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Chief Minister Chamling to be honoured by Universal Peace Federation for emerging as champion of democratic rights for the people of Sikkim

Gangtok, July 3: The Universal Peace Federation, an International NGO dedicated to building world peace in which everyone can live in freedom, harmony, cooperation and prosperity has been felicitating

prominent world leaders who manifest the highest standard of excellence in leadership and good governance for the upliftment of the poorest of the poor in the society.
According to press communiqué from IPR, Dr. Pawan Chamling, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim has emerged as the champion of democratic rights for the down trodden people of the State of Sikkim and the custodian of effective and people centric administration for the last 15 years has manifested the real ethos of leadership and good governance.
In recognition of the above values, the International Headquarter of UPF has decided to present the “Leadership and Good Governance Award” with a coverted gold medal and citation. The Regional President of UPF-Asia, Dr. Chung Sik Young from South Korea has been specially deputed to present the Award.
The Award Ceremony is scheduled to take place on 6th July, 2009 at Chintan Bhawan as per program enclosed.
The function will be attended by Shri G.M.Gurung, Chairman of UPF-Sikkim and an opening remarks will be delivered by Amb. K.V. Rajan Executive Vice- Chairman, UPF-India.A brief introduction of UPF will be presented through video show in the function while, the speech on the Topic “The Need of Leadership and Good Governance in the 21st Century” will be delivered by Dr. EK Nath Dhakal,Member of Constitutional Assembly-Nepal
Dr. Chung Sik Young Regional President, UPF-Asia will presented his message. The felicitation and presentation of “Leadership and GoodGovernance Award” to Hon’ble Dr. Pawan Chamling, Chief Minister of Sikkim will be held followed by his address to the gatherings.

New Delhi, June 20, 2009-The Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Pawan Chamling met the Hon’ble Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shri Kamal Nath on June 19, 2009,as per a Press Release received from Additional Secretary to HCM. The Chief Minister highlighted the problems that Sikkim face as a landlocked State with only lifeline, the 31A National Highway connecting State with the rest of the Country. The Chief Minister expressed happiness that the problem faced by the state with regard to lack of transport and communication linkages in Sikkim is being discussed with all seriousness by the Central Government to provide permanent respite from this recurring problem. However, the Chief Minister drew the attention of the Union Minister about delay caused in the implementation of sanctioned works of double laning of 31A National Highway and demand for construction of an alternative Highway to Sikkim. The Chief Minister also discussed issues of forest clearance and shifting of civilian establishment along the Highway. The Union Minister directed the senior officials present to expedite the matter urgently to start ground work within the next 6 months as far as construction of an alternative Highway to Sikkim are concerned.

The Chief Minister extended an invitation to Shri Kamal Nath to visit Sikkim which the latter readily agreed and thanked the Chief Minister for the visit.

The Chief Minister also met the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Shri P.K. Bansal the same day. After the exchange of pleasantries, they discussed issues of development in the State. The Union Minister agreed that the Nathula trade list should be revised so that commercially viable items could be incorporated for the present day trade transaction. The Chief Minister apprised the Union Minister that the State Government has already approached the Central Government regarding the same. The Chief Minister invited the Union Minister to visit Sikkim which the latter agreed and thanked the Chief Minister for the visit.

Earlier on the day, the Chief Minister also met the Hon’ble Minister of State (IC) for Women and Child Development, Smt Krishna Tirath and gave a brief account of all the social welfare schemes with special reference to women empowerment in the State. The Chief Minister apprised about the range of incentives provided to ensure greater participatory role for the women including 30% reservation in job, 40 percent in the Panchayati Raj, scholarship programs like Prerna Yojana and small family schemes for school going girl child.

The Hon’ble Minister of State informed Shri Chamling that the Government of India is considering to enlarge the extent and scope of the existing Rashtriya Mahila Kosh by upgrading it into a Bank for financing women empowerment projects. The Chief Minister expressed happiness over such a step and requested the Minister to place Sikkim within the purview of this new policy. The Chief Minister also suggested the Minister of State to undertake certain specific schemes and projects which will provide larger opportunities and enhance the purchasing power of women. The Chief Minister extended an invitation to the Minister of State to visit Sikkim. The Hon’ble Minister of State accepted the invitation who have been to Sikkim already earlier as an MP and she also thanked the Chief Minister for the invitation.

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling calls on Central Ministers and places various demands of the State

New Delhi: Chief Minister Shri Pawan Chamling called on the Union Defence Minister in his South Block Office, New Delhi on June 18 afternoon. The Chief Minister congratulated the Union Minister on assuming the charge of Defence Ministry and emphasized on the strategic location of Sikkim as border State surrounded by three international borders. Talking about the remoteness of the State, the Chief Minister requested the Union Minister for all out support to the State. The Union Minister said that the Ministry is well aware of the connectivity constraint with only one single Highway connecting the State with the rest of the country. In the present scenario, the role and activities of the Border Roads Organization need to be further augmented and sensitized for speedy implementation of worked under their control. The Union Minister assured Shri Chamling of all support and assistance required by the State to maintain the development tempo underway in Sikkim. The Chief Minister invited the Union Minister to visit Sikkim which the latter agreed and thanked the Chief Minister for the visit.

The Chief Minister also called on the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Smt. Ambika Soni. After exchange of pleasantries, the Chief Minister shared that there is a general tendency to air only the negative aspects of life leaving a bad impression on the minds of viewers across the country. At the back drop, the Chief Minister opined that good things and positive things happening in the country should be highlighted. In the same manner, there are many good things accomplished in the State of Sikkim which should find prominent place in the national media and channels.

