GORKHALAND RESOLUTION: CHEERS IN SIKKIM , DARJEELING ; FEARS IN BENGAL
Gorkhas to felicitate Chamling; resolution ‘unconstitutional’ & against ‘Parliamentary norms’: WB Govt; no division of Bengal , says Trinamool
Observer News Service
Gangtok, April 1: The passing of a resolution in the Sikkim Assembly demanding creation of a separate State of Gorkhaland has been cheered by the people of Darjeeling and Sikkim but received a thumbs-down from neighbouring West Bengal.
It is significant to note that the resolution was passed three weeks after Gorkha Janmukti Morcha President Bimal Gurung met Chief Minister Pawan Chamling in Gangtok and a few weeks before Assembly polls in West Bengal, where the Morcha has fielded three candidates from Darjeeling
The resolution will surely go in favour of Morcha candidates whose main issue for the polls is Gorkhaland.
In a statement after the passing of what has been described as a “historic” event favouring Gorkhaland, the Morcha chief said he was “overwhelmed” by the unanimous resolution of the Assembly, whose 32 legislators belong to the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), which has been in power since 1994.
“I am overwhelmed with intense happiness on hearing that the legislative assembly of Sikkim
“I have no words to express the gratitude of all Gorkhas for your wholehearted support and initiative to give the much needed recognition to our demand,” Gurung added.
“Sikkim is the real owner of Darjeeling because it was a part and parcel of Sikkim Bengal , because it has not done anything for us. We will now tell the Centre to consider the resolution,” Harka Bahadur Chhetri, Morcha spokesman, told a national daily.
The Morcha has decided to felicitate Chamling for passing the resolution, according to the party’s spokesman Benoy Tamang.
While Sikkim and Darjeeling celebrate their permanent bond of friendship and brotherhood as reflected in the resolution leaders of West Bengal have responded negatively against Chamling’s latest move on Gorkhaland.
West Bengal Assembly Speaker Hasim Abdul Halim termed the passing of the resolution by Sikkim Assembly supporing creation of Gorkhaland “unfortunate” and not in tune with Parliamentary norms and tradition.
“I cannot call it unconstitutional but it is against Parliamentary norms,’’ Halim said in a report in the Indian Express.
Ashok Bhattacharya, West Bengal ’s Minister for Urban Development, said the passing of the resolution was “unconstitutional.”
The Trinamool Congress also condemned the move and said the Sikkim Assembly, by passing the resolution, violated parliamentary norms and vitiated federal spirit.
“The Sikkim Assembly has no business to pass a resolution regarding an area under West Bengal . We are very much against any further division of Bengal ,” said Saugata Roy, senior Trinamool leader and Union Minister of State for Urban Development, the Express reported.
The Sikkim Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution in favour of the creation of Gorkhaland, saying the separate state was a “genuine and legitimate” demand of the people of Darjeeling
“The people of Darjeeling Darjeeling Darjeeling
Chamling said Gorkhaland was the “ultimate and permanent solution to ensure peace, security and development of Sikkim National Highway
“Our government has given peace, communal harmony and security to the state and its people… In this peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the state, disturbances with no signs of normalcy and decrease taking place for so many years in the neighbouring areas of Darjeeling in West Bengal affecting our lifeline National Highway 31A clearly indicates that only a permanent solution is the remedy,” said the Chief Minister while moving the motion.
Meanwhile, a four-member central committee of the Morcha led by its General Secretary Roshan Giri met Chamling here on Thursday to convey the party’s appreciation and gratitude to Chamling for passing the resolution.
The team has also invited Chamling to Darjeeling
Assembly passes resolution on IT exemption for ‘left out’ persons
Observer News Service
Gangtok, April 1: The Sikkim Assembly resolution demanding exemption of payment of income tax under the Income Tax Act 1961 has been welcomed by the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front’s Byapari Morcha.
Morcha’s General Secretary Shanker Agarwal said the resolution was “historic” and has been welcomed by the people, according to a press release of the Morcha.
The resolution passed in the Budget session of the Assembly last week was proposed by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and seconded by ruling party’s Gangtok MLA Dorjee Namgyal Bhutia.
The resolution seeks IT exemption for “left out” categories of persons having agricultural land in rural areas, business community who have permanently settled in Sikkim prior to 1961 and those who were in government service before December 1969 and who are permanently settled in Sikkim.
The resolution says names of the above category of people were “left out” from the Sikkim Subject Register and were thus deprived of their rights on IT exemption.
As of now the ‘Sikkim Subjects’, whose names are in the Sikkim Subject Register, are enjoying IT exemption. The Chamling Government wants the same rights to be enjoyed by old settlers of Sikkim
It may be noted that the Government wants tax exemption not only for members of the old business community majority of whom are plainspeople but also for farmers and government servants who have settled in Sikkim before 1961 and 1969.
According to official sources, of the 6 lac residents in the State less than half are ‘Sikkim Subjects’ who belong to the three ethnic communities – Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese.
Bhutia-Lepchas to oppose Assembly seat reduction, ready to defend political rights
By A Staff Reporter
Gangtok, April 1: The minority Sikkimese Bhutia-Lepcha tribals in the State feel betrayed by the Sikkim Assembly’s bid to reduce seats reserved for the two communities in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly.
This indication came after the Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution in the Budget session seeking increase of seats in the Assembly from 32 to 40, according to a press release of Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC).
A meeting of the Committee chaired by its President Tseten Tashi Bhutia here on Wednesday expressed “anger and disappointment” over the “nature of the resolution” passed by the Assembly, a press release by the Committee’s General Secretary PT Lepcha said.
The two indigenous communities who were made scheduled tribes in 1978, three years after the controversial merger in 1975, are convinced that increase of seats in the Assembly to 40 without increase of 12 seats reserved for them would lead to the dilution of their political rights and distinct identity safeguarded by Article 371F of the Constitution.
Presently, of the 32 seats 12 are reserved for the Bhutia-Lepchas, one for Sangha, two for Scheduled Castes (who are Nepalese) leaving 17 seats in the general category.
The minority Bhutia-Lepchas feel betrayed by the Chamling Government’s latest move to dilute the political rights of their community, the release said.
The resolution not only violates the “terms of Sikkim
“If need be, the Bhutia-Lepchas are ready to come down to streets,” SIBLAC warned. (
Bhutia body condemns Guv’s stand on Bhutia-Lepcha rights
Observer News Service
Gangtok, April 1: The National Sikkimese Bhutia Organization (NASBO 371F), a non-political organization of the State’s ethnic Bhutias, has strongly condemned Governor B P Singh’s recent statement in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly on the political rights of the minority indigenous Bhutia-Lepcha tribals of the State.
In a press statement NASBO said the Governor’s address in the House on March 23 regarding increase of Assembly seats is against the minority community.
During its general meeting held here NASBO has not only rejected the Governor’s intention to erode the political rights of the Bhutia-Lepcha tribals but said that it was “unfortunate” that the Had of the State should openly carry out an “anti-Bhutia-Lepcha agenda” in the House.
The organization’s demand that there be proportionate increase in the seats reserved for the Bhutia-Lepchas in the House if ever there is an increase of seats in the Assembly has been ignored, NASBO said in a Press release.
NASBO has also noted the failure of the 13 Bhutia-Lepcha representatives in the House to defend the rights of the minority community.
CAG report indicts Govt on power project implementation in Sikkim
Observer News Service
Gangtok, April 1: The annual report of Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on management of State finances has come down heavily on the State Government on the manner in which hydel project works are being carried out in the State.
The report said the State Government awarded project works to private parties at “throwaway charges” leading to neglect of “environmental issues”, loss in revenue and lack of development in the local area concerned.
Briefing the media here on Tuesday after the report was placed before the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, the Accountant General of Sikkim
“The State Government commenced award of hydro power projects to Independent Power Producers (IPP) without working out any effective modality and finalizing any plan or policy,” the CAG report said.
“Unplanned execution” at “throwaway charges” and “lack of monitoring mechanism in implementation of the power projects resulted in unfruitful expenditure of Rs 8.96 crore beside cost overrun of Rs 7.73 crore, blockage of funds Rs 14.53 crore and irregular diversion of project funds of Rs 16.17 crore,” the report said.
The most startling revelations on power projects in the State in the CAG report is imposition of upfront premium on private developers at a meager rate of Rs 10,000 per MW. This has led to loss of revenue ranging between Rs 60.08 crore to Rs 279.87 crore.
Worse is the fact that the State lost precious revenue ranging from Rs 2,514.49 crore to 2,622.76 crore per year due to imposition of penalty at an “abysmal low rate” of Rs 10,000 per MW per month for delay of commissioning of projects by private developers.
“Non-implementation of specific condition in the agreements drawn with 16 private developers for regular contribution towards local area development led to loss of Rs 245.20 crore annually,” the report revealed.
The report also said award of two power projects to Gati Infrastructures Ltd, a private developer, in November 2003 at a comparatively low rate of 12 per cent royalty for the entire agreement period, led to a potential loss of Rs 143.50 crore per annum from the 16th year of operation onwards.
Referring to environmental issues during implementation of power projects, the report said “Adequate steps to safeguard the environment viz. catchment area treatment plans, protection and preservation of reverine fishes etc. had not been taken during implementation of hydro power projects” in the State. (also see edit on page 2)
Two-day Sikkim
By A Staff Reporter
Gangtok, April 1: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front’s labour wing, the All Sikkim Democratic Labour Front (ASDLF), has called a 48-hour bandh in the State from 6 am on April 4 (Monday).
Briefing the media, Front’s Vice-President BM Ramudamu and General Secretary Norzang Lepcha said the bandh has been called to pressurize the concerned authorities for 100% employment for locals in central government offices, PSUs and business establishments in the State.
The Front said the bandh has been called in view of the failure of these units to comply with repeated requests made on employment of locals.
While tourist vehicles will not be allowed to ply during the two-day bandh, essential services such as ambulance, fire services, army, BRO etc will be exempted from the bandh.
EDITORIAL
CAG REPORT
Indictment And The Ground Reality
Despite claims made by the State Government on the State’s development the latest annual report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) is quite a strong indictment of the performance of various departments. What is most worrisome is that in many areas the report has observed that schemes are being implemented without any policy and planning. For instance, in the Sikkim Public Works Department (Roads and Bridges) “unrestrained” and “indiscriminate” sanctioning of projects without availability of funds under “non-existence policy” has led to loss of Rs 341.22 crore to the State exchequer. The most astounding disclosure was that Sikkim
Added to these irregularities is CAG’s disclosure that the “monotoring mechanism” to evaluate implementation and impact of various schemes was not only “inadequate” but “data” to assess even major flagship schemes funded by the Central Government was not readily available. While brifing the local media after the CAG report was submitted to the State Assembly CAG authorities said the department depends much on the media and the Opposition to bring the important issues highlighted in the report in the public domain. This indeed is a tall expectation considering how independent journalists and newspapers can be wonover or browbeated if they exercise their freedom beyond the laxman rekha. Opposition parties and leaders, too, face the same heat. Under the law, courts can also take note of CAG report on its own (suo moto) and initiate action against the culprits. But in small States like Sikkim
16th Karmapa’s Rumtek residence in total disrepair
K. Tenzing
Visitors to the world-renowned seat-in-exile (Dharma Chakra Centre – commonly known as ‘Rumtek Monastery’) of the 16th Karmapa who passed away in Chicago on November 5, 1981, do not take much notice of the small two-storeyed structure located behind the main monastery and on the right side of the shedra (monastic college) .
This is because the structure which was once the residence of His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje is in a dilapidated condition. The paintings on the walls have almost disappeared and the windows are almost falling off or are held by old and rusted corrugated metal sheets (chadar).
If you happen to take a closer look inside from the windows the articles, including furniture, on the ground floor are in terrible condition. A 1986 calendar hung on the wall reminded visitors that the house has been unused for a long time.
When asked why the house has been abandoned a young monk who is a student of the monastery’s Nalanda University
Near the residence where there used to be a small sanctuary for birds (the Karmapa was fond of birds) is now occupied by army personnel who have been manning the monastery complex ever since the Karmapa controversy surfaced in early 1990s.
Apart from this the Karmapa’s residence the rest of the structures in the monastery complex are quite well maintained. The question which comes to one’s mind is plain and simple: is this the way to honour a highly respected religious figure of Tibetan Buddhism and the Head of the Kargyu lineage who sought refuge in Sikkim after Communist China’s takeover of his country? Who is responsible for this sad state of affairs and why has the concerned authorities not done anything about it for so long?
Followers of the tulkus of the 16th Karmapa in particular who want the early return of the Karmapa to Rumtek (East Sikkim) ought to take a second look at the house of the one who lived in Sikkim and blessed the people for more than two decades and do something about it at the earliest.
ON MY OWN
Jigme N Kazi
Preservation of Sikkim
Charity, they say, begins at home. This also applies to preservation of one’s culture. A quiet and yet very impressive beginning is being made at the Tsuklakhang monastery in Gangtok towards preservation of Sikkim
“Our culture springs from our Buddhist heritage. It is the basis of all Sikkimese culture to flourish,” says Hope Leezum, daughter of the late Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal, the 12th King of the former kingdom of Sikkim
Those who have not visited the Palace area where the monastery is located should pay a visit at the earliest. The entire premises of the monastery has got an impressive facelift. The recently-constructed buildings housing about 100 Sikkimese monks are beautifully painted, the lawn is kept clean with flowers and plants well-arranged, the outer and part of the inner portions of the monastery have also been repainted. And there is also a newly-made open resthouse built in traditional Sikkimese style – simple and yet elegant – at the back of the monastery.
If one is more perceptive one would also notice the long pole at the centre of the courtyard in front of the monastery holding a huge square-shaped lungta (windhorse) prayer flag. The only eye-sore in the area is the new building painted in dark gray. Hopefully, this building, too, will get a new-look soon to match the surrounding area.
And yet the most impressive of the Tsuklakhang Trust’s recent initiative is the restoration work of old and rare murals inside the walls of the two-storeyed monastery. Here Andre Alexander from Germany and Anca Nicolaescu, a Romania from Paris
Andre, who is Chairman of Tibet Heritage Fund and Leh Old Town Initiative, says he will spend about a year in Sikkim
Tibet Heritage Fund (THF), an international non-profit organization registered in Germany , has been consultant to UNESCO and other international organizations for projects across Asia ranging from sustainable development of towns and settlements, housing and water/sanitation work, to cultural exchange projects, academic research and vocational training.
THF was also involved in relief work after the Yushu earthquake and the Ladakh flashflood. It also participated in the recovery of a 10th century Buddhist stone carving, the design and construction of a museum for Ladakh, restoration of a 14th century monastery in Amdo, and the restoration of a 13th century temple in Ladakh.
“The idea is that once they (Andre and Anca) leave Sikkim after completing the project locals who are trained under them should be able to shoulder the responsibility of doing similar restoration work under their guidance,” says Hope Leezum (she is locally referred to as Semla (Princess) and her full name is Hope Leezum Namgyal Tobden).
Technically, there are three main steps for restoration of mural paintings at the Tsuklakhang: 1. Remove the soot from the paintings with soap. 2. Remove the transparent yellowish-coloured varnish coating from the painting with white spirit or alcohol. 3. Repaint the portion which have been erased.
Briefing the media, who were also keen to learn the art, Andre says “mineral paint” was used to paint the murals which not only depicted gods and goddesses of the Buddhist world but also local deities. Small areas of the wall which have fallen down will be replaced by “mud plaster’, says Andre, who has worked on similar projects, including restoration works where construction work is involved.
During his stay in Ladakh (15 years and Lhasa (7 years) Andre worked on projects such as restoration of Jokhang temple in Lhasa, restoration of the 9th century Meru Nyingba monastery in Lhasa and 14th century murals and buildings in Ladakh.
The mural paintings at the Tsuklakhang was carried out in the 1920s under the guidance of Tharing Rinpoche (Jigdal Pao), son of Gyalmo (Maharani) Yishey Dolma from her first husband Lhasey Kusho, explains Hope Leezum. No repainting has been carried out after the original painting which is said to be one of the finest in the entire Himalayan belt and comparable to the best in Tibet
In fact, the 9th Panchen Lama had deputed his Lharipa to supervise the mural paintings at the Tsuklakhang, the Royal Chapel where the Chogyals were consecrated, during the reign of Sikkim ’s 11th Chogyal Tashi Namgyal, whose long rule (1914-1963) saw many progressive developments in Sikkim
In fact, Sir Tashi Namgyal was fortunate to regain the Chogyal’s power earlier usurped by the British Raj’s first Political Officer Claude White, who ruled Sikkim Sikkim was to ensure that Sikkim became a British Protectorate to enable Great Britain to have easy access to Tibet and finally to China through Sikkim for its imperialistic designs in Asia .
Both Andre and Anca, who live among the lamas in the monastery premises, are working on a voluntary basis. “We welcome local volunteers for the job. Just doing the work is our chog (spiritual practice),” says Hope Leezum, who is a representative of the Palace in the Trust. She hopes the Trust’s “merit project” will inspire all Sikkimese to be proud of their cultural heritage and get involved in Sikkim
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