Month: November 2022

The Training Programme was chaired by Mr. Ongdup Lepcha Panchayat as Chief guest and Special Guest Miss. Susmita Lama Tamang (Deputy Project Director), Agriculture Department, Mrs. Jenny Basnet (Agriculture Development Officer). Total Participating Farmers attendance was 15no including members from different SHGs. The programme was also attained by Area Agriculture Inspectors and other Field Functionaries. The programme was conducted by Block Technology Manager (BTM), Rakdong-Tintek Block.

Deputy Project Director (Agriculture Department) highlighted the aims and objectives of the training and encouraged all the participants to actively take part during the training. The programme was further addressed by Chief Guest, who encouraged the participants to continue efforts on skill development for increasing their income. The inaugural session was concluded with Farmers officers’ interaction.

The programme continued with a technical session with a lecture on “Integrated Nutrient Management and Vermi Composting” by Resource person Mrs Jenny Basnet (Agriculture Development Officer) spoke on the introduction to vermiculture and vermicomposting, an overview of potential benefits and constraints, steps of vermicomposting and methodology, identification of basic characteristics of a worm, selection of site and physical requirement of vermin compost unit, working with worm nutrient, the content of vermicompost, pest and disease, application of vermin wash, the scope of vermin technology in Organic farming and post-harvest management.

Deputy Project Director is the Course Director and BTM is the Course Coordinator of the STRY Programme. Lastly, the programme was concluded with an Integrated Nutrient Farm School Visit.

The Conclave was organized by NIRDPR, Hyderabad in collaboration with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India to deliberate on the issues for all-round analysis and working of SFC’s and to suggest a broad roadmap and strategy towards bringing the excellence of SFC’s functioning in the future.

The Conclave was attended by Chairpersons and members of past and active State Finance Commissions of various States and representatives of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and experts from various academic institutions for Local Governance, Administration and Finance i. e. Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) and the Nation Institute of Public Finance and Policy(NIPFP).

Ms. Tashi Cho Cho, Chairperson, Ms. Roshni Rai, Member and Mr. Raj Narayan Pradhan, Member Secretary represented State Finance Commission, Sikkim in the National Conclave.

Shri RB Bhandari, Municipal Commissioner, Gangtok, Shri Subash Ghimiray, Mission Director, SBM, Urban cum Additional Secretary, Urban Development Department and Shri Roshan Subba, Deputy Director, Urban Development Department, were present.

The press conference was regarding important issues about waste segregation at the source. Shri MT Sherpa, Secretary Urban Development Department, said that waste segregation should be implemented at individual and community levels in order to maintain proper management solutions.

He added that sorting waste makes it easier to understand how to reduce general waste output by identifying items that can be reused and recycled. He said proper waste segregation has benefits like lower waste cost, increased recycling waste, potential revenue streams and reduced landfill impact.

He informed that the National Green Tribunal is constantly monitoring our State, and Solid Waste Management Rule 2016, Plastic Waste Management Rule 2016 and Environment Protection Act 1986 are the bylaws for the waste discarding action.

Secretary, UDD said that the government has taken various initiatives under GMC and ULBs by promptly providing waste collection vehicles and dustbins for dry and wet waste. However, the repugnant attitude towards solid waste & its management has become a huge concern for the landfill site, which needs to be addressed, he added.

He informed that various initiatives like the revival process to treat the components of solid waste scientifically, which can produce energy, and the Metal Recovery Facility would be initiated soon.

Shri MT Sherpa highlighted that under Rule 12 of Solid Waste Management, DCs are the authority to facilitate land for waste management.

Similarly, he mentioned that according to Rule 11 of Solid Waste Management, in Urban areas, the Secretary of the Urban Development Department is the implementing authority for a waste management action plan. Likewise, a similar power is vested in Secretary, RDD, in Rural areas.

Under the solid waste management rule 2016:

No person should throw, burn, or bury the solid waste generated on streets, open public spaces outside individual premises, drain, or water bodies. The generator will have to pay a ‘User Fee’ to the waste collector and for ‘Spot Fine’ for Littering and Non-segregation.

Shri MT Sherpa thanked the citizens who pay User Charges for waste management and said that it should be taken as a Social Responsibility, a moral imperative to be responsible as the waste generator is responsible for the disposal of waste generated by them. He appealed to all the citizens to coordinate toward a waste management system in the State.

The Secretary concluded his press briefing with an important note stating that “COMPULSORY SOURCE SEGREGATION ACROSS MUNICIPALITIES IN SIKKIM WILL COMMENCE FROM 1st DECEMBER 2022″, which is tomorrow.

The waste collection vehicle will not collect mixed waste materials. We can no longer afford to ignore the importance of waste segregation.

