CM holds meetings with three departments
State Govt to focus on major development programmes

GANGTOK, July 1 (IPR): Chief Minister Pawan Chamling held a series of meetings with three State Government departments at his chamber at the Tashiling Secretariat here today.
In the meeting with the State Forest Department, the Chief Minister apprised the minister and officials about the range of developmental activities in the State. He directed the department to prepare the proposal regarding the updating of forest cover areas and deriving authentic report of the receding of Zemu Glacier. He also directed the department to notify the various climatic zones, protection of natural forest, and also to work in coordination with Roads and Bridges, Horticulture and Agriculture, Land Revenue and Rural Management and Development Departments.
The Chief Minister not only emphasized on repairs of all the forest guests houses and to retain the nurseries in the State but also stressed on important proposals like the creation of Bird Sanctuary in the State on priority basis. Further, to boost the State Green Mission, the Chief Minister said that a new revolution has to be started by planting saplings by the people of Sikkim on a single day and asked the department to notify the date accordingly. He further emphasized that the Himalayan Zoological Park should be further strengthened with other facilities so that it would become another tourist hub.
The Chief Minister in a meeting held with the Urban Development and Housing Department Minister and officials said the rules and regulations of the department should be simplified so that the government policies and programmes could be effectively implemented for the people to derive maximum benefits. He also asked the department to provide trade licenses to only bonafide Sikkimese and unemployed youths of the State and ‘one family, one licence’ policy should be put in place.
Inquiring about the other schemes like water fountain, pay and use toilets, water provisions, naming of roads, garbage disposal and management, fly-over bridge and other facilities in Gangtok town, Mr. Chamling asked about the progress of beautification, upgradation and modernization of all the Bazaars of the State. The Chief Minister further said that Rangpo Bazaar should also be developed at par with Gangtok and stressed the need to work in close coordination among the departments in executing the policies and various programmes of the government.
Later in the afternoon, the Chief Minister met the minister and the officials of Building and Housing Department and said that the priority should be given to the various ongoing schemes. In the meeting, he enquired about the proposals for the construction of proposed Annexe Building, Soochana Bhawan, 500-bedded Hospital Building etc. He further emphasised that there should be no compromise on the quality of work and that the rules and regulation should be strictly followed.

Doctors donate blood to mark National Doctors’ Day

SE Report
GANGTOK, July 1: More than 20 doctors today donated their blood voluntarily at the Central Blood Bank, STNM Hospital here, marking the National Doctors’ Day.
The doctors of Sikkim thought the initiative a ‘good’ idea to mark the day with some type of community service.
This day is the birthday of Dr. BC Roy, a famous Indian Physician and former Chief Minister of West Bengal.

SE Report
GANGTOK, July 1: Worried and surprised over the alarming rise in influx in Sikkim, the All Sikkim Youth Association (ASYA) has demanded a strict vigil in all the entry points to Sikkim. In a meeting held today at its head office here today, the association also appealed the State Government to pass a bill that would curtail influx during the upcoming Assembly session.
They said that influx was the main reason to rising crime in the State. The association also resolves to keep a vigil at checkpoints like Melli, Rangpo and Reshi, adds a press release.