Army launches world’s second highest cycling expedition
May 30,2009
Kolkata (PTI) Troops of 33 Corps on Friday embarked on the second highest cycling expedition in the world across Sikkim.
The cycling team from 66 Armoured Regiment comprising two officers, two JCOs and 15 other ranks were flagged off from Sukna by Maj. Gen M S Sidhu, chief of staff of 33 Corps.
“Their aim is to explore by cycle the tough terrain of North Sikkim, inculcate a spirit of adventure and exploration, explore the flora and fauna of Lachung valley and Lachen valley and finally develop self-confidence and team spirit,” Col. Sandeep Singh, commanding officer of 66 Armoured Regiment said in a release.
The expedition will scale the Dorjila mountain peak in North Sikkim located at a height of 5,625 metres by cycle. The highest cycling expedition, incidentally, has been across Marsimik La pass in Ladakh which is at a height of 5,679 metres.
The distance covered will be 440 km.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
NEW APPOINTMENTS OF MINISTERS IN INDIAN CABINET
The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, appointed the following as members of the Council of Ministers:-
CABINET MINISTERS
1. Shri Virbhadra Singh
2. Dr. Farooq Abdullah
3. Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh
4. Shri Dayanidhi Maran
5. Shri A. Raja
6. Shri Mallikarjun Kharge
7. Kumari Selja
8. Shri Subodh Kant Sahay
9. Dr. M.S. Gill
10. Shri G.K. Vasan
11. Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal
12. Shri Mukul Wasnik
13. Shri Kantilal Bhuria
14. Shri M.K. Alagiri
MINISTERS OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
1. Shri Praful Patel
2. Shri Prithviraj Chauhan
3. Shri Sriprakash Jaiswal
4. Shri Salman Khursheed
5. Shri Dinsha Patel
6. Shrimati Krishna Tirath
7. Shri Jairam Ramesh
MINISTERS OF STATE
1. Shri Srikant Jena
2. Shri E. Ahamed
3. Shri Mullappally Ramachandran
4. Shri V. Narayanasamy
5. Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia
6. Shrimati D. Purandeswari
7. Shri K.H. Muniyappa
8. Shri Ajay Maken
9. Shrimati Panabaka Lakshmi
10. Shri Namo Narain Meena
11. Shri M.M. Pallam Raju
12. Shri Saugata Ray
13. Shri S.S. Palanimanickam
14. Shri Jitin Prasad
15. Shri A. Sai Prathap
16. Shri Gurudas Kamat
17. Shri Harish Rawat
18. Professor K.V. Thomas
19. Shri Bharatsinh Solanki
20. Shri Mahadev Khandela
21. Shri Dinesh Trivedi
22. Shri Sisir Adhikari
23. Shri Sultan Ahmed
24. Shri Mukul Roy
25. Shri Mohan Jatua
26. Shri D. Napoleon
27. Dr. S. Jagathrakshakan
28. Shri S. Gandhiselvan
29. Smt. Preneet Kaur
30. Shri Tusharbhai Chaudhary
31. Shri Sachin Pilot
32. Shri Arun Yadav
33. Shri Prateek Prakashbapu Patil
34. Shri R.P.N. Singh
35. Shri Shashi Tharoor
36. Shri Vincent Pala
37. Shri Pradeep Jain
38. Ms. Agatha Sangma
The President administered the oaths of office and secrecy to the above members of the Council of Ministers at a ceremony held in the Rashtrapati Bhavan, today.
****
Rashtrapati Bhawan
New Delhi, May 28,2009/Jyaistha 7, 1931
AKT/HS/LV/CS
Thursday, May 28, 2009
EXODUS TO SIKKIM
Reduced tax holiday induces industrial exodus
By Ambika Sharma
Solan, May 27,2009.
With the income tax holiday being reduced to 30 per cent from the earlier 100 per cent (as per the 2003 central industrial package), the pharmaceutical sector in the state was the first to feel the pinch. Already faced with excise duty reduction of 25 per cent, pharmaceutical units have now started shifting their operations to states like Sikkim where more incentives were available.
A top executive of a leading pharmaceutical unit said, “With reduction in income tax holiday, doing business here has ceased to be a lucrative proposition. The sudden reduction in excise duty in non-incentive states from the earlier 16 per cent to 8 per cent in a span of just one year has brought the industry in Himachal almost on a par with other states. The remaining margin gets consumed in meeting freight charges for the transportation of raw material and finished products, leaving little in terms of profitability.”
While companies like Zydus, Cipla, Cadila, Alkem, Intas, Sun Pharma, Indchemie, etc. had already shifted production of a majority of their products to Sikkim, companies like Unichem, Torrent, Aristo, Alembic, Glenmark etc. have either bought land in Sikkim or construction of their plants was already at an advanced stage there.
RK Arora, chairman of the association of pharmaceutical entrepreneurs belonging to Himachal, Uttrakhand and Jammu and Kashmir, said, “The state government should urge the Centre to extend the income tax holiday for a period of 10 years, bringing it on a par with Sikkim.”
Officials of the industries department said it was a condition originally mentioned in the 2003 industrial package and they were endeavouring to get the package period increased to its original term of 10 years (up to 2013). Since Himachal was still at its nascent stage of industrialisation more was needed to uplift it economically. The issue would be taken up if investors made a suitable representation voicing their concern, they added.
By Ambika Sharma
Solan, May 27,2009.
With the income tax holiday being reduced to 30 per cent from the earlier 100 per cent (as per the 2003 central industrial package), the pharmaceutical sector in the state was the first to feel the pinch. Already faced with excise duty reduction of 25 per cent, pharmaceutical units have now started shifting their operations to states like Sikkim where more incentives were available.
A top executive of a leading pharmaceutical unit said, “With reduction in income tax holiday, doing business here has ceased to be a lucrative proposition. The sudden reduction in excise duty in non-incentive states from the earlier 16 per cent to 8 per cent in a span of just one year has brought the industry in Himachal almost on a par with other states. The remaining margin gets consumed in meeting freight charges for the transportation of raw material and finished products, leaving little in terms of profitability.”
While companies like Zydus, Cipla, Cadila, Alkem, Intas, Sun Pharma, Indchemie, etc. had already shifted production of a majority of their products to Sikkim, companies like Unichem, Torrent, Aristo, Alembic, Glenmark etc. have either bought land in Sikkim or construction of their plants was already at an advanced stage there.
RK Arora, chairman of the association of pharmaceutical entrepreneurs belonging to Himachal, Uttrakhand and Jammu and Kashmir, said, “The state government should urge the Centre to extend the income tax holiday for a period of 10 years, bringing it on a par with Sikkim.”
Officials of the industries department said it was a condition originally mentioned in the 2003 industrial package and they were endeavouring to get the package period increased to its original term of 10 years (up to 2013). Since Himachal was still at its nascent stage of industrialisation more was needed to uplift it economically. The issue would be taken up if investors made a suitable representation voicing their concern, they added.
FM FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE
Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee addressed his first press conference here today, after joining office on 25th May, 2009. Following is the text of his opening remarks at the press conference:
“According to our manifesto, the new Government is required to present the Union Budget within 45 days of coming to power. We will adhere to this schedule and propose to present the Budget in the first week of July. The regular budget 2009-10 exercises are underway in full swing. Reviving the growth momentum of our economy which has been affected by the global financial crisis is the top most priority of this Government. The fiscal prudence has to be kept in mind while taking steps for reviving the economy. As you all know, a major consequence of the global financial crisis has been the loss of confidence among industry and business. Various coordinated steps taken by the government and the RBI have stabilised the economy in a short period of time. The economic system was keenly looking forward to a stable and effective government to steer it out of the current situation. The mandate of the people has provided that booster dose and led to a widespread “feel good” sentiment. I am aware that we need to rapidly build on that with concrete steps which we shall do. We are assessing the impact of three doses of economic stimulus we announced in December, in January and in the Interim Budget.
Sustained stimulus to growth can be harnessed by the next round of economic reforms. We have a broad plan of action in mind. I will get additional inputs when I have my pre-budget consultations with different stakeholders. All this will be distilled into a concrete short-term and medium-term vision and strategy for India’s economic growth. Industry and business have been hurt by the cost of finance and its easy availability. While much has been done in the last 8 months and international capital flows have resumed, the cost and the speed with which finance can be accessed remains a matter of concern.
One of the first steps I propose to take is to meet bankers and get them committed to a more benign plan of action. The government has the opportunity to present its vision and approach for the next five years in the forthcoming budget. Broadly, the election results have vindicated the strategy of “inclusive growth”. I have no hesitation in saying that alongwith reviving the momentum of growth and employment creation, our government will strengthen the various “inclusive” elements in the coming budget. The Government will have to focus on implementing and strengthening its infrastructure investments. These concerns will be addressed with a view to impart further momentum for an early return to the high growth path of recent years. The pipeline of infrastructure projects will be re-appraised and made more robust. Where necessary, policy and procedures will be calibrated to give a boost to infrastructure spending. Prophets of doom have been unduly focusing on increased public spending and consequent increase in the revenue and fiscal deficits in the recent past. We are hopeful that an early return to our recent growth performance will help us come back to our preferred path of fiscal prudence. Let me say unambiguously that we are committed to restoring growth and employment and that would not have been possible without increased spending funded by incremental borrowing. This would need to be further continued in 2009-10-the current year. However, we are equally committed to the process of fiscal consolidation over a period of say 2 to 3 years. We need to seize the opportunity presented by the current circumstances for pushing long pending reform measures. These include measures in the area of financial sector and real economy, to make the economy more competitive and the economic regulatory and oversight system more efficient, quick and responsive to global developments. As you know, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act Amendment was passed by Parliament recently. We propose to bring this into force to make India’s Anti- money Laundering regime stronger.”
“According to our manifesto, the new Government is required to present the Union Budget within 45 days of coming to power. We will adhere to this schedule and propose to present the Budget in the first week of July. The regular budget 2009-10 exercises are underway in full swing. Reviving the growth momentum of our economy which has been affected by the global financial crisis is the top most priority of this Government. The fiscal prudence has to be kept in mind while taking steps for reviving the economy. As you all know, a major consequence of the global financial crisis has been the loss of confidence among industry and business. Various coordinated steps taken by the government and the RBI have stabilised the economy in a short period of time. The economic system was keenly looking forward to a stable and effective government to steer it out of the current situation. The mandate of the people has provided that booster dose and led to a widespread “feel good” sentiment. I am aware that we need to rapidly build on that with concrete steps which we shall do. We are assessing the impact of three doses of economic stimulus we announced in December, in January and in the Interim Budget.
Sustained stimulus to growth can be harnessed by the next round of economic reforms. We have a broad plan of action in mind. I will get additional inputs when I have my pre-budget consultations with different stakeholders. All this will be distilled into a concrete short-term and medium-term vision and strategy for India’s economic growth. Industry and business have been hurt by the cost of finance and its easy availability. While much has been done in the last 8 months and international capital flows have resumed, the cost and the speed with which finance can be accessed remains a matter of concern.
One of the first steps I propose to take is to meet bankers and get them committed to a more benign plan of action. The government has the opportunity to present its vision and approach for the next five years in the forthcoming budget. Broadly, the election results have vindicated the strategy of “inclusive growth”. I have no hesitation in saying that alongwith reviving the momentum of growth and employment creation, our government will strengthen the various “inclusive” elements in the coming budget. The Government will have to focus on implementing and strengthening its infrastructure investments. These concerns will be addressed with a view to impart further momentum for an early return to the high growth path of recent years. The pipeline of infrastructure projects will be re-appraised and made more robust. Where necessary, policy and procedures will be calibrated to give a boost to infrastructure spending. Prophets of doom have been unduly focusing on increased public spending and consequent increase in the revenue and fiscal deficits in the recent past. We are hopeful that an early return to our recent growth performance will help us come back to our preferred path of fiscal prudence. Let me say unambiguously that we are committed to restoring growth and employment and that would not have been possible without increased spending funded by incremental borrowing. This would need to be further continued in 2009-10-the current year. However, we are equally committed to the process of fiscal consolidation over a period of say 2 to 3 years. We need to seize the opportunity presented by the current circumstances for pushing long pending reform measures. These include measures in the area of financial sector and real economy, to make the economy more competitive and the economic regulatory and oversight system more efficient, quick and responsive to global developments. As you know, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act Amendment was passed by Parliament recently. We propose to bring this into force to make India’s Anti- money Laundering regime stronger.”
Sunday, May 24, 2009
CONGRATULATIONS PRANAB AS INDIA'S FINANCE MINISTER
New Delhi Veteran politician Pranab Mukherjee, hailed as one of the five best Finance Ministers in the world in 1984, will re-enter the North Block as Finance Minister of the new Congress-led UPA government.
Often described as a man for all seasons and seen by his party as a trusted trouble shooter, Mukherjee's first task would be to present the budget for 2009-10 and continue the measures to boost the economy reeling under the impact of global financial crisis.
As author of the interim budget for the current fiscal, it would be easier for him to prepare the full budget for the fiscal and ensure continuity in the economic policies and programmes.
The government is required to get the budget passed by Parliament by July 31 as the vote-on-account (which allows government to withdraw money from Consolidated Fund) sought in the interim budget comes to end on July 31.
Mukherjee is a veritable encyclopaedia on Congress movement and has been a minister in all the party governments since the mid-1970s, save the Rajiv Gandhi government between 1984 and 1989.
The eternal 'number two', Mukherjee was a trusted lieutenant of late Indira Gandhi under whom he was the powerful Minister of State for Revenue during the emergency and later became a full-fledged Finance Minister between 1982 and 1984.