The Chief Minister informed the Union Minister about the inordinate delay in the inauguration of Dordarshan Kendra whose construction was fully completed six years back and requested the Union Minister for early inauguration and functioning of the Kendra in Sikkim. To this request of Chief Minister, the Union Minister assured Shri Chamling that she would personally look into the matter and pursue the case and personally inaugurate the Kendra in Gangtok very soon.

The Chief Minister also met the Union Minister for Mines and DoNER and discussed developmental issues of the North East region. Talking about various schemes, the Chief Minister informed the Union Minister about duplication of schemes at different levels. The Union Minister assured the Chief Minister that he would called meeting of the Chief Ministers of the NE States and discuss all such issues threadbare and arrive at a consensus. The Union Minister also assured the Chief Minister that Sikkim being the new Member of the NEC deserves special attention and the DoNER will give due attention and care to the requirement of Sikkim State. The Chief Minister invited the Union Minister to visit Sikkim which the latter agreed and thanked the Chief Minister for the visit.

The Chief Minister also met the Union Minister for Food Processing Industries and discussed issues of mutual interest. After exchange of pleasantries, the Chief Minister apprised the Union Minister about the local initiative to market local produce. To the request of Chief Minister, the Union Minister agreed to upgrade the Government Fruit Preservation Factory both in terms of technological inputs and augmenting product output. The Union Minister advised the Chief Minister on establishment of Food Testing Laboratory in Sikkim for which the Central Ministry will provide 100 % grant to the State Government. The Union Minister also advised the Chief Minister for preparing the DPR within two months.

The Union Minister has agreed to undertake mapping of the State for food processing potential and later call an Investors’ Meet in Sikkim to further promote food processing activities in the State. The Central Minister has agreed to provide 100 % funding for quality better processing mechanism and to increase the shelf life of ginger and cardamom produced in Sikkim and the Union Minister requested the Chief Minister to forward proposal for these activities to the Central Minister for sanction. The Chief Minister thanked the Union Minister and invited him to visit Sikkim. The Union Minister thanked the Chief Minister for the invitation.

New Delhi(Bishal Rai) Students from Sikkim, returned from Japan on June 18th 2009 as a part of India-Japan Students’ exchange programme. These three students (Binita Dahal, Dawa Lhamu Lepcha and Yojana Sharma) were selected, out of 30 nominations from Sikkim based on the strength of their educational performance in class X board exams.

The Japan East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS), is based in Okinawa and Tokyo.

The main objective of the program is to promote mutual understanding through youth exchange within the region, foster the establishment of good sentiments towards Japan among Asian countries.

Criteria to apply (for students): You must be aged between 15-17 years Understand and agree to the aims of the project .You should be enrolled in high school at the time of the application .Be capable of adjusting to stay with a local in Japan and have the ability to conduct daily conversation in English or Japanese .Preferred not to have joined a similar invitation program to Japan .Preference for non-vegetarian students (not compulsory)

Message of Chief Minister on Harit Kranti Dashank

As you know that my Government declared “Harit Kranti” year 1995-96 embarking 2002-2010 as Harit Kranti Dashak for Green Sikkim through people’s participation. It was followed by the announcement of a comprehensive State Policy on Forest, Environment and Land Use Management 2000 on the basic principle of conservation and sustainability. I also re-capitulate that Environment Education was made compulsory for all the schools in the state in the same year. Suitable directions were issued to all the Government Departments institutions to ensure that all the compounds and premises were kept green and pollution free. Similarly, our Government announced “Smriti Van” programme on the occasion of 5th June 2002 a people’s program spread over 166 Panchayats. The lopping of dhupi tree and collection of Nagbeli and mosses from forest was also banned in the same year. In order to reduce pressure on the forest and the landscape, all the agencies in the State were directed to switch over to alternate materials wood for construction purposes.

In March 2000, the policy for the protection and conservation of natural resource, environmental, biodiversity, glacier, lakes, wetland, wildlife, medicinal plants and our cultural heritage and tradition was invoked and passed. Some of these activities are targeted to enhance Green Coverage of the State through mass public participation and synergized social realization.
In the year 2006, we launched State Green Mission to integrate people with nature and its natural surrounding, The basic purpose and objective of the State Green Mission is not only confined to planting of seedling along the roadsides but also raising seedling and developing ornamental plants in vacant lands. The basic purpose and aims is to inculcate in the people the habit of planting, creating and maintaining greenery throughout their
lives. It is also aimed to establish and instill a sense of right ownership and responsibility for conveying the message of the State Green Mission by the residents, community individual not only through out their lives but through the upcoming generations.

It is hoped that the Mission is converted and transformed into our way of life, tradition, culture and religion of each and every citizen of Sikkim. On this 4th phase of State Green Mission we commemorate this occasion with whole hearted participation, responsibility and dedication towards transforming Sikkim into a wonderful Green State for our good health, sustainable economy and future prosperity. I am pleased to note that the progress of the last 3 years has indicated tremendous success survival of the seedlings planted along the road, ridges, vacant lands, institutional lands and courtyards. I have noticed that some of the 1st year and 2nd year plantations have started giving flowers, providing shades and fruits and other unaccountable dimension of intangible outputs.
I would also congratulate the area MLA, local panhayats, Government Departments and other who have contributed financially, physically and socially to carry out the State Green Mission exercise. As you know that the Green Mission is not confined to a fixed financial years or project period but should be continued relentlessly by you, your children and generations to come.

Let us join hands and reaffirm ourselves with complete zeal and fervour to make the Green Mission programme in Sikkim an exemplary legacy thereby gifting a better tomorrow to our State and to the world.
Sd/-
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim