SIKKIM OBSERVER Saturday   June 8-14,  2013  

MY blog: jigmenkazisikkim.blogspot.com 

     Teesta river at Gailkhola near Teesta bazaar on national highway that links Sikkim with rest of the country. (Pix: 

     Dhruba Rai)

Chamling supports creation of Gorkhaland state

Siliguri, June 7: Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has said, India needs at least 50 small states for proper development.

 Speaking to mediapersons here while attending a mango festival,  Chamling supported the demand for separate statehood to Gorkhaland, but added that the decision rested both with the Centre and state government.

 Chamling, currently in his fourth successive term, on Friday justified the division of Bengal, saying he was in favour of the creation of a separate state of Gorkhaland.

Chamling’s remarks come just two days after his government raised the issue of Gorkhaland at the chief ministers’ conference on internal security in New Delhi.

The chief minister, who was here to inaugurate the third Gitanjali Mango Festival, told mediapersons that he believes that the demand for a separate state is justified.

Chamling said, “I believe that India should have at least 50 smaller states, which could then be effectively managed and administered.”

The Sikkim CM’s statement, coming as it does on the soil of Bengal, assumes political significance and would provide moral support to those political parties which are spearheading the movement for Gorkhaland in the Darjeeling Hills.

Saying that his government had always been in favour of Gorkhaland, he added that the creation of smaller states would make the running of the administration more effective as in the US.

It bears recall that Chamling’s urban development minister Dil Bahadur Thapa had raised the issue of creating Gorkhaland at the CMs conclave. Thapa had reportedly said, “The formation of separate states (elsewhere in India) may renew the unrest in the region adjoining Sikkim.”

He had also said, “The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, which is demanding a separate Gorkhaland, is keeping a close watch on the formation of separate states, which may lead to a bigger agitation (for a separate state).”

In 2011, the Sikkim Assembly had passed a resolution supporting the creation of a separate Gorkhaland state comprising Darjeeling.

Chamling had then said the development was ‘vital in ensuring peace, security and the development of Sikkim and for free movement along its only lifeline, the National Highway 31A.’ Sixty percent of this highway falls under the proposed Gorkhaland area and is affected every time the pro-Gorkhaland parties call a strike in Darjeeling hills, which may explain Chamling’s support to the demand.

All construction works awarded to SDF members: SPCC

Gangtok, June 7: The newly-appointed President of the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC), Kunga Nima Lepcha, while accusing the Stat Government of its “lackadaisical and indifferent attitude” towards poor maintenance of roads in the capital, alleged that “all construction works” in the State are awarded to members of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF).

In a press statement the SPCC President said Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s “dream of making Sikkim self-reliant by 2015” will not be realized as “all the construction works are awarded to the members of the ruling SDF only”, depriving the supporters of other political parties in developmental activities in the State.

 “While the constitution of India guarantees equal opportunities to all the citizens, this provision is blatantly violated in Sikkim and as such, where is democracy in Sikkim?” Lepcha said.

During its meeting held here on Tuesday, “the members present in the meeting strongly condemned the lackadaisical and indifferent attitude of the SDF government in the implementation of developmental schemes all over Sikkim.”

 The members took strong note of the institutionalisation of the delivery system of the State Government, the release said.

 “In executing its ulterior design to deprive the areas which are branded as opposition dominated areas by the State Government” the authorities neglected areas such as Tathangchen, Chandamari, Ranka and Nam Nang in east district, where road conditions “are so deplorable that the commuters on these roads have to face immense hardships on daily basis.”

“Though the irrigation department carried out Brahmaputra Project in a number of Jhoras, the most vulnerable area falling in Nam Nang area has been totally neglected,” the release said.

Editorial

FIX ACCOUNTABILITY

Our Corrupt Mentality Exposed

'I can resist anything except temptation.' That has been one of Oscar Wilde's more enduring quotes, a quote that reflects the frangibility of the human mind. As viewers, we are a forgiving people, we Indian cricket viewers. For only we can love a tainted captain and usher him into the corridors of administrative offices, only we can forgive our tainted poster boys and let them exhort us about the nuances of cricket in pre-match shows. Our love for drama always vanquishes our abhorrence for nonsense.

