Month: January 2018

Gangtok, 31st January (IPR): The Launching of EduWork Japan ‘Centre of Excellence’ in Gangtok, Sikkim was successfully organized at Chintan Bhawan today. Launching the Centre in the state, the Chief Minister lauded the initiative of the Centre to strengthen the young people with skilled education and said that the state is proud since this is the first such Centre in the country.

The Hon’ble Chief Minister said that young people should be job giver and not job seekers and encouraged the young people who are equipped with skilled knowledge to become entrepreneur and not employees. Youngsters should not only depend from outside or from the state Government for development but the young people who are equipped with skilled knowledge should become an entrepreneur and create jobs to the state to render service to the people, the Chief Minister said.

“It is a great opportunity for our young people to gain knowledge from world class education of Japan, along with skill development and bright career prospects in a country like Japan. The concept of EJCOE includes developing skills of youths, vocational education, scholarships and career opportunities for our youths in Japan, besides other scopes in various fields. I hope that our youngsters will avail of these wonderful opportunities and become successful in the fields of their choice,” he elaborated.

Chief Minister called on the youngsters to change the mindset for white-collar job but instead become entrepreneurs stating that there are enormous natural resources in the state that can boost the development of the state. He stressed that the young people should specially, work with a sense of belonging and a sense of responsibility for Sikkim. Setting aside differences like, caste, religion, political affiliations, we should come together, work hand in hand as a single entity for a common cause, ie for the betterment of Sikkim and the Sikkimese people.

Mr.Raju Monga, Managing Director and CEO, EduWork International Service Limited gave a brief presentation about the centre and said that it is a platform to provide quality education in order to excel in their career. He said the Centre will provide guidance, mentorship and opportunity to the youngsters of Sikkim and free training will also be provided for Japanese language before the students joins the course in Japan.

Mr.Kunihiro Arai, Executive Director, Global Strategy Division, Gakken Holdings Co. Ltd, Tokyo and Mr.Hisahiro Yoshioka, Principal, O-Hara Japanese Language Institute, Tokyo expressed his gratitude and happiness to be a part of such event in Sikkim. He said that the institute is committed to mould future of Sikkimese students through specialized education and thereby contribute towards social development. He also hoped that this Centre would build a more formidible bridge between Japan and India (Sikkim). He thanked the Hon’ble Chief Minister for being a part of this project and for working towards the interest of the Sikkimese people. He also urged the students to strongly avail of the opportunities to build successful careers in Japan as well as in India.

Earlier, the presentation of Souvenirs to the Hon’ble Chief Minister was presented by the Japanese delegates. Likewise souvenirs to the Japanese delegates were also presented by the HCM.

The event also saw the launching of brochures for EduWork Japan Center and an Audio/Visual presentation during the programme.

During the launching programme Cabinet Ministers Shri R.B.Subba, Shri G.M.Gurung, Mayor GMC Shri Shakti Singh Choudhary, Senior officials and delegates from Japan were present.

Event also has the two days seminars on, “Study and Work in Japan” for Students of Sikkim and nearby regions. Free Japanese language training and 40% scholarship are also being offered to every student under this programme.

EduWork Japan presents Indian students an opportunity to study and work in Japan, in partnership with O-HARA Japanese Language Institute. Various courses are available with part time/full time facilities and career opportunities to work with leading Japanese companies in Japan, India and around the world.

Gangtok, Jan 30: (IPR) On the Second day of Ninth Assembly of Sixth Session (Part IV), Sikkim Legislative Assembly unanimously passed the Second Supplementary Demands for Grants for the financial year 2017-2018 and Sikkim Appropriation Bill, Bill no. 1 of 2018 for the Second Supplementary Demands for Grants relating to the Financial Year 2017-18.

During the business hour, Chief Minister Shri Pawan Chamling, also the leader of the House, presented the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the year ended March 2016 “Performance Audit on Sikkim State Lotteries” Government of Sikkim Report No.1 of 2017.

Chief Minster also presented the Separate Audit report of Public Sector Unit viz; Annual Technical Inspection Report on PRIs and ULBs of the Government of Sikkim for the year ended March 31, 2016 and Separate Audit Report on the Accounts of State Legal Service Authority-legal Aid Fund, Gangtok for the year ended march 31, 2015 and March 31, 2016.

Minister-in-Charge of Energy and Power Department Shri D.D. Bhutia laid a copy of the Rules of Sikkim Electricity Regulatory Commission (Fund, Annual Accounts, Audit and Budget) Rules, 2017, as notified vide no. 32/GEN/R&C-L/R/CIR/E&P/15-16/55, dated 06.10.2017 and Published in Sikkim Government Gazette no. 471, dated 9th October, 2017 on the table of the House.

Replying to a question by MLA Shri R.N. Chamling in the question hour, leader of the House, also the Minister-in-Charge of Home Department, Shri Pawan Chamling said that vehicles purchased by state government were on need basis for the purpose of performing government duties and field visits of concerned department officers.

Replying to a question raised by MLA Shri R.N. Chamling, Health Minister Shri A.K. Ghatani said that Super Specialty Hospital is coming up at Sichey and due to some unavoidable condition it could not be completed in stipulated time, and asserted that the Government is trying its level best to complete 1000 bedded Super Specialty hospital at the earliest.

Answering the question raised by MLA Shri R.N. Chamling, Minister in-Charge for Food Security and Agriculture Development Department Shri Somnath Poudyal stated that with the practising of organic farming it will maintain environment balance, self-sustainability, and multiple health benefits.

Answering the question raised by MLA Shri K.N. Lepcha, Hon’ble Member of the house, Shri Kunga Nima Lepcha, Minister-in-Charge Rural Management and Development Department, Shri S.B. Subedi mentioned that the delay in the completion of PMGSY Road along Ranipool-Syari is due to non-participation of the contractors in several tenders and re-tenders, and also due to laying of sewerage pipe line which runs along the road. He however assured that the construction of road will be completed by June, 2018.

The two day Assembly Session concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Pawan Chamling, also the Leader of the House. The Chief Minister in his Vote of Thanks remarks expressed his gratitude to the Hon’ble Deputy Speaker and the entire team at Assembly Secretariat, and all the Members of the House for the smooth conduct of the two-day Assembly Session.
Hon’ble Chief Minister also briefly apprised the House of the key initiatives of the Government in all spheres of development. He urged all the Members from ruling and opposition to work collectively for the development of the State and its people.

He also urged the Members of the House to educate and inform the people of Sikkim on the positive developments and upcoming policies & schemes of the State.

The Chief Minister also mentioned that the receiving of One World Award on Organic Farming is a great achievement for the people of Sikkim. And to sustain that image Sikkimese people need to work harder on it.
Chief Minister also said that Sikkimese people are benefited with equal rights and opportunities. He also informed that the focus of the government will be to complete all the ongoing and pending works.

Earlier, the House also observed Martyrs’ Day, with two minutes silence and remembered the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi on his 70th death anniversary. Hon’ble Chief Minister spoke on the teachings of peace and non-violence advocated by Mahatma Gandhi.

Member of the House, Shri Sonam Lama and Deputy Speaker, Shri Sonam Gyasto Lepcha also proposed vote of thanks.

Gangtok, January 29: (IPR) The first day of the Sixth session (Part IV) of the Ninth Assembly saw the presentation of the Second Supplementary Demands for Grants for the financial year 2017-18 by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, also the Minister in Charge for Finance Revenue and Expenditure Department.
The second Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2017-18 includes 37 grants, which includes gross additional expenditure of Rs. 40896.38 lakh comprising of Rs 13742.32 lakh on Revenue Account and Rs 27154.06 lakh on Capital Account. Of this, the proposals involving net cash outgo aggregates to Rs. 29122.57 lakh was also placed before the House.
The discussion and voting of Second Supplementary Demands for Grants 2017-18 will take place on January 30, 2018.

Earlier, the Session began with Obituary Reference on the demise of former Governor of Sikkim, Late Mr. T.V. Rajeshwar.
In his Obituary reference, Chief Minister Mr. Pawan Chamling who is also the Leader of the House informed that Late Mr. T.V. Rajeshwar expired on 14th January 2018 at Delhi after prolonged illness at the age of 91 years. Late Mr. Rajeshwar was born on 28th August 1926 in Tamil Nadu. After completing his MA in Economics from Presidency College, he joined the Indian Police Service in 1949. He served as Superintendent of Police in the districts of Nizamabad, Guntur and Raichur. In 1962, he joined the Intelligence Bureau as Assistant Director and served the erstwhile Kingdom of Sikkim and Bhutan. In 1980, he was promoted to the post of Director, Intelligence Bureau and held the post till 1983. Thereafter, he was appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of Arunachal Pradesh. He was the first ever IPS officer to hold this post. Late. Mr. Rajeshwar served as the Governor of Sikkim from November 1985 to March 1989. Later, he also served as the Governor of West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. Late Mr. Rajeshwar during his long distinguished career in bureaucracy has served the country in various capacities. The Chief Minister also informed that late Mr. Rajeshwar had a close relation with Sikkim and Sikkimese people. As one of the most popular Governor of the State, he had a firm belief in establishing the rule of law all over the State, he further added. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian honour in the year 2012.With the passing away of Mr. T.V. Rajeshwar, the state and the Nation has lost a worthy son whose innumerable contributions will always be remembered.
The State Mourning was also observed on 16th January 2018 on the demise of late Governor.
Later, as a mark of respect to the departed soul, the House also observed silence.
The Obituary reference was also participated by Deputy Speaker, SLA, Mr. Sonam Gyatso Lepcha.

During the question hour, the Minister-in-Charge Capacity Building and Skill Development Department, Mr. Pawan Chamling who is also the Leader of the House in his reply to the query raised by MLA, Mr. R.N. Chamling said that during the period 2002-03 to 2016-17, 7759 youths have been sanctioned loan amounting to Rs. 9316.97 lakhs under the CMSES. Under the present Scheme, the loan is repayable. However, proposal for waiver of interest is being considered.

The Session was presided over by Deputy Speaker, SLA, Mr Sonam Gyatso Lepcha.

Gangtok, Jan 27(IPR): The Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Pawan Chamling was felicitated by the Sikkim Limboo Tamang Apex Committee (SILTAC) in a felicitation function held at Samman Bhawan in the State Capital, today.

The Chief Minister was felicitated by SILTAC as a mark of gratitude for the commendable work done by the Chief Minister towards the upliftment and the betterment of the Limboo- Tamang community of the State of Sikkim.
Also present at the felicitation function was Shri.R.B Subba/Minister for HRDD and Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri. N.K Subba/ Minister for UD&HD ,Smt Chandra Maya Subba/MLA , Advisors / Shri AD Subba and Shri Sher Hang Subba, Legal Advisor/Shri KT Gyaltsen, literary figures from the Limboo-Tamang Community and various organisation and association members of the LT community from all over the State.

The Hon’ble Chief Minister in his acceptance speech acknowledged the felicitation of the SILTAC and thanked them for believing in the efforts and vision of the State Government towards elevating the LT Community of Sikkim. He appreciated the honourbestowed upon him and solicited all the members of the LT Community, especially the youth to refrain from believing in hearsays which are only propagated to create a rift in the peace and harmony of the State. Further, The HCM called upon them to take forward the message that not only the LT Community, but all communities of the State of Sikkim will get their rightful dues in accordance to the Constitution and the law of the land. He ended his acceptance speech with a re-assurance that the State Government is doing all that it can to ensure that the LT Community of Sikkimstands tall on its own without feeling the need to be dependent on anyone.
A brief report of SILTAC was also presented by Shri C.B Subba /Chairman SILTAC. SILTAC also presented a list of demands whereby the Hon’ble Chief Minister assured to look into all of them positively.

The Welcome Address was delivered by Shri Sushil Tamang /Vice Chairman SILTAC and the Vote of Thanks was proposed by Shri Kumar Subba/Chief Coordinator SILTAC.
SILTAC also presented a memento to the Chief Minister for his various national and international achievements due to his pursuits in the field of Organic Farming.

Towards the end of the felicitation function, the Chief Minister was felicitated by the All Sikkim Independent Schools Society in recognition of the tireless efforts of the HCM in converting Sikkim into one of the most progressive and modern States in the Country. The ASISS presented a Citation to the HCM and a Souvenir was also presented by the ASISS honoring the Chief Minister for being conferred with the One World Award at Legau, Germany and the title of “Ambassador of Organic World” at New Delhi in 2017.