Gangtok, July 04: The Governor-designate of Sikkim Balmiki Prasad Singh would take charge of his office on July nine next, Raj Bhawan sources said Thursday.
He would arrive here on July eight next and would be sworn in as the 13th governor of Sikkim on the next day at a formal function at Raj Bhawan, sources told here.
Singh, a former Union Home secretary and an expert of the north-east affairs, replaces the incumbent governor Sudarshan Agrawal, they said.

New Delhi , July 04: The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the Central, the West Bengal and the Sikkim governments to ensure smooth flow of traffic on NH-31A, the sole road link to Sikkim . The apex court also rapped the West Bengal government for not clearing the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha blockade of the highway. Ever since pro-Gorkhaland protests spearheaded by the GJM began last month, the NH-31A has faced blockades severely affecting the supply of essential commodities to Sikkim . The SC order came after a petition by Sikkim resident O.P. Bhandari seeking directions to governments to ensure safe transportation of essential commodities to the state. A bench headed by Justice Altamas Kabir also ordered the pro- and anti-Gorkhaland outfits not to block traffic or inconvenience people on the highway that is Sikkim 's lifeline. The petitioner pleaded that frequent bandhs and strikes had badly affected normal life of people of the state and its economy. The Bench also directed the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, the Jan Jagran Manch (pro-Gorkhaland groups), Amra Bengal and Jan Chetna (anti-Gorkhaland) to ensure that there is no blockade of traffic movement or people on NH 31A. The Court took on record the statement of the Centre that it will respond to any requisition for assistance by either by West Bengal or Sikkim .

New Delhi, July 03: The Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia  formally released the Sikkim Development Report at Yojana Bhawan in New Delhi in the presence of   Chief Minister Pawan Chamling on Wednesday. The Report was prepared by a panel of experts and professionals under the guidance of National Institute of Public Finances and Policy, New Delhi . Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the release of Sikkim Development Report is yet another milestone in the development saga which has already embarked upon the road for accelerated holistic development in a planned and scientific manner. Reminding the gathering that the State Government prepared comprehensive ‘Sikkim Human Development Report' and ‘ Sikkim : The People's Vision' way back in 2001, said that the exercise was first of its kind in the entire North East and third in the Country. Earlier on, the Deputy Chairman voiced his opinion that a time line should be set for implementation of all projects submitted by the State Governments and expressed his concern that projects lying with different Ministries for clearance in the Central Government can not be shelved indefinitely. He further opined that pending projects including the proposed Greenfield airport at Pakyong should be expedited without further ado.

Director of the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, New Delhi , Dr. Govinda Rao, highlighted the contents of the Report and categorically said that Sikkim has been able to enrich its State exchequer through fiscal means including enhanced collection of Sales Tax and effective implementation of Value Added tax. Doing very well in cutting in the deficit, Dr. Rao suggested that the ICAR located the State should be actively involved in improving Agricultural output in the State.

Gangtok, July 03: Pawan Chamling, Chief Minister of Sikkim attended the ceremonial release function of the 'North-Eastern Region Vision 2020' by Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, in the august presence of the Governors and Chief Ministers of the North Eastern states and the members of the Union Council of Ministers amidst thousands of youth representatives from all the eight N.E. States, in a high profile glittering function organized at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 2nd July. The function assumed greater importance as the Vision document was the culmination of the aspirations of the people and N.E. State Governments which was finalized after a series of concerted interactive consultations and public hearings covering almost every class of stakeholders from the region. The genesis of this mammoth exercise lay in the policy initiative enunciated by the Prime Minister in the 50th North Eastern Council Meeting on 12.4.2005 underlining the urgent need to address the so called sense of 'alienation' and 'neglect' dovetailed by the slower pace of development perceived by the people of the North Eastern region through appropriate policy interventions adopting holistic approach. Taking the first step forward to fulfill the policy directive by the Prime Minister, the Ministry of DoNER went ahead for the formulation of a comprehensive action plan. Three years of intensive exercise by the professional of national repute and sincere association of all the eight N.E. states bore fruits and the first ever comprehensive action plan in the form of 'North Eastern Region Vision 2020' was released. The uniqueness of this vision document lies in the fact that unlike most of such documents this is a 'peoples document' and not simply thrust upon them as the responses received from about 35000 respondents to the questionnaire circulated by the Ministry of DoNER have been duly considered and appropriately integrated. This Vision document is a holistic, self contained, analytical and most comprehensive document on the N.E. region covering series of broad sectoral strategies encompassing the aspects pertaining to the poverty eradication, agriculture, horticulture, infrastructure development, cyber connectivity duly suggesting practical ways to address them. The occasion also provided an excellent opportunity to Chief Minister to meet with the entire North Eastern leadership and the Union Ministers in person at one place.

The gathering was also addressed by all the participating Governors and Chief Ministers of the North Eastern States besides the members of the Union Council of Ministers, according to a communique received from the Resident Commissioner, Sikkim House, New Delhi through IPR.

Gangtok, July 03: Sikkim has become the second state after Goa to allow operation of casino in the country. The state government has given nod to Park Sarovar Plaza Group of Hotels to set up a five-star hotel-cum-casino in Gangtok. "The state government has given nod to Park Sarovar Plaza Group of Hotels to set up a five-star hotel-cum-casino in Gangtok. The project is likely to be completed in this year only," says G P Upadhyaya, commissioner-cum-secretary of the department of tourism, Sikkim . In a major boost to state tourism, the Sikkim government passed the Sikkim Casino Games Act in 2004 and the rules regulating their operation were framed last year through the Sikkim Casino Games (Control and Tax) Rules, 2007 paving a way to set up casinos in the state. The Act has created ripples in the state's hospitality industry.

Gangtok, July 02: The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, released the North Eastern Region Vision 2020 Document at a function in New Delhi today.
The Government has made connectivity and infrastructure development the corner-stone of regional development in the North –East. At the same time central emphasized the importance of institution building and of strengthening local democracy.
Another hallmark of the Vision is its stress on inclusiveness. Growth and equity must converge in the path of development and special efforts must be made to address the concerns of the underprivileged and the marginalized sections of the population. “We are also committed to the all round development of the North Eastern region as a topmost national priority. I greatly appreciate that poverty alleviation in all its dimensions is highlighted as the greatest priority for the region in this Vision document and that is as it should be”, PM said.

Gangtok, June 30: Even as comments are widespread over the CRESP report by the independent groups and majority opposition parties of the State, the State Government has said that the Executive Report of CRESP tabled at the last session of the Legislative Assembly held on 9n, and l0th June, 2008 has given justice to the people of Sikkim . The State Government had constituted a Commission under the chairmanship of Prof. B.K. Roy Burman, an eminent social Scientist to review the policies, plan and programmes in respect of SCs, STs, OBCs and other socially and economically backward community and recommend measures. The Commission after a detailed study submitted its Executive Report on 31.3 .2008 recommending, amongst other things that the entire Sikkimese Bhutia, Sikkimese Lepcha and Sikkimese Nepalese communities be included in the list of STs and that appropriate number of seats, out of the proposed strength of 40, be reserved for them in the SLA with the Bhutia and Lepcha continuing to have the benefit of 12 reserved seats unencumbered by the entitlement to the reserved seats for the new STs. The CRESP has recommended 12 seats for BLs, 2 for SCs, 2 for Sanghas, 20 for STs and 4 General. The Executive Report submitted by CRESP was adopted at the last session of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly for forwarding to the Govt. of India for further necessary action. ‘While welcoming the response of various political parties and groups on the subject it may be mentioned that grant of Scheduled Tribe status and reservation of seats in the SLA for the Sikkimese Nepalese has been a long standing demand of various communities in the State since last few decades and the same had been placed before the Central Government from time to time. The Executive Report submitted by CRESP reflects the true perspective of situations and status of all sections of the Sikkimese people and Sikkim distinct as inhabited by Sikkimese of three categories duly recognized as Territorial Tribe in cases as a separate composite social entity', a press release stated issued by IPR. ‘Soon after the merger of the State with the Indian Union , OK Moorthy the then Director General, MHA, Government of India had quite correctly reflected that the Sikkimese Nepalese communities may also be recommended for inclusion as Scheduled Tribe. The Burman Commission Report has given Justice. All scientific and other facts even placed now justify tribal status as considered by the Government of India in 1976 for Sikkimese Nepalese', PR further stated. Limboos and Tamangs have already been declared as Scheduled Tribes w.e.f. 7.1.2003 and there can be no negation of that status or their right for reservation of seats in the SLA . According to the IPR release, the Central Government had also asked for the formula and other justification for increase of the total number of seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly to 40 consequent to the meetings of the Chief Secretary with the Cabinet Secretary. As per PR the CRESP report is only a recommendation and there is no difficulty in the Limboos and Tamangs benefiting from the reserved ST seats. They would in fact have the advantage of contesting from any of the 20 ST seats.

Gangtok, June 29: The SDF Government is “Anti Farmer”, said C B Chettri, General Secretary of BJP Sikkim unit. ‘This has again been proved by its keeping silent on “Loan Waiver” scheme to small farmers. The scheme was known as early as during the presentation of Union Budget by the Union Finance Minister. The SDF Government should have mobilized the farmers to come forward through the Government machinery at District, Subdivision, Block Level and the VLW/Stockman level and though it's Party cadre. Since the SDF Government and the Party is anti-farmer, it does not seem to have taken any initiatives' he said.
'As far as BJP is concerned it was either coincidental or the Bank woke up after the Phone call of the BJP President to the NABARD and the Lead Bank that on the same day the phone call was made, the Bank through the All India Radio in the evening made an announcement of the loan waiver', he further stated.
From the side of the BJP, it has written on 26th June 2008 to the Lead Bank Manger to make the date of loan waiving upto 31st July 2002 and also give wide publicity either after holding the Press conference or through advertisement in the local papers especially through most read newspapers in Nepali language and also inform the farmers through the District Collectors, District Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Officers, SDM, BDO, VLW etc. and through the banks offices located at different places. The BJP would also be writing to the Union Finance Minister in case of the need to extend the date due to late information given to farmers
The BJP party appealed the SDF Government and the party to wake up and do their bits for the welfare of the farmers who are in debt and like BJP write to the Government of India to extend the date of waiving of the loan. ‘We hope that the SDF Government will take this a constructive suggestion for the sake of farmers and others entitled for the loan waiving', Chettri said.

State government officers appreciated the Chief Minister

Gangtok, June 26: An emergent meeting of the Sikkim Officer's Services Association was held at the Conference Hall of Tashiling Secretariat today under the Chairmanship of D.R.Kharel, President, Sikkim State Civil Service Officers' Association. All the organised Gazetted Officer's Associations were present in the meeting. The meeting decided the arrangement to be made for conducting a rally on 28 June, 2008 by the Government Employees from Convey ground, Tadong which will culminate/terminate at Paljor Stadium after a brief address by the Representations of Associations. All the Associations wish to extend heartfelt thanks and good wishes to the Chief Minister for the relentless effort made by him in protecting the Sikkimese people including the local Government Employees from exemption of Income Tax.

Sikkim is always sandwiched during frequent bandhs in the neighboring state: Chamling

