Page 3 - Sikkim

PM Modi to visit Sikkim on May 16 for golden jubilee celebrations: CM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Sikkim on May 16 for the state's golden jubilee celebrations, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang informed the Assembly on Wednesday. "The PM's visit will be a historic moment in the political journey of Sikkim which celebrates its golden jubilee since it became the 22nd state of India on May 16, 1975," he said while presenting the state budget on the second day of the four-day session. According to the CM, Modi is scheduled to inaugurate several development projects. "These include the 500-bed Namchi District Hospital, Atal Bihari Vajpayee statue to honour the legacy of the former PMa ropeway at Sangachoeling, among others" Tamang added. He said the PM will lay foundation stones for various projects such as the Golden Jubilee Convention Centre at Namli, a premier venue for national and international events; Bhaleydhunga Skywalk, an innovative eco-tourism project providing a unique experience for visitors; Nathula Border Tourism Developm

Sikkim CM presents Rs 16,196 cr Budget for 2025-26 with focus on growth

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Wednesday presented in the assembly a budget of Rs 16,196 crore for the 2025-26 fiscal with a focus on empowering youth, uplifting farmers, investing in infrastructure and ensuring financial discipline. The budget comprises Rs 11,028 crore of revenue expenditure and Rs 5,168 crore of capital outlay. The devolution of taxes from the Centre was estimated at Rs 5,519 crore, a leading source of receipts, along with Rs 2,600 crore that the central government will provide to Sikkim as grants and aids in 2025-26, said Tamang, who also holds the finance portfolio. The state government will generate its own tax revenue worth Rs 2,076 crore and non-tax revenue to the tune of Rs 1,007 crore, he said, adding that Rs 2,651 crore will be raised through borrowing. The chief minister said that a provision of Rs 2,896 crore has been made in the next fiscal year's budget for the state government's contributions to the centrally sponsored schemes with a goal

Sikkim's Rs 50 tourism toll sparks debate over cost, sustainability

State argues the "entry fee" for travellers will boost infrastructure and instil ownership of sustainable tourism, but critics call it unjust and a burden on the sector. ADITI PHADNIS weighs in

Ashtalakshmi vision: Centre cites gains, Oppn points to Manipur unrest

The Centre highlights a decade of development under PM Modi, while the Opposition criticises its handling of Manipur unrest and the PM's continued absence from the state

ED attaches Rs 65 cr assets linked to ex-GM of Sikkim Bank in fraud case

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has provisionally attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs 65.46 crore in connection with a money laundering case involving a former general manager-ranked officer of a Sikkim-based bank. The ED said in a statement that the attached assets include four residential properties and land parcels located in Deorali, Syari, Ranipool and Penlong - all in Sikkim. These properties were allegedly acquired using proceeds from fraudulent activities linked to siphoning of funds from the State Bank of Sikkim (SBS) by Dorjee Tshering Lepcha, its former general manager (operations). Additionally, several bank accounts with a combined deposit of approximately Rs 53.41 crore in the names of Lepcha and his family members have also been frozen, the statement said. These actions are parts of an ongoing investigation into the misappropriation and laundering of funds from the bank under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Established in 1968

Sikkim CM Tamang seeks 'tailored' support from Finance Commission

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Monday sought 'tailored' support from the 16th Finance Commission in view of the Himalayan state's unique challenges, achievements and aspirations. The full team of the 16th Finance Commission, led by its chairman Arvind Panagariya, met the Sikkim chief minister at the state secretariat. "I emphasised Sikkim's unique challenges, achievements and aspirations while calling for tailored support from the 16th Finance Commission to ensure sustainable growth for our people", Tamang said in a social media post after meeting Panagariya and the members of the Finance Commission team. Tamang said that he highlighted Sikkim's remarkable progress, including the highest per capita income in the region, significant growth rates, and the state's role as a global custodian of biodiversity and a hub for climate change mitigation to seek additional financial support from the 16th Finance Commission. The Sikkim CM also underlined critical challenges like roa

Sikkim govt firm on inclusion of 12 left-out communities in ST list: CM

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Sunday said that his government has remained steadfast in advocacy for the inclusion of 12 left-out communities of the Himalayan state in the Scheduled Tribe list. He attended the inaugural meeting of the Sikkim State High-Level Committee, established to secure the inclusion of 12 left-out Sikkimese communities in the ST list under the Constitution of India. Later, in a social media post, he said, "Our government has been unwavering in its advocacy for their inclusion. A landmark resolution passed by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly in January 2021, along with sustained engagements with national policymakers, including the Hon'ble Prime Minister and Home Minister, underscores our dedicated commitment. Encouraging responses have given us confidence that this rightful recognition is within reach." "As we approach Sikkim's 50th statehood anniversary in 2025, addressing this decades-old demand is paramount for achieving true inclusivity and ...

No Opposition in state, but Sikkim CM Tamang faces environmental challenges

CM Prem Singh Tamang leads a state without Opposition in the Assembly, but faces dual challenges of ecological crises and sustainable development

6 killed, 15 hurt as bus plunges into gorge near West Bengal-Sikkim border

Six people were killed and 15 others injured as a bus plunged into a 150-ft-deep gorge near the West Bengal-Sikkim border on Saturday afternoon, police said. The accident happened between Andheri and Atal Setu, about 1 km from the Rangpo border, around 3 pm, they said. The private bus, heading to Gangtok from Siliguri, veered off the NH-10 and crash-landed on the bank of the Teesta river, said SP of West Bengal's Kalimpong district Srihari Pandey. The identities of the deceased and the injured were being ascertained, police said, adding that there was a woman among the deceased. The injured persons were initially taken to a health centre in Rangpo for treatment and later moved to various hospitals in Sikkim, they said. Police said the number of deaths is likely to go up as many injured passengers were very critical. Among the passengers on the bus when the accident happened were some tourists, they said. The bus, named 'Quality', used to operate daily between Siliguri, the large

First phase of Army Commanders' Conference to be in Sikkim forward area

The two-phase Army Commanders' Conference during which the army will review current operational preparedness and deliberate on critical strategies is set to begin in Sikkim on Thursday. The second ACC this year is being organised in a hybrid mode, with the first phase planned on October 10-11 in a forward location at Gangtok, the defence ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. Top army commanders will brainstorm conceptual issues, and review and assess the "overall security situation" during the key conference. "As the nation faces numerous regional security challenges, the upcoming Army Commanders' Conference scheduled to commence in Sikkim tomorrow, assumes significance," it said. Conducting the conference of senior commanders at a forward location underlines the Indian Army's "focus on ground realities", the ministry said. The commanders' conclave in a forward area in Sikkim, which is close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), comes amid the lingering border row in eastern .

CM Tamang chairs meeting with BRO for improvement of roads in North Sikkim

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang asked the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and state government officials to find out ways to improve road infrastructure, particularly in the strategically crucial North Sikkim. At the high-level review meeting held at the Chief Minister's official residence late Monday evening, Tamang stressed the need to find immediate and sustainable solutions to address road infrastructure in vulnerable and landslide-prone areas, particularly in North Sikkim, officials said. A joint inspection of critical regions was agreed upon to ensure a comprehensive assessment and action plan. The chief minister emphasised the importance of speeding up joint inspections and urged the officials to ensure swift execution of necessary actions. He also asked for restoration of damaged roads across the state on an urgent basis and called for immediate steps to expedite the recovery process. Tamang expressed his gratitude to BRO for its active participation and valuable .

Sikkim announces 100% concession on bus fares for PWDs, BPL women

The Sikkim government on Wednesday announced a 100 per cent concession on bus fares for persons with over 40 per cent disability and women in the BPL category, an official notification said. The order issued by the state transport department said that the facility can be availed of in both intra and inter-state services effective immediately. To avail of the concession, PWDs (persons with disability) must produce a valid Unique Disability ID card issued by the Centre, certifying 40 per cent or above degree of disability. Women in the BPL category must produce a BPL certificate issued by Directorate of Economics, Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation (DESME), the order added.

Sikkim CM Tamang announces minimum monthly pension of Rs 50,000 for ex-MLAs

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang announced that former MLAs would now receive a minimum monthly pension of Rs 50,000. Tamang made the announcement at the 22nd Foundation Day of Former Legislators Federation of Sikkim (FLFS) on Saturday. The chief minister said former legislators who had served a single term as MLA will now receive a monthly pension of Rs 50,000. At present, they are getting Rs 22,000 as monthly pension. Former legislators who have served two terms or more as MLA will now get Rs 55,000 as pension from Rs 25,000, Tamang said. The CM also announced that the Sikkim government will provide an annual grant-in-aid of Rs 20 lakh to the Former Legislators Federation of Sikkim. This fund is meant to meet the emergency and medical needs of former legislators and to enhance their support system, he said.

Sikkim landslides: Cong flays govt over hydel projs set up without thought

In the wake of landslides in Sikkim, the Congress on Wednesday hit out at the government and said hydel projects in ecologically fragile regions have been coming up over the past few years without giving adequate thought to their cumulative environmental impact. The opposition party also asserted that dams on the Teesta river are the prime example of how ecology is being fundamentally altered with grave consequences for this and future generations. A massive landslide struck east Sikkim on Tuesday, damaging parts of a 510-mw hydroelectric project on the Teesta river. The landslide happened at Dipu Dara near Singtam in Gangtok district around 7.30 am, causing significant damage to the powerhouse of the Teesta Stage V hydroelectric project of the NHPC. In a statement, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said a series of landslide disasters in Sikkim has substantially damaged the Teesta V, a 510 MW hydel power station on the Teesta. This disaster comes o

Teesta Dam's power station destroyed after major landslide in Sikkim

The project was under restoration following the glacial outburst in October last year, which had caused significant damage

Massive landslide strikes Sikkim, hydroelectric project on Teesta damaged

A massive landslide struck East Sikkim on Tuesday, damaging parts of a 510-mw hydroelectric project on the Teesta river, officials said. The landslide happened at Dipu Dara near Singtam around 7 am, causing significant damage to the powerhouse of the Teesta Stage V hydroelectric project of the NHPC, they said. Around 17-18 houses were also damaged by the landslide, following which the affected families were moved to the NHPC quarters, they added.

Sikkim govt asks taxi drivers to add QR code as additional payment option

All taxi drivers in Sikkim have been directed to compulsorily provide QR codes as an additional payment option to the passengers by July 15, a senior official said on Wednesday. The decision was taken in view of several complaints from the public over providing accurate fares to drivers due to the non-availability change either with the driver or the passenger, resulting in arguments and traffic jams, he said. "All drivers are to compulsorily provide the QR code by July 15, 2024, (as an additional payment option) and affix one on the front windscreen of the vehicle facing the passenger and another at the rear seat of the vehicle," the Transport Commissioner-cum-Secretary Raj Yadav said in a circular. The mandatory display of the QR code on the front and rear side of the taxis was ordered to address this issue of haggling between the taxi drivers and commuters on payment issues, Yadav said, adding that a meeting was held recently with the stakeholders/local taxi associations, where i

DM orders closure of schools in Sikkim's Mangan due to safety concerns

The Mangan district administration on Tuesday ordered the closure of all government schools in the district with immediate effect due to safety concerns of students in view of damage to property and road blockages. An ordered issued by District Magistrate Hem Kumar Chettri said government schools in Manul, Singhik, Mangan and Mangshilla clusters of Mangan block and Lingdong, Hee Gyathang, Passingdong, Lingzya, Tingvong and Gor clusters of Dzongu block will remain closed till further orders. The order stated that the district magistrate deemed it unsafe for the students to attend schools in view of the damage to property and road blockages in different areas of Mangan district due to continuous and heavy rainfall that occurred on the intervening night of June 12-13. The heads and staff of schools shall remain in the station, the order said, adding the decision shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain valid till further orders. Incessant rains since June 12 wreake

Sikkim landslide: Evacuation of stranded tourists begins from Lachun

The much-delayed evacuation of stranded tourists began by road from Toong in Sikkim's Mangan district on Monday noon, officials said. So far, a total of nine tourists have been evacuated, they said. The evacuation process is being led by the Mangan District Magistrate Hem Kumar Chettri and officials from Tourism and Civil Aviation and Forest Departments, besides the Travel Agent Association of Sikkim (TAAS). Despite incessant rains and multiple slides to cross over, the team is handling the evacuation with safety, care and caution, in batches, they said. Around 1200 tourists, including some foreigners, are stranded in Lachung town for the past one week as the road and communication networks have been crippled by torrential rains and landslides in several areas of Mangan district disrupting connectivity with the rest of the country. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is carrying out the restoration of the road network to facilitate vehicular traffic to and from Mangan district at

Light-to-moderate rainfall likely in east, north-east region in a few hours

The met body has also said that occasional intense spells of rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds are "very likely" in the region.