Month: February 2022

The new District Collector of Mangan District, Dr. A.B Karki joined his office here at Mangan

Mangan, Feb 28 (IPR): The new District Collector of Mangan District, Dr. A.B Karki joined his office here at Mangan today.
Outgoing DC Shri Tenzing T. Kaleon offered khadas and welcomed the new District Collector.
Also present at the welcome ceremony were SP North, Dr. Tshering Namgyal Gyatso, ADM Mangan Shri Sonam Lepcha, SDM Mangan Shri Pema Wongchen Bhutia, O.S Shri Sonam Wangchuk Bhutia and officers and staff of District Administrative Center

Minister Shri. L. N. Sharma chairs the Regional Seminar on Production, Post-Harvest Improvement and Marketing of Spices for Sustainable Livelihood by Spices Board and also the Distribution of Multi-purpose Electrical Driers by Spices Board under Schedule Class Sub Plan

Minister Shri. L. N. Sharma chairs the Regional Seminar on Production, Post-Harvest Improvement and Marketing of Spices for Sustainable Livelihood by Spices Board and also the Distribution of Multi-purpose Electrical Driers by Spices Board under Schedule Class Sub Plan (SCSP).
Gyalshing, 28th February, 2022 (IPR): Shri. Lok Nath Sharma, for Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, IPR and Printing and Stationery Departments chaired the “Regional Seminar on Production, Post-Harvest Improvement and Marketing of Spices for Sustainable Livelihood” and Distribution of Multi-purpose Electrical Driers Program under Schedule Class Sub Plan (SCSP) organised by Spices Board, Ministry of Commerce and Industries (GOI) at Gram Prashasan Kendra (GPK) at Hee-Gaon, Gyalshing District.
The Minster was accompanied by Shri. J. B. Tamling Chairman (SABCCO); Shri. Birendra Tamling, Advisor (IPR); Shri. Durga Prasad Pradhan, Advisor (AH&VS); Shri. D. Sathiyan, Secretary (Spices Board); Dr. R. Laha, Jt. Dir. (ICAR); Shri. Karma Sherpa, Jt. Dir. (Horti); Shri. Dinesh Basnett, KVK Gyalshing; Shri. P. T. Lepcha, Asst. Dir. (Spices Board); Shri. D. R. Bista, BDO Dentam, Panchayats, Officials from ICAR and Spices Board, dignitaries, beneficiaries and Guest.
Shri. Sharma in his address thanked the Chief Minister Shri. Prem Singh Tamang for his keen interest in farming and his unhindered inclination to help the farmers of Sikkim. He also reminisced the tales of large cardamom farming and its direct association with wealth and how over the years the diseases on the crop have changed the scenery of Cardamom in Sikkim hence such programs to revive the production are beneficial to the society. Thus, as per the vision of the Chief Minister, all research centre of Sikkim needs to research and provide results to revive these cash crops. He stressed that these institutions need to reach out to farmers with the results which can benefit the farmers and improve their quality of production. He also informed that the government has tireless worked towards diminishing the middle man system and reaching the incentives directly to the farmers. He also informed how successful farmers and dairy farmers have made a successful living out of them. He also enlightened the gathering on various implemented state projects and schemes under the Chief Minister vision to uplift the rural farming community and raising entrepreneurs in Sikkim.
The Minister further mentioned that the various benefits given to the farmers in Sikkim is one of the highest in the country and hence their responsibilities as the farming community of Sikkim are enormous and that they should take pride in their profession. Further, the coordination between the farming community and research institutions need to grow and help each other in Sikkim which could result in the growth of their produce and the markets.
He thanked the Spices Board for the incentives and schemes made available to them. However, he stated that these benefits need to be taken to the farmers at their homes and their place of ease. He also mentioned that the need for a local centre at Hee-Gaon is needed and beneficial to both parties. He also urged the Central Organisations in relations with farming community need to make sure that the incentives and various projects need to reach them and help them grow.
Further, he stressed that the carelessness of the given incentives and aid needs to stop and the responsibilities of each individual to safeguard those incentives need to be a priority and also to multiply their produce via the incentives given.
Lastly, he thanked the Spices Board for organizing such an informational event on a national level and urged them to continue supporting the farming community of Sikkim.
Advisor (IPR) Shri. Birendra Tamling welcomed and thanked all the Members of Spices board for conducting such a beneficial program for the cardamom growers of Hee-Gaon. He also mentioned about the steps being taken on the Geographical Indication (GI) of the Seramna variety of large cardamom and the patent rights which need to be explored for these variety of cash crops available in Sikkim and its neighbouring regions. He further stressed on the need for an institute on the Research and analysis of Cardamom in Hee-Goan to be a reality. He also urged all present to take the opportunity of the seminar and learn the tools and techniques.
Chairman (SABCCO) in his brief address thanked the Spices Board for their interest in the region and how it beneficial to the farming community. He then stated that Sikkim being a farmer-oriented society the need to focus on growth which is essential to all. He also talked about the growth and progress of Large Cardamom in the region and how it has evolved.
Secretary (Spice Board) via video conferencing also enlightened the gathering on the importance of the program and how it is important to the people engaged in the process. He also thanked the State Government and the Minister for their support towards the Board.
During the program, 450 farmers Subsidy Cheque for Cardamom growers under Large Cardamom Replantation Scheme, Pamphlets on Blight Disease in Large Cardamom and 16 Multipurpose Electrical Driers under the SCSP scheme of the Spice Board were distributed by the Minister.
The names of the 20 selected Beneficiaries of the Subsidy Cheque under large cardamom replantation scheme were handed cheques during the program are as follows:
1. SHRI. ONGDI BHUTIA – TINKITAM
2. SHRI. AITA RAJ SUBBA – BALUTHANG
3. SHRI. DAWA KARMA BHUTIA – CHUMBONG
4. SHRI. AITA BIR LIMBOO – SRINAGI
5. SHRI. AITA LALL LIMBOO – BALUTHANG
6. SHRI. DHIRAJ LIMBOO – HEE GAON
7. MRS. DAWKI BHUTIA – CHINGTHANG
8. SHRI. NAR BAHADUR CHETTRI – BERMIOK
9. SHRI. JAS BAHADUR RAI – SOPAKHA
10. SHRI. GAW MAYA BISTA CHETTRI – HEE GAON
11. SHRI. SANTA BIR SUBBA – HEE PATAL
12. SHRI. LAKPA NORBU SHERPA – BERMIOK
13. SHRI. PALCHEN DORJEE BHUTIA – CHUMBONG
14. SHRI. KULDIP CHHETRI – HEE PATAL
15. SHRI. HARI PRASAD CHETTRI – HEE GAON
16. MS. PREM KUMARI CHETTRI – HEE GAON
17. SHRI. DIK BAHADUR CHETTRI – BONGTEN
18. SHRI. MITRA LALL NIROLA – MARTAM
19. MS. MANITA CHETTRI – HEE GAON
20. SHRI. YOGESH CHETTRI – SRINAGI