Gangtok, June 25: The five member delegation of the Secretaries from Government of India, Madhukar Gupta, Union Home Secretary, Vijay Singh, Union Defence Secretary, Bimal Julka, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Alok Sinha, Chief Managing Director, Food Corporation of India, and S. Sundereshan, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, called on the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling at his official residence at Mintogang Tuesday morning.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister said that whenever there is agitation in the neighboring state, the land- locked Sikkim is always sandwiched and, with no fault of Sikkim, the state is made to suffer and victimized due to blockage of NH 31 A, the life line of Sikkim, during frequent bandhs when the flow of essential commodities and movement of vehicles are completely paralyzed. However, the saddest part, the Chief Minister said, is the lack of feeling on the part of both the Government of India and the Government of West Bengal which have been completely ignoring the plight of this sensitive border state during such bandhs for the last 22 years. The Chief Minister further told the Central team that apart from ensuring the flow of traffic in the National Highway immediate arrangements should be made to ensure the smooth movement of students in different schools and colleges and also provide additional 10-seater helicopter.
The Chief Minister also informed that the NH 31 A is the only route connecting Sikkim to the rest of the country which passes through Darjeeling district in West Bengal which is the main supply route and there is no rail link and air link except five seater helicopter service. He further informed that the state is landlocked which is surrounded by the foreign countries on three sides and have no any alternate exit; therefore the Government of India may take an appropriate step to resolve the problems of the state and its people with better solution.
The Union Home Secretary told the Chief Minister that the day the recent agitation began in the neighboring state, all level of Officers were seized of the problem being faced by Sikkim and the main objective of their visit to Sikkim just now is to asses the gravity of situation, to ensure that the blockade of road is removed and smooth flow of essential commodities and movement of traffic resumed. Informing the Chief Minister, he said that after this meeting there will be another meeting on the subject with the Chief Secretary of West Bengal in the evening at Bagdogra. He assured to resolve the situations through different approaches as soon as possible.
Similarly, the Defence Secretary told the Chief Minister that during their meeting with the Chief Secretary and other senior State Government Officer they will try to assess the extent of the current problem and devise ways and means to neutralize the current impasses. He said that the bandh is not correct and Government of India can do everything which is possible to ensure that the bandh do not affect the people of Sikkim.
The Union Home Secretary said that the centre is fully aware of the discomfort of the people of Sikkim and reassured the Chief Minister that they are fully committed to ensure that the free flow of traffic is not disrupted.
The Chief Minister further said that the state extends all co-operation and support to the centre and the centre also should look after this small, peaceful State of Sikkim where people are working as unpaid soldiers in this sensitive border state.

Geographic Information Systems to target the developmental programs of Sikkim

Gangtok, June 25: The Rural Management and Development Department, Government of Sikkim is harnessing the potential of latest development in the field of Space Enabled Technologies and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Jointly with Department of Science and Technology and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), setting up of Space Technology Enabled Village Resource Centres (VRC) in the 16 newly created Block Administrative Centres (BAC) is currently underway. This will enable digital connectivity for video conferencing and information transfer. The Village Resource Centre (VRC) programme will disseminate the portfolio of service emanating from the space systems as well as other information Technology (IT) tools, directly down-the-line to the rural communities. The VRCs essential have digital connectivity (for videoconferencing and information transfer) with knowledge centres and specialty healthcare provides-enabled via INSAT satellite; spatial information on natural resources generated using IRS data; a host of information pertaining to management of nature resources and socio-economic relevance; and facilities for primary healthcare services and distance education. With involvement of the stakeholders, VCRs will catalyze rural entrepreneurship; and facilitate e-Governance and other services of social relevance.
Secondly, an in-house study has been initiated by the Department suing Geographic Information System (GIS) to examine and illustrate the basic features of relative poverty in the state including its extent, distribution and locations of relative poverty hotspots depicted through poverty maps. This will help to target the poorest Gram Panchayat Wards (GPW) in the development programs of the state. The source of information for this study was the State Household Socio-economic Census, DESME, 2005 and Census of India, 2001. Out of the 905 Gram Panchayat Wards having 19, 235 poor households, 11 Panchayat had 0% poverty incidence wards, 389 Panchayat wards had 0-20% poverty incidence, 383 Panchayat wards had 20-40% poverty incidence, 111 Panchayat wards had 40-60% poverty incidence (3854 poor households), and 11 panchayat wards had 60-80% poverty incidence (487 poor households). Of these 122 gram panchayat wards with greater than 40% poverty rate, 9 are in north district, , 15 in east district, 44 in south district and 54 in west district.
The Government has given the go ahead to lay special emphasis on these 122 Gram Panchayat Wards with more than 40% poverty rate in existing developmental programs as well as to initiate special programs to support these poorest Gram Panchayat Wards. Sikkim has now become amongst the few states in the country to use scientific poverty mapping based in GIS to target the developmental programs of the state, to bring about a more equitable and balanced development.