Sikkim - The Purbottar

08 Aug

Sikkim legislative assembly approves 2024 udget Bills

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

On the third day of the 2024-25 Budget Session, the Sikkim Legislative Assembly (SLA) convened at the Secretariat to focus on critical financial matters. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, who also serves as the Finance Minister, spearheaded the session by presenting the Demands for Excess Grants/Appropriation for the fiscal years 2017-18 and 2018-19, along with introducing the Sikkim Appropriation Bills for 2024. The Assembly unanimously passed the Demands for Excess Grants/Appropriation for 2017-18 and the Sikkim Appropriation Bill, 2024 (Bill No. 19 of 2024). Similarly, the Demands for Excess Grants/Appropriation for 2018-19 and the Sikkim Appropriation Bill, 2024 (Bill No.…

07 Aug

Sikkim Assembly passes key bills on court fees, online gaming and tourist trade

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

On the second day of the Budget Session 2024-25, the Eleventh Sikkim Legislative Assembly passed three significant bills, reflecting crucial legislative changes. The bills approved were the Sikkim Court Fees and Stamps on Documents (Amendment) Bill, 2024; the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2024; and the Sikkim Registration of Tourist Trade Bill, 2024. The session commenced with tributes to three distinguished figures: late Sonam Gyatso Bhutia, former MLA of Barfung Constituency; late Pahalman Subba, former MP of Sikkim; and late Ram Chandra Poudyal, former Deputy Speaker of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly. Speaker Mingma Norbu Sherpa and Chief Minister Prem…

06 Aug

Gangtok event focuses on women’s empowerment and awareness

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Hub Empowerment for Women in Gangtok District hosted a comprehensive awareness session on 'Nasha Mukht Bharat,' 'Skill Development for Women,' and the 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' initiative at the DAC Hall in Gangtok. The event aimed to educate and empower women from across the district through informative discussions led by prominent speakers. Ms. Manikala Gurung, Senior Welfare Officer from the Women & Child Development Department, inaugurated the session with a warm welcome and an overview of the event's goals. Key speakers included Mr. Tushar Nikhare (IAS), District Collector of Gangtok, Mr. Suman Gurung, Assistant Project Officer from the Skills…

01 Aug

Permanent solution for landslide-prone NH-10 in Sikkim secured

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is taking decisive steps to address the frequent disruptions on National Highway No. 10 (NH-10) between Sevoke and Rangpo in Sikkim. Minister Nitin Gadkari highlighted these issues during a recent Rajya Sabha session, noting that the 52 km stretch of NH-10 faces regular blockages due to landslides and valley side subsidence, worsened by the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood in October 2023. In response, the Ministry has allocated Rs. 394 crore for four landslide mitigation projects spanning 19 locations within the 2023-24 financial year, and Rs. 125 crore for two additional projects covering…

31 Jul

Om Prakash Mathur sworn in as new Governor of Sikkim

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

In a ceremony at the Raj Bhavan, Om Prakash Mathur was sworn in as the new Governor of Sikkim. The oath of office was administered by Chief Justice of the High Court of Sikkim, Bishwanath Somadder. The event was graced by the presence of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, cabinet ministers, MLAs, and senior bureaucrats, marking a significant moment in the state's political landscape. Governor Mathur, succeeding Laxman Prasad Acharya, pledged to fulfill his duties with dedication and integrity, ensuring adherence to the Constitution and the laws of the land. Chief Minister Tamang welcomed Governor Mathur, expressing optimism about his…

27 Jul

Sikkim Minister updates Union Environment Minister on flash flood impact, invites him to visit

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Pintso Namgyal Lepcha, the newly appointed Minister for Forest and Environment of Sikkim, met with Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, at Indira Paryavaran Bhawan. Accompanied by Secretary Forest Shri Pradeep Kumar and other forest officials, the courtesy call aimed to discuss pressing environmental concerns. Minister Lepcha briefed Union Minister Yadav on the severe impact of recent flash floods in the Teesta basin, emphasizing the ongoing instability in the region and the substantial disruption to road connectivity in the Mangan district and its border areas. The flash floods have caused significant damage, affecting both the…

26 Jul

Sikkim’s cardamom industry gets fresh boost from key session

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

In a concerted effort to address the declining large cardamom cultivation in Sikkim, a pivotal brainstorming session was convened at Vigyan Bhawan. The meeting, chaired by Dr. Sandeep Tambe, IFS Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, gathered key stakeholders to develop a sustainable strategy for revitalizing this vital crop, which has seen incomes plummet due to viral and fungal diseases over the past few decades. The Department of Science and Technology presented groundbreaking research on producing virus-free planting material through indexing and tissue culture, along with evolutionary studies of five large cardamom cultivars to develop disease-tolerant varieties. The Spices Board…

26 Jul

Naga illage in North Sikkim under threat, residents urged to relocate

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Naga Village in North Sikkim is facing severe threats due to the devastating impacts of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods, landslides, and heavy rainfall. The District Administration has advised residents to exercise extreme caution and consider relocating to safer areas until the monsoon season passes or necessary repairs are completed. The village's infrastructure has suffered significant damage, with many houses affected and roads sinking, creating substantial challenges for the residents. While some villagers with alternative accommodations have already relocated, many others are struggling to find safe options. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and advising residents to heed safety precautions and…

22 Jul

Sikkim Chief Minister Golay unveils major benefits package for journalists

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) announced a series of benefits for journalists in Sikkim during the foundation day celebration of the Press Club of Sikkim (PCS). Highlighting the state's commitment to supporting the press, Chief Minister Golay revealed that the Information and Public Relations (IPR) Department will provide an annual grant to celebrate PCS Foundation Day. This celebration will feature prestigious awards, including the Kanchenjunga Kalam Puraskar, which carries a cash prize of Rs 1,01,000, and the Lagansheel Yuwa Patrakar award with a prize of Rs 51,000. In a significant step towards the welfare of journalists, Golay announced that…

22 Jul

Outrage in Gangtok as stray dog shot dead, activists demand justice

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

A white stray dog, aged between 3-4 years, was shot and killed by an unknown assailant on Kazi Road, Gangtok, on July 19. The incident has sparked outrage among animal rights activists and the local community. The grim discovery was made by a local resident who informed People For Animals (PFA), Sikkim, an NGO chaired by Ms. Maneka Gandhi. Upon investigation, PFA members found that locals were unwilling to speak about the incident. Initial information shared in community groups suggested that the dog had been buried nearby. An anonymous source later revealed that the dog had been shot, prompting further…