Page 9 - Sikkim

2,000 tourists stranded in Sikkim as rainfall leads to road blockage

Over 2,000 domestic and foreign tourists were stranded in North Sikkim due to a road blockade following incessant rainfall since Thursday, officials said. The road from North Sikkim district headquarters Mangan to Chungthang has been blocked at Pegong Supply Khola, disrupting vehicular traffic, the officials said. As a result, 1,975 domestic and 36 foreign tourists were stranded at hotels in Lachen and Lachung areas considered gateways to various places with scenic beauty. Of the foreign tourists, 23 are from Bangladesh, 10 from the US and three from Singapore. As many as 345 four-wheelers and 11 motorbikes were also stuck at various places in North Sikkim, the officials said. The road clearance works will begin once the rain stops, they added.

3,000 tourists stuck as flash floods hit Sikkim's Pegong, NH10 blocked

The flash flood has caused severe damage to infrastructure along the highway, making it unsafe for any kind of vehicular movement, officials said

Sikkim CM Tamang urges people to plant trees, not leave any land barren

On the occasion of World Environment Day, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang asked people to plant trees on barren land. Addressing a gathering after planting an 'Arucha' sapling on a government college campus on Monday, he said people should try to mitigate the impact of climate change and global warming by planting more trees and ensuring that no land remained barren in the state. Tamang urged people to make the state government's 'Mero Rukh Mero Santati' (My Tree, My Offspring) scheme successful by planting 100 saplings every time a baby is born. He had launched the scheme in February to strengthen the bond between nature and people. Sikkim, located in the Eastern Himalayas, has one of the highest forest cover in the country at over 47 per cent of the land mass.

Sikkim's financial condition improved since SKM came to power in 2019: CM

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, better known as P S Golay, on Wednesday claimed that the financial condition of the Himalayan state has improved since his party Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) came to power in 2019. Addressing a function to celebrate the four years of his government, Golay said revenue collection has increased by 57 per cent since 2019. He said efforts were underway to further boost revenue without burdening the citizens through the adoption of strategic measures with transparency. "We all need to work with the spirit of 'Team Sikkim' to take the state on the path of progress and prosperity," he said, while seeking blessings from people to work for the development of the state. The programme was held four days after the actual date when the SKM came to power in Sikkim as Golay was in Delhi. The CM said he has taken up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi issues such as the reservation of assembly seats for tribal communities like Limbu and Tamang and the dema

Sikkim brings back 128 rescued students from violence-hit Manipur

A total of 128 students of Sikkim were rescued from violence-hit Manipur, and were being brought back to the state on Sunday, officials said. The stranded students were first brought to Kolkata on flights arranged by the state government from Imphal. From Kolkata, they boarded buses for Siliguri in northern West Bengal. From Siliguri, they will be brought to state capital Gangtok by SNT buses. A doctor from Sikkim, who was posted in a far-off area in Manipur, was also safely brought back, officials said. Chief Secretary VB Pathak led the 'Operation Gurans' to bring back the students. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang was constantly monitoring the situation, and took stock of the safety and security of the students, officials said. Sikkim worked with the Manipur government for the safe passage of the students from their respective hostels to the airport, they said. Sikkim extended gratitude to Manipur for ensuring the safe return of the students.

Sikkim CM urges his Manipur counterpart to take care of Sikkimeses people

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Friday spoke to his Manipur counterpart N Biren Singh and urged him to take care of the Sikkimese students and citizens staying in the state. Singh assured Tamang that the Manipur government will provide all possible assistance to the Sikkimese students and citizens in Manipur, the Sikkim CM said in a social media post. "I urge all Sikkimese citizens in Manipur to remain calm and carry an identification card with them at all times," Tamang said, adding that the Sikkimese people should take care of their safety and well-being and remain indoors or in a safe location. Tamang said he was constantly monitoring the situation in Manipur and will do everything possible to ensure the safety of Sikkimese students and citizens and requested the parents, guardians and relatives not to panic. Tamang said that Rameshwar Singh, Manipur MLA and the PRO, Chief Minister's Office, RM Pradhan are coordinating and monitoring the situation. They can be contac

Avalanches: Causes, types, risks, tips to follow during snowy cascades

This year has already seen an unfortunate share of avalanches and now JKDMA has warn for more in coming days; here's what to know about avalanches and safety measures that can be taken if one is stuck

Sikkimese feel betrayed as Article 371F violated: SDF chief Chamling

SDF supremo Pawan Kumar Chamling claimed that the Sikkimese people feel betrayed as Article 371F, which guarantees special provisions for Sikkim, was violated. The former chief minister, in a telephonic interview with PTI, also alleged Sikkim had become a hotbed for political violence and sought President's rule to ensure a free and fair election in 2024. According to Article 371F, only the descendants of Sikkim subjects (those who lived in the state before its merger with India) whose names were mentioned in the 1961 register are Sikkimese with rights to own land, get state government jobs. They were also exempted from paying income tax. But now, the Financial Bill, 2023 redefines Sikkimese as any Indian citizen domiciled in Sikkim, extending to them the same benefits as that of the original inhabitants whose forefathers' names were in the 1961 register, Chamling said. This violates Article 371F, which was the basis for the merger of Sikkim with India in 1975. People of Sikkim fee

East Sikkim district 9th most vulnerable to landslides in India: Report

Sikkim's East District, which witnessed a massive avalanche that claimed several lives on Tuesday, ranks ninth in landslide density and risk exposure among all districts in the country. According to the Landslide Atlas of India, released by ISRO's Hyderabad-based National Remote Sensing Centre, Sikkim witnessed 1,561 landslides between 2011 and 2017, with most falling in the category of event-based landslides triggered by earthquakes or heavy rainfall. Sikkim's South District ranks eighth across the country in terms of landslide density and risk exposure. "Himalayas and Western Ghats are highly susceptible to mass movements due to hilly topography and heavy rainfall," the Landslide Atlas of India said. The findings emerged from the latest risk assessment done by scientists from NRSC, which published the list as part of the Landslide Atlas of India. The team released a list of 147 most landslide-vulnerable districts in 17 states and two Union Territories. The East District had been

LIVE: Donald Trump arrested at New York Court, to face historic charges

Catch all the latest updates from across the globe here

7 tourists killed, 23 rescued in massive avalanche in Sikkim's Nathula

Six tourists were killed and 11 others injured in a major avalanche in Sikkim's Nathula area on Tuesday, police officials said here. The injured are being brought to the state capital Gangtok's hospital. "Rescue and clearance operations are still on," a senior police official here said. Nathula Pass is situated on the border with China and is a major tourist destination because of its scenic beauty.

Sikkim avalanche: Shah says govt closely monitoring, NDRF reaching spot

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday condoled the death of tourists in an avalanche in Sikkim and said the central government is closely monitoring the situation. At least seven tourists were killed as a massive avalanche hit Sikkim's Nathu La area on Tuesday morning, burying their vehicles under the snow. "My sincerest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in the tragic avalanche in Sikkim. We are closely monitoring the situation and the teams of NDRF will reach the affected area soon. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured," Shah tweeted. The avalanche hit the arterial Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, which connects Gangtok to Nathu La at the China border around 11.30 am, trapping five-six vehicles with around 30 people under the snow, the Army said in a statement. Till 4 pm, seven bodies were brought out of the snow and 23 people were rescued alive, including six tourists from a deep valley, a state government official said, quoting reports from the

Aspirational population in Sikkim keen on innovation, digitisation: CM

Commerce and Industries MOS Som Prakash said there are more than 90,000 startups in India registered with DPIIT

Startup20 Engagement Group's second meeting on March 18-19 in Sikkim

The Finance Task Force of the Startup20 Engagement Group, which will meet this weekend in Sikkim, will aim to increase access to capital for startups by providing financing and investment platforms, according to an official statement. It further said the task force will also harmonise tax and legal regulations to encourage public investment in startup funding and interact with the foreign investor ecosystem of G20 nations. It will create pitching, capacity building and networking opportunities for startups with the global investor community through a best practices document on startup investments, the statement added. The second meeting of the Startup20 Engagement Group, newly formed under India's G20 Presidency, will take place in Gangtok, Sikkim on March 18 and 19, 2023. The Sikkim Sabha will forward the agenda finalised during the inception meeting held in Hyderabad on January 28-29, 2023, with the support of all attendee delegates. During the inception meeting, the objectives,