They have been selected for the National Level Kala Utsav competitions in Classical Vocal Music and Traditional Percussions (Chyabrung), respectively, after their outstanding performance in the State Level Kala Utsav organized under the auspices of Samagra Shiksha, Education Department.

He commended the efforts of the Principal and the entire School family for guiding and promoting the students with unsurpassed outcomes. Hon’ble Chief Minister wished them the best and assured them of providing possible assistance for their endeavors.

The programme had the presence of DC East, Shri. Ragul K, accompanied by SDM Gangtok, Ms. Pari Bishnoi (IAS), Asst. Collector, Gangtok, Shri. Girdhari Lal Meena (IAS), Nodal Officers, Dignitaries, and Faculties from different colleges.

In her address, SDM Bishnoi stressed the Summary Revision of the electoral rolls and the importance of voting, equipping them with basic knowledge of the electoral process.

Earlier in the day, College students participated in the Painting competition, Mock Parliament Session (SMU), and Open House Quiz as a part of SVEEP activities in collaboration with Nehru Yuva Kendra.

DC Gangtok, in his address, said that the objective of today’s event is to form a participative democracy by encouraging all eligible voters to exercise the right to vote during the elections.

‘All are equal before the law,’ he added.

Students from ICFAI College, Burtuk College, NBBDC, Sikkim University, and Sikkim Manipal University actively participated with great zeal and enthusiasm.

The programme also included a Stand Up Act by Shri. Nirmal Sharma.

Earlier, a Volleyball match was played between Sikkim Government College, Burtuk and Nar Bahadur Bhandari Degree College.

Later in the day, prizes were distributed to the winners and runners-up, along with a Certificate of Participation to all the participants.

The winning team in the Volleyball match were participants from

Sikkim Government College, Burtuk.

Likewise, the Painting Competition had the following participants who won:

1st Prize: Annie Rai (NBBDC)

2nd Prize: Chogyal Denzongpa (SMU)

3rd Prize: Smita Kumari (ICFAI)

Dishand Dewan ( Special mention)

The event concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Shri. Girdhari Lal Meena. He expressed his gratitude and congratulated all for making the programme successful.

The workshop had the participation of Engineers, Drawing & Disbursing Officers (D&DOs), Chartered Accountants and officials representing various line departments and associations along with contractors from Gangtok.

Commissioner Commercial Taxes Division, Shri Manoj Rai, who was the resource person for the workshop, gave a comprehensive presentation on important aspects of GST, including its estimation, incorporation, payment, deduction and remittance in the State of Sikkim.

While explaining the fiscal autonomy of the State and citing various notifications issued with regard to GST reforms, the Commissioner provided extensive information on the administrative activities under GST, including e-portal facilities and touched upon multiple challenges and implications of GST enforcement in the future. He further dwelled on the current GST rates on goods and services and their benefits and filled in the importance of invoicing under GST and doing it right away.

The workshop was also addressed by Joint Commissioner, Commercial Taxes Division, Shri Sangay Gyatso Bhutia, wherein he underscored how the workshop would be beneficial in achieving a better understanding and clarity on the core issues related to GST enforcement in the State. He urged for a collective effort from the wide spectrum of taxpayers, tax deductors and filers to address pertinent issues to achieve complete compliance with the Goods & Services Tax that rolled out on 1st July 2017.

During the event, the second edition of the Handbook for D&DOs and Engineers was distributed to the participants.

An open house discussion was also held to discuss the underlying issues in the GST-led financial management and deliberate upon their immediate address.

Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by Deputy Commissioner, Commercial Taxes Division, Smt. Usha Rani Pradhan.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Assistant Commissioner, Commercial Taxes Division, Shri Sandesh Subba.

With this regard, the office premises was inspected by the Zilla Adhakshya, Soreng District, Smt. Tila Devi Gurung along with Upadhakshya Soreng district, Shri Chandra Bir Kami and MLA (Soreng-Chakung) Shri Aditya Golay, today.

Accompanying them were Panchayat Members, DC Soreng, Shri Bhim Thatal, SP Soreng, Shri J. Jayapandiyan, ADC, Shri Dhiraj Subedi, DPO (Zilla), Shri Dilip Sharma and other Officials.

The visiting dignitaries thoroughly inspected the area and surveyed the infrastructure. They also discussed various aspects of the conduct of the inaugural ceremony to be done in the coming days.

Secretary-cum-Mission Director, AMRUT 2.0, UDD, in his keynote, expressed his gratitude towards the ULBs for their strong participation and commented on the various agendas under AMRUT 2.0. He also took the opportunity to inform the house that more than 65%-70% population of Sikkim resides in the Urban Sector, hence source segregation of household waste must be looked upon.

