Category: News

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and John Snow India, supported by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) co-hosted the National Conclave on COVID-19 vaccination themed “Power of the Collective” on January 31, 2023, at New Delhi in partnership with Global Health Strategies. The aim of the conclave was to center-stage critical learnings and best practices surrounding COVID-19 vaccinations over the course of the last two years in the country, the documentation and dissemination of which could be learnings for future emergencies.

The day-long event scheduled from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM included a display of best practices and a photo exhibition to document the innovative interventions of the MoHFW and state health departments which were deployed to achieve high COVID-19 vaccination coverage. The conclave comprised of four panel discussions with senior leadership from MoHFW, WHO, USAID, GAVI, partner organizations, and state representatives sharing insights on diverse topics related to COVID-19
vaccination.

MD NHM Dr Raj Prabha Moktan along with SIO Dr Tsering Doma participated in the Conclave. SIOs of all the states along with Covid warriors were also felicitated. Mrs Athee Lepcha LHV of Phodong PHC from Mangan district received the appreciation letter as the Covid warrior from Sikkim.

Gangtok, February 1st (IPR): The ten-day workshop on ‘Conservation of Material Heritage of Sikkim’ hosted by Sikkim State Archives and Museum, Culture Department, Government of Sikkim in collaboration with Kolkata Institute of Art Conservation supported under the AKST- Tata Trusts Art Conservation Initiative was inaugurated at Manan Bhawan in Gangtok today.

The Conservation workshop is designed to impart awareness and conservation-related training to custodians of heritage collections in Sikkim, as well as stakeholders in the field of cultural heritage and conservation, supported under the Anamika Kala Sangam Trust (AKST)- Tata Trusts Art Conservation Initiative, to be held from February 1-10 here in the capital.

The inaugural event was chaired by Secretary Namgyal Institute of Tibetology Shri Pema Wangyal Rinzing as the chief guest and Secretary Ecclesiastical Department Dr. Passang Dorjee Phempu as the guest of honour.

The workshop also had the presence of the Head, Arts and Culture portfolio, Tata Trusts, Ms. Deepika Sorabjee, Senior Art Conservator and Academic consultant to the Tata Trusts Art Conservation Initiative, Mr. Anupam Sah, Art Conservator at Himalayan Society for Heritage and Art Conservation( HIMSHACO), Nainital, Mr. Siddharth Chandra, Art Conservator at Kolkata Institute of Art Conservation, Kolkata, Mr. Shreyan Banarjee, Programme Officer, Arts and Culture portfolio, Tata Trusts, Ms. Paroma Sadhana along with monks from different monasteries and esteemed dignitaries.

Addressing the gathering, the Head of Arts and Culture, Tata Trusts, Ms. Deepika Sorabjee, gave a brief overview of the Art Conservation Initiative. The workshop at Gangtok intends to reach out and set up the system for future reference and the maintenance of artefacts. She also discussed about the long-term vision of the programme.

Senior Art Conservator and Academic Consultant to the Tata Trusts, Mr. Anupam Sah, in his special address, mentioned the importance and the need for the conservation of cultural heritage and different tools that have been used over the past years to achieve the materials for future reference. Furthermore, he mentioned about the conservation infrastructure, its processes, and the long-term protection of the cultural heritage of Sikkim. He added that the training programme is crucial for trainees working to enhance archive materials.

Anamika Kala Sangam Trust (AKST) Tata Trusts Art Conservation Initiative was established in 1986. The multi-disciplinary exchange in this initiative encourages participation in cultural activities, creativity, and the arts. AKST has recently established the Kolkata Institute of Art Conservation at Kolkata centre for creativity.

Secretary Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Shri Pema Wangyal Rinzing, in his address, appreciated the initiative for organising the workshop to help preserve the cultural heritage of Sikkim. He mentioned the challenges of conserving the tangible and the intangible heritage. Further, he informed that the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology was established in the 1960s, and their art collection is still intact.

Earlier, the Archives Officer Sikkim State Archives and Museum, Cultural Department, Ms. Deepshika Gurung, delivered the welcome address.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Research Officer Ms. Yangchen Donkar Bhutia.

Namchi, 1st February: One day long training program on Forest Right act 2006 concluded on 31/01/2023. The training was organised by District Administration Namchi and attended by Namchi District Gram panchayat members including 54GPUs presidents and Vice presidents, panchayat inspectors of BDOs office and other field staff.

ADC Namchi cum State level Master trainer, Shri Anant Jain briefed about the provisions of FRA act and discussed the role of Gram Sabha , Subdivisions level and District level Functionaries. During the day long program, following important points were addressed :

1. Formation of Forest Right Committee at Gram Sabha level
2. Filling of claim forms
3. Quorum of Gram Sabha
4. Passing of resolution
5. Eligibility of claimants
6. Inspection process
7. Processing of claims including role of Subdivision and District level committee

In the end, during Question and answer session GPU members discussed various issues pertaining to Namchi district in which FRA act is applicable and same was addressed and explained in length.

Gangtok, 31st January 2023(IPR): The retired Secretaries of various departments under the State Government were accorded a warm farewell on their superannuation at a function held in the conference hall of Tashiling, Secretariat, today.

Chief Secretary of the State, Shri V.B.Pathak graced the occasion to bid farewell to the esteemed retired officials in the presence of the Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Shri A Sudhakar Rao, Shri R Telang, Additional Chief Secretary, Education Department, Secretaries and officials of different departments.