Labour Minister Chairs Review Meeting with all Pharmaceutical Companies Operating in Sikkim

A review meeting with all the Pharmaceutical Companies operating in Sikkim was held to discuss various labour issues under the Chairmanship of Shri M.N. Sherpa, Minister for Labour on 25th February, 2022 in the Conference Hall of Tashiling Secretariat which was attended by Shri Arun Kr. Yadav, Additional Chief Secretary, Miss Namrata Thapa, Secretary, Labour Department, HR Heads of various Pharmaceutical Companies, Officers and staff of Labour Department.
The meeting started with welcome address by Shri Arun Kr. Yadav, ACS followed by discussion on various issues as per the agenda.
The Hon’ble Minister for Labour urged the companies to treat the workers with respect and dignity, provide skill development trainings and give first preference in employment to local bonafide youth of Sikkim. Further, he directed to forward employment vacancy advertisement to Department of Personnel (DoP) and Labour Department, Government of Sikkim for wide publicity.
After thorough deliberations and interactions, Secretary, Labour Department wrapped up the meeting highlighting the key decisions taken and agreed upon which are as follows;
1. Pharmaceutical Companies to mandatorily register their companies under the Inter State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979 alongwith their workers.
2. Monthly increment to the casual workers at the minimum rate of Rs. 200/- subject to parameters laid down by companies.
3. Absorption of casual workers under company pay roll after 08 years of continuous service.
4. Medical facilities, gratuity, transportation or conveyance allowances and casual leave to be provided to all workers and maternity leave to female employees as per the provisions of Labour Laws.
5. Female workers not to be employed before 6 a.m. and after 7 p.m. They should not be discriminated and should be given equal wages for equal work for similar nature of work. Night shift to be permitted only on need basis and after duly obtaining approval of the State Government.
6. Mandatory registration of construction workers and deposition of 1% labour cess under the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 alongwith compulsory registration of private sector workers under the Employees State Insurance Act, 1948 who are eligible under the Act.
7. Constitution of Grievance Redressal Cell, Safety Committee and Complaints Committee under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace was stressed upon.
8. Creche facility to be provided in the premises of Companies.
9. Labour Department to be intimated in advance about any labour unrest in companies for resolving issues without having resorting to strikes

