Month: May 2018

Samajik Adhikarita Shivir

Namchi, 30th May(IPR): Mr. Krishan Pal Gurjar, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, attended ‘Samajik Adhikarita Shivir’ a mega distribution free of cost camp which includes allocation of Assistive Aids and Appliances under Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) to senior citizens under BPL category and to Divyangjan under ADIP scheme of Government of India (GoI) at Community Hall, today. The camp organized by Artificial Limbs, Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), Kanpur working under the aegis of Department of Empowerment of person with disability (Divyangjan), Ministry of SJ&E, GoI in close association with Department of Social Welfare, Govt of Sikkim and South District Administration had the attendance of Chairman, (SC, Welfare Board) Mr. Madan Cintury, Zilla Adhakshya (South)Ms. Farwanti Tamang, Upa-Adhakshya (South) Mr. Bhim Badhadur Lakhe, Dy Manager (ALIMCO) Mr. S. Sengupta alongside HoDs and a large number of senior citizens.

At, the onset DC (South) Mr. Prabhakar Verma informed that the total number of 184 ADIP and 1,020 RVY beneficiaries comprising of differently abled persons and senior citizens will receive the appliances. He also added that the distributed materials included the various kinds of assisted living devices namely that of walking stick, elbow crutches, walker crutches, wheel chairs, hearing devices, spectacles and other smart equipment.

Addressing, the gathering Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, GoI Mr. Krishan Pal Gurjar, informed about the aim and objective of the camp and shared that this distribution camp is the maiden camp organized in Sikkim under RVY. He updated that the daily living devices of different categories regarding age related infirmities valuing over Rs. 1 crore will be allocated amongst pre identified beneficiaries from South Sikkim. Mr. Gurjar emphasised the camp will immensy assist in positively transforming the lifes of the differently able and senior citizens into that of a self-reliant and self-sufficient person. Mr. Gurjar articulated that the GoI is assiduously focused on elevating the lifes of the senior citizens and that of the differently able person and updated that mass public places in the country are being converted into a barrier-free disabled friendly spaces. He also urged the South District Administration to submit a list of children’s names who are in need of cochlear implant and that the GoI will do the needful in procurement of the implants. Mr. Gurjar also enumerated the various benefits laid down by GoI for the advantage of differently able namely that of reservation in jobs, providing of universal I-card and many more services.

Speaking, during the occasion Joint Secretary MoSJE, GoI Mr. Surendra Singh Meena spoke in detail about the Samajik Adhikarita Shivir and it’s initiation from the year 2017 onwards. Mr. Meena highlighted about the growing population of senior citizens in our country and underlined that they are extremely vulnerable on account of suffering from disabilities, diseases and terminal illness. As, such the Government of India has formulated a variety of schemes for the upliftment of senior citizens, thereby enabling them to live a life of dignity. In addition, Mr. Meena propeled the senior citizens of south sikkim to aim for National Award ‘Vayoshreshtha Samman’ which is given to eminent senior citizens and institutions in recognition of their services towards the cause of elderly persons.

It maybe mentioned that the identified beneficiaries of the camp at Community Hall were registered during the assessment camp held by ALIMCO at various locations of South Sikkim during the month of Feb, 2018. A total number of 945 wheelchairs, 790 BTE Hearing Aids, 979 Walking Sticks, 400 Spectacles, 114 Artificial Dentures assisted living devices were distributed to Senior Citizens under RVY. Likewise, a total number of 50 wheelchairs, 48 crutches, 32 walking Sticks, 202 BTE Hearing Aids, 14 MSIED Kits, 02 CP Chairs, 01 Braille Cane, Braille Kit, 13 Rolator, 05 Smart Phone, 01 Daisy Player and 03 Smart Cane were disbursed to divyangjan under ADIP scheme.

Governor of Sikkim Shri Shriniwas Patil felicitates Nomad Shepherd Kalden Singhi

HE the Governor of Sikkim Shri Shriniwas Patil felicitates Nomad Shepherd Kalden Singhi

Gangtok, 30 May 2018:(IPR) Hon’ble Governor of Sikkim Shri Shriniwas Patil felicitated the only Nomad Shepherd of North Sikkim Kalden Singhi at Raj Bhavan, Gangtok. He also gifted him a book on Guru Padmasambhava and asked about his welfare. This was in addition to a letter of appreciation sent earlier. Mr. Singhi was recently awarded the India Biodiversity Award on International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May 2018 for shepherding the last flock of Tibetan Highland Sheep (also known as ‘Luk’ or ‘Bhyanglung’) in Sikkim’s trans-Himalayan cold desert. The Award for Conservation of Domesticated Species was presented to him by the Ministry of Forests, Environment, Govt. of India, National Biodiversity Authority and UNDP at a national celebration held this year at Hyderabad. He was nominated for the same by Sikkim Biodiversity Board (SBB) which has its headquarters in the Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management Department (FEWMD), and whose members include among others the Animal Husbandry, Livestock, Fisheries and Veterinary Services Department (AHLFVSD) of the Government of Sikkim. Last year Mr. Singhi was awarded Breed Conservation Award by ICAR-NBAGR at Karnal, Haryana.

Green Circle the Environment Group of Sikkim warmly appreciates the kind gesture accorded to Kalden Singhi by the Hon’ble Governor, as it would go a long way in easing some of the hardships endured in maintaining his last flock. GC also thanks the Sikkim Biodiversity Board, FEWMD for nominating him; AHLFVSD officials involved and ICAR, Sikkim headed by Dr. R. K. Avasthe whose scientist Dr. Brijesh Kumar carried out studies on his sheep. GC also thanks the Lachen Biodiversity Management Committee and Forest officials of North Division for their roles in documenting Kalden Singhi’s work. We recognize that the high cold pastures bordering the North of Sikkim are under the jurisdiction of the Forest Dept. where globally threatened species of wildlife like Snow Leopard and Tibetan Argali, even Black-necked Cranes live in harmony with equally endangered domesticated animals like Yak and Luk, in an area which is home to various medicinal plants and highland wetlands forming the source of River Tista. And hope that the various stakeholders of this unique landscape continue to play their part in reviving the last population of this indigenous sheep breed whose wool or fleece is amongst the best obtained from native ovine breeds of the Indian subcontinent.

Livestock based farming

Namchi, 30th May: 40 goats of breedable age were distributed with insurance coverage at Maniram cluster from Maniram Phalidara GPU under Namchi-Singithang Assembly Constituency, South District. The program is a convergence of Livestock based farming system under Rainfed Area Development (RAD) of FS&ADD with AHLF&VSD for 2017-18 with considerable share from State capital. The beneficiaries were also provided with packs of mineral vitamins, dewormer, anti-stress tonic & handouts. The aim of the program is sustainable livlihood of farmers through goat farming.

The beneficiaries were also made aware of modern managemental practices focussing on balanced diet, breeding, housing, health coverage, insurance & other useful tips for enhanced production. The program was attended by Chairman Power & Energy Department Mr. Gagan Rai accompanied by area panchayats JD/FS&ADD/South followed by officers from line department headed by Dr A L Rai, DD/South.

Himalayan Cleanup campaign

Geyzing, 26 May 18(IPR): The Himalayan Cleanup campaign, an initiative focusing attention on the problem of waste in the mountains and hill districts in the Indian Himalayan Region under the theme ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ was observed across the West District today.

This campaign was initiated by Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI) and ZeroWaste Himalayas across the 12 mountain states of the country. In Geyzing, Block Administrative centre (BAC) organised the massive cleanliness drive in three sites i.e, Kyongsha play ground & Bhanu salig premises, Legship-Geyzing highway and Rabdentse Bird sanctuary to Pelling school ground.

Similarly ,the same campaign was observed in all BACs of the District.

Collecting of waste, Segregation, and analysis of the waste collected, volume analysis, brand audit, disposing recyclable waste to scrap dealers and finally disposing of the ultimate discards was exercised today.

The campaign was supported by DC (w), ADC (Dev), BDO (Geyzing) , DIET, Government college, Girls SSS(Kyongsha), Pelling SSS, Langang SS, Positive Health Club, Omchung School, ITI , Middle Geyzing School, Manav Swewa Samiti, Milan Samaj, Jan Kalyan Sanstha, Srijana Samaj, Jan Surakshya samaj ,lower Kyongsha Samaj, Sudhar Samiti Samaj, Rim Jhim Samaj, Pelling Tourism Development Association(PTDA), Blue Ring Society and Palace FC.

E-Trade License GMC

Gangtok, May 26 (IPR): The Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC), Commissioner, Shri Tshewang Gyachho today clarified the doubts on the implementation and practice of E-Trade License in a press conference at Mayor’s office today.

GMC Commissioner, Shri Gyachho claimed that the issuance of trade licenses and renewal of trade licenses under “E-Trade License GMC” has been very successful and it has helped the people in obtaining the trade licenses through the online portal (www.gmcsikkim.in) in an easy manner.

The Commissioner duly appealed the public to renew the existing and new trade licenses through online mode only. “It is not humanly possible to renew trade licenses in the office. Therefore, it is the need of the hour to obtain new trade licenses through online mode”, he added.

“Now the traders under GMC can receive their trade licenses by just sitting at home without any hassle and if anyone is facing any difficulties to apply online, GMC is organizing camp in 4 various places of Gangtok viz; District Control Room, MG Marg, Sikkim GST Consultancy Services, Daragaon Tadong, GMC Deorali and NIC office, District Collectorate, Sichey to facilitate the citizens for the ease of online procedure.

The camp will start from May 28, 2018 in collaboration with Sikkim GST Consultancy Services and I request our citizens to go and avail free services for license renewal and applying new trade licenses. If all the documents are up to the mark then citizens can receive their trade licenses within two to three days itself”, GMC Commissioner said.

GMC Commissioner further mentioned that earlier, people had to stand in long queues to obtain or to renew their trade licenses but through E-Trade License, the stakeholders can easily access host of services digitally, conveniently and safely thus bringing about accountability, transparency and efficiency of the civic body and reducing the process of getting licenses.

The Commissioner also informed that GMC issues licenses to hotels, restaurants, shops and various other establishments and so far around 13 thousand trade licenses have been registered under the GMC.

The E Trade License GMC is a web based portal which has been developed by NIC, Gangtok. All the online applications will be scrutinized in three layers i.e. level I, level II and level III. Level I will be examined by LDC or UDC, level two by Inspector or BO and level III by the Deputy Commissioner or the Commissioner, GMC.

The Commissioner also informed that GMC has already started the renewal of trade licenses from May 21, 2018 through online mode and appealed the trade license holders to renew their trade licenses before July 31 2018.He further announced that new trade licenses will be issued from the first week of June for new applicants.

The press conference was attended by Mayor,GMC, Shri S.S Chaudhary, Deputy Mayor,Smt L.D.Bhutia,software developer (NIC)Prateek Shashanker and officials from the GMC.