Kerala High Court orders CBI probe into Rs 80,000 cr lottery scam

SIKKIM OBSERVER   Vol 20 No 14 Page 1 May 28 2011

Kerala High Court orders CBI probe into Rs 80,000 cr lottery scam 

Lottery agents in Sikkim, Bhutan involved

Observer News Service

Kochi, May 27: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday approved a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the multi-billion rupee lottery scam in the State.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said his government would extend all help to the federal agency to probe into the scam.

There are allegations against agents of Bhutan and Sikkim lotteries that they siphoned off Rs.80,000 crore in the last four years by violating tax laws and diverting unclaimed prize money.

Former chief minister V.S. Achuthanandan was keen on a probe but his cabinet colleague and former finance minister Thomas Issac opposed it.

Isaac accused the Congress-led central government of reluctance to transfer the powers to states to ban lotteries.

Reacting to the High Court verdict, Issac while welcoming the probe said that one thing that should be included in the probe is the reason why the central government all this while was not keen on it.

“It must be recalled that in 2005 a public interest litigation demanding a CBI probe in the case had come up but the then chief minister Oommen Chandy (of the Congress) sat on that and saw to it that it never happened,” said Issac.

Achuthanandan had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidambaram demanding a CBI probe. The Home Minister, however, asked him to register a case, issue a notification and follow the procedure, according to sources.

However, the Congress Party had accused Achuthanandan of going soft on the ‘lottery mafia’ under the influence of his son V A Arun Kumar.

State Congress President Ramesh Chennithala told reporters in Delhi that his party welcomed the decision on CBI probe since it will bring out the truth behind the lottery muddle.

Mamata likely to meet Gurung on Monday

“We love Darjeeling and its people”

Observer News Service

Kolkata, May 26: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely meet Gorkha Janmukti Morcha President Bimal Gurung on Monday.

“Bimal Gurung has spoken to me over the phone. He will come to meet me on Monday,” said Mamata after her meeting with the delegation led by Morcha general secretary Roshan Giri.

Giri and three Morcha MLAs, Harka Bahadur Chhetri, Trilok Dewan and Rohit Sharma, met the Chief Minister here yesterday. Though the meeting was described as a “courtesy call” by Morcha leaders the delegation submitted three demands to the Chief Minister which included the release of Gorkha leader Chhatre Subba who has been languishing in jail for alleged attempt on GNLF chief Subash Ghising on February 10, 2001.

“We love Darjeeling and its people. We want a solution to the ongoing problems in the hills and the Jungle Mahal at the earliest. Today’s meeting, however, was a courtesy call,” said the chief minister, adding: “I have asked the chief secretary (Samar Ghosh) to set up a date for talks with the Morcha.”

Meanwhile, the Morcha leadership is keeping the statehood issue alive while giving enough time to the Mamata Government to solve the  problems faced by the people in Darjeeling hills.

Editorial

“TOTAL REVOLUTION”

And The Present Reality

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s historic 36-day date with the people of Sikkim has evoked mixed reactions. While it is high time that the Chief Minister acquaints himself with the ground reality at the grassroots level, particularly when there is a wide gap between the haves and have-nots, criticisms are pouring in from all corners of the State on the futility of embarking on such a journey whose outcome is predictable: “nothing will happen.” Ever since he came to power 17 years ago Chamling has often complained about the slow pace of work in the administration. He wants to move fast but the bureaucratic red-tapism has been a big stumbling block. At times the Chief Minister has complained – and rightly so – about the lack of will and directionless of his own legislators and Cabinet colleagues who fail to share his dreams of a better tomorrow for all Sikkimese.

Chamling came to power promising ‘total revolution’ and change in the system of governance. The mandate given to Chamling’s Sikkim Democratic Front in 1994 was for restoration of freedom, democracy, rule of law and eradication of corruption. In the past 17 years the people have witnessed mushrooming of local newspapers and yet how many of them are really free and independent. People’s participation in the democratic process has not made much progress and restoration of the rule of law is still a distant dream in a State where sycophants have thrived leaving the honest, competent and credible persons on the sidelines.

For fear of incurring the wrath of the powers-that-be no one will tell Chamling the real, hard, and bitter truth. And as Chamling moves around from village to village, district to district to re-discover his Sikkim with an open mind and sincere heart he should be reminded of what he once said in his book (published in 1992) of poems, Perennial Dreams And My Reality, : “Amid the pompous projects – And blue prints of progress – I see no safeguard, no security – For Common people’s rights.” The Chief Minister, who was then (1992) a member of NB Bhandari’s Cabinet, gives this conclusion in his poem: “No, all plans and projects – Schemed by the powers that be – Reflect cynical disregard – For the suffering millions – And for their agonies and woes. In the inmost core of my heart – I feel these tantalizing projects, Full of sound and fury, Are devised to serve the vested interests, And hoodwink the bleeding masses.”  Chamling alone cannot and must not be blamed for the reality that we see around us; we are all responsible for the death of our dreams.

NHRC likely to be downgraded by UN

“India desperately needs an effective, independent, transparent, and accountable national human rights institution”

Observer News Service

New Delhi, May 27: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), currently holding a status of participant (A status), is likely to be downgraded to the position of an observer (B status) when its accreditation renewal comes up for consideration before the United Nations (UN).

There are various reasons for this, including the corruption charges raised against Chairman, K.G. Balakrishnan, former Chief Justice of India. Other reasons that are expected to go against the NHRC include lack of (a) diversity in its composition, (b) transparency in its appointment process and (c) autonomy in having its own staff for monitoring and investigating human rights cases, Bar & Bench news network reported.

The Asian NGOs Network on National Human Rights Institution (ANNI) in its report on the Performance and Establishment of National Human Rights Institutions in Asia suggests that “India desperately needs an effective, independent, victim-sensitive, transparent, and accountable national human rights institution (NHRI) capable of providing effective leadership to the other 158 statutory human rights institutions in the country”.

