Woman shops for Rakhi

A woman shops for a Rakhi at a shop ahead of Raksha Bandhan festival in Gangtok. The festival of the ‘bond of protection’ will be observed on August 13. (Pic: Pappu Mallick)

GJM seeks Sikkim’s human resource for GTA

Sikkim will indirectly benefit from GTA: GJM

PAPPU MALLICK

GANGTOK, August 7: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) today expressed its anticipation on a favourable support from Sikkim government for providing necessary human resource for a smooth operation of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) as the neighbouring Darjeeling hills lack such expertise.

            This was recorded by GJM vice president Kalyan Dewan and publicity joint secretary Binay Tamang on Sunday during a restructuring of Sikkim GJM unit here at Gangtok. The two Morcha functionaries pointed out that there is pressing need of capable human resources for running GTA, an area where Sikkim could help. The GTA formation will directly benefit the hill people and Sikkim will also benefit indirectly, they said asserting that the GJM will not interfere in Sikkim politics.

            “The Sikkim government and people here have been extending support in every front to the Gorkhaland movement. We are eternally grateful to them. Both Sikkim and Darjeeling share blood relations and we want to maintain such consanguinity forever”, said Tamang while addressing the restructuring meeting.

            Tamang said that GTA is the final stepping stone for Gorkhaland demand.

            “We cannot climb a mountain at one go. For this we have to reach the base camp. The GTA is the final base camp for Gorkhaland. From here the route to Gorkhland will be easy”, said Tamang. He claimed that addition of ‘Gorkhaland’ word in the GTA was a major success of GJM adding that now the Indian Gorkhas will not have to face the ‘foreigner’ slur.

            Tamang said that several infrastructures are planned within the first three years of GTA. We are committed to establish a corruption-free society in the hills, he said highlighting the special economic packages for GTA from Centre and West Bengal government.

            Earlier in his address, Dewan said that GTA is a temporary arrangement and from it, a new State will take life. He said that the GJM has agreed for GTA keeping in mind the developmental needs of the Darjeeling hills adding that Gorkhaland movement will be given continuity. We have not stopped our Gorkhaland movement, he said.

            The GJM vice president thanked Chief Minister Pawan Chamling for passing the Gorkhaland resolution in the Sikkim Assembly and the people of Sikkim for supporting the cause of their Darjeeling brothers.

            Later, the new executive committee of Sikkim GJM unit was announced which saw Bhawani Pradhan retaining his president post. The executive members are Dipen Dewan, BB Thapa, Dawa Sherpa and Jiwan Thapa as vice presidents, Sudip Rai as secretary, Bimal Pradhan, Ajay Meghi, Suman Kawas, Umesh Chettri and Kumar Rai as joint secretaries and social worker Kuber Chandra Dahal as chief advisor. The other advisors are Saran Karki and Kishore Sherpa.

            The Sikkim GJM treasurer is Ujjwal Rai and Satyam Tamang while Sauraj Rai is the publicity secretary.

Rotary Club observed Painting competition: on-spot

Pappu mallick

GANGTOK, August 6: The Rotary Club South today held an on-spot painting competition in Gangtok today where ten schools and two organizations participated. The painting competition was held to generate awareness on polio, said Rotarian Sunila Verma.
Citizen Forum chairman and former minister T Lachungpa was the judge on the occasion.
The competition was divided into 5 categories. In the first category for students of class 3 to 5, Asher Subba from Holy Cross was adjudged first. The winners in other categories were Tushar Subba from Kala Niketan, Panal Pradhan from Holy Cross, Abhisek Ghimire in differently abled children category and Diwakar Lamichaney in open category.

WWF conducted a rally : walks for Forests

Pappu Mallick

GANGTOK, August 6: The WWF-India today conducted a rally under the theme ‘Walk for Forests’ participated by school students and NGOs in Gangtok to commemorate the International Year of Forests 2011 as declared by the United Nations. The rally started from private taxi stand near Police Headquarters and concluded at Tashi Namgyal Academy premises.
Students participating in the walk carried placards driving home the importance of green cover for planet Earth. The organizers informed that walk was conducted to raise awareness among the people and to show their love and concern for forests. The walk was specially targeted for urban youths and students as they should understand and acknowledge the importance of forests.
The campaign is being undertaken nationwide by the WWF where more than 20 States including Sikkim are participating.

