Hon’ble Minister Shri Samdup Lepcha attends International Mountain Day at Mangan

Mangan January 22(IPR): The Malling Youth Club of Mangan, organized the International Mountain Day 2021 at the auditorium of Mangan Senior Secondary School, today. Hon’ble Minister for Roads and Bridges Department Shri Samdup Lepcha was the chief guest of the event. He was accompanied by Chairman- Sikkim Welfare Commission Shri. Nim Tshering Lepcha, SDPO (Mangan) Shri Tseten Palzor, Additional Political Secretary to HCM North Shri Tshering Wangyal Bhutia, Additional District Magistrate (ADM-North) Shri. Sonam Lepcha, other officials, students and the public.
It may be mentioned here that the International Mountain Day is celebrated on the 11th of December but because of the pandemic, it couldn’t be observed in the previous year.
In his address, the Minister appreciated the Malling Youth Club and called them the future of Sikkim. He stated that the state government would support the youth whole-heartedly in all their endeavors for a better Sikkim. He said that the energy and the spirit of the Sikkimese youth is admirable and an example for others to follow. Mr. Lepcha added that the mountains are one true basic element of nature for they give us water. He reminded that as Sikkimese, mountains are our guardian deities and sacred and as mountain people ourselves, it should be our duty and our responsibility to protect and respect the mountains.
ADM North, in his brief address applauded the youth for their participation in protecting the environment and particularly for their roles in the protection of mountains, thereby contributing to effective administrative strategies and achievements. He reminded the gathering to adhere to the COVID 19 protocols at all times.
A short film titled ‘The Lost Path’ directed by Sonam Pintso Bhutia and Jigmey Wongchok Bhutia was screened at the event. It was informed that the entire film had been shot and edited on their mobile phones. The youth of Malling gifted a painting and a dreamcatcher to the chief guest.
The programme had cultural dances, poem recitation, themed art and entertainment performances and concluded with a band performance by The Diwash Rai Project.
Earlier in the day, the Minister visited and inspected the District Administrative Centre, Mangan. He was accompanied by Area MLA- Dzongu cum Advisor- Power Department Shri Pintso Namgyal, Chairperson- Sikkim State Commission for Women, Smt. Chungkipu Lepcha, the District Collector (North) Shri Tenzing T. Kaleon other district heads and officials. Thereafter, the Minister handed cheques to 14 beneficiaries as land compensation for the area acquired by the Roads and Bridges Department, used in the construction of the 225 metres double lane bridge over Kanaka River.

The Hon’ble Chief Minister called on the Hon’ble Union Minister Home Affairs

New Delhi, January 21: Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Prem Singh Tamang called on Hon’ble Union Minister Home Affairs, Shri Amit Shah at New Delhi, today. The Chief Minister submitted a memorandum on behalf of the State Government and the people of Sikkim, for the grant of Tribal status to the left-out communities.
In his memorandum, he highlighted the social and economic conditions including the cultural traits of the left-out communities which are similar to all the sections of the society in Sikkim.
The Chief Minister further indicated the provision of Article 371F, the Tripartite Agreement between the Chogyal, the Government of India, and the elected representative drawn during the merger with the Union of India.
Similarly, he requested the Union Home Minister for the reservation of seats for the Limboo and Tamang communities who have been recognized as Tribal by the Union Government in 2003.
During the meeting, the Hon’ble Chief Minister thanked the Hon’ble Union Government for allowing His Holiness 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, Head of Kagyu Sect for his earlier visit to Sikkim, cherishing the spiritual aspiration of the people of the State. Besides the above issues, the Chief Minister also discussed the various topics and subject matters relating to Sikkim.
(S.D. Dhakal)
Secretary to HCM
Camp: New Delhi

Government of Sikkim announces Scholarship worth 47 lakhs for 50 IAS Aspirants

Gangtok, January 21: Additional Chief Secretary Shri G. P. Upadhyaya, announced the decision of the Government for a scholarship worth Rs 47 lakhs today under Chief Ministers Civil Services Coaching Scheme for the academic year 2021- 22 which has created an opportunity for 50 deserving and talented IAS aspirants of Sikkim to undergo free of cost coaching from ALS IAS.
ALS IAS, Indias largest IAS Coaching Network, has more than 75 centers across India including 25 in North East along with 3000 selections in UPSC to date including 170 selections last year. ALS has also been honored with similar sponsorship for IAS training from the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Manipur in the past.
National Sales Head ALS Shri Prateek Bhattacharya also announced a scholarship worth Twenty-Three lakhs for twenty-five aspirants under the ALS CSR Initiative for the youth of Sikkim.
Together, this announcement has created an opportunity for seventy-five IAS aspirants of Sikkim to avail themselves of Scholarships sponsored by the Government of Sikkim and ALS.
The Scholarship Exam will be conducted on 31st January 2021 in all District Headquarters of Sikkim under the supervision of the District Collectors of each District with strict compliance of COVID-19 protocols.
Application forms will be made available ONLINE on bit.ly/A-SAT2021 from 22nd January 2021 with the last date of form submission being 28th January 2021. Results of the Exam will be generated on 3rd February 2021 and batches will commence from 8th February 2021 at Nar Bahadur Bhandari Degree College. However, there is a minimum age criterion where the candidate should be born before 1st August 2001 to apply for this scholarship.
Selected candidates shall undergo training via cutting-edge VSAT Technology where LIVE Transmission of classes being conducted in ALS Delhi campus would be given and students will learn from the Best IAS Mentors of the country.
Dedicated academic mentors shall be stationed in Gangtok to monitor, motivate and guide the students during their training along with monthly visits which will be made by IAS/IPS Officers serving in Sikkim to inspire the candidates.
ALS hopes that this path-breaking initiative taken by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim will be able to transform the youth of Sikkim and produce results in Civil Services and other competitive Exams in the coming years.

A Stakeholder consultation meeting for formulation of GIS Based Master Plan for Gangtok City-2041

Gangtok, January 21 (IPR): A Stakeholder consultation meeting for formulation of GIS-Based Master Plan for Gangtok City -2041 under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) Mission was held at Chintan Bhawan today. The meeting was chaired by Hon’ble Minister for Urban Development Department Shri Arun Upreti and was attended by MLA Gangtok, Shri Y.T. Lepcha, MLA Upper Tadong, Shri G.T. Dhungel, Additional Chief Planner, TCPO, MoHUA and other officials. The meeting was organised by the Urban Development Department, Government of Sikkim.
The Minister in his brief speech emphasized local participation and suggestions from the stakeholders to frame master plan for Gangtok city. The Minister while appreciating the beautification work of Gangtok city also stressed on the bottlenecks such as transportation, a drainage system and emphasised on further development and beautification of residential buildings and surrounding areas.
Chief Town Planner, Smt. Yogita Rai, gave brief information about the GIS Master Plan which is 100% funded by the Central Government. She stated that Gangtok is one of the 500 cities selected under this mission. It covers an area of 157 sq. km covering a planned development of drainage system, transportation and infrastructure for Gangtok-2041.
During the meeting, a technical presentation of the draft Master Plan by Feedback Infra representatives was made through powerpoint presentation.
In the presentation, it was informed that tourists coming in Sikkim could increase to the manifold in the next five years. To cater to the needs of the visiting tourists in the near future, the need of the hour is holistic planning and development of Gangtok city, newly identified areas, new district centres, new community centres and new basic infrastructures.
Secretary UDD cum State Mission Director, AMRUT Mission, Ms. Sarala Rai while welcoming everyone also briefed about the aims and objectives of the mission. She informed that Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and UrbanTransformation is a flagship programme and was launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi in June 2015. It was launched with a focus to establish an infrastructure that could ensure adequate and robust sewage network and water supply for urban transformation by implementing urban revival projects, She added.
She further informed the gathering that the hard copy of the Master Plan shall be available in the office of the Chief Town Planner during office hours for any individual to have a look and to give valuable feedback.