adjoined. In the next meeting the Committee decided to adopt the West Bengal module and recommend the cases to the Govt. My job was confined to recording the minutes of the meeting only as I did not have the background and knowledge to deliberate on the subject authoratively then so to influence the decision-making. I, however, observed that the other members were not well conversant with the law of the subject and the parameters under which the cases were to be examined and report submitted.”
The SHRP chief advisor in the rejoinder also mentioned that almost all the members of the Committee are dead and that the only surviving Sikkimese member of the Committee CD Rai is too old to comment on the subject.”
“Being the member-Secretary of the Committee, the exercise for me appeared to be an attempt to confound and confuse the minds of the people so as to paint me as the villain of piece and the spoiler of the proposal in the minds of the innocent people. The technique of pecuniary profligacy which Mr Chamling often applies to take care of such cases may also been applied on Mr Dahal to highlight this issue,” he commented.
Mr Gyamtso further said, “The very fact that Mr Bhim Dahal had access to Home Department document of 1976 to scrounge DO NO 12016/24/75SCTV, Govt of India Ministry of Home Affairs Room No. 604, A Wing, Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi indicates that the Chief Minister under whom the Department is placed was interested to paint me the bad boy who had sabotaged the proposal whereas in reality leave aside seeing the D.O referred to above, I am hearing the matter for the first time. As Mr Dahal's conclusion has been drawn from this D.O, one can draw one's own conclusion about the intention of the write up.”
Stating that his involvement in advancing Limboo Tamang inclusion in the Scheduled
Caste during a meeting took place in Mintokgang in the presence of Chief Minister,
Ministers and MLAS with the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes Chairman and
Member, Mr Gyamtso has sought document proof if has been engaged according to the
Chief Minister, in opposing the inclusion of the two tribes in the ST list.
The SHRP chief advisor has also cautioned to stop playing with the sentiments of the
Lepchas by dubbing him as anti-Lepchas. “Mr Bhim Dahal a two time MP should know by now that the cases of inclusion of any community into Tribal Group has to be under certain parameters based on ethnography, social status, and backwardness. The efforts made by me in this direction will be evident if he goes through the Report of the Visit of the MPS, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Dr SK Rai and Mr Santosh Kumar Rai presented to the Chief Minister by Dr SKRai, President, Akhil Kirat Rai Sangh of Sikkim, a copy of which is also with me,” adds the rejoinder.

Day 2 of Twenty20 Cricket
YAT & College Road Cricket Club emerge winners

Staff Reporter
GANGTOK, March 19: Yargay Association of Tathangchen (YAT) claimed its jubilant victory with 72 runs against Water Garden Boys from Sang-Martam in the first match of the day played here today morning at Paljor Stadium.
Water Garden Boys won the toss and elected to field first wherein the same the YAT proved its worth scoring 147 runs with a loss of 8 wickets.
The former team in its retaliation to the latter was all out for 75 runs. For YAT, Namgyal Wangdi scored 49 runs alongside took 1 wicket.
Meanwhile, Sonam Dorjee from the winning team was adjusted the ‘Man of the Match’ for his 4 wickets haul.
The 20 overs match witnessed Lakpa Chettri as the match referee alongside Ganesh Pradhan and Bikash Pradhan as umpires respectively.
Likewise in the second match, College Road Cricket Club won against BM United with 80 runs.
College Road Cricket Club won the toss and elected to bat first, the team was all out for 165 runs in totality. Thereafter, the BM United on its part scored 86 runs in 19.4 overs.
Karan Pradhan of College Road Cricket Club was declared the ‘Man of the Match’ for his 32 runs and 2 wickets.
Tomorrow, Royal Singtam will take on Sun Rise Cricket Club in the morning match at Paljor Stadium. The afternoon match will be played between Evengers 11 and DNCC (New Daragaon Cousins Club).

WEDNESDAY, MARCH, 19,  2008

Next elections to be held as per New Delimitation Commission guidelines

SE Report
GANGTOK, March 18: The Government of India today announced that the next elections would be held “within a year” as per the guidelines of the new Delimitation Commission.
This was announced by Law Minister HR Bhardwaj in the Rajya Sabha today. He also said that the Election Commission had informed that they needed six to eight months for revision of electoral rolls.
According to State Government sources, a copy of the new delimitation commission guidelines was sent to the State Election Commission yesterday. The SEC will soon take up the works of preparing the voters list as per the constituencies which have been directed by the Commission, it is learnt.
The Government has published presidential order under the article 82 and 170(3) of the constitution implementing the delimitation commission’s order in respect of 24 states and union territories.
“We are preparing for revision of electoral rolls. The next elections will be held on the basis of the present delimitation. We have to complete the exercise so that political parties and leaders can get enough time to work in their constituencies because in one year, election are going to be held. We cannot delay it. We had to complete the exercise because we are committed to democracy,”' the Law Minister said while replying to the discussion on the ‘Delimitation (Amendment) Bill, 2008, and ‘The Representation of People (Amendment) Bill, 2008.’ The House later passed the Bills, paving the way for the next elections based on the new delimitation exercise.

The delimitation order made by the delimitation commission in respect to the state of Jharkhand has been nullified under the section 10B of the delimitation act 2002.
The delimitation process in the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland has deferred by the President in exercise of the powers under section 10A of the delimitation Act 2002, as amended by Delimitation (amendment) ordinance 2008 (no 1 of 2008) from the purview of the present delimitation exercise.

Tibetans hold rally in Siliguri

Our Correspondent
SILIGURI, March 18: In what could be called their biggest rally in years, more than 2,000 Tibetans gathered from all over North Eastern India and Darjeeling at Siliguri demanding the United Nations investigate reports of killings of protestors in China.
The candle-light rally, which was led by hundreds of Buddhist monks in maroon robes, waved Tibetan flags and marched through the streets of Siliguri, chanting “We want free Tibet. We want freedom.”
The North East Tibetan Youth Congress spokesperson Ugen Tsewang also appealed Indian Government to interfere in this issue and also requested for the permission to go to Tibet to support the Tibetans there.
After the rally, Tibetans coming from refuge settlements in the Indian States of Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Darjeeling gathered at the Kala Chakra Monastery in Siliguri. Young men with “Free Tibet” bandannas also burnt the effigies of the Chinese President.

One killed as landslide hit Chuzachen project

Staff Reporter
GANGTOK, March 18: A labourer of a private company was buried alive and two injured when a portion of an underground tunnel of the 99 MW Chuzachen hydel project caved in after heavy landslides in the area, 2km from Rongli Bazaar.
According to a source, the incident occurred at around 9am today when the labourers were working.
The victims have been identified as Sujoy, Narayan Das and Babu Biswas from 24 Paraganas, West Bengal. All of them were working as manual labourers with Gati Infrastructure Limited for the past few months.
Narayan Das succumbed to the injuries on his way to Rongli PHC. Other two have sustained minor injuries.
“We will make sure that the families of the victims get compensated very soon,” the General Manager, Gati Infrastructure Limited, BK Ghabrani told SIKKIM EXPRESS.
At the time of filing this report, the body was sent for post mortem at Central Referral Hospital while the injured duo are still undergoing treatment at Rongli PHC.

Tribal children on an excursion tour meets
Governor Agarwal

Staff Reporter
GANGTOK, March 18: At least 25 children from tribal areas of Basar in Arunachal Pradesh, who is on a 13-day excursion tour today called upon Governor Sudarshan Agarwal at Raj Bhawan.
The tour is sponsored by the 13th Batallion ITB Police and was flagged off by Commandant 13th Batallion RK Sah on March 13 from Basar.
While addressing the children in the presence of Dy Inspector General SHQ (NE-II), ITBP Kabul Singh Bajwa, Governor Agarwal said that students should possess the knowledge about the entire country. He further added that the students have a great responsibility for the upliftment and the betterment of the country, for which he told them to be hardworking and sincere to face the challenges and competitions of the present day.
Further advising the children he said, “Children should always speak the truth and possess the dignity of labour.” Stressing on self-confidence and ambition among the children, he said the children should be committed to make their family, state and the country proud.
The governor informed that he has established a boarding school free of cost at Dehradun, with the name Himjyoti especially for the girl students belonging to poor family of the rural areas. He further informed that three girls from Sikkim have been selected for the same school.
The children from Basar will be staying in Gangtok till March 20. During their stay in Gangtok they will meet the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and will visit places of tourist interests in and around Gangtok including Nathula.
The tour aimed to give exposure to the children is a combination of educational as well as recreational value.
They will get an opportunity to see different parts of the country, interact with the people of different states, learn about their traditions and culture and see their way of living and developments that have taken place, it is informed.
During their 13-day tour, the children will visit places like Itanagar, Lokhra, Guwahati, Bagdogra, Siliguri and Gangtok. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police, an elite paramilitary force is not only guarding the border but also conducting programmes for the betterment of the area where they are deployed, from time to time.
The 13th Bn ITB Police is currently deployed at Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.

SHRP to hold a ‘massive rally’ in Gangtok

SE Report
GANGTOK, March 18: The Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad (SHRP) in a meeting held today here at the party head office under the chairmanship of the party president Dr AD Subba discussed to hold a massive rally in the capital.
According to a press release, disadvantaged youths, denied of benefits by the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) Government will take part in the rally.
The date of the rally is yet to be fixed but SHRP leaders said that it will be focused to raise voice against the SDF government in their failure to provide better prospects for the poor people of the State.
During the meeting, the decision to empower the youth wing by forming various youth committee in all the districts was also tabled, for which the party nominated youth conveners and general secretaries for all the districts with Tshewang Jigme Bhutia as the State Convener. The district conveners are Rohit Rai (East), Gyalman Subba (West), Bharat Gurung (South) and Pema Wangyal Bhutia from North district,” informs the release.
Meanwhile, Dr Subba welcomed the new youth committee by offering the members with khadas.
The meeting was also attended by the executive members of the party including the party advisor PT Gyamtso and convener Thukchuk Lachungpa.

NE Tibetan Youth Congress writes to PM; seeks Indian Govt’s help in Tibet problem

SE Report
GANGTOK/SILIGURI, March 18: The North-East Tibetan Youth Congress (NETYC) has appealed the Indian government to intervene into the grievous situation inside Tibet, and condemn the Chinese authorities’ violent crackdown on the peaceful Tibetan protests. It has also sought the Indian Government’s intervention in demanding for a United Nations investigation and intervention into the massacre taking place in Tibet.
In a memorandum petitioned to the Prime Minister of India, the president of the NETYC Dawa Gyalpo has requested the Indian government to urge the Chinese leadership to immediately stop repression and to release all those who have been detained and to provide immediate medical care to all those who have been injured.
While informing that “an unprecedented wave of protests has swept across monasteries, towns, villages, schools, colleges and universities in Tibet as violence and crackdown continued by the brutal Chinese government, the letter says that the Tibetans are rising up to regain their lost freedom in the biggest protests since 1989.
“We Tibetans living in North Eastern region stand in complete solidarity and unison with the ongoing protest in Tibet. We condemn in our strongest words the ongoing violent crackdowns in Tibet, which has taken over a hundred lives, by the Chinese authorities. The violent crackdown in Tibet has shown the true colour of the brutal Chinese regime. China has proven to the world that it does not deserve to host the Olympics, which is meant for extending peace and harmony in the world,” reads the letter to the Prime Minister.
The letter further reads that the protests in Tibet are a result of nearly five decades of Tibetan people’s distress with China’s brutal occupation of Tibet and its repressive policies, increased defamatory campaigns against