The appointment of K.G. Balakrishnan as the Chairman of NHRC was widely criticized. The criticism stemmed from the numerous controversies surrounding K.G. Balakrishnan including blocking the prosecution of former Justice Nirmal Yadav, attempting to exempt the office of the Chief Justice of India from the purview of the Right to Information Act and delaying action against Justice P.D. Dinakaran even after the Parliament had initiated an impeachment motion against him, the report said.

Another aspect that will go against the NHRC is the lack of diversity in its composition. Members to the NHRC are usually appointed from the judiciary and the bureaucracy. Arguably, the NHRC should provide due representation to women members, persons with disability and civil society representatives.

The NHRC also lacks the resources necessary to run an effective, powerful institution that can protect and promote the human rights of over 1 billion people. The budget for 2010-2011 has been reduced. From Rs. 24.10 crore ($ 5.1 Million) to Rs. 18 crore ($3.8 Million). In other words, the Government of India has allocated a mere Rs. 0.158 ($ 0.003) per person per year, towards the protection and promotion of human rights.

The ANNI report points out that approximately 450 million people in India live below the poverty line while 46 percent of children in India are still under-nourished, double that of Sub-Saharan Africa. The report concludes by saying that NHRC has failed desperately to take the lead in the national discourse of human rights.

Complaints against ex-CJI made public by PMO

Observer News Service                                                                      

New Delhi, May 27: The Prime Minister's Office has made public the large number of complaints received by it, including those from two MPs and veteran jurist VR Krishna Iyer, demanding removal of the former Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan from the post of NHRC chief on charges of corruption.

 During the first five months of this year, at least 15 complaints filed against Justice Balakrishnan have been received by the PMO, according to a RTI reply given to Delhi-based activist, Subhash Chandra Agrawal.

The complaints have been sent to the department of justice, the specialised arm of the law ministry which deals with all issues related to the judges, the PMO stated in the reply.

Iyer, a former Supreme Court judge, in a strongly worded letter to the Prime Minister in February, slammed Justice Balakrishnan, calling him "unparalleled in the judicial world."

The 96 year-old Iyer wrote: "Inspite of the fact that worst has been said about the highest judicial office occupied ignominiously by Balakrishnan, who not only is said to have amassed a corrupt fortune, he is neither resigning from NHRC no agreeing for a probe."

This followed a letter from Janata Dal (United) Lok Sabha MP, Jainarayan Prasad Nishad on March 14 to the PM on corruption in judiciary. "To our great shock, Justice KG Balakrishnan was allegedly caught involved in multiple judicial scams..."

Nishad's complaint also names two sitting SC judges, whom he alleged "have connived with Justice Balakrishnan in different matters."

A letter by BJP Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat, Purshottam Rupala, written to law minister M Veerappa Moily has also been forwarded to the PMO. Rupala has referred to "rampant corruption in higher judiciary," which according to him peaked during Justice Balakrishnan tenure as the CJI.

An organisation of lawyers and former judges — Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reform, in a detailed complaint to the PM, cited six grounds seeking Justice Balakrishnan's removal from the NHRC post.

              

China says 'door open' for Dalai Lama's return to Tibet

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN     Vol 1 No 19       Page 1                May 25, 2011

China says 'door open' for Dalai Lama's return to Tibet

Beijing, May 24: China's top Tibetan official last Thursday said "the door was open" for the return of the exiled Dalai Lama, but repeated its charge that the spiritual leader was a separatist bent on Tibetan independence.

    In China's first high-level comment since the Dalai Lama retired in March as head of Tibet's government-in-exile, Padma Choling said the spiritual figure was welcome to return to Tibet as long as he ended his separatist activities.

"If he wants to come back, the door to China is always open," Choling, Tibet's highest-ranking official, told reporters, AFP reported.

"If the Dalai Lama really does retire as he says he has, if he stops his separatist activities, stops disrupting the stability of Tibet and really concentrates on Buddhism, then this will be good for Tibet," he said. "The key is if he really gives up Tibetan independence."

China has made similar statements before but Tibet-watchers believe Beijing will not allow his return due to its potential for causing political instability in tense Tibet, the report said.

China has for years insisted the Dalai Lama wants to establish an independent Tibet, charges the 1989 Nobel laureate has long denied, saying he only seeks "meaningful" autonomy for his Himalayan homeland.

Following his March retirement, Tibetan exiles elected Harvard academic Lobsang Sangay, 43, as their new prime minister and handing him the daunting task of assuming the political duties of the Dalai Lama, a global icon.

Beijing has long been seen as playing a waiting game, believing that the Tibetan exiled movement will splinter and collapse after the eventual death of the 75-year-old Buddhist monk.

Choling, who was speaking on the 60th anniversary of China's "peaceful liberation of Tibet," further accused the Dalai Lama of seeking to restore the Tibetan theocracy that existed for centuries before China's 1951 takeover.

"Since he went into exile in 1959, he has never done anything good for Tibet, everything he has done since he left is to struggle for the restoration of feudal serfdom," he said.

He further reiterated Beijing's stance that the exiled Tibetan government was "an illegal organisation," and said any future negotiations on the Dalai Lama's return to Tibet would be with the Buddhist leader and not the exiled government.

The newly elected prime minister of Tibet's government-in-exile recently predicted that the 75-year-old Dalai Lama will return during his lifetime to the homeland he fled five decades ago.

"He will live very long. I believe we will see he will return to Tibet in his lifetime," Sangay said.

Sangay will be sworn in on May 30 in Dharamsala.

Nepal party split ahead of CA term expiry
RP Sharma

Kathmandu, May 24: Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta, Co-Chairman of the Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Nepal (MJF-N), today announced the launch of a separate parliamentary party backed by 13 Constituent Assembly members, throwing a spanner in the ruling alliance’s plan of sidelining the Nepali Congress and extending the CA term with the support of a two-thirds majority.

MJF-N, which emerged as the fourth largest party after the CA elections in 2008, is now left with only 12 members in its fold. MJF-N is part of the current coalition with its leader Upendra Yadav, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, in the government.

The unexpected split in MJF-N has come at the most inopportune time for Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal, as it can upset the government plans to secure the two-thirds majority (397 votes in 596-member CA) to get endorsed the Bill to extend the CA term through the ninth amendment to the interim constitution.

With just four days left before a potential constitutional meltdown, Nepal's communist-Maoist government today clamped prohibitions near the parliament building, banning all protests and rallies within a 50m radius.

Security forces swung into action in the morning, removing by force the various pressure groups which had been holding peaceful demonstrations before parliament for days, demanding the promulgation of the new constitution within the stipulated May 28 deadline.

Quake could cause Himalayan glacial lakes to inundate populated areas

Himalayan News Network

New Delhi, May 24: Earthquakes could lead glacial lakes in the Himalayas to cause serious hazards to population centres, scientists have said. 

The BBC quoted them as saying that past records indicate the region could experience a large quake in the future.

According to reports, many glacial lakes are said to be growing, and some of them are alarmingly, because of melting glaciers.

Some are at risk of rupturing, could flood downstream areas, they said.

"Such a disaster is very much possible, more so, when we are expecting a big earthquake in the region now. If the acceleration is very high in the epicentre of the earthquake, everything will be in the air as things will not be stable. So, naturally the liquids like waters in glacial lakes will burst out," Sushil Kumar, a geophysicist with the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology in India, said.

Reports also suggest that a number of these lakes are located near seismic faults.

"Given the location of the lakes, if the epicentre of the earthquake happens to be nearby them, they will certainly explode," Pradeep Mool, a glaciologist with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) that works on mountain issues in the region, said.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has shown that at least 35 glacial lake outburst took place in Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan and China during the last century.

Editorial

INDIA’S HIMALAYAN POLICY

Perspectives Have Changed

India’s policy towards the former Himalayan kingdoms of Nepal and Sikkim and Bhutan had a similar thrust of retaining the core British strategic framework of keeping these kingdoms as an integral art of India’s defence structure, while shedding off its imperial and colonial façade. Emerging aspirations of people in these countries for democratization were responded to within this framework, i.e., without sacrificing the security interests. This was evident in Nepal as this was also evident in Bhutan and Sikkim.

An important aspect behind India’s support to monarchies in Sikkim and Bhutan, related to its security interests has been that the resistance movements and forces of democratization in both of these countries had a strong ethnic character. In both Bhutan and Sikkim, democratization demand was raised by the Nepali groups and the monarchies have been Bhutias and Lepchas in Sikkim and Drukpas in Bhutan; having closer cultural and religious ties with Tibet. As a result, supporting democratic movements would have amounted to favoring one side in the ethnic divide and as a consequence, alienating the other one.

Indian policy makers did take into account the possibility, howsoever remote, of the ruling Mongoloid ethnic groups in Bhutan and Sikkim seeking China’s support in case of India leading its weight with their Nepali protesters. Political instability precipitated in the process would surely have been exploited by China. Ironically, it is Nepal, with its dominant Maoists supporters, which is inching closer to China than Sikkim or Bhutan. In the light of these developments New Delhi needs to take a fresh and realistic look at its Himalayan policy.

Sikkim CM on 36-day tour of State

Himalayan News Network

Gangtok, May 24: On the eve of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front’s completion of 17 years in power last week, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling embarked on a historic 36-day whirlwind tour of the State to find out the “problems and grievances” of the people first hand.

On the fourth of day of his tour, which began on May 17, Chamling said his dream of turning Sikkim into a “model state” would be realized if the people and government worked in tandem.

Ever since he came to power in 1994 promising to restore unity, harmony and freedom and democracy in the State, Chamling has been stressing that he did not get the much-needed cooperation from his legislators and bureaucrats to fulfill his promises made to the people.

It is also significant to not that the Chief Minister called all the heads of departments before his marathon tour to state that he expected civil servants to be more responsible and accountable to the people, indicating that he would not tolerate inefficiency and corruption in the administration.

Meghalaya for revision of Indo-Nepal Friendship Treaty to check influx

P. Ghosh

Shillong, May 24: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma is likely to offer “suggestions” to the Centre to ensure that the Indo-Nepal Treaty of Friendship, 1950 is made non-applicable to Meghalaya.

"The matter concerns both countries. The state government would give some suggestions on the provisions of the treaty," Sangma told representatives of some organisations here. The organisations, including the Khasi Students' Union (KSU), urged the Chief Minister to take appropriate measures to “check influx” in the State.

The Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 is a bilateral treaty between Nepal and India establishing a close strategic relationship between the two South Asian neighbours. The treaty allows for the free movement of people and goods between the two nations and a close relationship and collaboration on matters of defence and foreign affairs.

The organisation representatives described as alarming the figures of the recent census showing the decadal population growth of the state at 27.82 per cent, much higher than the national average of 17.64 per cent. The representatives attributed the reason for the “abnormal growth to unabated influx of outsiders” arguing it has posed a threat to the identity of the locals.

On the demand of the organisations to implement the Inner Line Permit in the State to check infiltration and disturbance of the tribal demographic structure, Sangma said a mechanism would be worked out even as the state was trying to project Meghalaya as a tourist destination, which would open up employment opportunities to the youths.

The organisations have also demanded that 1971 be made the base year for determining citizenship status of “non-indigenous” residents in the State.

Referring to the proposed “work permit system” in the State, Sangma said the labour department has been asked to implement the proposals within three months.

FASHION

  Will Prabal Gurung replace Galliano at Dior?

Kunga Chukie

Christian Dior, the luxury goods group that is the main holding company of Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, is looking at nine possible candidates to replace John Galliano.

Designer Prabal Gurung who had a good outing at the Autumn/Winter collection at the New York Fashion Week this year is said to be a frontrunner, according to ibnlive.com

LVMH's Bernard Arnault has insisted that Dior is in no hurry to name Galliano's successor, but his advisers have reportedly submitted a list of suggested candidates.

According to Women's Wear Daily, the list includes: Riccardo Tisci, Tom Ford, Hedi Slimane, Olivier Theyskens, Nicolas Ghesquiere, Alber Elbaz, Haider Ackermann, Prabal Gurung, and Sarah Burton.

Gurung is showing at the upcoming Audi Fashion Festival on May 14 where he's presenting a line with Atelier Swarovski.

Prabal Gurung launched his first eponymous collection during New York Fashion Week in February 2009 with a presentation at the FLAG Art Foundation in Chelsea. For Fall 2010, he staged his first runway show in the Tents at Bryant Park.

Gurung was born in Singapore and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal. It was in New Delhi, India that his design career truly began. While studying at New Delhi’s National Institute of Fashion Technology, he apprenticed at several local production and fashion houses and designed with Manish Arora.

Gurung’s travels took him to Melbourne and London, where he assisted stylists for various fashion shows and international publications. In 1999, after seven years of traveling, Gurung moved to New York City. He began his career in New York interning for Donna Karan while attending Parsons School of Design. In his first year, he was awarded the 'Best Designer' title at the annual Parsons/FIT design competition.

Since the launch of his collection, Gurung has dressed leading ladies, including Michelle Obama, Demi Moore, Zoe Saldana and Oprah Winfrey, to name a few.

Dior, one of the biggest brands within luxury goods group LVMH, sacked Galliano earlier this month following publicity over a video of him shouting abuse in a Paris bar and saying he loved Hitler. Dior Chairman and Chief Executive Sidney Toledano said the company was studying possible replacements and the brand's creative development had not been interrupted.

Fashion magazine Elle reported that Dior might not announce Galliano's replacement before the autumn.

Bhutan king to marry Jetsun Pema in October

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN     Vol 1 No 19       Page 1                May 25, 2011

Bhutan king to marry Jetsun Pema in October

Himalayan News Network

Thimphu, May 24: It is now official. The Druk Kingdom’s 31-year-old King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk will marry Jetsun Pema (20) in October this year.

The formal announcement came from the King himself who declared in the Parliament last Friday that he intends to marry Jetsun Pema in October.

"As king, it is now time for me to marry. After much thought I have decided that the wedding shall be later this year," the young King declared.

King Jigme and Jetsun Pema

"While she is young, she is warm and kind in heart and character,” is how the British-educated King described his future wife and Queen of Bhutan.

"These qualities together with the wisdom that will come with age and experience will make her a great servant to the nation," the King said.

King Jigme, who completed his studies at Oxford and was crowned the monarch in 2008, announced his marriage plans on May 20.

The King took over after the abdication in 2006 of his father, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, who began the country's democratic transition. In March 2008, Bhutan became a constitutional monarchy and the King relinquished his absolute powers.

Wangchuck, however, is widely revered in the country of some 700,000 people.

The young monarch had known Pema, who has been educated in India and Britain, for "quite some time.”

A biography released by the palace listed her interests as fine arts, painting and basketball.

Jetsun Pema, who was born in Thimphu on June 4, 1990, stands pretty at 5' 10". She had joined the Lawrence School in 2006 and cleared her plus two examination in 2008. Before joining Sanawar, she studied at the St. Joseph's Convent in Kalimpong (West Bengal) and Changangkha Lower Secondary School and Lungtenzampa Middle Secondary School in Thimphu, Bhutan. She graduated from Regents College, London.

The future queen of Bhutan comes from the Bumthang Pangtey family and her father, Dhondup Gyaltshen, is the grandson of Trashigang Dzongpon Dopola. Her mother, Sonam Chuki, comes from the family of Bumthang Pangtey. Sonam Chukie, too, is an alumnus of Kalimpong’s St. Joseph’s Convent. Jetsun Pema has two brothers and two sisters.

CHAMLING ON 36-DAY ‘MEET-THE-PEOPLE’ MISSION

SIKKIM OBSERVER   Vol 20 No 14 Page 1 May 21 2011

CHAMLING ON 36-DAY ‘MEET-THE-PEOPLE’ MISSION

Observer News Service

Gangtok, May 20: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s 36-day marathon tour of the State, which began from his home constituency in South Sikkim, aims to bring the administration to the doorsteps of the people with the objective of getting a first hand information about their “problems, grievances” and aspirations.

The Chief Minister began his tour on May 17 after offering prayers at the newly-built Sirdhi Sai temple at Assangthang in Namchi. The day ended at Char Dham temple at Solopphok (Namchi). During the day the Chief Minister and his entourage visited Assangthang, Raika Gaon, Salghari, Chisopani, Nandu Gaon and Denchung.

“The Chief Minister was making person to person contact, interacting with them at all the places he visited. He also informed that this is the first time ever in India that such an innovative programme of bringing the government to know about the problems and grievances of the people and general public has come to their doorsteps,” an IPR release said.

On the third day of the tour at Mikhola, the Chief Minister said, “We have come to learn from you where our weakness lies.” He added, “Inspite of the fact we have all the required facilities and infrastructure” there is still “poverty” in the State.

During the tour Chamling gave patient hearings to the problems and grievances of the general public convincing the people about the various schemes and the programmes of the Government, the release said.

During his tour Chamling, accompanied by ministers and top civil servants, interacted with the people at all places and personally enquired about the problems they faced.

The Chief Minister informed the people that such person-to-person contact programme was done for the first time in the country. During the visit, the Chief Minister made several on-the-spot announcements of development schemes for the people.

Editorial

CENTRE’S ‘NO’

Taxing Times For Sikkim

The Centre’s recent decision not to grant income tax exemption to non-Sikkimese who were settled in Sikkim before the ‘merger’ in 1975 comes at a time when the business community in the State is faced with a burden of having to pay heavy taxes to the State exchequer under numerous heads such as trade licence, hotel tax etc. The Chamling Government’s recent initiatives to cater to the growing needs and insecurities of ‘old settlers’ in Sikkim, many of whom are plainspeople, have faced stiff opposition. While the Union Finance Ministry has closed the chapter on the issue of IT extension to the ‘left out’ persons, Opposition parties’ recent opposition to the Chamling Government’s readiness to issue ‘pink cards’ to ‘Sikkim subjects’ has forced the administration to keep the issue in abeyance.

Critics of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front in Sikkim believe that in the name of issuing ‘pink cards’ to bonafide Sikkimese who possess genuine Sikkim Subject Certificate and grant of income tax exemption to those whose names were ‘left out’ from the Sikkim Subjects Registrar, a document containing a list of ‘Sikkim Subjects’ maintained during the Chogyal’s rule in Sikkim,  a host of non-Sikkimese and foreign nationals would stand to greatly benefit from these initiatives, threatening the political and economic rights and interests of bonafide Sikkimese who possess genuine Sikkim Subject Certificate and who belong to the three ethnic communities – Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese of Sikkimese origin.

   The Chamling Government wants tax exemption for members of old business community and farmers who were permanently settled in Sikkim before 1961. It has also demanded that government servants who were in government service before 1969 also be granted income tax exemption. However, the Centre is not ready to comply with Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s demand. “It will not be advisable now to reopen a subject which had been concluded after 18 years of negotiation with consensus,” the letter from the Union Finance Ministry  to Prem Goyal, Chief Coordinator of Nagarik Sangharsh Samiti, who has been pursuing the issue, said. It added that because of this “it would not be feasible to include non-Sikkimese” under the ambit of income tax exemptions provided to bonafide Sikkimese who were regarded as “Sikkim Subjects” during the Chogyal era before Sikkim’s absorption into the Indian Union in 1975.

PRIDE OF SIKKIM

TNA student topper at Mayo College

Observer News Service

Gangtok, May 20: Deepika Agarwal, an ex-student of the State’s prestigious Tashi Namgyal Academy (TNA), has become the “school topper” in the class 12 (Indian School Certificate) board examination at Mayo College Girls School, Ajmer.

She scored 97.75% in the commerce stream and topped her class. This has brought “glory, joy and pride” to her parents, TNA and the State as a whole.

Deepika scored 100% in Accounts, 99% in Mathematics, 97% in English, 95 % in Commerce and 94% in Economics.

Deepika joined Mayo College after completing her class 10 at TNA in 2009. She hails from a family belonging to the old business community in the State. Daughter of Bramanand Agarwal and grand daughter of late Tarachand Agarwal, Deepika’s family has been residing in Sikkim for more than 100 years.

Chamling faces twin setback: pink card proposal shelved, income tax demand rejected

Jigme N Kazi

Gangtok: While the Chamling Government’s claim on economic empowerment of the people may be debatable, politically Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, who has been in power for the fourth consecutive term since 1994, has recently faced two significant setbacks.

Firstly, the Centre has turned down the State Government’s demand for income-tax exemption for pre-merger settlers in the State who do not possess the Sikkim Subject Certificate (SSC), an authentic document issued to ‘Sikkim Subjects’ by the Chogyal’s durbar as a proof of their nationality.

Secondly, the Chamling Government’s bid to issue ‘pink card’ to bonafide Sikkimese, who possess genuine Sikkim Subject Certificate, has also been shelved due to strong opposition by Opposition parties, including the Congress party, in the State.

   The Chamling Government wants tax exemption for members of old business community and farmers who were permanently settled in Sikkim before 1961. It has also demanded that government servants, who were in government service before 1969, also be granted income tax exemption. To put more pressure on the Centre on the issue the State Assembly recently passed a resolution demanding income tax exemption to ‘old settlers’ in the State at par with the Sikkimese who possess Sikkim Subject Certificate.

    However, the Centre is not ready to comply with Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s demand. “It will not be advisable now to reopen a subject which had been concluded after 18 years of negotiation with consensus,” the letter from the Union Finance Ministry  to Prem Goyal, Chief Coordinator of Nagarik Sangharsh Samiti, who has been pursuing the issue with the Centre, said. It added that because of this “it would not be feasible to include non-Sikkimese” under the ambit of income tax exemptions provided to bonafide Sikkimese who were regarded as “Sikkim Subjects” during the Chogyal era.

    Local Sikkimese fear that Chamling is wooing non-Sikkimese as he has lost the confidence of bonafide Sikkimese in the State who feel that ‘outsiders’ have largely benefited from the State’s development activities. The Chamling Government’s recent initiatives to cater to the growing needs and insecurities of ‘old settlers’ in Sikkim, many of whom are plainspeople, have faced stiff opposition.

While the Union Finance Ministry has closed the chapter on the issue of IT extension to the ‘left out’ persons, Opposition parties’ recent opposition to the Chamling Government’s readiness to issue ‘pink cards’ to ‘Sikkim subjects’ has forced the administration to keep the issue in abeyance.

Critics of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) in Sikkim believe that in the name of issuing ‘pink cards’ to bonafide Sikkimese, who possess genuine Sikkim Subject Certificate, a host of non-Sikkimese and foreign nationals would stand to greatly benefit from this initiative, threatening the political and economic rights and interests of bonafide Sikkimese who belong to the three ethnic communities – Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese of Sikkimese origin.

   Opposition parties have demanded names of 31,180 ‘fake’ Sikkim Subject Certificate (SSC) holders in the State to be made public. They allege that the Chamling Government is determined to issue ‘pink cards’ to holders of fake Sikkim Subject Certificate, ostensibly in the name of bonafide Sikkimese, in order to give them income tax exemption at par with former ‘Sikkim Subjects.”

“Five years have gone but the people holding the fake papers have not been brought to justice or the false certificates revoked,” said Biraj Adhikari, President of Sikkim National People’s Party (SNPP).

Adhikari and other Opposition leaders, including State BJP President Padam Chettri and Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party (SHRPP) President AD Subba, are convinced of the State Government’s “hidden agenda” in the pink-card episode.

Chamling, while defending his government’s initiative on the issue, said the objective of the ‘pink card’ exercise is to safeguard the rights and identity of bonafide Sikkimese who are now said to be less than 50 per cent of the State’s six lakh population.

Guv backs CM on inclusion of ‘Sikkim’ in national anthem

Observer News Service

Gangtok, May 20: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s efforts towards Sikkim’s “emotional integration” with the mainstream received a big boost with Governor BP Singh endorsing his move to replace ‘Sindh’ with ‘Sikkim’ in the national anthem.

“I support the Chief Ministers contention of Sikkim to be a part of National Anthem,” the Governor during the 36^th State Day function here on May 16.

The Governor was referring to the suggestion put forward by the Chief Minister to substitute the word ‘Sindh’ in the national anthem with the word ‘Sikkim’. The Chief Minister had said that in the changed circumstances, Sikkim richly deserves this recognition to further promote a sense of emotional integration with India, an IPR release said.

 Sikkim was a Buddhist kingdom ruled by the Chogyals (kings) of the Namgyal Dynasty since 1642 before it became a part of India in 1975.

Article 371F of the Constitution, which provides special status to the State, was inserted into the Constitution during the merger in April-May, 1975.

Charles Bell and 13th Dalai Lama shared lasting friendship

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN  MAY 18, 2011

Charles Bell and 13^th Dalai Lama shared lasting friendship

Sir Charles Alfred Bell K.C.I.E. (1870 – 1945), born in Calcutta, was a British-Indian tibetologist. He was educated at Winchester College. After joining the Indian Civil Service, he was appointed Political Officer in Sikkim in 1908. He soon became very influential in Sikkimese and Bhutanese politics, and in 1910 he met the 13th Dalai Lama, who was forced into temporary exile by the Chinese.

He got to know the Dalai Lama quite well during this time, and he was later to write his biography (Portrait of the Dalai Lama, published in 1946). At various times he was the British Political Officer for Bhutan, Sikkim and Tibet.

After travelling through Tibet and visiting Lhasa in 1920, he retired to Oxford, where he wrote his series of books on the history, culture and religion of Tibet. Some of his photographs that he took while in Tibet can be found in the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford. Some of these can be found in a recently published book Tibet: Caught in Time (containing photographs by Charles Bell and John Claude White; Reading: Garnet, 1997).

His English-Tibetan colloquial dictionary was first published together with a grammar of colloquial Tibetan as Manual of Colloquial Tibetan in 1905. Charles Alfred Bell died in Canada in 1945.

Sir Charles Bell was a career diplomat in the service of the British Raj, the personification of the grandeur of an empire that spanned the world. The Great Thirteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet was the spiritual and temporal leader of a remote and isolated theocracy in the heart of the Himalayas. Sir Charles represented the power and limitless potential of the new century. The Dalai Lama was the literal embodiment of an ancient lineage, an incarnation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, the ruler of one of the most inaccessible and forbidding places on earth. That the two men should find so much in common and develop a bond of deep and lasting friendship is a wonder that does credit to them both. Sir Charles' biography of the Dalai Lama, Portrait of a Dalai Lama: The Life and Times of the Great Thirteenth is the story of that friendship.

Sir Charles Bell gives us a unique insight into the personality of the man behind the ritual and pageantry of his high office. He shows us a man of profound intelligence and sensitivity, a man of wit and humour, a man quick to anger, a man of compassion. This man, who ruled with absolute authority and was revered as a living god, gave Sir Charles Bell his friendship; and, through his eyes, we see a man of warmth and charm, who loved his dogs and his garden.

 

'STATE DAY' WARNING FOR NEW DELHI

HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN     Vol 1 No 19       Page 1                    May 18, 2011

 'STATE DAY' WARNING FOR NEW DELHI

Rethinking in Sikkim if Centre ignores rampant corruption, misrule: Sikkim Liberation Party

Himalayan News Network

Gangtok, May 17: The newly-formed Sikkim Liberation Party (SLP) has warned the Centre that if it continues to neglect rampant corruption, suppression of democratic rights, and alleged misrule in the State which has been the order of the day in the past three and half decades since the merger, the Sikkimese people would be forced to take a “different course” of action to shape their future.

In its memorandum, dated May 16, 2011, to the Union Home Minister, P. Chidambaram, SLP Convenor, Duk Nath Nepal, said the party’s letter to him was the “last hope” of the Sikkimese people to set things right in Sikkim before it is too late.

The message in the memorandum is well-timed as it comes on May 16, which is annually observed as a State Day in the State, commemorating the day (May 16, 1975) when the former kingdom formally became the 22^nd State of India.

Stating that Central funds are widely misused in the past three decades, when two persons ruled Sikkim, Nepal alleged that New Delhi remained a mute spectator to the three-decade-long misrule in the State. Central funds and development projects are used to “murder democracy”, suppress democratic values and destroy the “social structure” of the Sikkimese people, Nepal said in the memorandum, which was release to the local media.

If what is going on in Sikkim is supposed to be “a fruit of democracy” and “dreams of our forefathers” then, Nepal warned, “democracy is sure to die an untimely death,” the memorandum said.

It further warned: “…if the Government of India cannot keep the promise made to our forefathers” and if there is further suppression of the democratic movement in Sikkim “…it would take no time for us to take a different course.”

China rules out dialogue with new Tibet PM

“Talks only with Dalai Lama’s aides”

Himalayan News Network

Beijing, May 17: China has effectively ruled out dialogue with the Tibetan government-in-exile's new prime minister, saying it will only meet with representatives of the Dalai Lama and will limit any talks to the Tibetan spiritual leader's future.

The remarks by Zhu Weiqun, a vice minister of the Chinese Communist Party's United Front Work Department -- which has led unsuccessful on-off talks with the Dalai Lama's envoys -- are Beijing's strongest reaction yet to the election of Harvard law scholar Lobsang Sangay as Tibet's new prime minister in exile, Reuters reported.

In an interview on the website of the China News Service on Thursday Zhu said the exiled government was an illegal group with no recognition.

"We have two basic points when it comes to contacts and negotiations. The first is that the capacity of the other side can only be as the Dalai Lama's private representatives," the article cited Zhu as saying.

"It does not matter who is the 'kalon tripa' (prime minister) of his 'government in exile', they are a splittist political clique that has betrayed the motherland. There is nothing legal about them and they have no qualifications to 'talk' with the central government's representatives," he added.

Sangay told Reuters in an interview this week that he was willing to negotiate with Beijing "anytime, anywhere", suggesting his leadership would not be significantly different from that of the Dalai Lama.

The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Dalai Lama said in March he would relinquish the four-century old tradition of political guidance in favour of a popularly elected leader by the Tibetan diaspora.

Zhu, whose department oversees the Party's dealings with religious organisations, said the only meaningful thing the exiled government could do was dissolve itself.

"The content of negotiations can only be about the Dalai Lama's future, or at most that of a few of his personal aides," Zhu said.

New Tibet PM to pursue genuine autonomy demand

Arvind Sharma 

Dharamsala, May 17: The new Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile Lobsang Sangay expressed hope that dialogue process with China and representatives of the Dalai Lama would resume. The talks had been suspended by China after protests in Tibet just before the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

    Sangay has also endorsed the middle-way approach adopted by the Dalai Lama in which he had sought meaningful autonomy under Chinese sovereignty. “The stated policy of the Tibetan government in exile is the middle-way. So, I as the Kalon Tripa elect, when I take over, which is likely to be in mid-August, will implement that policy,” he said.

On his arrival here from the US last week-end Sangay told reporters that one of his main priorities would be to ensure that the Dalai Lama returns to his “rightful place in Lhasa.”

“His Holiness Dalai Lama made the magnanimous decision to dissolve his political power to elected leaders. It is not a question of replacing him, he’s irreplaceable, he’s led us brilliantly for the last 50 years and he will be a great source of inspiration for all of us,” Sangay said. 

The new PM will be administered oath to the office on May 30. He, however, will assume office in August when the term of present Prime Minister Samdhong Rinpoche ends.

Sangay will also participate in the debate of Tibetan parliamentarians and other leaders over the draft proposals framed by a committee of Tibetan parliamentarians for devolution of political and administrative authority of the Dalai Lama to the elected leadership.

After the draft proposals for devolving the political and administrative authority of the Dalai Lama are discussed by the Tibetan luminaries, a special session of Tibetan parliament-in-exile will be convened at the end of May to pass resolutions.

Nepal govt for another year extension for Parliament

Himalayan News Network

Kathmandu, May 17: Nepal's government on Thursday proposed a second one-year extension in the life of the current parliament that was elected in 2008 to draft a new constitution but has singularly failed to do so.

The parliament, known as the Constituent Assembly, was originally elected with a two-year mandate -- meant to end on May 28, 2010 with the promulgation of the new constitution, AFP reported.

Political deadlock in the Maoist-dominated house resulted in a one-year extension to May 2011 and, with no constitution in sight, the cabinet has now proposed a second extension to May 2012.

"We have decided to extend the term because it became clear that we won't be able to promulgate the constitution within the deadline," Education Minister Gangalal Tuladhar told reporters.

The decision followed a multi-party meeting, notable for the absence of two opposition parties who want to stick with the original deadline, the report said.

The proposed extension will require the support of two-thirds of parliament. "The government will hold negotiations with other parties to garner their votes to secure the approval," Tuladhar said.

Nepal has struggled to build any political consensus in the wake of a decade-long civil war between Maoist rebels and the state.

The conflict ended in 2006 and led to the abolition of a centuries-old Hindu monarchy, ushering in a difficult transition period to democracy in which the drafting of a new constitution is considered a crucial step.

The lack of progress, amid splits between and inside various parties, has seen public anger mounting in recent months with civil society groups demanding that MPs deliver the constitution in time.

Editorial

TIBET TALK

China Must Listen

The newly-elected Prime Minister, Lobsang Sangay, of the exiled Tibetan Government has stated that one of his top priorities would be to continue engaging Beijing with the on-going dialogue between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government. This indeed is a step in the right direction and with the Dalai Lama formally relinquishing political power Beijing may be quite responsive to initiatives taken by the new Tibetan leadership in the dialogue process. The 43-year-old Harvard law graduate, who comes from a humble background, seems eager to address the Tibet issue through peaceful means unlike a section of the younger exiled Tibetan leadership which prefer a more radical way to tackle Beijing. The changed political leadership among the exiled Tibetans ought to evoke a more realistic and flexible attitude from the Chinese government. Both parties stand to gain if the Tibet issue is resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned when the Dalai Lama is still there to lead and guide.

While leading the exiled government Sangay must note that one of his main priorities should be to work towards more democratization of not only the system of governance but to help the Tibetans in Tibet and elsewhere to think and act democratically in society and in their daily life. The Dalai Lama has graciously given up political power to enable Tibetans to work towards a secular, democratic society while preserving Tibet’s rich and unique cultural heritage. Sangay must, therefore, build on the foundations laid by the Dalai Lama and other Tibetans to move forward.

Bimal Gurung on poll results:

“VICTORY FOR GORKHALAND”

C. Tamang

Darjeeling, May 17: With the massive mandate of the people in the just-concluded Assembly polls in West Bengal, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) is now poised to start a new chapter to its statehood demand.

The Morcha’s three candidates won all three hill constituencies in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong with a massive margin, leaving the Opposition in a state of shock and desperation.

The victory margin of the three winning candidates is also the highest in the State.

Trilok Dewan, GJM candidate from Darjeeling, secured 120532 votes defeating his nearest rival Bhim Subba of the GNLF who had secured 13977 votes, by a margin of 106555 votes.

Harka Bahadur Chettri, GJM candidate from Kalimpong, secured 109,102 votes defeating his nearest rival Prakash Dahal of the GNLF who had secured 7427 votes, by a margin of 101675 votes.

Rohit Sharma, GJM candidate from Kurseong secured 114297 votes defeating his nearest rival Pemu Chettri of the GNLF who had secured 21201 votes, by a margin of 93096 votes.

In Darjeeling the total number of votes polled was 153523; in Kurseong it was 154449 and in Kalimpong 124875.

“This is a unique victory. Our rivals have forfeited their deposits. This is a victory for Gorkhaland, the public and the able candidates,” said GJM President Bimal Gurung.

Ghising leaves hills after GNLF-GJM clash 

Darjeeling, May 17: Though he had promised not to leave Darjeeling after the Assembly polls Gorkha National Liberation Front chief Subash Ghising was forced to quit the hills late on Sunday  after clashes broke out between his supporters and rival Gorkha Janmukti Morcha supporters on Sunday.

GNLF activists reportedly attacked a Morcha victory celebration near Sonada on Sunday night. While one Morcha member was stabbed on the neck another three were injured in the clashes.

In retaliation, Morcha supporters vandalized five houses of GNLF supporters in Sonada, located between Darjeeling and Kurseong.

 The Morcha leadership has blamed Ghising for the unrest. Four GNLF supporters have been arrested. Ghising reportedly left the hills on Sunday night.

Morcha supporter Rabin Rai, who was injured in the incident, was taken to a Siliguri hospital for medical treatment.

The newly elected Morcha MLA from Kurseong Rohit Sharma, accused the GNLF of trying to disrupt the victory celebration. “Armed GNLF goons hurled stones at our party members. Soon after, they attacked our supporters.”

"We have deployed a contingent of police in Sonada. The situation is normal," said Darjeeling SP D P Singh. The four arrested persons were produced in the Kurseong court on Monday.

Morcha MLAs threaten to resign if Gorkhaland demand is rejected

Mamata to keep her Darjeeling promises 

Kolkata, May 17: Trinamool Congress leader and CM-designate Mamata Banerjee said she would try to sort out the Jangalmahal and Darjeeling hills problems within three months.

"I will try my level best to sort out the problems in three months," Banerjee told a Bengali news channel here, a national daily reported.

While Jangalmahal area in three districts of West Bengal are affected by the Maoist problem, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha is demanding separate statehood for the Darjeeling Hills.

"I will go to Jangalmahal and Darjeeling Hills as promised and talk to the people there," she said.

Mamata is also expected to appeal to the Centre to solve the Darjeeling problem.

Meanwhile, the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha is hopeful that Mamata would fulfil her promise of finding an amicable solution in the hills within 100 days of her coming to power.

The newly-elected Morcha MLA Harka Bahadur Chhetri said, “We will talk to Mamata Banerjee after she assumes charge as chief minister. If she does not agree to our demands, we will resign from the Assembly and the GJM will chalk out plans for future agitation for Gorkhaland," Chhetri said.

He, however, added, “We will either be a part of the government or resign from the Assembly, particularly if it is proved beyond doubt that Trinamul and the Congress will not accept our key demand for Gorkhaland,” Chhetri said.

 “We have supported the Congress-Trinamul alliance in the Dooars and the Terai. So we have every right to want to participate in the new government if the alliance comes to power,” Chhetri said.

“In case our demand is turned down outright, then we shall resign as there is no point in sitting in the Opposition. The GNLF sat in the Opposition for all these years but achieved nothing.”

Chhetri, however, said the Morcha would not apply pressure on the new government to clear its stand on this statehood demand “from day one” but would give it “sufficient time” to make up its mind.

No IT exemption for non-Sikkimese: Centre

Goyal to pursue issue with Rajya Sabha panel

Gangtok, May 17: Despite the Centre’s decision not to give income tax exemption for non-Sikkimese social activist and Chief Coordinator of Nagarik Sangharsh Samiti Prem Goyal seems confident that he would get a favourable response from the Centre on the issue for the old business community in the State.

Briefing reporters here last Friday, Goyal said he had received a letter from the Union Finance Ministry’s Revenue Department stating that the Centre was not keen on giving income tax exemption to non-Sikkimese, who do not possess the Sikkim Subject Certificate. This certificate is issued to bonafide Sikkimese (Sikkim subjects) during the rule of the Chogyal (king) before the merger in 1975.

The letter, dated April 25, 2011, was in response to Goyal’s memorandum to the Finance Ministry urging it to consider giving IT exemption to old settlers who resided in Sikkim before 1975.

Goyal said while the Finance Ministry had closed the chapter on his demand he has also approached the Rajya Sabha Parliamentary Petition Committee on the same subject. The committee has  accepted his petition and the first hearing took place in January this year.

According to Goyal, the panel is likely take up the hearing of the issue on May 16 and a positive response is expected from the 10-member committee.

Several organisations of the business community in the State close to the ruling party and government had placed much hope on the Chamling Government to get IT exemption for pre-merger settlers in the State. The government had also passed a resolution in the State Assembly in March this year demanding tax exemption for non-Sikkimese who were settled in Sikkim before 1969.

After nearly two decades of fighting the Centre granted IT exemption to bonafide Sikkimese in 2008.

“In this regard, I am directed to state that the exemption package to Sikkim was granted after a well consulted and considered decision, involving the representatives from Government of Sikkim,” the letter to Goyal said. It added, “It will not be advisable now to reopen a subject which had been concluded after 18 years of negotiation with consensus. Therefore, it would not be feasible to include Non-Sikkimese under the ambit of exemptions provided by section 10(26AAA) of the Act.”