The Chief Secretary applauded the retired Secretaries for their outstanding and remarkable service and expressed gratitude on behalf of the government for putting their brilliant effort into transforming the State. He wished all the dignitaries with a healthy life and stated that all the remaining members present in the house must take forward the tales of experience left behind by those emeritus officials.

A brief curriculum vitae of their career journey was presented before the house. The dignitaries were honoured with khada, souvenirs and gifts by the Chief Secretary and all the officials present during the occasion.

The retired dignitaries shared their experiences and few brilliant anecdotes to add some lighter moments of their long-serving tenure for the State in different departments.
The dignitaries thanked the Chief Secretary and officials for organising the farewell event.

Shri Tshering Namgyal Bhutia, Shri H.K. Sharma, Smt Sherap Shenga, Shri K.P. Sharma, Shri D.C.Nepal and Smt Siphora Targen were the superannuated dignitaries who had served the State with their impeccable service.

Soreng, 31 January (IPR): A workshop on Financial Inclusion-Role of Block Level Bankers Committee (BLBC) was organized at the Conference Hall of DAC, Soreng today.

Organized by the Reserve Bank of India (Gangtok), the workshop cum meeting had the attendance of DC Soreng, Shri Bhim Thatal, ADC Soreng, Shri Dhiraj Subedi, , ADC (Dev), Shri Gaayas Pega, Chief General Manager (RBI), Shri Kishore Pariyar, SDM (HQ), Shri D.R Bista, Manager (RBI/Gangtok) cum Lead District Officer for Soreng, Shri Rahul Verma along with the BDOs and other line department Officers.

CGM (RBI), Shri Kishore Pariyar gave an in-depth presentation with regard to the aims and objectives of the workshop which was to generate awareness about the financial inclusion and financial literacy and role of Block level Bankers Committee at the grassroot level including sensitization of BDOs. He informed that BLBC acts as a forum for coordination and joint implementation of development programmes and policies by all the financial institutions operating in a State at block level. He added that it is also responsibility of BLBC to discuss on operational issues in the implementation of credit programmes of banks. He urged the officials at the block level to ensure that each individual has access to banking and other financial services.

Furthermore, Shri Pariyar highlighted the importance of digitization of all financial transaction and services. He said that one of the main responsibilities of SLBC is to conduct surveys in the village falling in their service area taking into consideration the infrastructure and market potential of the area. Based on the survey findings, they must compile realistic plan for each bank branch operating in a block and thus, the district credit plan should be drawn up on the basis of updated village profile realistic projections, he added.

In his concluding remarks, he urged the stakeholders to conduct such surveys cum meetings at quarterly intervals in order to achieve positive and fruitful results.
DC, Shri Bhim Thatal also provided some insightful learnings and suggestions. He spoke about the importance of following basic attributes of Knowledge, Skill and Attitude in providing better services. He advised the BODs to ensure that the people at the grass root level are being governed adequately and are availing their rightful benefits. He reminded them to organize financial literacy programs or workshops in co-ordination with the financial institutes at their respective blocks to bring about more financial awareness amongst the community.

Furthermore, he urged them to conduct BLBC meeting on the required intervals to achieve timely conduct of District Level Bankers Committee followed by State Level Bankers Committee meeting as per the mandate of RBI.

Additionally, the DC appraised the necessity to improve the existing Kisan Credit Card Scheme (KCC) and said that focus must also be given to both farmers and banking sectors. He also highlighted some of the community specific schemes which are currently being implemented for Soreng as an aspirational district.

The interactive workshop concluded with an open house discussion on issues and doubts raised by the participants.

Pakyong, January 30 (IPR): “District Level Vigilance Committee (DLVC)” in compliance with the “Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act 2013)” was constituted, along with its first meeting was conducted today at the Office of the District Collector, Pakyong District under the Chairmanship of the DC, Pakyong Mr. Tashi Chophel.

The members of DLVC are as under:

1. District Collector, Pakyong-Chairperson,
2. Superintendent of Police-Member,
3. ADC Dev,Pakyong-Member,
4. CMO, Pakyong – Member,
5. MEO Rangpo-Member,
6. Bazar Officer, UDD – Member,
7. Branch Manager SBI Pakyong- Member,
8. Welfare Officer – Member Secretary

The Welfare Officer, Mrs Suneeta Dahal apprised the Acts and Rules and highlighted the important parts of the said Act.
She defined “manual scavenging” as the removal of human excrement from public streets and dry latrines, and cleaning septic tanks, gutters and sewers.

The aim of the government should be to mechanise such a process without the physical intervention of a human.

Further, it must be noted that forcing someone to do such activities will be a punishable offence along with a fine under the said act.
It was noted that such a practice is virtually non-existent in Sikkim and even if someone is involved in such activities they should be provided with proper safety gear and equipment.

The District Collector directed Welfare Inspectors to visit the bazaar area under Pakyong District and take surveillance of Community Toilets and Public toilets in the area and report the status.

ADC (Dev) said that he would sensitise all the panchayats and local bodies about the Act and work for the complete eradication of such practices in Sikkim.

District Collector Pakyong further suggested Member Secretary form a Sub-divisional level committee within 3 months before the first review meeting of DLVC.