Mukherjee, who after a gap of 25 years became the Finance Minister in the previous UPA government, had little opportunity to excel. It was an additional charge for the External Affairs Minister after the then Finance Minister P Chidambaram was shifted to Home Ministry.
The only significant thing he did as the Finance Minister was to present an interim budget for the outgoing government. As Finance Minister in the 80s, he was the boss of the present Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was then the Governor of Reserve Bank of India. Although many thought he would become Prime Minister in 2004, Congress president Sonia Gandhi nominated Manmohan Singh for the responsibility.
Again the top constitutional post is said to have eluded him during the Presidential election in 2007 when Left parties reportedly favoured him but the Congress chose Pratibha Patil.
The 73-year-old leader from West Bengal, who took to politics under the tutelage of late Ajoy Mukherjee of the Bangla Congress, had briefly gone out of the Congress in the mid-1980s in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi's assassination.
After his reported brush with Rajiv Gandhi, who took over from his mother in 1984, Mukherjee made an exit from Congress and started his own party – Rashtriya Samajwadi Congress – only to merge it with the parent party again in the last years of the former Prime Minister.
From an obscure village in West Bengal's Birbhum district, Mukherjee has risen to become the number two in the corridors of power in Delhi shaping government policies and programmes.
He played an important role in Congress allying with the Trinamool Congress to inflict a humiliating defeat on the CPI(M)-led Left Front in West Bengal.
Mukherjee, who mostly made it to the upper house since 1969 when he first became a Rajya Sabha member, was elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time from Jangipur constituency in Murshidabad district in 2004. He repeated the feat in this elections widening the victory margin to over 1.26 lakhs, from 34,360 in 2004.
He became the Deputy Minister of Industrial Development at the Centre for the first time in 1973 and went on to serve as Minister of State and Cabinet Minister.
Mukherjee was rated as one of the best finance ministers of the world in 1984 and was adjudged the best parliamentarian in 1997.
As Union Commerce Minister, Mukherjee contributed significantly to the negotiations leading to the establishment of the World Trade Organisation. For some time, during the 1990s he had held the dual charge of External Affairs Minister and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission.
During the previous stint of the UPA government, as External Affairs Minister Mukherjee played a crucial role in negotiating the nuclear deal with the US and improving India's ties with it, besides mobilising world opinion against Pakistan after the terrorist strike in Mumbai.
He also functioned as the leader of the 14th Lok Sabha. Apart from his assignments in the government, he played a significant role in the Congress as a member of CWC, the highest policy-making body of the party, as treasurer, general secretary, member of central election committee and the central parliamentary board of the party.
He was appointed president of West Bengal Pradesh Congress in 1985, 2000 and again last year when the PCC chief fell ill.
Widely travelled, he led several delegations to important conferences abroad and in the UN General Assembly. Educated at Vidyasagar College, he began his career as a teacher and a journalist and was associated with publications like Desher Dak (Call of Motherland).
Mukherjee has authored several books including Midterm Poll, Beyond Survival, Emerging dimensions of Indian Economy, Off the Track, Saga of Struggle and Sacrifice and Challenge before the Nation.
He was a trustee of Bangiya Sahitya Parishad and president of Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelan. He also served as the chairman of the Planning Board of the Asiatic Society, from 1984-1986 and during 1992-96.
Often described as a man for all seasons and seen by his party as a trusted trouble shooter, Mukherjee's first task would be to present the budget for 2009-10 and continue the measures to boost the economy reeling under the impact of global financial crisis.
As author of the interim budget for the current fiscal, it would be easier for him to prepare the full budget for the fiscal and ensure continuity in the economic policies and programmes.
The government is required to get the budget passed by Parliament by July 31 as the vote-on-account (which allows government to withdraw money from Consolidated Fund) sought in the interim budget comes to end on July 31.
Mukherjee is a veritable encyclopaedia on Congress movement and has been a minister in all the party governments since the mid-1970s, save the Rajiv Gandhi government between 1984 and 1989.
The eternal 'number two', Mukherjee was a trusted lieutenant of late Indira Gandhi under whom he was the powerful Minister of State for Revenue during the emergency and later became a full-fledged Finance Minister between 1982 and 1984.
Mukherjee, who after a gap of 25 years became the Finance Minister in the previous UPA government, had little opportunity to excel. It was an additional charge for the External Affairs Minister after the then Finance Minister P Chidambaram was shifted to Home Ministry.
The only significant thing he did as the Finance Minister was to present an interim budget for the outgoing government. As Finance Minister in the 80s, he was the boss of the present Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was then the Governor of Reserve Bank of India. Although many thought he would become Prime Minister in 2004, Congress president Sonia Gandhi nominated Manmohan Singh for the responsibility.
