THURSDAY, APRIL , 17 ,   2008

Medha Patkar takes Dzongu issue to the fore; calls for immediate dialogue between the State Govt and Lepcha protestors
State Govt should have played the role of protector rather than agents of the corporate: Medha Patkar

YISHEY D
GANGTOK, April 16: The leader of the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), Medha Patkar, today said that the Sikkim Government should come to the people and start a dialogue and not put up a “party show” as they did to the Lepcha marchers from Bengal today.
The country’s most vocal environment activist said this here today. Ms. Patkar was on a day’s visit to the State.
Ms Patkar, who was supposed to join the Lepcha marchers during their three-day pilgrimage to Dzongu in North Sikkim, expressed “shock and sadness” over the State Government’s alleged role in threatening and stopping the pilgrims from proceeding towards Dzongu.
The marchers were forced to turn back from Phidang near Dikchu today morning when Section 144 was clamped in North Sikkim thus barring them to continue the march to their “holy” land.
The NBA leader visited the BL House here today evening after a brief stopover at Rangpo where she met the marchers from Kalimpong.
Stepping out from the car, Ms Patkar immediately went to the two Satyagrahis on a hunger strike seated outside the BL House and offered her solidarity to the Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), who is spearheading the Satyagraha.
She also met protestors carrying out their indefinite hunger strike against the implementation of hydel projects in Dzongu from the Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial Hospital here.
While addressing the press conference here at BL House, the NBA leader, also a leader of the People’s Movement said that those belonging to the ruling party are always on one side and people’s movements like this in all the states across the country have to play the role of the opposition party.
Touched by the plight of the Lepchas over their fight to protect their rich land-“rich in terms of natural resources and as the source of inspiration and livelihood to their own generation,” the NBA leader pointed out that the Chamling Government has failed to make even a single gesture of initiating a dialogue with those on the hunger strike even as the indefinite hunger strike attained the 35th day.
“We are ready to hear what the Chief Minister has to say but unfortunately he is not saying anything,” she added.
“Why cannot a frank and free dialogue happen, which is acceptable to both parties? It is shameful that no dialogue has been initiated by the State Government with the Satyagrahis”, she said.
Taking up Sikkim’s issue for the first time, Ms Patkar said that the State being under high seismic risk and hydel projects planned along buffer zones, the Sikkim Government is not serious about its own environmental laws or least bothered about the people’s rights and the land laws supposed to be protected under Article 371 F of the Indian Constitution.
“Every community must have the right to concede or not to concede to any project and this is what the Indian constitution has granted,” she informed, adding that “Article 243 of the Indian Constitution says that the first right to plan development should lie with the smallest of the communities, the grams sabhas and the ward sabhas in rural and urban areas respectively.”
The NBA leader also said that to have so many projects in Dzongu with just a population of around 6,000 is nothing but a perfect example of colonization. According to her, such a policy to extract and exploit resources of one land in a hurry and haste needs to be questioned.
Further stating that the people living on agriculture, horticulture, cardamom cultivation can be easily lured through dole outs, she said that the State Government should have played the role of protector rather than being agents in favour of the corporate.
She also felt the need of protecting Sikkim’s nature, culture and religion even amidst the plans and policies of the so called development. “This beautiful State of Sikkim is not just a tourist centre; it is a place of cultural centre which the State is flooded with, she said.
“No one is against development per se but development is a chain that is desirable and acceptable to those people who are to be directly affected, she added.
Commenting on the outside agencies encroaching upon the land of the Lepchas in Dzongu, Ms Patkar said it reflects social, cultural, economic and political issues for which she demanded for immediate review of Teesta State III and stop Panang project. “This is the most reasonable democratic demand which the Chamling government should accept,” she added.
Ms Patkar further said that the response made by the State government during the 63rd day of the indefinite hunger strike was a fraud and betrayed the Lepchas.
Alleging that the Chief Minister formed a review committee with almost all official members and only one non official member, the NBA leader termed it as an undemocratic way of the Sikkim Democratic Front Government to respond to the protestors.
She also informed of raising the issue of the Land Acquisition Act Bill, which is lying before the standing committee.
Ms Patkar also invited members of ACT and other environmental organizations to join in a dharna in New Delhi from April 28 to 30. During the dharna, all the organizations will jointly take up the issue of development, displacement and disparities as a result of mega hydel projects in the country, she informed
Not only did she handed over CDs on how dams should be planned to the ACT protestors, Ms Patkar also suggested the Government to go for mini hydel projects, which is not only cost effective but people-friendly.
The NBA leader told the Satyagrahis to feed those hunger strikers whose health was deteriorating.

State Govt finally sits up and notices price rise discrepancies in
CM directs depts to check hoarding and black-marketing of essential commodities

SE Report
GANGTOK, April 16: The record breaking inflation and spiraling prices of essential commodities has finally caught the attention of the State Government.
In a press release issued by the Department of Information and Public Relations here today, the State Government has said that it is “deeply concerned over the unprecedented rise in prices of various commodities.” The State Government “is also closely monitoring the same so that the unscrupulous people do not take undue advantage of the situation,” the press release said.
The State Government is of the opinion that the recent price rise is a “global phenomenon” and it has “not only affected the people of Sikkim but the entire nation as well as the whole world.’
The Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling, in the coordination meeting held at the Tashiling Secretariat yesterday, directed the State Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department and the Urban Development and Housing Department to see that the all the essential commodities are made available to the people. Further, he specifically directed the departments to ensure that no hoarding and black-marketing of commodities be allowed within the State. The Chief Minister has ordered for initiating action against any one found indulging in malpractices, the press release informs.
The Chief Minister has also directed the Food Security, Agriculture and Cash-crop Development department to initiate various schemes to make Sikkim self-sufficient in food production. It may be mentioned here that the Chief Minister has been repeatedly calling upon the people of Sikkim to become producers rather than consumers.
The press release further adds that the State Government has “also sought the full cooperation of people of the State to tackle this problem jointly and also called upon them not to lend their ears to misleading information being spread by the vested interests.”

SDF calls opposition parties ‘mafias’
Lepcha padhyatra brainchild of the Opposition: Bhim Dahal

Staff Reporter
GANGTOK, April 16: The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) today slammed all the opposition parties of the State terming them as ‘mafias’ working against the welfare and development of the people of Sikkim.
In a press conference here today, the newly appointed party spokespersons of the party- KT Gyalsten and Bhim Dahal said that the leaders of opposition parties could be referred as Siberian birds who keep changing their habitats frequently.
While speaking over the issue of Lepcha padhyatris, Mr Dahal, who is also the party’s general secretary (press and publicity), said that the episode was a “pre-planned conspiracy of all the heads of the opposition parties.”
“All the opposition parties are presently under one umbrella primarily with the sole motive to uproot SDF party, which I feel is nothing but their fantasy,” he said.
Calling opposition leaders like T Lachungpa, Anjan Upadhya, GM Rai, Atup Lepcha, Nar Bahadhur Bhandari, Ashok Tshong, HR Pradhan, Tseten Tashi as people without vision and public mandate, Mr Dahal pointed out that the Lepcha padhyatra was a sponsored programme.
“Nowhere in the history is Dzongu mentioned as the pilgrimage centre or a sacred place. The whole episode has been framed and cooked up by the opposition parties to make it an alarming issue,” he added.
Referring to a book, ‘Darjeeling’ written by CS Omalay in 1907, the party spokesperson stated that the Lepchas were given the opportunity to come back to Sikkim, during which they denied saying that Sikkim was under developed and now the other way round.
Mr Dahal further alleged the anti-government policies of the opposition parties and threatened to seek a Central Government probe over the matter.
According to Mr Gyalsten, the opposition parties are trying to obstruct the rapid development taking place in Sikkim by bringing people from outside the State and disturbing the peace and tranquility.
Since the process of developing a state and protecting the rights and interests of the people, is the duty and the obligation of the government in power, any acts or acts based on incorrect and misleading facts or illegal activities which obstructs the performance of such responsibility by the government is anti people and anti democracy, he stressed.

Dzongu pilgrimage cut short
Lepcha marchers forced to turn back

Our Correspondent
RANGPO, April 16: More than 400 Lepchas from parts of West Bengal undertaking a pilgrimage on foot from Triveni in Melli to Dzongu were forced to curtail their journey today.
They were denied permission by the DC North on grounds of section 144 imposed in North Sikkim.
The marchers reached Rangpo late afternoon today.
While condemning the decision of the north district administration, the president of the Lepcha Youth Association, Dorjee Tshering Lepcha said that the Sikkim Police made fool of the marchers.
“During the journey, we faced a number of problems but we cooperated with the Police. But when we were about to reach our destination, some unknown miscreants threw petrol and diesel in three areas, which made us stop the pilgrimage,” Mr Lepcha stressed.
Expressing dismay over the authority’s unwillingness to allow them enter their ancestral land, the marchers told that it was unfortunate on the part of the government to deny them the pilgrimage passage.
Meanwhile, a peace rally was organized at Singtam bazaar yesterday, where the local public, youth, cheli morcha and various delegates participated carrying placards and making a round of the town area.
The rally was organised against the Lepcha marchers, who are alleged to have disturbed the peace of the area.
Reports also inform that the Singtam Bihari Dharmshala Committee has filed an FIR against the ACT President Athup Lepcha and SAFE Convener Bharat Basnett. The FIR, which was signed by the Committee President Rameshwar Prasad, Secretary Udai Shankar Prasad and Cashier Ravishankar Prasad have alleged that the marchers have illegally entered into the Dharamshala by breaking the lock of the gate. Reports also say the Dharamshala was booked and rent paid by one Legden Lepcha for the overnight halt of the pilgrimage group.
“When the committee came to know that the motive of the pilgrims, the committee cancelled the booking,” the FIR reads.
Moreover, president of Bihari Jagaran Manch Rambhajan Prasad has appealed the people to maintain peace and harmony in the area.

Bharosa MD finally in Police net

SE Report
GANGTOK, April 16: After giving the Police the slip for nearly three months, the Managing Director of Bharosa Private Limited, Bishnu Maya Rai was finally arrested today by the Namchi Police.
The financial company has been in news lately for fraud and mismanagement of investors’ money.
On February 20 earlier this year, the Namchi Police had arrested two members of Bharosa Private Limited from Namchi following the complaint from three investors against the Managing Director and others. The MD, who was thought to be the mastermind behind the racket, was absconding at that time. A Sikkim Police team along with the Bengal Police was on a look-out for Ms. Rai.
Hundreds of depositors from all parts of the State, who were cheated out of their investments, had been persistently holding meetings and filing complaints with the Police in an attempt to get back their invested capital from the company. Reports indicate that the Bharosa company had collected more than Rs 12 crores from depositors from all over the South District as well as from parts of West Bengal.
According to the complainant, they were first lured to invest money led by the bait that the company dealt in shares on higher rates than other banks. When the company failed to return the depositors their invested amount along with the interests even after the date of maturity of the polices got over, they smelt a rat and lodged complaints with the Police.
Ms. Rai was arrested around 11 am today from near the Namchi District Court premises in Namchi. A case under section 420/406/34 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against the MD and she is currently in Police remand.

CCCT Chisopani students stumble upon explosives in a bag from a local taxi

SE Report
GANGTOK, April 16: A bag full of explosives was recovered in Chisopani in South Sikkim.
The incident occurred at the CCCT campus in Chisopani in South Sikkim after a group of students returned after the Ramnavami holidays.
According to the Police, four students of the Institute back from the holidays took a Maruti Van local taxi from the Jorethang Bazaar to the campus in Chisopani in the evening of April 14. After reaching the Institute, about 6 kms from Jorethang, the boys got down and took their language from the back of the van and proceeded towards their hostel.
Once in their rooms, the boys realised that there was one bag excess in their luggage, which did not belong to anyone of them. Assuming that the bag belonged to the taxi driver, the boys decided to keep the bag with the security guards in the guards room near the main gate of the campus with the instructions that if the taxi driver came back to collect the bag, it should be handed over to him.
When no one turned up to collect the bag till the next morning, the boys decided to inform the Principal about the incident. When the Principal checked the contents of the bag, he found four pieces of dynamites, four detonators, a pair of shoes and a pair of trousers inside the unclaimed bag.
The Principal immediately informed the Jorethang Police and a complaint was lodged at the Jorethang Police Station the same day.
During investigations, the students identified the local taxi and the driver who had dropped them in the evening of April 14 at their institute.
The driver cum owner of the Maruti Van local taxi has been identified as Prem Lama, alias Man Kumar Tamang of Sikyang West Sikkim, presently staying at Daragoan, Jorethang.
The Jorethang Police arrested him and also seized the van. A case has been registered under section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act 1908 and is under investigation. Today, Prem Lama was produced before the CJM Namchi and sent for 5 days Police remand.
The driver told the Police that the bag did not belong to him and might have been left behind by some passenger. The case is under investigation.

Akhil Bhujel Sangh of Sikkim forms new executive body

SE Report
GANGTOK, April 16: The Akhil Bhujel Sangh of Sikkim formed a new working committee with PK Bhujel as its president during the Bhujel Milan Sammellan held at Rangpo on April 12.
Others holding the posts in the executive committee are HB Khawas as general secretary, LM Khawas as vice-president, Ganga Bhujel as cultural secretary, NP Bhujel as treasurer, NP Bhjuel as publicity secretary and Garjaman Bhujel and CB Bhujel as the advisors.
A press release informs that although the meeting was held to form a new executive committee, the meeting also discussed future plans relating to the development of Bhujel culture, literature and tradition.
Bhujels from across the State attended the meeting, the release further informs.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL , 16 ,   2008

LEPCHAS ON THE WAY TO DZONGU ON PILGRIMAGE
Marchers reach Singtam; directed to proceed towards Dzongu via Dikchu

Our Correspondent
SINGTAM, April 15: More than 400 Lepchas from Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Mirik and parts of Dooars undertaking a four-day pilgrimage on foot from Triveni in Melli to Dzongu in North Sikkim today marched towards Dikchu from here.
The marchers, attired in their traditional dresses, left around 7:30 am. They are expected to halt overnight at Phidang before entering Dzongu tomorrow to offer their prayers.
The Lepchas began their march with a prayer at the confluence of the Teesta and Rangit in Melli.
Sources at the North District Administration informed that the Lepcha marchers have not taken departmental permission to enter Dzongu. The relevant permits have not reached the DC office, informed a reliable source.
Moreover, pro-project Lepchas from Dzongu have assembled at Sankalang Bridge pver the Teesta River connecting Dzongu with Mangan in order to stop the “pilgrims” from entering Dzongu, it is learnt.
Meanwhile, members of ACT said that permits for a pilgrimage tour to Dzongu was already acquired from the State Government, after which the Lepchas had embarked on their “Padyatra”. They further claimed that the State government was putting all efforts to obstruct the peaceful rally.
The marchers had planned to meet the ACT Satyagrahis on hunger strike at BL House here today but their passage to Dzongu was diverted from Singtam via Dikchu.
Their passage from Gangtok was restricted under provisions under Section 144 and also due to certain incidences of the past.
The Lepcha marchers, led by the president of Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association, Lyangsong Tamsang, entered Sikkim at 3 pm yesterday from Rangpo without any major incidents despite heavy downpour.
Upon their arrival at Rangpo on the West Bengal side, the Himalayan Forest Welfare Association and the Rashtriya BAN Samjivi Manch welcomed them.
On the Sikkim side, the marchers were received by ACT President, Congress General Secretary, Secretary, CITU Sikkim Unit, SAFE Convener.
It is informed that the marchers carried on peacefully from Rangpo haat bazaar until it reached Singtam at about 6 pm yesterday.
Tension rose in Singtam when some locals tried to dissuade the Lepchas from entering the town. The situation was quickly brought under control.

SPSC candidates cry foul; Commission refute allegations of discrepancies in question papers

NIRMAL MANGAR
GANGTOK, April 15: Candidates writing the Civil Service Examinations conducted by the Sikkim Public Service Commission (SPSC) have brought to light several discrepancies on the part of the department in conducting the exams.
Few candidates on conditions of anonymity today told SIKKIM EXPRESS that the decorum of conducting a civil service examination have been vastly neglected by the concerned department.
According to them, the rules and syllabus for the open competitive exam for the candidates for the appointment to the junior grade of the Sikkim State Civil Service has not been fully exercised. The question papers for various subjects were full of errors and in some cases, questions were totally out of context.
In what could be called a rare occurrence, candidates for the Geography subject (optional paper) were caught off guard when they realized that there were no marks mentioned for the Section III questions of Geography paper.
Irritated over the oversight, the candidate said that even the Economics paper did not carry marks. “Without mentioning the marks for the required question, we failed to understand as to how many words the answer should be. Our future is at stake here but the Commission seems to be least bothered,” a candidate from Gangtok said.
In another gross oversight, the Geography paper carried questions that had nothing to do with the subject. Sample this: “Describe the salient features of Sikkim’s economy.” “A question on Sikkim’s economy should be carried in the Economics paper and not in Geography paper as done by the Commission,” the candidates complained.
Moreover, candidates are also unhappy over the General Knowledge paper. They said that although the syllabus excluded Sikkim-related affairs, the GK paper carried questions on Sikkim. “It is not that we do not want questions on Sikkim. But what we want to say is that the syllabus should be followed strictly,” they said. “I was shocked to learn that one of the questions in GK, which read- “who won the recent under 19 tournament” was not specific. It did not mentioning which tournament - hockey, cricket, kabbadi or football,” another candidate informed.
The candidates also complained that the question papers were brought in open without being bundled or with any official seal in the examination halls. Most of the question papers were in photo-copied form as well. “The question papers were brought loose and that too photo-copied. There is every chance that the papers could be leaked,” one candidate said.
When they tried to apprise the invigilators with the discrepancies, the invigilators simply responded by saying that they were only deputed for the exams and have nothing to do with the matter, the candidates alleged.
Most of the students have been preparing for the exams since the past two years, it is learnt.
Earlier, the candidates had complained the Department for declaring the examination dates on a very short notice.
On the other hand, Secretary of SPSC, KK Pradhan while talking to SIKKIM EXPRESS said that although the General Knowledge syllabus did not mention Sikkim, it was accepted that the candidates should know everything about their State.
He also said that the Principals of every schools and colleges where the examinations were held were the supervising authorities who opened the question papers.
The Secretary ruled out the complaints that it was not mandatory to have the seal of the Commission on every question paper.
All the questions are being set up by experts from various Universities outside the State, he informed.