Minister Attends North East Zonal Conference at Guwahati

The Hon’ble Minister, Education and Land Revenue Department Shri K. N. Lepcha accompanied by Shri M T Sherpa, Secretary, Urban Development and Shri T P Shangderpa, Secretary, Roads & Bridges attended one day long North-East Zonal Conference for PM Gati Shakti, National Master Plan for Multi Modal Connectivity on 28th February 2022 at Guwahati. The programme was chaired by Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Hon’ble Minister, Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs, Government of India. The other members present on the occasion were Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam Shri Hemanta Biswa Sharma, Hon’ble Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Mr Rameshwar Teli, Hon’ble Ministers from NE States and other officials. The Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi also addressed the occasion through webinar which was followed by presentations by different ministries and address by Union Ministers, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Assam and Hon’ble Ministers from participating states. The Hon’ble Minister Shri K. N. Lepcha in his address applauded the much-needed initiative of Government of India under the leadership of Narendra Modiji to bring better coordination in building seamless connectivity by launching a “National Master Plan for Multi Modal Connectivity” duly leveraging digital technology. He added that such an initiative will surely help in promoting inter-ministerial co-ordination for better & faster outputs and prevent wasteful expenditure. Multiplicity of agencies involved in delivery of physical infrastructure has always plagued the Indian cities resulting in lack of planning & co-ordination. For example, in the absence of coordination, once a road is constructed by one agency, other agencies dig up the already constructed road again for activities like laying of various utility services including underground cables, gas pipelines, etc. He expected that the present initiative of Government of India will bring positive change in this direction. Further, he opined that the proposed mapping of existing and future connectivity infrastructure envisages shaping India into the business capital of the world and an integrated and seamless connectivity for movement from one mode of transport to another as envisioned by Gati Shakti has huge potential to revolutionise whole development process of our country. In his address he also drew the attention of the house about some of the constraints the State is plagued with, and measures adopted by the State to deal with the same under the dynamic leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister. He assured that Sikkim is fully geared up to support this national initiative and forge ahead in right direction

The Minister-cum-Area MLA of Gyalshing Bermiok constituency, Shri Lok Nath Sharma inaugurated a newly constructed Sikkim Garib Awas Yojana (SGAY) house of the beneficiary Shri Raj Limboo (Megyong Ward) under Chingthang GPU

Gyalshing, Feb 28 (IPR): The Minister-cum-Area MLA of Gyalshing Bermiok constituency, Shri Lok Nath Sharma inaugurated a newly constructed Sikkim Garib Awas Yojana (SGAY) house of the beneficiary Shri Raj Limboo (Megyong Ward) under Chingthang GPU, today.
Minister Sharma was accompanied by the Block Development Officer, Hee Martam BAC shri Kailash Gurung and others.
Shri Lok Nath Sharma offered khada and congratulated the beneficiary for receiving the new single storey RCC structure, which consists of a living room, two bedrooms, kitchen, toilet along with TV and furniture comprising of one sofa set, one centre table, two almirah, twosingle beds, and one double bed.
Minister Sharma also addressed the gathering and informed about various schemes and programmes initiated by the ruling government under the leadership of the Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang to uplift poor sections of society in the state.
He also touched financial incentives provided by the government in horticulture, agriculture, dairy, piggery and allied sectors