Again the top constitutional post is said to have eluded him during the Presidential election in 2007 when Left parties reportedly favoured him but the Congress chose Pratibha Patil.
The 73-year-old leader from West Bengal, who took to politics under the tutelage of late Ajoy Mukherjee of the Bangla Congress, had briefly gone out of the Congress in the mid-1980s in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi's assassination.
After his reported brush with Rajiv Gandhi, who took over from his mother in 1984, Mukherjee made an exit from Congress and started his own party – Rashtriya Samajwadi Congress – only to merge it with the parent party again in the last years of the former Prime Minister.
From an obscure village in West Bengal's Birbhum district, Mukherjee has risen to become the number two in the corridors of power in Delhi shaping government policies and programmes.
He played an important role in Congress allying with the Trinamool Congress to inflict a humiliating defeat on the CPI(M)-led Left Front in West Bengal.
Mukherjee, who mostly made it to the upper house since 1969 when he first became a Rajya Sabha member, was elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time from Jangipur constituency in Murshidabad district in 2004. He repeated the feat in this elections widening the victory margin to over 1.26 lakhs, from 34,360 in 2004.
He became the Deputy Minister of Industrial Development at the Centre for the first time in 1973 and went on to serve as Minister of State and Cabinet Minister.
Mukherjee was rated as one of the best finance ministers of the world in 1984 and was adjudged the best parliamentarian in 1997.
As Union Commerce Minister, Mukherjee contributed significantly to the negotiations leading to the establishment of the World Trade Organisation. For some time, during the 1990s he had held the dual charge of External Affairs Minister and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission.
During the previous stint of the UPA government, as External Affairs Minister Mukherjee played a crucial role in negotiating the nuclear deal with the US and improving India's ties with it, besides mobilising world opinion against Pakistan after the terrorist strike in Mumbai.
He also functioned as the leader of the 14th Lok Sabha. Apart from his assignments in the government, he played a significant role in the Congress as a member of CWC, the highest policy-making body of the party, as treasurer, general secretary, member of central election committee and the central parliamentary board of the party.
He was appointed president of West Bengal Pradesh Congress in 1985, 2000 and again last year when the PCC chief fell ill.
Widely travelled, he led several delegations to important conferences abroad and in the UN General Assembly. Educated at Vidyasagar College, he began his career as a teacher and a journalist and was associated with publications like Desher Dak (Call of Motherland).
Mukherjee has authored several books including Midterm Poll, Beyond Survival, Emerging dimensions of Indian Economy, Off the Track, Saga of Struggle and Sacrifice and Challenge before the Nation.
He was a trustee of Bangiya Sahitya Parishad and president of Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelan. He also served as the chairman of the Planning Board of the Asiatic Society, from 1984-1986 and during 1992-96.
CHAMLING AS CM FOR THE FOURTH TERM
Chamling takes oath as CM for fourth consecutive term
GANGTOK 21 May 2009
A heady mix of old hands, young and fresh faces and women members featured in the 12 member new cabinet headed by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling who was sworn for the record fourth consecutive term today.
Mr. Chamling was sworn into office for the fourth consecutive term this morning by Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh at the Ashirbad bhavan at the Raj Bhavan complex here in the capital.
The Governor administrated the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Chamling as the Chief Minister of Sikkim. The Governor then administrated the oath of office and secrecy to the other 11 cabinet ministers individually.
The new cabinet of Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) government was significant as none of the old cabinet members of the last term who were handed tickets and won were retained in Mr. Chamling’s new team.
The new cabinet has seen a total new team which included seven first timers. It follows the model of ‘five old and seven new faces, including two women’ of the Chief Minister but in a slightly different manner.
The difference is that barring the Chief Minister the rest of his 11 cabinet colleagues are either new or making a comeback after a rest.
“It is a hundred percent new cabinet”, said Mr. Chamling later in the evening during a press meet.
Mr. Chamling has retained home, finance, revenue and expenditure, Department of Personnel, Planning and economic reforms, North eastern council and other departments not specifically allocated to any other ministers.
Regarding his decision not to retain the power department which he had held in the previous term, the Chief Minister told SIKKIM EXPRESS that it was done so as he could not given proper time. “It was due to my busy schedule and I have handed the responsibility to a young minister (SG Lepcha). He is from North Sikkim and is well sensitized about the local issues”, he said.
Among the old hands Ran Bahadur Subba, the fourth term MLA who defeated Nar Bahadur Bhandari from Soreng-Chakung constituency in west Sikkim and was a MLA in the last term has been given a cabinet berth with the roads and bridges and labour department in his portfolio.
Thinley Tshering Bhutia also a fourth term SDF MLA from Kabi-Lungchok who was not in the cabinet last term but had previously served as minister has bounced back as the minister for water security and public health engineering and transport departments.