We are intolerant to Sachin's dipping form, but we are tolerant towards scandals. We share Facebook status updates supporting Bollywood heroes who have been punished or acquitted for heinous offences. Our attention is promiscuous, unbridled, unrestrained in the absence of principles. It wouldn't be long before, the present spot fixing scandal, that occupies the front page on every newspaper, is slowly pushed aside first to the peripheral columns, then to the special mentions and finally out of the tattered edges. Done and dusted, move on to the next episode, until probably one of the three tainted players, as a friend predicts on Facebook, makes an appearance on a reality show.

Process for payment of scholarships to students cleared: Secy

Gangtok, June 7: Human Resource Development Department (HRDD) Secretary C.S. Rao yesterday said releases of pending scholarships and payment scholarships of the students who have submitted their complete documents have been cleared.

While congratulating teachers for good results during examinations, Rao said there are total of 33 seats for MBBS from state quota out of which 20 seats has been provided in Sikkim Manipal University. He further informed that there are 15 seats for BDS, including 10 from the Himachal Pradesh under state quota. Likewise for Engineering there are 288 seats under state quota in various subjects of engineering, he added.  

The Secretary informed that 644 candidate had appeared for the JEE Test and among them 298 have been selected and those selected candidate will be awarded seats under state quota according to merit selection process, an official release said.

He also informed that the scholarship for other allied courses will be provided through merit lists. He further informed the media that the online registration for the other courses is in process till 15th of June and till date 1972 candidate have filed their registration to the department.  The website of the department is www.sikkim.nic.in/scholorship.

Sikkim Everest heroes meet CM

Gangtok, June 7: The three mountaineers who had scaled Mount Everest headed by  Kazi Sherpa along with Rabindra Kumar, IAS, Sikkim cadre and  Anand Gurung the youngest Everest Climber of Sikkim called on the Chief Minister of Sikkim at his official residence at Mintokgang on Thursday. The team met the Chief Minister along with the Minister Tourism Bhim Dhungel and Secretary Tourism  D. Anandan.

During the meeting Chief Minister congratulated the Mountaineers and informed that the government will be felicitating them by organizing a programme shortly. He also congratulated them on behalf of the people of Sikkim.

During the meet the team also shared their experiences about their

expedition with the Chief Minster and informed how the state of Sikkim and its development are being talked about and appreciated in other parts of the world.

Baluwakhani residents panic after landslide

Gangtok, June 7: As monsoon approaches with regular rainfalls in the hills, there have been regular landslides in the State. The capital, too, is witnessing landslides, raising concerns by its residents.

Due to heavy rainfall on Sunday and Monday a landslide at Baluwakhani - Forest Colony has affected Hotel Arjun and other buildings its surrounding area. The landslide in the Sherpa Association’s land alongside the road to Forest Colony at the backside of the Hotel Arjun has caused panic among residents in the area.

The main reason for the landslide is the poor drainage system of the buildings in the either side of the landslide area.

Sikkim opposes formation of smaller states

Gangtok, June 7: After passing a resolution on formation of Gorkhaland state in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly the Sikkim Government has opposed formation of smaller states. This is obviously a setback for the movement of separate state of Gorkhaland despite Chief Minister’s comments that he was for creation of Gorkhaland after having opposed creation of smaller states in New Delhi.

The Sikkim Government has opposed any decision by the Centre to form smaller states saying that any such step would trigger unrest in the hills of Darjeeling as demand for carving out Gorkhaland from West Bengal would become shriller. The Sikkim government's warning to the Centre was made on Wednesday at the Chief Ministers’ conference in New Delhi on internal security.

Referring to the growing demand of the formation of separate Telangana state from Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim's Urban Development Minister DB Thapa said Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) is keeping a close watch on formation of separate states and its formation may lead to agitation for such demands in the hills, The Statesman reported.

"This will have an adverse effect in Sikkim too," Thapa added.

Interestingly, two years ago the Sikkim Assembly had passed a resolution supporting the demand of the formation of Gorkhaland from West Bengal — a move that was strongly condemned by then ruling Left Front government of West Bengal and the Trinamool Congress.

In its latest stand, the Sikkim government has apprehended that the GJM would intensify its movement in Darjeeling if Telangana is granted statehood that would lead to frequent strikes and road blockades in the hills.

Knowledge is power: CJI

CJI inaugurates Sikkim Judicial Academy

Gangtok June 7:  Chief Justice of India Justice Altamas Kabir while inaugurating the Sikkim Judicial Academy (SJA) here on Sunday said knowledge is power and the setting up of the institute would empower judicial officials.

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, Chief Justice of High Court of Sikkim Justice Pius C Kuriakose and Justice SP Wangdi of High Court of Sikkim were present when the institution was inaugurated here in the premises of High Court of Sikkim.

The institute is the only such institution in the North East region apart from the one in Guwahati.

Justice Kabir said information and knowledge is power and he hopes that this sort of institution will empower the Judicial officer and other concerned with knowledge which will ultimately help them in executing their duties properly.

Making his introductory remarks on the occasion Justice Pius C Kuriakose termed the occasion as a momentous one.

“For me this is a moment of great satisfaction. I can go back from Sikkim on demitting office as Chief Justice with a feeling of having done something of everlasting value to the state judiciary and the entire legal fraternity in the state of Sikkim,” Justice Kuriakose said.

Judicial Academies all over the country impart training to judicial officers only, so that they can achieve excellence in the work and also become capable in rendering of quality justice in causes which come before them for adjudication, he said.

However, in view of the peculiar circumstances which presently exist in the state of Sikkim, particularly the smallness of size of the subordinate judiciary, the SJA will extend its benefits to  members of the Bar and also to the final year law students of Government Law College and the Universities in Sikkim.

Justice Kuriakose also thanked the Chief Minister and his government for having made available the building to start the SJA for the time being and also for the 2.92 acres of land at Sokeythang, East Sikkim for the construction of campus of the academy.

The main objectives of the SJA is to develop and deliver educational programmes in order to make them available to judiciary and the legal fraternity in the State.

During the occasion Chamling presented a memento to Justice S.P Wangdi Judge, High Court of Sikkim, and felicitated him on his appointment as Member of National Legal Services Authority.

SIBLAC’s Message to the Members NBWL: 97 MW Tashiding HEP

“Money-power behind Tashiding hydel project”

Respected Sir/Madam,

These are some facts procured through RTI in regard to 97 MW Tashiding HEP

and the dubious man Mr. T. Nagendra Rao, the project proponent:

1. Cabinet approved and sanctioned the proposal seeking administrative

approval for withdrawal of Tashiding HEP from M/s Shiga Energy Pvt. Ltd.,

vide Memo No. 201/GoS/E&P/06-07 IN THE CABINET meeting held on

18/01/2008 at 3PM.

2. M/S Shiga Energy Pvt. Ltd. and its owner Mr. T. N. Rao’s dubious

intentions was the main reason for withdrawing L.O.I. The following are

the facts:

i) Mr. Rao within 13 days from the date of issue of L.O.I., the capacity

of Tashiding HEP was enhanced from 60 to 80 MW by 29th Nov. 2007,

and again within a short period of less than two and half months, the

capacity enhanced to 88 MW, all done without intimation to

Government of Sikkim and today it is 97 MW officially but for

investors it is again 111.6 MW after 15% overload capacity enhanced

by T. Nagendra Rao.

ii) Mr. Rao being Director of M/s Shiga Energy Pvt. Ltd, also applied for

96 MW Jorethang Loop HEP as Director, DANS IT Systems Pvt. Ltd.,

and got allotted to him but without intimation to Government of

Sikkim changed the name to DANS Energy Pvt. Ltd.

iii) Mr. Rao was also the owner of 99 MW Ting Ting HEP by TT Energy

Pvt. Ltd. (scrapped)

Later on again the work awarded to him, therefore you can not rule out

quid pro quo.

3. My RTI reply dated 18/07/2012 reveals that: information on justifying Mr.

T. Nagendra Rao as an expert in the field of Hydro Projects is not available

with the Sikkim Government.

4. Interim stay Order by Delhi High Court was issued against Rao’s DANS

Energy Pvt. Ltd. and Energy Innovation Dubai in their case of arbitration

against Aitreya Ltd., British Virgin Islands.

5. Public Auction Notice was issued for huge defaults in loan repayments by

Foison Chemicals Pvt. Ltd owned by Rao, along with Composite Steel Ltd. and Vini Meta Spin Steel Ltd. (belonging to Rao’s relatives and

acquaintances) on 29/05/2006 by Andhra Bank.

6. RTI reply dated 14/09/2012 reveals that State Government is not aware

of Rangit Valley Hydro Pvt. Ltd, floated by Mr. T.N. Rao and Associates

(TNRA) wherein the sole objectives of Mr. Rao was to invite other stake

holders and to hold equity stake in all three HEPs through special purpose

vehicles.

7. Further, without intimation to Sikkim Government, Mr. Rao inflated the

capacity of all three HEPs under him, by adding 15% overload capacity

thereby enhancing to 111.6 MW from 97 MW Tashiding HEP, 113.9 MW

from 99 MW Ting Ting HEP by TT Energy Pvt. Ltd (now scrapped) and

110.4 MW from 96 MW Jorethang Loop HEP just to impress the investors.

(Source: Project Dept, KPMG India Pvt. Ltd.)

8. My RTI reply dated 18/07/2012 reveals that Sikkim Government does not

have any record of actual expenditure incurred by M/S Shiga Energy Pvt.

Ltd. on 97 MW Tashiding HEP.

9. Equity stake of TNRA in 97 MW Tashiding HEP and 96 MW Jorethang Loop

HEP are not know to State Government according to RTI reply dated

14/09/2012.

10. Subject to strict compliance of Terms and Conditions, MoEF has granted

EC to Mr. T. Nagendra Rao, Director, M/S Shiga Energy Pvt. Ltd, on

29/07/2010, but answers to my RTI query dated 09/07/2012 reveal that;

Part A: Condition (i) - Payment for catchment area treatment plan

received by Forest Department but work has not commenced as

yet.

Condition (ii) to (ix) - Information not available.

Part B: Conditions (i) to (vii) - Information not available.

11. After my above RTI query, first time a monitoring report dated

04/10/2012 on the implementation status of conditions of Environmental

Clearance (No. J-12011/66/2006-IA.I dated 29/07/2010) monitored with

Ms Kusum Gurung, DFO (Env. and land use) and Mr. Murugan, DFO (T),

West Sikkim is updated in the web site of Ministry of Environment &

Forests, G.O.I, wherein it is categorically stated in stipulation VIII that

„The proposed site is about 5 km away from the buffer zone of

Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (KBR), as per Supreme Court order,

clearance from NBWL may be obtained (if required).“ It is stated in status

of compliance report that; NOT Complied with. The project also falls within

10 km from the Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary. As such, NBWL clearance

needs to be obtained.

12. Even in the General remarks of the monitoring report, it is categorically

stated that „The NBWL clearance needs to be obtained immediately as

stipulated.“ (Source for 11 and 12: www.moef.nic.in)

13. Cheating in the report submitted to J.D. North-East Regional office, MoEF,

GOI by M/S Shiga Energy Pvt. Ltd. duly signed by Karma Norden

Lachungpa, Environment Officer for Shiga Energy Pvt. Ltd. It is intentionally and deliberately done that Part A of Specific Conditions VIII

of Environmental Clearance granted is missing in the report which is on

NBWL issue. Out of IX stipulated conditions in Part A only VIII are shown.

(Source: www.moef.nic.in) This also proves the dubious character of M/S

Shiga Energy Pvt. Ltd.

14. Sikkim High Court issues contempt notice to Shiga Energy Pvt. Ltd. on

carrying out activity on the un-acquired land of petitioners. (Source: PTI,

April 5, 2013)

15. Despite Sikkim High Court Order dated 24/07/2012, which states that, in

the meantime, the execution of the project shall remain subject to the

outcome of the writ petition, “the works at site is in war footing under the

security and protection of Sikkim govt. Project proponent says in court

that they are doing it at their own risk and that is accepted gladly.

16. Even when NBWL team was here in Sikkim, recently, we were not allowed

to meet them. Nobody understands the ground reality. Despite stoppage

order from NBWL nobody is bothered about it.

17. Hon’ble Supreme Court stating that there is local issues in our case, sends

file to Sikkim High Court for early disposal. It’s been more than one year

now, government advocates keep on asking further time thereby

favouring project proponent to complete the job.

18. I am helpless in front of these money power and corrupted administration,

but I will not leave easily.

With warm regards,

Tseten Tashi Bhutia

Convenor

Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC)

Dated: May 31, 2013

SIKKIM SHINES IN NORTHEAST CONTEST

Profile: Sonam Barfungpa

Sikkim’s Sonam Barfungpa recently won the runners up title in the ‘Mega Mr. North East 2013’ held in Guwahati.

Barfungpa (19), youngest son of former Secretary (Govt of Sikkim) late Wangchuk Barfungpa and Dikchungla, who wants to become a model, has won a one-year contract with the organizers.

Two Sikkim girls, Gyurmila Bhutia and Devika Kerongey, have also won subtitles from the ‘Sunsilk Mega Miss North East 2013’. Gyurmila (26) has won the ‘Radian Skin’ title while Devia (24) won the ‘Beautiful Hair’ title.