Nationwide bank strike cripple services in Sikkim

Pappu Mallick

 

GANGTOK, August 5: Bank services in Sikkim was crippled in Sikkim today due to the all India bank strike called by the employees to divest government stake in these state-run institutions, besides to demand a host of welfare schemes.

The nationwide strike had been called by the United Forum of Bankers Union (UFBU), the umbrella organization of five workman unions and four officer unions of public sector and private sector banks in the country.

Nearly 10 lakh bank employees and officers of public sector banks, private sector banks, regional rural banks, co-operative banks as well as foreign banks struck work today.

Even the ATMs were shut, debarring consumers from withdrawing money for instant need.

The employees have opposed banking sector reforms and protested out-sourcing of bank jobs, to scrap Khandelwal Committee recommendations and to settle pending issues and demands raised by UFBU.

Only 11,508 SK vehicles fitted with high security registration plates

 Last date gone; MVD mulls over taking action against vehicles not fitted with HSRP

Pappu mallick

GANGTOK, August 3: Only 11,508 vehicles in the State have been fitted with High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) till date even as the rule for the same was notified by the department on October 1, in 2008.

HSRP, it may be mentioned here was introduced nationwide after a verdict by the Supreme Court in 2008 with an aim to track vehicles movement along with control of theft of vehicles.

It was first implemented in three States – Sikkim, Goa and Meghalaya. Currently all the major States across the nation have been asked to implement HSRPs.

Speaking to media persons yesterday, Motor Vehicle Inspector (Technical, Headquarters) N Sharma informed that as per the notification dated June 7, 2011 of Motor Vehicle Division, Transport Department, the SC in its order dated April 7, 2011 has directed all the State Governments to complete implementation of HSRP scheme within the stipulated time which has been extended to June 30, 2011 in Sikkim.

Considering the directives of the SC, MVD, Sikkim has notified that all vehicles (Government, Private and Commercial) must affix HSRP that too before payment of the next token Tax. Sharma added that in case of non compliance to the order that a legal action would be taken under the provision of the Central Motor Vehicle Act-1988.

Informing that the last date of completion of HSRP scheme is over for Sikkim, the Motor Vehicle Inspector said that still there are 11,917 vehicles identified across state which are not fitted with SHRP. MVD, he said is currently working on preparing the rules under which action on non compliance of the order or notification can be done.

Concerning the non compliance of MVD notification on HSRP, the MVD, Sharma further said has already discussed with the Director General of Police, all Superintendents of Police, Traffic Police and on the basis of the discussion MVD in coordination with Sikkim Police will soon take necessary legal action against those vehicles not fitted with HSRP across the State.

There are approximately 46,995 vehicles plying across the state currently but the exact figure of vehicles is under compilation, he informed.

In the meantime, the Company awarded with the HSRP scheme in Sikkim has been given the target of 32,000 vehicles which is yet to be fulfilled and unless the target is met by M/s. Tonnjes Eastern Security Technologies Pvt. Ltd., the HSRP scheme would continue under the same company.

The cost incurred for availing HSRP for light and heavy vehicles is Rs. 2048 and Rs 821 for two-wheelers.

It was also informed that the MVD had recently in a meeting proposed for Global Positioning System (GPS) facility for HSRP in the State and that the correspondence on GPS is under way.

While speaking to one of the staff members of M/s. Tonnjes eastern security technologies Pvt. Ltd, it was informed that the process of fitting HSRP in the State is heading smoothly but currently the operation of HSRP has been shifted to Jalipool, SNT workshop complex and in the SNT headquarters premises the paper work for HSRP is only met. The shift of the fittings venue of HSRP from SNT premises, Gangtok was done due to traffic congestion in the complex and non-availability of space, the Company said.

14th State Junior Taekwondo Kheorugi Championship held

Pappu Mallick

GANGTOK, August 3: The 14^th State Junior Taekwondo Kheorugi Championship was organized by Sikkim Amateur Taekwondo Association (SATA) today here at indoor gymnasium hall of Paljor Stadium.

            Fifty players from all of the four districts had participated in the Tournament.

            Prashant Tamang, Soulwin Rai, Robin Rai, Amit Thapa and Subash Biswakarma won the gold medals in boys’ category while Sumanjita Tamang, Bindhya Jairu, Vidya Sunar, Kunzang Palmu Bhutia, Kunzang Ongmu Bhutia and Mariana Rai won the gold medals in girls’ category.

            They will now represent Sikkim in the forthcoming junior national championships at Jharkhand, said SATA chief coach Trilok Subba.