The Speaker of the last Assembly, DN Takarpa who is serving for the second term after winning from Rinchenpong constituency in west Sikkim this time has also been included in the cabinet. He has been handed health care, human security, family welfare, animal husbandry and law and parliamentary affairs departments.
DB Thapa, who was a cabinet minister in SDF’s first term but rested after that and given a ticket and won this time is the new urban development, food and civil supplies minister.
NK Pradhan who has won five consecutive terms but was never in the cabinet was finally rewarded for his perseverance. He has been given in-charge of human resource development, sports and youth affairs and information technology departments.
Next came the youth brigade.
Among these younger lot who were MLAs in the last two terms- Bhim Dhungel, Sonam Gyatso Lepcha and Dawcho Lepcha – have also been made cabinet ministers.
Mr. Dhungel has been handed with the tourism, forest and wildlife management and science and technology departments.
Dawcho Lepcha is the agriculture, food security, horticulture and cash crop and irrigation and flood control minister while Dzongu MLA Sonam Gyasto Lepcha has been handed the departments of energy and power, cultural affairs and heritage.
The rural development department and cooperation departments will be headed by CB Karki, another two term MLA.
Among the two women members who have been made ministers are Tilu Gurung and Neeru Sewa.
Mrs. Gurung has been made the buildings and housing minister and while Miss Sewa will look after commerce and industries, information and public relations, excise (Abkari), printing and stationeries departments.
At 32 years of age, Miss Sewa is the youngest in the Chamling cabinet.
In one of the first notifications of the new government, four newly elected MLAs were also accorded the rank of cabinet minister. They were BS Panth, Prem Singh Tamang, Chandra Maya Subba and LM Lepcha.
Mr. Panth was made the chairman of the Power Advisor Board while Mr. Tamang is the new chairman for Industries, Trade and Commerce Development Board. Similarly, Chandra Maya Subba is the new chairman of State Trading Corporation of Sikkim while LM Lepcha is the new chairman of State Bank of Sikkim and Sikkim State Cooperation Bank.
All the above four have been accorded the status of a cabinet minister.
Meanwhile as per a government notification, former rural development minister KN Rai has been made as the new political secretary to the Chief Minister. Former tourism minister Ram Bahadur Subba is now the legal advisor to the Chief Minister while former health minister Hissey Lachungpa is the political advisor. All three of them have been accorded the status of a cabinet minister.
Tumin Lingi MLA Ugen T Gyatso Bhutia was also appointed as the government chief whip and accorded the status of a cabinet minister.
Similarly, a Speaker Pro-tem will be appointed from the members of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly tomorrow. The Governor will be administrating the oath of office to the Speaker Pro-tem tomorrow at Raj Bhavan.
Mr. Chamling disclosed to SIKKIM EXPRESS on the sidelines of press briefing today evening that Menlom Lepcha will be sworn in as the Speaker Pro-tem tomorrow.
The first session of the Eighth Assembly will be held on May 22 where the Speaker Pro-tem will be administrating the oath to the newly elected MLAs. The MLAs then will elect their Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
Mr. Chamling informed that the Speaker to be elected is KT Gyalsten while the Deputy Speaker responsibility will be handed to MB Dahal.
Chief Minister Pawan Chamling
Home, Finance, Revenue and Expenditure, Development Planning, Economic Reforms and North East Council Affairs and other departments not specifically allotted to any other Minister.
Ran Bahadur Subba
Roads and Bridges, Labour
Thinlay Tshering Bhutia
Water Security and Public Health Engineering and Transport
Dawa Norbu Takarpa
Health Care, Human Service and Family Welfare, Animal Husbandry, Livestock, Fisheries and
Veterinary Services and Parliamentary Affairs
Narendra Kumar Pradhan
Human Resource Development, Sports and Youth Affairs and Information Technology
Dil Bahadur Thapa
Urban Development and Housing, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs
Sonam Gyatso Lepcha
Energy and Power, Cultural Affairs and Heritage
Chandra Bahadur Karki
Rural Management and Development, Cooperation
Dawcho Lepcha
Food Security and Agriculture Development and Horticulture & Cash Crops Development, Irrigation and Flood Control
Bhim Prasad Dungel
Tourism, Forest Environment and Wildlife Management, Mines, Minerals and Geology, Science and Technology
Tilu Gurung
Buildings and Housing
Neeru Sewa
Commerce and Industries, Information and Public Relations, Printing and Stationary, Excise (Abkari)
Chairman/Chairperson
BS Panth – Power Advisor Board (Cabinet rank)
PS Tamang – Industries, Trade and Commerce Development Board (Cabinet rank)
Chandra Maya Subba – State Trading Corporation of Sikkim (Cabinet rank)
LM Lepcha – State Bank of Sikkim and Sikkim State Cooperation Bank (Cabinet rank)
Am Prasad Sharma – Sikkim Distilleries
Tshering Wangdi Lepcha – SNT
Puran Gurung – Denzong Agriculture Cooperative Society
PL Subba – Agriculture/Horticulture board
Madan Cintury – Sikkim SC, ST and OBC Development Corporation
Tenzi Sherpa – Khadi and Village industries board
BB Rai – Sikkim Industrial Development and Investment Corporation
Sonam Gyasto Bhutia – Land Use and Environment Board
Phitook Tshering Bhutia – ST Welfare Board
Dorjee Namgyal Bhutia – Sikkim Consumer Cooperative Society
Advisors
Political Secretary to CM – KN Rai
Legal Advisor to CM – Ram Bahadur Subba
Political Advisor to CM – Hissey Lachungpa
GANGTOK 21 May 2009
A heady mix of old hands, young and fresh faces and women members featured in the 12 member new cabinet headed by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling who was sworn for the record fourth consecutive term today.
Mr. Chamling was sworn into office for the fourth consecutive term this morning by Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh at the Ashirbad bhavan at the Raj Bhavan complex here in the capital.
The Governor administrated the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Chamling as the Chief Minister of Sikkim. The Governor then administrated the oath of office and secrecy to the other 11 cabinet ministers individually.
The new cabinet of Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) government was significant as none of the old cabinet members of the last term who were handed tickets and won were retained in Mr. Chamling’s new team.
The new cabinet has seen a total new team which included seven first timers. It follows the model of ‘five old and seven new faces, including two women’ of the Chief Minister but in a slightly different manner.
The difference is that barring the Chief Minister the rest of his 11 cabinet colleagues are either new or making a comeback after a rest.
“It is a hundred percent new cabinet”, said Mr. Chamling later in the evening during a press meet.
Mr. Chamling has retained home, finance, revenue and expenditure, Department of Personnel, Planning and economic reforms, North eastern council and other departments not specifically allocated to any other ministers.
Regarding his decision not to retain the power department which he had held in the previous term, the Chief Minister told SIKKIM EXPRESS that it was done so as he could not given proper time. “It was due to my busy schedule and I have handed the responsibility to a young minister (SG Lepcha). He is from North Sikkim and is well sensitized about the local issues”, he said.
Among the old hands Ran Bahadur Subba, the fourth term MLA who defeated Nar Bahadur Bhandari from Soreng-Chakung constituency in west Sikkim and was a MLA in the last term has been given a cabinet berth with the roads and bridges and labour department in his portfolio.
Thinley Tshering Bhutia also a fourth term SDF MLA from Kabi-Lungchok who was not in the cabinet last term but had previously served as minister has bounced back as the minister for water security and public health engineering and transport departments.
The Speaker of the last Assembly, DN Takarpa who is serving for the second term after winning from Rinchenpong constituency in west Sikkim this time has also been included in the cabinet. He has been handed health care, human security, family welfare, animal husbandry and law and parliamentary affairs departments.
DB Thapa, who was a cabinet minister in SDF’s first term but rested after that and given a ticket and won this time is the new urban development, food and civil supplies minister.
NK Pradhan who has won five consecutive terms but was never in the cabinet was finally rewarded for his perseverance. He has been given in-charge of human resource development, sports and youth affairs and information technology departments.
Next came the youth brigade.
Among these younger lot who were MLAs in the last two terms- Bhim Dhungel, Sonam Gyatso Lepcha and Dawcho Lepcha – have also been made cabinet ministers.
Mr. Dhungel has been handed with the tourism, forest and wildlife management and science and technology departments.
Dawcho Lepcha is the agriculture, food security, horticulture and cash crop and irrigation and flood control minister while Dzongu MLA Sonam Gyasto Lepcha has been handed the departments of energy and power, cultural affairs and heritage.
The rural development department and cooperation departments will be headed by CB Karki, another two term MLA.
Among the two women members who have been made ministers are Tilu Gurung and Neeru Sewa.
Mrs. Gurung has been made the buildings and housing minister and while Miss Sewa will look after commerce and industries, information and public relations, excise (Abkari), printing and stationeries departments.
At 32 years of age, Miss Sewa is the youngest in the Chamling cabinet.
In one of the first notifications of the new government, four newly elected MLAs were also accorded the rank of cabinet minister. They were BS Panth, Prem Singh Tamang, Chandra Maya Subba and LM Lepcha.