Army rescues over 1,000 stranded tourists in East Sikkim following snowfall

The Army has rescued more than 1,000 tourists, including women and children, who were stranded at Chhangu in the upper reaches of East Sikkim, following heavy snowfall, officals said. Severe snowfall in Natu La, Tsomgo (Chhangu) Lake and adjoining areas on Wednesday afternoon brought down the temperature to sub-zero levels and impacted the movement of travellers, they said. Due to the snow accumulation, driving became dangerous, resulting in over 1,000 tourists along with 200 vehicles getting stranded over a stretch of 15 km, they added. The Army personnel deployed in the area launched a rescue effort, and the tourists were shifted to safety following an over eight-hour operation, an official release said. "All the tourists were provided with accommodation, hot meals, warm clothing and critical medical support," it said.

Sikkim yet to utilise untapped hydropower potential, says CM Tamang

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Thursday said the Himalayan state till now has utilised only 27.5 per cent of its 8,000 MW power potential. He was speaking at the Business 20 (B20) conference organised as part of India's G20 presidency. " We have only utilised 2,200 MW till now and the scope for Hydropower, clean and green energy is ample in Sikkim, said the chief minister at the conference on Opportunities for multilateral business partnership in Tourism, Hospitality, pharmaceuticals, and organic farming. Urging the delegates to consider Sikkim as a good investment destination, Tamang said a total of 55 pharmaceutical companies from within the country are currently established in the state. Delegates from 24 countries will participate in the B20 conference being organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Tamang told a press conference on Wednesday. "Organic Tourism is what Sikkim can offer, we are the first organic state in the world and have been recogn

Ashwini Vaishnaw releases 'Go Green, Go Organic' cover for Sikkim

Taking to Twitter Vaishnaw said, "Special cover on 'Go Green, Go Organic' released for World's first organic state Sikkim

Sikkim CM extends Rs 20,000 annual aid to 14,000 non-working mothers

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Friday distributed cheques of Rs 20,000 each to 14,000 non-working mothers under the 'Aama Yojana'. The state government launched the scheme on August 15 last year for non-working mothers, and sanctioned Rs 100 crores for its implementation till 2023. The annual financial assistance is being extended so that women use the money to support the education of their children, invest in micro-income generating businesses, address immediate medical needs, renovate their houses or meet other unfulfilled obligations as they deem fit. The CM also gave away Rs 3 lakh each to 16 women for IVF treatment. Speaking on the occasion, Tamang said women were the foundation of the society and the amount was a token of love and respect for them. "Our government envisaged this scheme specifically for mothers because you know how to utilise and manage finances better. I am sure this annual financial assistance will go a long way in making your lives easier," he

Sebi imposes Rs 6 lakh penalty on MCX in data entry norms case

Capital markets regulator Sebi has imposed a penalty of Rs 6 lakh on Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) for flouting norms in a case pertaining to data entries of Sikkim-based clients. The matter relates to incorrect input of State code and City code as Sikkim by seven trading members of MCX in the UCC (Unique Client Code) database. In its order, Sebi found that MCX imposed a penalty of Rs 10,000 per client on these trading members for wrong entries in June 2022. "The instant case pertains to incorrect input of State code and City code as Sikkim which does not cover under Material Discrepancies. Hence as per the ToR Member & Core SGF Committee (MCSGFC) is the authority to formulate policies for regulatory actions," Sebi said in its 58-page order on Tuesday. It means MCX was required to take it to the committee which is empowered to frame policy without imposing a penalty under material discrepancy. In its order, Sebi noted that MCX has not complied with certain clauses Term of ...

Create a roadmap to upscale organic farming in Sikkim: FM Sitharaman

To boost tourism, the state can take the initiative to call some of the tourism aggregators who facilitate homestays, said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman