KN Uperti has been declared as the MP candidate of Congress

Gangtok, Feb 27: Former minister KN Uperti has been declared as the MP candidate of Congress party for the lone Lok Sabha seat of Sikkim for the forthcoming General Elections.
Party in charge for Sikkim and AICC working committee member Luizinho Faleriaro said today in a press meet that Mr. Uperti’s name has been recommended as the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC)’s choice as the MP candidate.

Mr. Uperti’s endorsement is a mere formality as only his name has been recommended to the party high command.
It may be recalled that Local Media had reported yesterday that Mr. Uperti had been the most probable choice of Congress for the MP ticket.

Congress has also decided to retain Acharya Tshering Lama as the party’s candidate for the Sangha seat for the upcoming Sikkim Assembly elections.
“SPCC is in the process of selecting candidates for the remaining 31 Assembly seats. Weight age will be given to educated, dynamic and local youths for the tickets”, said Mr. Faleriaro.

Recently given charge of Congress units of Sikkim, Meghalaya and Mizoram, Mr. Faleriaro who is the former Chief Minister of Goa had arrived yesterday in Gangtok to oversee the SPCC’s preparations for the forthcoming Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. He was accompanied by AICC secretary Major Ved Prakash.
Mr. Faleriaro said that the candidates will be declared soon in the first week of March.

SPCC president Nar Bahadur Bhandari added that the party will give tickets to candidates who are from that particular constituency which they will contest as part of its ‘sons of soil’ policy. “We will follow the policy of Samisti Putra”, he said.

The SPCC president will be reaching Delhi on March 3 with the final list of the candidates and the decision will be taken the next day. We will contest on all the 32 seats, he said.
Expressing his confidence that Congress will form governments both at the Centre and Sikkim, Mr. Faleriaro promised that the party will deliver ‘income tax exemption to all Sikkimese people’.

“Presently the exemption from paying income taxes is going to only 30 percent of people in Sikkim. We will like to get the balance of the population to get similar relief. Others non-exempted should also get same benefits”, said Mr. Faleriaro.

“I am taking this issue with the party high command and Union Ministry of Finance”, said Mr. Faleriaro. His assurances over Income Tax issue sets the tone on which the party will campaign in the forthcoming elections.
One of the major reasons for the optimism shown by the Congress leader to stake claim here was the special attention given by the Congress led UPA government to Sikkim in the past five years. “Sikkim has been in the heart of Congress party”, he said.

Mr. Faleriaro said that UPA government has sanctioned more than Rs. 2000 crores for the infrastructural development of Sikkim in the last 3 months. The UPA has sanctioned Rs. 336 crores for the Pakyong airport, over Rs. 410 crores for roads and more than Rs. 1400 crores for rail links, he said. A lot of money has been given for Sikkim in the past five years for the development and empowerment of the Sikkimese people by UPA government, he said.

“We appeal the Sikkimese people to vote for Congress because the party will form the government in the Centre this time also and the party has very close ties with Sikkimese people”, said Mr. Faleriaro.

Sikkim records 4.5 lakh domestic and 25, 000 foreign tourist footfall in 2008

Gangtok, Feb 27: Even as Sikkim has bagged a national award for tourism as the Best State for tourism related programmes on Tuesday, this Himalayan State has also recorded a phenomenal growth in terms of flow of tourists in 2008.

Sikkim bagged the annual award as the Best State for tourism related programmes from the Union ministry of tourism on February 24.

The award was received by the State tourism secretary SBS Bhadauria from Union Home minister P Chidambaram in the presence of Union Tourism minister Ambika Soni at the awards function held in New Delhi.

Speaking to media here today, Mr. Bhadauria said that this was the 14th major award won by Sikkim in the field of tourism in the last decade and it was the dedication and enthusiasm of the State government that had been instrumental in achieving the goals. “The award proves Sikkim has been firmly placed in the global tourism scene and we have created our own brand called Sikkim”, he said.

The secretary said that some 4.5 lakh domestic tourists and 23,000 foreign tourists visited the state in 2008. He said this was about 25 per cent increase from that of the previous year. In the previous year some 3.8 domestic tourists and 18,000 foreigners had visited Sikkim.

Despite the bandhs and the disturbances in the neighbouring regions, this was a record for the state, Mr. Bhadauria said. He also said that as per the analysis, the quality of tourism had also increased manifolds and there was now ‘no off-season’ with visitors coming to the State throughout the year.

The secretary claimed that Sikkim today was the most sought after destination for domestic as well as foreign tourists coming to the country and had made significant presence in the tourism map. The destinations and infrastructure have been developed to a great extent within a short period of time making Sikkim greatly attractive to the visitors, he added.

Mr. Bhadauria informed that a State tourism policy was in the final stages of preparation and the final policy would be put forward to the government in the first quarter of the coming fiscal year. The draft tourism policy would comprise of a normal tourism policy for the state and a separate tourism policy for village tourism. “The tourism in the state is moving and progressing in a cautious manner so that there are no ills associated, he said.

It is to be mentioned here that Sikkim has bagged the best tourism performing State in the North east for six consecutive years in the past from the union ministry.

Recently Sikkim have also bagged the best eco-tourism destination, most picturesque destination, best community based tourism, emerging tourism state, best tourism state for adventure from reputed organizations at the national level.

Girl’s hostel of Engineering and Post Harvest Technology inaugurated

GANGTOK, February 26: State Agriculture Minister Somnath Poudyal today stressed the need for agricultural education in the wake of globalisation and free trade policy.
Inaugurating a girl’s hostel of the College of Engineering and Post Harvest Technology in Marchak, few kilometres from here, Mr Poudyal also said that the State Government was very positive to the idea of having a Central Agriculture University (CAU) in Sikkim. “The State Government is exploring the possibility of providing more land within the premises of the existing College for the proposed University, he added.
Stating competitiveness is the central theme and competence the catchword in free market, the minister said that the establishment of the College of Post Harvest Technology is a new milestone in the present context of agriculture development in Sikkim.

At the same time, he expressed sadness over less research linkage in the agriculture development initiatives. “Research and education are two wheels to balance and take agriculture development further, he said. Mr Poudyal insisted for more research works and urged the institute to design hill specific machinery and farm implements to address the problems being faced by the farmers.
In the same vein, the state agriculture minister proudly informed about Sikkim’s good business of Rs 15 cores proffered in the last season by simply selling 15,000 metric ton of seasonal tomatoes.

The Vice Chancellor of CAU SN Puri said the present land is not enough to cater the infrastructure services of the college. “We would really appreciate if the state government could provide us with more land for the agriculture college infrastructure,” he said. The VC also congratulated the institute and its faculty for being acknowledged as one of the best performing colleges in the country. “We are in the process of making an ace agriculturist who would be in a high demand in the days to come,” he added. Mr Puri further informed that Rs 30 cores would be demanded in the 11th Five Year Plan for the up-gradation of the college.

Former Agriculture Minister TM Rai said, the college would definitely prove to be a boon not only for the Sikkimese students but also for the students of North- Eastern Region.

Earlier, while placing his welcome speech, PK Srivastva, the dean of the college made special request with the state government to extend the pedestal pathway up to the college premises, to construct speed breakers near the college and to declare the college belt as the agro-industrial zone. He also informed that the college would start its new course on Food Processing from the coming session.

The girl’s hostel built at a cost of Rs 4 cores has all the ultra modern facilities.
In the evening programme, the college students showcased various cultural shows.

Prof MS Swaminathan appointed as Chancellor of Sikkim University

GANGTOK, Feb. 25: Acclaimed agriculture scientist Prof MS Swaminathan also known as the ‘Father of the Green Revolution in India’ has been announced by Sikkim University as its Chancellor.
Sikkim University, the 23rd university in India, announced the appointment of Prof MS Swaminathan as its Chancellor today in a press statement.
“A trained plant geneticist, Professor Swaminathan’s advocacy of sustainable agricultural has led to an ever green revolution making him an acknowledged world leader in the field of sustainable food security”, said Sikkim University.
Prof Swaminathan is currently a Rajya Sabha member of Parliament, to which position he was nominated by the Government of India in recognition of his outstanding scientific contribution in the field of agriculture. He also the UNESCO -Cousteau Chair in Ecotechnology at the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai, India. He is the chairman of the National Commission on Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Security of India (National Commission on Farmers).
Among the endless list of awards received by Prof Swaminathan are the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1971, the Albert Einstein World Science Award in 1986, the first World Food Prize in 1987 and Volvo and Tyler Prize for Environment, the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development in 2000 and the Franklin D Roosevelt four Freedoms Medal and the Mahatma Gandhi Prize of Unescoin 2000.
Prof Swaminathan is currently spearheading a movement to bridge the Digital divide called, "Mission 2007: Every Village a Knowledge Centre". He was born in August 7, 1925, in Kumbakonam, Tamilnadu.
Prof Swaminathan’s stated vision is to rid the world of hunger and poverty and is an advocate of sustainable development, especially using environmentally sustainable agriculture, sustainable food security and the preservation of biodiversity. He has been listed by TIME magazine as the twenty most influential Asians of the 20th Century and one of the three from India, the other two being Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore.
Prof. Swaminathan has been described by the United Nations Environment Programme as ‘the father of Economics Ecology’ and by Javier Perez de Cuellar, Secretary General of the United Nations as ‘a living Legend who will go into the annals of history as a world scientist of rare distinctions’. He was Chairman of the UN Science Advisory Committee set up in 1980 to take follow-up actions on the Vienna Plan fo Action. He also served as President of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs (2002-07) and present President of the National Academy of Agricultural Aciences(2005-07).

No anti-incumbency, only pro-incumbency in SDF: Chamling

GANGTOK, Feb 24: On the threshold of the eighth Sikkim Assembly elections, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today said that there is no ‘anti-incumbency’ factor in his Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) party.
“The grassroots support of the SDF party is growing regularly. SDF had won 19 seats in its first term, 25 seats in the second term and 31 seats in the third term and our grassroots support base in expanding. This shows that there is no anti-incumbency. Instead we have pro-incumbency”, said the Chief Minister on concluding day of the Seventh Sikkim Assembly session.

‘Money and muscle power should not be allowed to dominate elections’
Reminding the elections is round the corner, Mr. Chamling appealed all that the elections should be held in a peaceful manner like previous years. “Nobody should be disturbed due to elections and anti-social and communal elements should not be allowed to take advantage”, he said. Money and muscle power should not be allowed to dominate the election process, he added.
The Chief Minister said that his SDF party will contest in all the 32 Assembly seats and the single Lok Sabha seat in the coming State and General elections. “SDF party will fully observe the rules and guidelines of the election process as the party abides by the Constitution of India and Election Commission of India”, he said pledging his commitment to ensure a democratic and peaceful elections.

‘SDF successful in removing fear psychosis among Sikkimese people’
Among the highlights of his government during these 15 years starting from December 1994, the Chief Minister singled out the inclusion of Sikkim into the North East Council and reopening of Nathu La border trade as the biggest achievements.
“We have also been successful in restoring democracy in Sikkim and removing the fear psychosis among the people of Sikkim”, said Mr. Chamling. Today, Sikkim has turned into an oasis of peace and unmatched development under 15 years of SDF rule, he added.
The Chief Minister reminded that 15 years ago, ‘there was only one man’s rule and no democracy in Sikkim. We have restored democracy and gave back the lost confidence and self respect to the Sikkimese people, he said.
“Before we came to power in December, 1994 there were only two classes of people in Sikkim - rich and poor. However, we have uplifted the poor and created a middle class of people. There were 41 percent people under BPL earlier and now there is only 19 percent exists”, said Mr. Chamling.
Other achievements highlighted by the Chief Minister was Sikkim Central University, works done in the environmental front, rail link up to Rangpo, sanction of an alternative highway and works being initiated for Pakyong airport.
The Union Civil Aviation minister is visiting Pakyong to do the bhomi puja for the airport on December 27, Mr. Chamling informed. He said that though the airstrip will cater only to 50 seater aircraft for the moment, it will definitely boost tourism in Sikkim. We will pursue to have the Pakyong airport made into a full fledged airport, he said.


‘Income Tax exemption: Few business community members are working against the interests of Sikkim’
The Chief Minister expressed his anguish over the activities of a section of the business community of the State over the Income Tax exemption issue.
“Some business community members are trying to mislead the Center over this issue and working against the interests of Sikkim and Sikkimese people. They have approached the Central leaders and officials of Finance Ministry and saying that the business community has been discriminated in Sikkim”, said Mr. Chamling at the House.
“It is very painful to hear such nonsense”, said Mr. Chamling added that it was one of the major achievements of SDF government to exempt Sikkimese people with Sikkim Subject certificates from the purview of Income Tax.
“Even 38 families of old business community with Sikkim Subject certificates is exempted along with other Sikkimese people with Sikkim Subject certificates from income taxes”, said Mr. Chamling. We have managed to get Sikkimese people with subjects exempted from income taxes and now we have geared up to have similar exempt the old business community and old government employees, he said.
“Yet some of the business community members are trying to mislead the Centre claiming discrimination. They are working against the interests of Sikkim and Sikkimese people”, said Mr. Chamling. He expressed his commitment to work for the old business community and old government employees.
However, they must understand that the Centre will review this demand on the larger picture concerning the country, said Mr. Chamling.
.

Achyra vs Chamling in Sikkim Assembly

GANGTOK, Feb 24: Despite pitted against 31 MLAs of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) party, lone opposition MLA Acharya Tshering Lama had been rattling the ruling party in the State Assembly over these five years,
On several occasions, the Sangha MLA had crossed swords with the Leader of the House Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and had on one occasion staged a black flag protest coupled with ‘search for democracy with a torchlight’ antic in the Assembly.
Acharaya Lama maintained his temperament today also, the final day of the Seventh Assembly though in much soft note.
Participating in the dissuasions during the proceedings of the House, the Sangha MLA expressed his torment over his raised issues being washed away by the overwhelming odds of the 31 MLAs of the ruling party.
“I tried my best to raise the issues of the people during my five year stint in the Assembly. I was present in all the sessions for the people as I was the only opposition MLA except for one occasion when I had some urgent work”, said Acharya Lama. However, all the issues raised by me in the House was overturned into a mess of untruth by brute majority of the ruling party and all my demands were overlooked, he added.
The Sangha MLA also raised the issue of ‘Satyagraha’ by Affected Citizens of Teesta and the arrest of one senior monk and several Lepchas from Dzongu by police.
Having raised his issues, Acharya Tshering Lama departed from the Assembly as usual without awaiting a response in the post-lunch session.
Dzongu MLA Sonam Gyatso Lepcha was the first to react to the comments passed by the lone Sangha MLA.
“Since this issue concerns Dzongu which is my constituency, I want to clarify that the Lepchas from Dzongu have not been thrown in the jail by the Chief Minister. They were jailed as per the rules and laws of the land”, said Mr. Lepcha. Over the arrest of the monk as raised by Acharya Lama, it is better that the particular monk should not be involved in activities unbecoming of his stature as a monk, he said.
In the post lunch session, the Chief Minister touched on the allegations raised by the Sangha MLA.
“Acharya Lama has only leveled charges against the State government in these 5 years in the Assembly. For five years, he has consistently spoken negatively and never touched a positive note”, countered Mr. Chamling.
Over the demands raised by the Sangha MLA which also includes a Sangha seat in the Parliament, the Chief Minister advised him to first understand which demands falls under the State list, concurrent list and Central list ‘instead of merely accusing the State government to fulfill his duties as an opposition member’.
Stating that Acharya Lama was twisting issues to mislead the people, the Chief Minister expressed his bewilderment over the demand for a Sangha seat in the Parliament. ‘How can the Chief Minister do such thing which is not under the Constitution? I have to follow the Constitution which also protects the old laws of Sikkim and so there is a Sangha seat in the Sikkim’, he said.
“He is not coming back in the next Assembly and tried his best to mislead the people in the final sitting of this Assembly”, Mr. Chamling said adding that the Sangha MLA was also trying to send a wrong message over the arrest of one monk from Dzongu in the recent Lingzya incident.
“If any monk has been arrested then it has been done as per law and law will take its own course. Nobody is above law and if anyone breaks the law then he has to face the law”, clarified Mr. Chamling on the monk arrest issue raised by the Sangha MLA.
Commenting on the ‘Satyagrahis’ argument presented by Acharya Lama to the protests of Affected Citizens of Teesta, Mr. Chamling categorically ruled out the use of ‘Satyagrahis’ nomenclature.
“They are not Satyagrahis as there in favour of false things. We want to develop Sikkim and make it an affluent State. They are trying to set up roadblocks to the development of Sikkim and Sikkimese people. They are against Sikkim and Sikkimese people”, said Mr. Chamling.
“Under no circumstances, we will compromise with them in the larger interests of Sikkimese people and Sikkim. We will not accept blackmail tactics in the name of North Sikkim people. We won’t compromise with the reactionary elements”.
The Chief Minister said that hydel power has changed the developmental dimension of Sikkim.

Are We Lucky?

Gurudongmar Ko Sundarta, Prakriti Ko Najik Bashnu ko Maza Arkoi Chaina Ta...