He urged ward councilors to render positive support and to be well-informed through the training. He stressed every line department should work together in making Amrut 2.0 a success. He also further informed that Sikkim has been fortunate to not get any penalty on Plastic Waste Management and Solid Waste Management, unlike other states.

Earlier, Additional Secretary-cum-Nodal Officer, Smt Bandana Thapa gave a welcome address. Further, she informed the gathering about the aims and key features of Amrut 2.0. To make the cities water secure by providing functional water tap connections to all households, she added. Likewise, preserving water by meeting 20% of water demand through recycled water, rejuvenating water bodies, reducing leakages and other mandatory reforms like Incentive-Based Reforms implementation and Water Conservation, Implementation Mechanisms was also discussed.

Assistant Engineer, Gangtok Smart City, Shri Kalzang R Lepcha presented a Powerpoint Presentation on Rain Water Harvesting. Dependency on the PHE department will decrease if rainwater is harvested.

Further, Additional Chief Engineer PHE Dilip Sharma informed rejuvenating of Tamzey Lake which is the source of Gangtok water supply.

Likewise, the engineering cell highlighted the importance and benefits of green spaces and parks. A place to interact, socialize and have space for children to play apart from that it helps in water recharging through plantations and vegetation. Reducing the temperature of nearby places. Green park at Development area.

GMC Mayor, Shri Neil Bahadhur requested that concerned ULB should be part of the projects since being the elected representatives they should be answerable to the public.

The second/final day of the training delved into the AMRUT Portal- to familiarize the ULBs with the various dashboards and the various works and reforms to be undertaken under AMRUT 2.0.

The Participants were awarded Certificates of Participation by the Chief Guest Shri Neil Bahadur Chettri, Hon’ble Mayor and Mrs. Tshering Palden Bhutia, Hon’ble Deputy Mayor, Gangtok Municipal Corporation.

Shri Anil Raj Rai, Secretary Land Revenue Department, Government of Sikkim, was the Roll Observer for the Finale of the Quiz Competition.

Shri D Anandan, Chief Electoral Officer, Smt Pema Lhaden Lama Additional Chief Electoral Officer, Smt Sandhya Gurung, Dronacharya Awardee(2021), Smt Draupadi Ghimiray, Padma Shri Awardee(2019), State Icon, students from Electoral Literary Club from the State along with their teachers, officers and staff of the Chief Election Office were present at the event.

Shri D Anandan, CEO, welcomed all the district-level winners who had come to participate in the State Level Quiz Competition. He said that the main motive of the quiz competition was to educate citizens, electors and voters about the electoral process and help them increase their awareness and participation in matters related to the electoral process.

He stated that the activity would generate awareness regarding the registration process and motivate all young eligible voters to register themselves during the ongoing Special Summary Revision, from 1.1.2023, as the qualifying date. He urged all the young voters to come forward and register themselves in the Electoral Roll.

Lastly, he mentioned that the Electoral process quiz is part of the SVEEP initiative for Electoral Literacy Clubs(ELCs).

A total of 17 colleges throughout the State participated in the Quiz. The quiz was held in two levels, the first was inter-district Electoral Literary Club, ELC, College level, and held in all six districts of the State w.e.f 17.11.2022. The winners of the Inter-district were further made to compete at the State Level.

Dr. Bibeth Sharma, Associate Professor, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, was the quiz master.

The participating team was from the following colleges:

1. Namchi District Sikkim Government College, Kamrang

2. Pakyong District: Rhenock Government College

3. Gangtok District: Nar Bahadur Bhandari Government College, Tadong

4. Soreng District: B.ED College, Soreng

Students from Sikkim Government College, Mangshila and Sikkim Government College, Gyalshing, couldn’t attend the quiz competition due to unexpected circumstances which delayed their participation.

The winners of the State Level Quiz competition are:

1st Nar Bahadur Bhandari Government College, Tadong, Gangtok District.

Mr. Dipendra Gurung

Mr. Palden Lepcha

2nd Namchi District Sikkim Government College, Kamrang

Ms. Nancy Lama

Ms. Zasmeen Praveen Ansari

3rd Soreng District: B.ED College

1.Yoshoda Sharma

2. Tikaram Chettri

The winners of the quiz competition were awarded a cash prize, a certificate, and a memento.

Earlier, a short documentary on the mock election process was displayed. The Chief Electoral Office, Baluwakhani, Gangtok, had prepared the documentary.

Election Quiz on Electoral Process in the Electoral Literary Club (ELCs) at the college level is an initiative as one of the SSR 2023 activities for ELCs to generate awareness regarding Special Summary Revision, 2023.