Our Correspondent
PAKYONG, April 15: The Nationalists Congress Party (NCP) yesterday launched the party’s State unit in Sikkim and appointed Ashok Tsong its president.
In a party meeting organised yesterday at Basnett Gaon in Namcheybong near Pakyong, Mr Tsong, a former MLA, demanded restoration of lost territories of Darjeeling, Dooars and Siliguri to Sikkim.
NCP Incharge of North East, Dr Jimmy George and DD Adhikari from Assam presided over the meeting as the party’s central representatives.
A number of agendas focusing on the welfare of the people of Sikkim were placed in the meeting, which was attended by over 150 people.
Reiterating his demands at the launch of NCP’s Sikkim unit, Mr Tsong said, “These territories of Darjeeling, Dooars and Siliguri, extending upto the Mechi river, rightfully belongs to the people of Sikkim and the freedom that the people of Gorkhaland were looking for in West Bengal, can only be attained if they come and initiate the movement from Sikkim and fight for greater Sikkim.”
“The fight should not be for a separate Gorkhaland, since the land actually belongs to Sikkim,” he said adding “the movement towards freedom for the Gorkha people started by Subash Ghising and then by Bimal Gurung can be attained only by integrating these territories with Sikkim.”
While claiming that no party in Sikkim has yet made a positive demand for the restoration of the lost land of the State, the State NCP president said, “Historically this region belongs to the Sikkimese monarch and that is why we want it back.”
He further said that during the initial stage of the movement for Gorkhaland, West Bengal government had, in a white paper, admitted that the land in question originally belonged to Sikkim and Bhutan.
The former MLA also urged the people of Sikkim to join hands with the NCP in getting back their lost land and unite for greater development of the State.
Speaking on the inclusion of the new territory and creation of greater Sikkim, Mr Tsong said that old Sikkim will be protected under Article 371(f) and the laws applicable to the Sikkimese territory that is presently under the West Bengal government will remain status quo.
He further demanded that the several communities that have so far been “overlooked”, especially the Limboo and Tamang communities should be allotted their due seats in the State Assembly before the 2009 elections.
“Sikkim should be declared a tribal state unlike the SDF government’s plan to include communities leaving out Newar, Bahun and Chettris,” he added.
Members of Gorkha Rashtriya Congress led by its president Dr DK Bomzan, who were present in the launching ceremony, also submitted a memorandum to NCP leader Dr Jimmy George requesting his party’s help towards integration of Sikkim with Darjeeling and other lost territories.

GANGTOK, April 15: The Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling inaugurated the newly upgraded and modified conference hall at the Tashiling Secretariat here today.
Also present during the function were the Speaker, DN Thakarpa, cabinet ministers, political advisor to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, additional chief secretary, HoDs, DGP, and other senior Government officials.
The Conference Hall with a sitting capacity of 71 persons was built at the cost of approximately Rs. 48 lakhs with the latest technology.
Immediately after the inauguration, a coordination meeting of Secretaries and HoDs was held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister. The meeting was organized as a follow up of the coordination meeting held on April 14, 2007. The meeting deliberated on various issues regarding posting of staffs and transfer of funds to Block Development Offices, where in the Chief Minister directed the HoDs to look into the matter and carry out the policy decision taken by the Government in true spirit. The meeting also discussed issues, relating to condition of roads in and around Gangtok, encroachments along the roads, tourism development, infrastructure, green mission etc. The Chief Minister emphasized on follow up action and monitoring of various policy decision taken by the Government for the interest of the people and the State.
The Chief Minister further directed Secretary Forests to formulate a working plan for increasing the forest cover keeping in mind, management and eco-tourism as some of the features. He stressed that while carrying out the green mission, survival rate of the newly planted saplings must be ensured.
Speaking on power decentralization, the Chief Minister stated that during power decentralization, teething problems are bound to occur but at the same time he directed the concerned HoDs to tackle this problem as a challenge. Adhocism needs to be done away with and work should be result oriented. He further directed the HoDs to look into the transfer of line department officials at BACs within 15 days including other problems like transfer of funds, furniture etc. A policy decision was also taken to provide at least two vehicles to BACs. The Chief Minister also emphasized on proper man power management, duplicity and repeated sanctioning of schemes needs to be seriously checked. He also directed Human Resource Department and Rural Management and Development Department to look into the grievances of primary teachers who are yet to receive their salaries.
Regarding ST/SC sub plan, the Chief Minister directed that priority sector needs to be identified and schemes to be implemented well for the upliftment of ST & SC. He further informed the HoDs that priority also must be laid on village mapping and rural planning for which Rs. 50 lakhs has been earmarked for the current financial year. The Chief Minister also appealed to the HoDs to come up with new people centric schemes. He said that timely preparation of DPR and utilization certificates needs to be emphasized including proper utilization of funds allocated to different departments.
Capacity building needs to be seriously taken into consideration where he said that Directorate of Capacity Building would be made into a full fledged institute. He has also directed Secretary DoP to submit a proposal for the same. Sikkim has skilled man power deficit which needs to be fulfilled. Avenues in service sector needs to be explored and training should be imparted to our educated local youths in this field, he said.
Other important policy decisions like TA/DA to transferred government employees be made admissible if they have been serving for more than 3 years in the said post. Transfers of government officials once issued will not be cancelled. DoP should ensure that transfers are followed by replacement so that the people do not suffer.
He also informed that minimum labour wage of Rs. 100 should be implemented immediately and also implement schedule of rate soon. With the sixth pay commission in mind, a committee to look into the grievances of the employees has also been formed, he informed.
The Chief Minister also directed the HoDs to ensure good administration, proper attendance and commitment to work for the people and the State. He called upon all to join hands in making Sikkim number one state in the country where peace and prosperity reigns supreme. (IPR)

Govt speak on ACT and the Dzongu padhyatra by Lepchas from Darjeeling Hills

GANGTOK, April 15: The people of the State are aware that a group of persons under the banner of the Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) have been on hunger strike since the last several months in protest against certain Hydro Electric Projects that have been brought by the State Government for the benefit of the State and its people.
In keeping with the highest democratic traditions and in a spirit of inclusiveness the State Government has made sincere attempts to address the concerns of all concerned. However, in view of the involvement of a number of individuals and groups with vested interests, whose support ACT has taken from time to time, it has not been possible for the genuinely concerned persons to address the issues appropriately and lawfully.
Hydro electric power is one of the cleanest forms of energy and can be harnessed without damage to the ecology and environment. There is a process of law prescribed for establishment of such projects and States are bound to follow the same. The projects have to be, in addition, mandatorily cleared by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India which also lays down stringent conditions to ensure protection of the environment.
This is being done in the case of all the projects. Open public hearings have been held and the projects are being implemented with the full consent of the local people. No area is being destroyed and never shall the State Government accept violation of any place held sacred by any section of its population. Further controls are being put in place to ensure local employment and guard against any influx.
It is also necessary to state that the conflict is not an ethnic problem or a religious one as is being sought to be projected by vested interests. It is a question of either having development, for the continued prosperity and happiness of the local people and the future generations, or facing the prospect of poverty and domination of others.
States today are vying for investment. Government of Sikkim has been singularly successful in this regard and has chosen only eco friendly projects. There is going to be no loss whatsoever either to the area or to the environment. Any statements to the contrary are false propaganda spread by vested interests. Individuals grandstanding for self interest and it’s over projection by a biased section of the media will only discourage future investments at the cost of development and employment of the youth of the State.
In this context the State Government has noted with concern the ‘tour’, being organized by a group of persons from Darjeeling, West Bengal to Dzongu in North Sikkim from April 14, 2008. Such ‘tour’ has never been undertaken in the past.
As per reports available with the government, the ‘tour’, ostensibly for the purpose of pilgrimage, is being actively supported by individuals and groups who have been voicing their opposition to the hydel projects since the last several months or those opposed to the present government.
Having apparently failed to elicit support from the people of the State, these groups have now attempted to create fear and alarm amongst different sections of the people on grounds of religion, race and caste for their narrow self interest.
The general public, including those undertaking the ‘tour’ from Darjeeling, West Bengal, are requested not to be misled by any false and misleading propaganda and ensure that peace and tranquility is maintained in the State. (IPR)

PM writes to states, asks to act on inflation

NEW DELHI, April 15: As the government comes under attack over soaring prices, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has written to state governments asking them to take strong measures against hoarding, believed to be one of the main reasons for short supply and rising prices.
The prime minister has also asked the states to ensure that there's adequate supply of foodgrain.
Maharashtra has already launched a crackdown against hoarders. The state government says there have been more than 3,600 raids on traders and foodgrains worth Rs 54 crore have been seized from them. In Akola alone foodgrains worth Rs 21 crore have been seized. The district authorities sealed 14 godowns for hoarding wheat and pulses. Notices have been issued to the guilty traders.
Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned for the day today after uproar over price rise.
In the Lok Sabha a discussion on prices was scheduled, but the BJP wanted a discussion that would entail voting on the issue, a demand that was rejected by the government.
BJP members then created an uproar forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House till Tuesday. The Speaking later told reporters that Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said that the government is now considering stronger fiscal measures to bring down prices. Earlier in the day, the Left joined by some UNPA MPs staged a march to Parliament to protest against price rise.

SHRP expresses concern over rape of minors

SE Report
GANGTOK, April 15: The Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad (SHRP) has expressed concern over the shocking incident involving sexual assault on two minor girls, which took place on April 13 here at Arithang.
According to a press release, a meeting held at Lower Namphing at Temi Tarku recently under the chairmanship of the vice president of the party, Sumitra Rai decided to launch a massive party campaign, primarily to reach the party’s aims and objectives to the people living in the interiors of the State.
A constituency level committee was also formed during the meeting with Sobha Pradhan as the convener, Sumitra Subba as vice convener, Nirmala Pradhan as general secretary and Sunita Rai as the assistant general secretary.

Governor gives away RANK and BOLT awards for 2007-08
Girls make a clean sweep of Sikkim RANK awards

Staff Reporter
GANGTOK, April 15: Meena Pradhan, a student of Mangan Senior Secondary School and Praveen Puri, Lecturer at the Centre for Computers and Communication Technology (CCCT) Chisopani received the State RANK (Race for Awareness and Knowledge) and BOLT (Broad Outlook Learner Teacher) Awards for 2007-08 respectively here yesterday. Both had emerged winners after competing at the State level last year.
The Governor Sudarshan Agarwal gave away the awards during the AIR INDIA and SIKKIM EXPRESS State RANK and BOLT awards ceremony held at the Janata Bhawan here.
Conceptualized by Air India, the annual RANK and BOLT Awards are designed to recognize excellence outside the field of academics among students and teachers across the country. The Award winners fly to Singapore as guests of Air India on an ambassadorial visit.
The Vice Chancellor of Sikkim University, Dr Mahindra P Lama was the guest of honour.
Governor Agarwal also gave away the awards for the State runners up RANK award to Monica Pandey of Holy Cross School and State runners up BOLT award to Manju Subba of Pelling Senior Secondary School.
Likewise, the guest of honour handed over the awards for the District winners. The Publisher of SIKKIM EXPRESS, Mala Rana Patro handed the awards to the District runner up winners. Similarly, Vinod Suri of Air India gave away the award to the district winners.
In his address, the Governor appreciated the RANK and BOLT initiative of Air India towards enthusing both the students and teachers to imbibe values of compassion, spirit of enquiry, a commitment towards the society and sensitivity towards the fragile and crumbling environment.
He also exhorted corporate houses to invest more in similar initiatives in improving the quality of life of the people.
Dr. Lama said that Air India initiative was a perfect example of corporate social responsibility towards bringing students and teachers from across the world together and in creating awareness amongst them to contribute something to the world.
Citing examples of Singapore and Japan, Dr. Lama said using soft powers especially through knowledge and education can help build a nation.
The RANK award winner Meena Pradhan, while sharing her Singapore experience, said that the clean environment and high literacy rate inspired her.
Likewise, the State BOLT award winner, Praveen Puri said that the trip to Singapore was “a treasure chest of knowledge” that he could bring back home. “I found out that for a country to emerge from a non-entity to one of the most advanced requires discipline from its countrymen. Discipline to follow the traffic rules, discipline to lead an environment friendly lifestyle and discipline to love the motherland,” he said.
While placing his views on the press and the media, Amit Patro, Editor, SIKKIM EXPRESS, said no one could deny the fact as how important the role of the media has been in this era of information, education and communication. He further added that media plays a crucial role in educating the people and to provide them clear picture of what is going on in the world. “Factual reporting is the essence of Journalism,” he added.
The District winners (RANK) are Meena Pradhan (Mangan Senior Secondary School), Monica Pandey (Holy Cross School), Sonam Choden Bhutia (Pelling Government Senior Secondary School) and Reema Pradhan (Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Namchi).
The District runners up (RANK) are Pem Chukey Bhutia (PNGSSS), Sedenla Bhutia (Pelling Senior Secondary School) and Sonamit Lepcha (Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Namchi).
The District winners (BOLT) are Shanti Ram Adhikari (SIE, Gangtok), Manju Subba (Pelling Senior Secondary School), Praveen Puri (CCCT) and Ganesh Kumar Nepal (Mangan Senior Secondary School).
The District runners up (BOLT) are Subbiah (Central Pendam Senior Secondary School), Sushma Pradhan (Birdang Primary School), and Karan Kumar Chettri (Temi Senior Secondary School).
Interestingly, all the winners for the RANK awards for 2007-08 were girls.
The RANK & BOLT Awards is a part of Air India’s pan India corporate social responsibility initiative. Launched in 2002-2003, this project was started to promote the twin concepts of "Towards Responsible & Active Citizenship" & "Preserving a Crumbling Environment" in seven states. The acceptability and synergy that was generated by this programme encouraged AI to expand it in the entire country. For Sikkim, SIKKIM EXPRESS is the media partner.

