Month: April 2020

Mangan, April 29:North Sikkim has started distribution of Dry Ration to ICDS attending children. Since the Anganwadi centres in Sikkim are closed due to the nationwide lockdown in order to combat COVID-19. With this regard, the ICDS Department has commenced on providing Dry ration to meet the nutritional requirements for ICDS children so that their immunity can be safeguarded.

Whereas the centres have been shut temporarily, hence giving hot cooked meal daily to children was not possible.so Door to door delivery of dry ration consisting of Rice, Dal, soya chunks , potatoes and oil have been done by Anganwadi workers in coordination with CDPOs and supervisors.

This process is being undertaken with proper precautionary measures of COVID-19 especially the norm of social distancing and the parents have also been given awareness on Aarogya Setu App.

Rangpo, 29 April (IPR): Hon’ble Minister of Land Revenue & Disaster Management, Shri Kunga Nima Lepcha, inaugurated the vehicle disinfection gate today set up at Rangpo check-post in the presence of Hon’ble Minister of IPR, Agriculture & Horticulture, Shri L.N. Sharma, Hon’ble Minister of Building & Housing and Transport, Shri Sanjit Kharel, LRDM Secretary and other officials.

It may be mentioned that the innovative idea of a vehicle disinfection gate for sanitization of the entire body of a vehicle has been conceptualized by 22-year-old Bishu Hang Limboo hailing from Bermiok Sumbuk in West Sikkim with the aim to help the State government in its fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic.

It is to be recalled that demonstration of the experimental model of the same was presented in Gangtok earlier this month on 16 April before concerned Ministers for approval by the State government.

Addressing the press and media personnel at Rangpo guest house today, Minister Shri Kunga Nima lauded the passion and commitment of Bishu Hang towards science and innovation at a very young age. While mentioning various other invention of Bishu Hang, Shri Kunga Nima stated that Sikkimese youth has the potential to lead the entire nation as a pilot of creativity and revolution.

It was informed that the Land Revenue & Disaster Management Department in coordination with Mines & Geology Department and other lines departments such as Police, Health, Power, PHE, NDRF, CMO’s office and others have worked in tandem for successful execution and setting up of the vehicle disinfection gate at Rangpo.

Shri Kunga Nima stated that the disinfection gate would be made a regular feature at all check-posts and major administrative offices in the near future while also deliberating on the potential of the said project in creating job opportunities.

Minister-cum-Area MLA, Gyalshing-Barnyak Constituency, West Sikkim, Shri L.N. Sharma, in his address, quoted Bishu Hang’s invention as “historic” and took great pride over the set up of the first-of-its-kind vehicle disinfection gate at one of the main entry points of the State.

He recalled how Bishu Hang’s cost-effective proposal had impressed him in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak and further encouraged young minds of the State to utilize their talent for the development of the society as a whole. He also shared plans to extend the disinfection system at Melli check-post and other suitable locations as well.

The Minister extended gratitude to the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri P.S. Tamang (Golay) for regulating immediate measures to prevent COVID-19 outbreak in Sikkim and urged for cooperation and support from all to maintain the zero COVID-19 case status of the State.

The programme was also addressed by Director, LRDM wherein he explained in detail all the logistics and fabrication process of the materials utilized in setting up the vehicle disinfection gate at Rangpo. It was informed that the disinfectant (Sodium Hypochlorite solution 1%) in the device has been used as per Standard Operating Procedure of WHO.

Likewise, SDM, Rangpo informed about the various challenges faced during setting up of the gate and how the line departments along with the support of the NDRF persevered to resolve the issues.

While explaining the mechanism of the vehicle disinfection gate at the setup site, Bishu Hang extended gratitude to Area MLA Shri L.N. Sharma for recognising the potential of his invention and thus providing logistics required for completion of the project. He also thanked the LRDM officials for providing expert assistance throughout the project.

Rangpo, 29 April (IPR): Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture, AH&VS and IPR, Shri L.N. Sharma, visited the Slaughter-House located at Khani Khola in Majhitar today. He was accompanied by the HoDs and other officials of the concerned departments.

During his brief visit, the concerned officials apprised the Minister about the sanitation standards of the slaughterhouse and informed him about water supply and waste management activities.

The Minister directed the officials to expedite the construction works of the new slaughterhouse infrastructure being established at the premises and urged public works officers to ensure that facilities constructed are of good quality and are durable.

Shri L.N. Sharma also visited the Horticulture Farm and Integrated Mushroom Unit at Majhitar and Model Floriculture Centre at Namli.

Gangtok, April 29: Thirty-Five officers and staff of Sikkim Rural Development Agency, Rural Development Department contributed their one day salary Rs. 48,255/- to Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to support the government’s effort to fight global pandemic COVID-19.

The cheque was formally handed over to the Secretary to the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri S.D Dhakal in his office at Tashiling Secretariat this afternoon.

Shri Dhakal thanked the officers and staff on behalf of the government for their kind gesture and generous contribution.

Likewise, Ms Nita Nirash, Sr. Journalist and Retd. Government Officer donated to Chief Minister’s Relief Fund today at Tshaliling Secretariat.

She handed over the cheque to the Secretary to Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri S.D. Dhakal.

The Secretary thanked Ms Nirash for her generous and valued contribution at the hour of crisis.

Namchi, 29th April (IPR): Since the educational institute in Sikkim is closed due to the nationwide lockdown in order to combat COVID-19. With this regard, the Education Department has commenced on providing foodgrains (rice) to meet the nutritional requirements for students of standard one to eight under the Mid Day Meal (MDM) Scheme so that their immunity can be safeguarded by consuming the foodgrain. Whereas the Schools has been shut temporarily, hence giving cooked meal daily to children was not possible so the Education Department has permitted to hand out foodgrains to the students and concerned parents.

The officials from the South Education Department along with heads, In-charge of the school and other stakeholders have been given the responsibility to oversee the smooth distribution process in their respective schools. This process is being undertaken with proper precautionary measures of COVID-19 especially the norm of social distancing.

It may be mentioned here that the foodgrains were already stocked in schools before the nationwide lockdown began and the same grain have been given out to students according to the enrollment of the school so that it can be disbursed equally amongst the pupils.

Till yesterday, a total of 86 schools have provided foodgrains and quantity of foodgrains distributed were 3 – 3.03 Kg (Primary) and 4.035 – 4.090 Kg (Upper primary).

Gangtok April 29: Miss Sarda Rani Lepcha called on the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri. Prem Singh Tamang and presented a cheque Rs. 30,000 for the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to support the government’s effort towards the fight against COVID-19.

The Hon’ble Chief Minister on behalf of the Government expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the generous contribution in the time of crisis.

Gangtok, April 28: Today, after the closing of shops inside the Kanchenjunga Shopping Complex, Lal Market at around 2.15 pm (approx), fire incident took place as informed by one of the eyewitnesses. As per the officer-in-charge, Gangtok Fire Station who reached the spot at 2.24 pm with fire tender and took 25 minutes to dose the fire and brought down under control. As per their report, the cause of the fire was due to either burning Puja lamp/incense sticks or electric short circuit.

No casualty or injuries have been reported, however, the fire incident had completely gutted the essential commodities along with the wooden racks belonging to Shri M.B. Subba (Shop No. 102), Smt Bindiya Subba(shop No. 103) and Shri Sukrani Subba (Shop No. 90 (utensils)). Similarly, 3 (three) other shops belonging to Smt Passang Lhamu Sherpa(Shop No.101), Smt Dawa Phuti Sherpa(Shop No. 99) and Shri Norbu Sherpa(Shop No. 100), were partially damaged. The victims will be disbursed ex-gratia amount as per the standing SDRF norms.

The spot of fire incident was inspected by Hon’ble Mayor, SDM Head Quarter, Deputy Director, District Disaster Management Authority, East and Astt Commissioner, Gangtok Municipal Corporation. During the inspection, one of the shop owners informed that if the fire incident had taken place before the closing time there would be the unimaginable situation but luckily it took place after the closing of shops. There is a problem of free moving space inside the shopping complex as the shops are too close to each other and especially when the situation arises such as this fire incident; it is very vulnerable to a major disaster. As preparedness in terms of disaster and to avoid such untoward situation in future, the concerned department needs to see it carefully.

Earlier, Hon’ble Minister, UD&HD Shri Arun Upreti also visited the spot and took stock of the situation.

(Report from the Office of DC East).