SIKKIM OBSERVER July 14, 2012

State govt gets 26% stake in Teesta III hydel project in North Sikkim

Row with Teesta Urja over; Sikkim to get Rs 296 cr

Mumbai, July 13: Teesta Urja, which is developing the 1,200-mw Teesta III in Sikkim, has resolved the long-standing dispute with the state government by allocating 26% stake to it, paving the way for speedy execution of the project, sources involved with the development said.

In a board meeting on Friday, private developer Teesta Urja approved the transfer of around 30 crore shares, representing 26% stake, for a total consideration of Rs 296 crore, sources said. This comes at a time when the Sikkim government has reportedly cancelled four hydropower projects, including the 280-mw Teesta I, due to local opposition and environmental issues, The Economic Times reported.

Teesta III too has been marred by delays after it was hit by an earthquake in 2011 and also due to a prolonged dispute between Teesta Urja and the Sikkim government over allocation of shares.

"The shareholding issue has been resolved. This would help us in raising additional funds needed for the cost overruns and expedite the project so that we can commission it in September 2013, or latest by December," a top official from Teesta Urja told ET.

The cost of the project was originally pegged at Rs 5,700 crore, but it has gone up due to delays. However, company officials declined to comment on the quantum of additional cost.

The government of Sikkim moved court against Teesta Urja alleging that the latter had not allocated the government 26% stake in the company, which was a pre-condition in the memorandum of understanding signed between the two.

"Athena Projects, which holds 38% in Teesta Urja, was the custodian of the government's stake. The transfer of stake was delayed partly because the government was dragging its feet in taking the stake, and partly because Athena delayed the transfer," a source, close to the development, said.

The $425-million private equity investment in Asian Genco was in the headlines three years ago, as it was the largest deal in an Indian power company. Then, the company came again in the headlines for a less fortunate reason — its dispute with the Sikkim government over the 1,200-Mw Teesta-III hydropower project.

Now, after months of battle, the government of Sikkim has decided to reach a settlement with Teesta Urja Ltd, developer of the project, by paying Rs 296 crore for a 26 per cent stake in the company. Early this year, Teesta Urja Ltd, which sold 50.9 per cent stake in the company to Asian Genco, and the government of Sikkim had locked horns as Teesta Urja did not dilute a 26 per cent stake in the company to the government, a pre-condition in the memorandum of understanding signed between the two.

The government approached the State Electricity Regulatory Commission against Teesta Urja and got an order for appointing a sole arbitrator. Teesta Urja had obtained a stay on the order by approaching the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission.

A K Giri, secretary of the state’s power and energy department, said, "We are reaching the settlement as we have already paid about Rs 162 crore out of a total payment of Rs 296 crore. We have received a small stake and will receive about 26 per cent stake once the payment is completed."

According to him, the project is expected to be commissioned by September 2013. Athena Projects holds about 29 per cent stake in Teesta Urja Ltd.

At the time of investment, the company had projected Teesta-III as its largest project. The company, in which former Union power secretary R V Shahi is a consultant, had earlier raised funds from power trading firm PTC and Tiger Global Management. Apart from Teesta-III, it owns a coal-based thermal project in Andhra Pradesh, with a 1,320 MW capacity.

Bhanu Bhakta inspired literary awakening

Gangtok, July 13: Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh, while extending his warm greetings on the occasion of the 198^th Bhanu Jayanti celebrations, said Bhanu Bhakta Acharya was a great Nepali scholar and his work hae inspired a literary and spiritual awakening in the field of Nepali literature.

He said the annual celebrations of the poet will reflect the State’s unity, harmony and solidarity among various sections of the people in the State.

“The Government of Sikkim has taken laudable steps towards protection, preservation and promotion of the Nepali language, literature and traditional values in the light of contributions made by the Adi-Kabi and his followers,” the Governor said in a message and added, “This has been enthusiastically supported by the people of Sikkim over the years.”