MONDAY, APRIL , 14,   2008

HAILSTONES OR WAS IT HELLSTONES?
Namthang area receives biggest hailstorm in recent times; standing crops damaged

SANJAY AGARWAL
RANGPO, April 13: The locals were in for a shock. At first, it looked like a normal April thunderstorm. Then it started to “snow.” Soon, the entire area was blanketed in a thick layer of white.
Only then the locals realized that the snow was in fact, hailstones.
For more than 30 minutes, between 3.10 pm and 3.25 pm, people in Namthang and surrounding areas were pleasantly surprised by the sudden and heavy rain that brought with it this year’s heaviest hailstones.
The storm started at 3 pm on the April 11 afternoon and grew in intensity with each passing minute. Soon, the whole area resembled snowy slopes of North Sikkim. But before the excitement even began, the ground realities struck home.
The hailstorm had caused extensive damages to the standing crops, fruits and vegetables. With the ground in about six inches of hailstones, life in Namthang and the surrounding areas came to a complete halt. About seven villages in the Namthang area under the Rateypani constituency bore the brunt of the hailstones.
One villager said that he had never seen hailstorm of this magnitude in the area ever in his lifetime. “The scale and intensity of Friday’s hailstorm is unprecedented,” he said.
The area had already suffered from heavy damages of standing crops during the hailstorm that occurred on April 1.
For some, it was as good as being in Tsomgo or Yumthang. “This is beautiful. I had never imagined that our area would also resemble the snowy slopes of Yumthang ever,” said a teenaged boy. Children were seen out in the open playing with the hailstones.
Mohan Singh Tamang, Panchayat Secretary of Namthang, Maneydara, Gram Panchayat Samity visited the area and assured full support to all the affected villagers and farmers. A meeting has been called at Namthang with the local Panchayats, NGOs and various departmental officers to assess the damage caused by the hailstorm.

Curtains fall on Rabong Discovered Festival
Rains fail to dampen Prakriti’s maiden show in Sikkim

Staff Reporter
RABONG, April 13: The rains threatened to be put a dampener to the much-awaited event, but it failed to deter the spirits of thousands of enthusiastic fans, who braved the hostile weather to see their Chote Ustaad perform live.
The grand finale of the five-day Rabong Discovered festival held at the Cho-Dzo lake here on April yesterday was an event to remember with Prakriti Giri being the star attraction.
For the Chote Ustaad top 3 finalist, it was her maiden performance after her run for the title was cut short in the final attempt for the top 2 spot.
The Cho-Dzo lakeside venue lit up with her energetic performance, in spite of bad weather and the inability of Indian Idol Prashant Tamang to make to the event because of the prevailing tension in Darjeeling. Sources indicated that Prashant's security did not want to risk driving him in the storm to Sikkim.
The fact that this was Prakriti’s first show anywhere after Chote Ustaad was reason enough for the crowd to wait patiently through the storm.
Prakriti was accompanied by her parents and her sister during her first ever trip to Sikkim. For more than five hours, Prakriti enthralled the audience with her renditions. "I want to thank you all for the love and support you have shown to me throughout. I am very happy to be here in Sikkim and thank the organizers for having invited me,’ Prakriti said to the much delight of the Sikkimeli Janata.
Prakriti was also felicitated by the Rabong Tourism Development Committee (RTDC), the organizers of the Festival for her spirited performance in the Chote Ustaad contest during the show.
Two star performers from Kathmandu invited by the organisers had already kept the crowd enthralled much before Prakriti took centre stage.
Sudip Giri and Anju Pantha both from Kathmandu belted out their popular numbers. Aaja Bholi from Sudip Giri's album is his first major hit. He also has to his credit another album called Frenz and his videos are aired on Nepali music channels.
Anju Panth is a Nepali playback singer and her remixes of old folk numbers are popular some of which were released in a new Nepali movie. DIG Range, Akshay Sachdeva who was the guest of honour and a singer and musician himself, also belted out two numbers.
Earlier in the day, the chief guest, additional chief secretary TT Dorji handed over the prizes and certificates for the State level flower festival, handicrafts and the photo exhibition and contests.

State Govt send legal notices to CNN-IBN and two local dailies
Channel asked to air unconditional apology in 48 hours

Staff Reporter
GANGTOK, April 12: The State Government has send legal notices to a national TV news channel and two local daily newspapers for carrying news reports on the alleged multi-purpose property scam and charges of corruption by the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling.
KT Gyalsten, the political secretary to the Chief Minister said this while addressing a press conference here on April 12.
The State Government has taken a serious note of a news item carried by a national news channel and also by two local dailies, which has accused the State Government and the Chief Minister of amassing wealth through corrupt means.
The disclosure, which CNN-IBN claim to have been unearthed by its Special Investigation Team, has dragged the name of Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling and his family members, accusing them of amassing wealth worth hundreds of crores and being part of what it calls a “multi-crore property scam.”
Advocate Jorgay Namka said that the TV channel and two newspapers have been served with a 5-page legal notice.
The notice has asked CNN-IBN to “tender apologies in a special broadcast in its channel within 48 hours and for three days thereafter continuously, failing which the Sikkim Government would drag the channel in the court of law under criminal law for damages and defamation.”
Mr. Gyalsten said that the news report was “entirely baseless, unfounded, politically motivated and a blatant lie.”
He said that the Special Investigation Team of the said channel, which is credited with the exposé, “fell prey to the unscrupulous elements having no regard for the immense progress and development of the State.”
Although declining to name him, Mr. Gyaltsen said that “an elderly opposition leader had played a vital role in misguiding and misinforming the news channel by providing it with false information.”
Mr. Gyaltsen also informed that the news report, which refers to one Pushpa Lata as a sister-in-law of the Chief Minister, was totally misleading as Mr. Chamling does not have any relative with the said name.
He also ruled out the statement by the Channel that after the CNN-IBN cameras were switched off, the Chief Minister told the body guards to keep the team away.
Mr. Gyaltsen also mentioned that the sweeping statement that the chief Minister has been frequently accused of corruption by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and also the allegation of latest CAG report released last month which says that Sikkim lost over Rs 375 cores due to corruption is a misleading information as it is nowhere mentioned in the CAG report.
No commissions were set up to look into corruption in the Chamling Government as alleged by the channel, he said. The Sarala Committee, Koirala Committee and P. Wangdi Committee were internal arrangements made by the concerned departments to examine its liabilities and functioning, he added.
Mr. Gyaltsen also objected to the headline in the website of CNN-IBN that said: “Sikkim’s corrupt Chief Minister.” He said that this was being done to tarnish the image of the Chief Minister and lower the dignity, popularity and the high esteem enjoyed by the Chief Minister held with the people of Sikkim and the entire country where he is regarded as one of the most dynamic and progressive leader.
Mr. Gyalsten also informed that strict legal action would be taken against the editor-in –chief of CNN-IBN and the correspondent, Siddharat Gautam if an unconditional apology is not aired within forty eight hours.

101 Days All India Overland Cross Country Expedition 2008 ends
Team reach Sikkim after covering 20 states

Our Correspondent
RANGPO, April 13: The 101 Days All India Overland Cross Country Expedition 2008 to promote Sikkim as the tourist destination of the country finally came to an end on April 12.
The expedition reached Sikkim today. The nine-member team was accorded a warm welcome by family and friends here today.
The two-car convoy with the team travelled along the coastline covering West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, till the southern-most tip at Kanya Kumari in the first leg. In the second leg, the youths crossed Kerala, Bangalore, Goa, Mumbai, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradhesh to reach Uttarakhand. They also visited Agra, Varanasi, Gwalior, Khajuraho, Patna and Bodh Gaya.
For the members of the newly-formed Sikkim Tourism Cooperative Society which undertook this expedition-Praneet Pradhan, Rikesh Pradhan, Manoj Kumar Chettri, Roshan Pradhan, Tashi Gyatso Bhutia, Phup Tshering Sherpa, Roshan Gautam and Bikram Thapa- it was a trip like no other. “It was a great experience to interact with the people from all over the country. Most of them, especially those in the Southern parts of the country, did not even know where Sikkim was. In fact, they though Sikkim was a foreign country,” Kishore Kharka, the president of the Society told SIKKIM EXPRESS. “We organised road shows and distributed a lot of publicity material — pamphlets, caps, T-shirts — on Sikkim tourism, and the response we received was tremendous,” he said.
The expedition was flagged by the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling from Jorethang on January 14 this year.
The team has thanked the State Government, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, various departmental officers, SATA, V, Kahan, Vice President of Mayfair and all the partners of the Expedition on its successful venture.

Staff Reporter
GANGTOK, April 13: The Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad (SHRP) party has said that the lack of accountability on the part of the Central government had lead to corruption at the highest level in the Sikkim Government.
Addressing a press conference here today, the party spokesperson, Biraj Adhikari said that “if immediate action is not taken by the Centre, then the people of Sikkim will slowly lose faith in the institution of democracy.”
Mr. Adhikari said that although the CAG report has been pointing out glaring cases of misappropriation and corruption in the State over the years, yet the Central Government has kept silent and failed to book the SDF Government. “In many ways, it is as if the Central Government is encouraging the SDF Government in Sikkim to carrying on with the corrupt practices.
Talking on a recent news report carried by a national news channel on the alleged multi-crore property scam in Sikkim, Mr. Adhikari said that the news report had “exposed that social value and social system was no more in the State.” “Is this how the Centre perceives the North East States,” he said.
Mr. Adhikari further said that the SHRP holds the central agencies in Sikkim “singularly responsible in creating this environment of open and institutionalized corruption in the State by not acting on glaring facts pointed out by its own agencies in the past” and would expect them to wake up and act now in a transparent manner. “If the Central Government could not take any action although the CAG report is regularly pointing out the cases of corruption and misappropriation then the central government can wind up their office located at Gangtok,” Mr. Adhikari said.
The spokesperson further alleged that the ruling SDF party is trying to put all its effort to divert the people’s attention from the grave facts on corruption adding that the recent spate of postering and the announcement of a legal notice being served to the said channel are nothing but eyewash designed to give the impression to the Sikkimese people that the news reported was fictitious. The SHRP wishes to remind the people that the said reports were based on reports by credible agencies CAG, and the state commissions headed by reputed beaureaucrats of the state. The party also demands that an enquiry be ordered by the Governor of Sikkim preferably by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), so that the people do not lose faith in the constitutional institutions such as the CAG’s office, he said.
“If the State government is really wanted to file a case then they have to file the same against the Comptroller and Auditor General but not against the news channel as the news report was based on the CAG report.” Mr. Adhikari added.

Thuckchuk Lachungpa felicitated by locals for exposing Teesta V land compensation discrepancies

Staff Reporter
GANGTOK, April 13: Former minister and president of the Sikkim Citizen Forum, Thuckchuk Lachungpa, was felicitated by the people of Khamdong and Rakdong Tintek Constituencies for his valuable support towards revealing the disparities in the disbursement of the land compensation to the affected families of Teesta Stage V hydro power project.
The function was held on April 11 at Ralep with a large gathering of affected families from Khamdong and Rakdong Tintek areas.
Mr. Lachungpa had used the Right to Information Act to access information on the land compensation and had paid the RTI fees of Rs. 35,000 for the affected people for the documents.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Lachungpa said that the Citizen Forum had always stood for the welfare and rights of the people since its inception.
He said the distribution of compensation to the landowners had not been carried out properly by the State Government. He also informed that the ignorant landowners were being paid only Rs 4.35 paisa per square feet while the SDF party supporters are being paid Rs. 11 per square feet, which revealed huge disparities in the compensation process. He urged the people to raise voice against such partiality.
Commenting on the recent announcement of the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling that the State Government would construct two-storied concrete houses for the project affected people of Dzongu, Mr. Lachungpa said that the same should be done for the affected people of Teesta Stage V as well.
“Many houses in the Teesta V area are still reeling under darkness even after the commissioning of the project. The State government should provide free electricity to all the residents,” he said.
JB Dahal, a local resident said that the people would have not known about the discrepancies in the compensation disbursement if they would have not exercised the power of the Right to Information Act.
Earlier, DN Nepal, the resident of Rakdong Tintek said that the several problems had erupted in the area which includes the seepages of the water, cracking of the land and drinking water crisis which needs immediate attention from the State Government.

Minor sisters raped in the Capital

SE Report
GANGTOK: A case was registered against Mangural Haq at the Sadar Thana here for raping two minor girls.
The shocking incidents happened on April 11 and 12 in Arithang here. The accused allegedly raped the sisters, aged 6 and 9 on both the days.
When the sisters told their mother about the gruesome act of crime, she immediately lodged a complaint with the Sadar Police. A Police team rushed to Arithang from where he was picked up the same day. A case under Section 376 of IPC has been registered against him.
According to the Police, Mangural Huq is a painter by profession and was staying with his friend in Arithang.

Sikkim’s organic aspirations bear fruits
South District shows the way

NIRMAL MANGAR
GANGTOK, April 13: It’s a telling story about the perseverance, hardwork, dedication and commitment by the progressive farmers of South District.
More than 1000 farmers in the South District are earning their livelihood ever since the Technology Mission undertaken by the Horticulture Department started implementing organic and scientific farming techniques in areas identified as vegetable belts all around the four Districts of the State.
R Telang, Secretary, Horticulture Department along with his team visited several places in South District last week where the farmers are being encouraged to take up various new techniques of farming, heralding a shift from traditional mode to organic farming farming.
The team also had interactive discussions with the farmers and took up their problems and grievances.
The team kicked off from their visit from Daragoan, Temi Tarku, which has more than 60 progressive farmers involved in mixed farming practices.
The farmers cultivate peas, radish, cauliflower, cabbages, beans and ginger, which fetches them good returns.
Talking with SIKKIM EXPRESS, farmer Passang Sherpa said that he cultivates cauliflowers which yield about 5,000 kg every season, which he sells at Rs 4 per kg. However, the biggest challenge faced by farmers like him is lack of proper marketing knowhow.
Mr. Telang said that an interactive meeting should be conducted between the farmers and the whole sellers on a regular basis so that they can sell their production directly without consulting the middlemen. He also requested the farmers to further increase the sphere and the volume of the cultivation.
The Secretary also urged the farmers to avail the Kisan Credit Cards which would provide then with loans at very nominal rates.
KK Singh, the Director of Horticulture, directed the concerned officials to issue dolomite for the farmers in order to increase the fertility along with organic manures.
“We have benefited a lot from the Technology Mission and the seeds distributed by the Horticulture department,” farmer Khando Sherpa said.
The team also visited SimKarha Dew, Ben Namphok, Polok, and Peku.
In Namabong there are 90 families with 117 in Polok, 95 in Peku, 85 in Namphrik and 128 farmers who are practicing under technology mission from this year in the belt.
The team also paid visit to the horticulture farm at Rabong. The farm was established in the year 1985 in an area of 20.734 hectares. The breeding and the seedlings of the potatoes brought from Central Potato Research institute, Shimla are carried out in the said farm.
KK Singh also informed that massive works have been done to impart training and proper guidance to the farmers for better farming of the vegetables and flowers.
Others to accompany the secretary during the visit were HC Singh, Additional Director (Vegetables), TP Bhutia Deputy Director, MK Pradhan, Deputy Director, PC Rai, Joint Director and Kamal Thatal, Deputy Director.

SATURDAY, APRIL , 12,   2008

SCM meets investors
“All companies should provide maximum jobs to the locals”-Chamling

Staff Reporter
GANGTOK, April 11: All private sector undertakings, industrial units and other companies who have invested in the State should strictly adhere to the Sikkim Government’s policy of providing maximum employment opportunities to the local people of Sikkim only.
Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling said while addressing a meeting of investors and Power Project developers here today. “It is a policy decision taken by the State Cabinet and we expect that all the investors would abide at this decision,” he said.
Mr. Chamling also sought the co-operation of the investors in maintaining the prevailing peace and harmony in the State. “Sikkim is a land with peace loving and hospitable citizens and any unwanted activities will hurt their sentiments”, he added.
The Chief Minister said that his Government was committed towards fulfilling all the initiatives and policy decisions taken for the development of the State and assured the investors to provide a conducive environment for carrying out smooth business activities within the State.
The Sikkim Government's efforts to encourage investments in the State with its attractive package of incentives and facilities are bearing fruit. The Local Protection Act has been recently formulated by the State Government to safeguard the interests of the local people, Mr. Chamling said. Although there is a deficit of skilled manpower in the State, effort is being made to train the educated unemployed youths through capacity building programmes. He also requested the companies to assist the educated unemployed locals by imparting trainings for enabling them to take up these jobs later on.
Besides the Power developers, the State has considerable human presence in areas like Banking, pharmaceutical units, hotels, tours and travel operators, hospitality services, transportation, health and education. It is part of the State Government's policy to ask all investors to provide jobs to the locals.
In August last year, addressing a meeting of the investors here, Mr. Chamling had regretted the fact that despite the tax concessions and subsidies provided by the State Government to investors, they had "failed to help the State Government in providing employment opportunities to the locals."
The State Government is fully assisting in setting up industries in the State by declaring areas in different places of the State as industrial zone areas. “We are providing investors with all the facilities. We offer them peace and tranquillity, clean water, clean air, law and order, investor friendly government and a conducive environment to carry out business without any hindrance and obstruction. However, these industrial units have not been appointing locals which would have relieved the pressure on the State Government to tackle growing unemployment,” Mr. Chamling said.
"When licences are so easily issued by the State Government there should reciprocal gesture by investors for the benefit of the people of Sikkim," the CM said. He said that since there is no dearth of training institutes in the State, the investors should select local candidates and adequately train them and recruit them," he added.
The Chief Minister further urged the investors to give employment to only those Sikkimese people having authentic documents issued by the District Collectorates. The list containing the names of educated unemployed youths from all over the State with qualifications ranging from Masters Degree to Class VIII Pass is available with the CM’s office. Mr. Chamling asked the investors to make sure of this list while providing jobs to the locals.
He also appealed to the investors to stay away from the petty politics and maintain neutrality concentrating on development and as developers, in the interest of the State and its people.
He further emphasized on undertaking eco-friendly business ventures keeping in mind the fragile eco-system of the state. Mutual co-operation will go a long way in bringing economic development of the State, he said.
The Minister for Commerce & Industries, RB Subba, Minister for Health, Hissay Lachungpa, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, RS Basnett, Commissioner-cum-Secretary IPR, MG Kiran and Secretary Power, Pema Wangchen were also present in the meeting.
The focus of the Sikkim Government has been to develop structured interventionist strategies to accelerate industrial development of the state and boost investor confidence lack of industrial development of the State. The Industrial Policy would provide the required incentive and enabling environment for industrial development and give a fillip to private investment in the State.
The State Government would provide 99 years to industrial units in the State, as part of the strategy. The State government provides transport subsidy for all new industrial units for 5 years, and exemption from power tariff for units with consumption of up to Rs 25,000 per annum and Sales tax exemption for 5 years for new industrial units, amongst others as part of the industrial policy.
The Sikkim Assembly had passed a bill making it mandatory for the private sector to ensure employment to local people in 95 per cent of vacancies/posts in their companies/organisation in the State.