Bhanu Bhakta unified the Nepalese: Chamling   

 Govt preserving cultural diversity: CM

Gangtok, July 13: On the occasion of the 198^th birth anniversary celebrations of Adikavi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling reminded the people that it was the legendary Nepali poet who made the greatest contribution towards unity of the Nepalese.

Speaking at the celebration function here today, the Chief Minister said Bhanu Bhakta is an inspiration for unity among the Nepali community.

While the Chief Minister gave awards to a number of people who had contributed towards the growth and development of Nepali language and literature the historic day was celebrated throughout the State. Cultural programmes, literary contests and processions were part of the celebrations.

Earlier, during the inauguration of the Manan Kendra, the Chief Minister said his government was doing all it can to preserve and promote the rich cultural diversity of the State and said those who blamed the government of causing communal disharmony in the State represented ‘vested interests.’

While inaugurating the newly-constructed Manan Kendra here on Wedneday, the Chief Minister said ‘vested interests’ were hurling ‘baseless’ accusations against the government for causing friction in the Sikkimese society.

 During the inaugural address, the Chief Minister also highlighted on various policies like organic farming, ecotourism, service industry etc taken by the government for the betterment of the people.

The Kendra, located in the previous Community Hall in Development Area, is presently being used as the Secretariat since the old Secretariat at Tashiding here was demolished recently due to damages caused to it by last year’s earthquake.

 ‘KHANGCHENDZONGA’ AWARD FOR KAZI

Gangtok, July 13: The Press Club of Sikkim has decided to confer this year’s Khangchendzonga Kalam Puraskar award to Sikkim Observer and Himalayan Guardian editor Jigme N Kazi for his three-decade contribution in the field of journalism.

The function for conferment of the award will be held here on July 17 and theatre artist CK Shrestha will be the chief guest for the occasion.

The most promising journalist award will go to Bishal Gurung of Hindustan Samachar. The Press Club will also felicitate Mohan Lama, Darjeeling bureau chief of Samai Dainik, a Nepali daily published from Gangtok.

Bengal has no right to decide Darjeeling’s future:SDUF

Gangtok, July 13: The Sikkim-Darjeeling Unification Forum (SDUF) has rejected the formation of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) on the ground that Darjeeling belongs to Sikkim and West Bengal had no authority to decide its future.

Forum General Secretary Shankar Hang Subba in a press statement here said the West Bengal Government is “suppressing” the demand for Darjeeling’s unification with Sikkim.

Subba said his organization’s demand for unification of Darjeeling with Sikkim is based on history. After the intervention of the British through the East India Company in Darjeeling in early 19^th century the King of Sikkim leased Darjeeling to the British in 1835.

Subba pointed out that GTA is doomed to fail and finally people of Darjeeling will demand reunification with Sikkim.

 We Lachenpas face a bleak future in our ancestral homeland

Jigme N Kazi

WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR

Yathang village, Lachen, North Sikkim. The Teesta flows below the village and the jeepable road is built above it.

The Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1950 led to the occupation of that country in 1959, which witnessed flight of Tibetans leaving Tibet and seeking asylum in India and former kingdoms of Sikkim and Nepal as well as Bhutan. These events finally led to Chinese aggression on India’s northern and northeastern borders in 1962.

The opening of the traditional Indo-Tibet trade route through Nathula in eastern Sikkim in 2006 after a gap of 44 years was motivated more by politics than trade. New Delhi insists that the resumption of the trade route is Beijing’s way of recognizing Sikkim as a part of the Indian Union. Having swallowed Sikkim in the guise of ushering in ‘democracy’ in 1975 India is still unable to digest the fact that what it did to Sikkim may be politically correct but morally unpardonable.

   Today it takes less than seven hours by road (if it is good) to reach the northern tip of North Sikkim, which lies in the picturesque Lachen Valley. When I was born it used to take about seven days to reach Gangtok from Lamten, the main village in Lachen. My early memories of my childhood in the Lachen Valley were places such as Tsaten,Thombu, Talam, Yathang, Thangu and several grazing areas (yak and sheep) such as Taling, Gochung, Gagyong and Gowa. You pass through these tiny settlements on the way to the famous Gurudongmar Lake, which has now become a pilgrimage centre for Buddhist devotees as well as a major tourist destination in the State.

   It took three days on horseback to reach Mangan, headquarters of Sikkim’s north district, when I first came to Gangtok from Lamten in 1960. My fond memories of Lachen Valley were of the ’50s and ’60s. Those were unforgettable days which will be deeply cherished in my heart as long as I live.  ‘Progress and development’ gradually set in the 1970s and by the 1980s the Lachen of my dream and childhood memories gradually faded away. It was a painful experience to go through these changes. Since then my visits to my native village have been few and far between. But almost every day I pay homage to the land of my birth and remember my ancestors and our guardian deities.

   The High Court of Sikkim recently took a careful note of how the Lachenpas are coping with life today. Its concern was focused on the issue of land acquisition by the army for defence purposes. Our lands are not only forcefully occupied by the army and other agencies, in many cases the villagers are not paid compensation. The issue involved is not only ‘land alienation’ of the indigenous minority Bhutia-Lepchas but the very livelihood and survival of a section of the tribals in the State who have been living in their homeland for centuries and who now have no other means of livelihood if their ancestral land is taken away.

The division bench of the High Court of Sikkim comprising Chief Justice Permod Kohli and Justice SP Wangdi has rightly taken a very serious view of the matter and observed that in some cases land acquisition process has not been followed. These are very serious matters which ought to attract the attention of the concerned authorities, including the army and the State Government.

When I paid a visit to Lachen in the winter of 1984 I was told that the jeepable road between Lamten to Thangu, which goes via Yathang village, was nearing completion. The villagers informed me that the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which undertakes road building work along the highways in Sikkim, intended to build the road through Yathang village to go to Thangu (in those days the only structure here was the Thangu monastery), where the army is stationed.  In the process several houses in Yathang, which were along the route, would be demolished, they said.

Realising the need to defend our ancestral homes at all cost I met a top ranking Colonel – a sardarji – stationed at the army headquarters at Swastik in Gangtok. Justice Wangdi, who was then a senior lawyer and central government counsel, advised me to meet the Colonel when I apprised him on the matter. The Colonel was most sympathetic when I met him and told him of our opposition to demotion of our ancestral homes in Yathang for road building. He suggested that I meet the concerned authority –BRO’s GREF (General Reserve Engineer Force) Commandant, who was also stationed at Swastik.

     The Commandant was Mr. Nair, a south Indian who was also very sympathetic and positive. I knew him as I was covering a story related to one of his relatives’ court case in the High Court of Sikkim. I explained to Nair how important these clay buildings meant to we Lachenpas. They are heritage homes and not mere buildings, I told him. Why can’t the road be built above the village instead of through it, I pleaded. He said the sole purpose of building the road through the village was to cater to the needs of the villagers. He also pointed out that if it was solely for the army’s interest the road would not cross over the Teesta river to Samdong village – enroute to Yathang – but go directly to Thangu from across the river and on the other side of the hill. I could see his logic and appreciated his point of view. We left the matter at that hoping that a compromise formula would be worked out which would mutually benefit the army as well as the Lachenpas. I was determined to take the matter to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi if necessary.

  Surprisingly, and to my great delight, the road was built just above the village when I visited Yathang with my family in late 1980s after a gap of twenty five years. I stopped my jeep at the rear end of the village and walked along the narrow footpath through the middle of the village to reach my home, where I had many childhood memories and where my mother passed away when I was just 2-3 years old.

My personal initiative on this matter may or may not have influenced the authorities but what is important to note is that in matters of public interest and things which are close to your heart the people themselves must come forward and do what is necessary. Governments and their agencies are not expected to do everything for the people. However, if the concerned authorities are unresponsive or going against will of the people it is the duty of every citizen to exercise their fundamental constitutional rights. Democracy is all about people’s participation.

    Realising their bleak future in the land of their origin the Lachenpas wrote to the President of India a few years back urging for a serious look into  how the indigenous tribal highlanders have been living in the past so many years.

 “If gyagar zhyung (Indian government) continues to ignore us we will turn north (Tibet),” a Lachenpa confided to me a few years back. This is a warning as well as an act of desperation.

Editorial

TAKING A STAND

Local Press: Regaining Lost Ground

The editor of this paper –whether he likes it or not – finally gets some kind of recognition. The question being asked is not ‘why’ he is getting the award but ‘why now’. This question is relevant and needs to be explained. When the President of the Press Club of Sikkim, Bhim Rawat, rang up Sikkim Observer editor Jigme N. Kazi last week and told him that he was being awarded this year’s Khangchendzonga Kalam Puraskar award by the Press Club Kazi wanted to know why he was being conferred with this award and at this time. Was it politically-motivated or has the local Press come of age, Kazi asked. Rawat’s two colleagues, Joseph Lepcha and Bishnu Neopany, both senior journalists in the State, met Kazi and reiterated the Press Club’s recent efforts to regain the local media’s independent image. While appreciating the new development within the local media, Kazi informed them that the Press Club and its members should be ready to face any consequences for associating themselves with a ‘black-listed journalist’, who has been living in self-imposed exile in his own homeland for nearly three decades mainly because he refuses to be ‘bought over’. Kazi is among the few public figures in the State who has kept his credibility intact – personally, professionally and politically (he ‘flirted’ with politics for a while in early 2000s but for a good cause)

      However, Kazi’s decision to accept the award will surely evoke mixed reactions. While one gentleman close to the editor said, “They had the guts to give you the award,” (to which the editor replied, “You have judged well.”) one senior journalist said, “The Press Club is not as independent as its members claim.” Another senior journalist commented: “They have finally come to their senses and rewarded you.” And yet one contractor from North Sikkim, who is close to Kazi, said, “Does this mean you have Chamling’s blessings?”  The fact of the matter is that in Chamling’s Sikkim all those who do not bow down to the powers-that-be are harassed or ignored. Anyone or any organization that tries to identify itself with those who fail to toe the official line are perceived to be digging their own grave.

      While the image of the local Press, by and large, is not too impressive there are those within the Fourth Estate in the State who are not happy with the way the Press has been projected and perceived in a State where dissenting voices find it very difficult to be heard. And yet the people depend on the Press and expect it to ventilate their grievances all the time and take on the high and mighty at times. The Press, too, depend on the people to react and respond to situations. It also expects the people to come to its aid when it is being attacked and hounded by the authorities. The sad part of the story is that people keep mum when the Press is under pressure. Did you even take the trouble to talk to Hamro Prajashakti journalists who were beaten up in their own work places in Gangtok on July 4, 2008? Did you care to call on this editor when his press was ransacked in early 1990, his Press vehicles set on fire in October 2001 and June 2004 in front of his printing press building in Gangtok? And which newspaper-reader even bothers to take a casual glance at the ongoing economic suppression of many local newspapers, including this paper, in the State? If the local Press is trying to set itself free help and support must be given by the people at large. By accepting the award Kazi has, once again, made his stand clear and sided with the foot soldiers of freedom and democracy in Sikkim. The local Press, too, has spoken – loud and clear.

Northeast to see better road connectivity through ADB loan

Gangtok, July 13: Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India have signed a $74.8 million loan to improve connectivity with the north eastern region of the country.

The loan constitutes the first tranche of the North Eastern State Roads Investment Program, a $200 million multi-tranche finance facility (MFF), expected to be executed in two tranches. Under the facility, a total of 433.7 km roads would be improved/upgraded/ constructed in six states- Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim and Tripura, PIB release said.

This will be ADB’s first transport sector project in NE region to develop and implement road investments that follow widely-recognized best practices in engineering design, pre-construction activities and project management. The program envisages enhanced and information technology-based capacity development of the state implementing agencies / PWDs for improved road asset management, planning and project management. A road safety programme has also been incorporated with coordinated engineering, enforcement and education components.

The 1st tranche, which was signed, will improve around 200 kilometers of road in the isolated states of Assam, Meghalaya and Sikkim. Improvements will include widening of existing sections of roads, strengthening pavements, raising embankments, and providing permanent structures at river crossings.

Field visits vital for rural development: Rai

Gangtok, July 13: Lok Sabha MP PD Rai has emphasized the need for officials to make frequent field visits in rural areas to ensure that rural development works are carried forward to its desired goal.

While addressing a day-long function of the District Level Vigilance and Monotoring Committee Meeting here on Tuesday, Rai said rural development programmess of the government were aimed at providing a more dignified life and better opportunities for achieving good living standard for the common man, according to an PIR release.

Rai, who is also the Chairman of the Committee, said regular monitoring of the programmes would provide an opportunity to evaluate the real impact of the programmes on the people.

Gangtok and Pakyong BDOs made power point presentations on various schemes and programmes of the government, highlighting its implementation and progress.

Bhutia-Lepchas pay rich tribute to Khenpo Dechen Dorje

 Gangtok, July 13: A condolence meeting of Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) and National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO - 371F) was held in Gangtok on Monday on the passing away of Khenpo Dechen Dorje. Chaired by SIBLAC Convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia, the meeting paid rich tribute to the late Khenpo:

   “The Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) and all the people of Sikkim are drowned in the midst of bereavement on the passing away of one of the accomplished Buddhist Master of the contemporary era, His Eminence the Dorje Lopen Khenchen Rinpoche Dechen Dorje of Premier Phensang Monastery. His Eminence was the first Khenchen in Sikkim after the historic Khyenpo Rolpe Dorje of Pemayangtse Monastery, West Sikkim, of yesteryears (17th century A.D.). Much revered by hundreds of his students and disciples across Sikkim, he was known for his principle and discipline while as the Principal of the Namgyal Institute of Higher Nyingma Studies, Deorali, Gangtok.     

    We are highly touched to witness his zeal, keenness and concern to see progression and preservation of the Sikkimese lineage and tradition. He was gravely worried to see the never-ending human and materialistic interference of the sacred abodes and sites of the Bayul Dremo Jong which otherwise are mentioned as very sacred in our religious scriptures. His keenness to uphold the tradition amid all the odds is reflected in his founding of Sheda in Rinchenpong, West Sikkim,which now becomes our common responsibility to ensure that the Sheda flourishes and all the aspirations and objectives as inaugurated by His Eminence is fulfilled.

 We further pray that His Eminence would reincarnate not before too long and continue with his dharma activities for the welfare and benefit of all the sentient beings. Grateful Sikkimese devotees are grateful to the late Khenpo for all his inspiration, guidance and advice. The meeting also declared a two-week long official mourning.”                                                      

“The late Khyen Rinpoche would be remembered and recognized for his simplicity, perfection on dharma philosophy and above all, for his insight knowledge of the Bayul Dremo Jong and its hidden treasures for all time to come,” NASBO said.

It added, “We deeply respect for his concerns and stresses to preserve, identify and practice the necessary teachings of he Rigzin Sogdrub tradition as originally espoused by Lhatsun Namkha Jigme. The extent of attraction, respect and recognition that His Eminence received from the His Holiness the Late Dudjm Rinpoche and His Holiness the present Dodrubchen itself speaks the volume of his incomparable spiritual accomplishment.”