Mr. Panth was made the chairman of the Power Advisor Board while Mr. Tamang is the new chairman for Industries, Trade and Commerce Development Board. Similarly, Chandra Maya Subba is the new chairman of State Trading Corporation of Sikkim while LM Lepcha is the new chairman of State Bank of Sikkim and Sikkim State Cooperation Bank.
All the above four have been accorded the status of a cabinet minister.
Meanwhile as per a government notification, former rural development minister KN Rai has been made as the new political secretary to the Chief Minister. Former tourism minister Ram Bahadur Subba is now the legal advisor to the Chief Minister while former health minister Hissey Lachungpa is the political advisor. All three of them have been accorded the status of a cabinet minister.
Tumin Lingi MLA Ugen T Gyatso Bhutia was also appointed as the government chief whip and accorded the status of a cabinet minister.
Similarly, a Speaker Pro-tem will be appointed from the members of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly tomorrow. The Governor will be administrating the oath of office to the Speaker Pro-tem tomorrow at Raj Bhavan.
Mr. Chamling disclosed to SIKKIM EXPRESS on the sidelines of press briefing today evening that Menlom Lepcha will be sworn in as the Speaker Pro-tem tomorrow.
The first session of the Eighth Assembly will be held on May 22 where the Speaker Pro-tem will be administrating the oath to the newly elected MLAs. The MLAs then will elect their Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
Mr. Chamling informed that the Speaker to be elected is KT Gyalsten while the Deputy Speaker responsibility will be handed to MB Dahal.
Chief Minister Pawan Chamling
Home, Finance, Revenue and Expenditure, Development Planning, Economic Reforms and North East Council Affairs and other departments not specifically allotted to any other Minister.
Ran Bahadur Subba
Roads and Bridges, Labour
Thinlay Tshering Bhutia
Water Security and Public Health Engineering and Transport
Dawa Norbu Takarpa
Health Care, Human Service and Family Welfare, Animal Husbandry, Livestock, Fisheries and
Veterinary Services and Parliamentary Affairs
Narendra Kumar Pradhan
Human Resource Development, Sports and Youth Affairs and Information Technology
Dil Bahadur Thapa
Urban Development and Housing, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs
Sonam Gyatso Lepcha
Energy and Power, Cultural Affairs and Heritage
Chandra Bahadur Karki
Rural Management and Development, Cooperation
Dawcho Lepcha
Food Security and Agriculture Development and Horticulture & Cash Crops Development, Irrigation and Flood Control
Bhim Prasad Dungel
Tourism, Forest Environment and Wildlife Management, Mines, Minerals and Geology, Science and Technology
Tilu Gurung
Buildings and Housing
Neeru Sewa
Commerce and Industries, Information and Public Relations, Printing and Stationary, Excise (Abkari)
Chairman/Chairperson
BS Panth – Power Advisor Board (Cabinet rank)
PS Tamang – Industries, Trade and Commerce Development Board (Cabinet rank)
Chandra Maya Subba – State Trading Corporation of Sikkim (Cabinet rank)
LM Lepcha – State Bank of Sikkim and Sikkim State Cooperation Bank (Cabinet rank)
Am Prasad Sharma – Sikkim Distilleries
Tshering Wangdi Lepcha – SNT
Puran Gurung – Denzong Agriculture Cooperative Society
PL Subba – Agriculture/Horticulture board
Madan Cintury – Sikkim SC, ST and OBC Development Corporation
Tenzi Sherpa – Khadi and Village industries board
BB Rai – Sikkim Industrial Development and Investment Corporation
Sonam Gyasto Bhutia – Land Use and Environment Board
Phitook Tshering Bhutia – ST Welfare Board
Dorjee Namgyal Bhutia – Sikkim Consumer Cooperative Society
Advisors
Political Secretary to CM – KN Rai
Legal Advisor to CM – Ram Bahadur Subba
Political Advisor to CM – Hissey Lachungpa
CHAMLING TO BRING TAX RELIEF FOR OLD SETTLERS
SIKKIM: Chamling to bring tax relief for old settlers
FROM THE TELEGRAPH
Gangtok, May 21: After returning to power for the fourth time, Pawan Chamling will now try to bring cheers to the old settlers in the state.
The chief minister said he would work for providing income tax exemption to the old settlers, comprising mostly the traders, who had been left out of the facility.
“We have started working towards this as the SDF had promised before the elections. We have already started the paper work,” Chamling said following the first cabinet meeting of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) government, a day after taking oath.
Last year, central income-tax relief was granted to those who have Sikkim Subject Certificates, an instrument of identification given by the Chogyals to the people. But the non-Sikkimese — about 30,000 people are in this segment and many of them have been around since the time of the king — were not included in the exemption.
S.K. Sarda, the president of the Sikkim Chamber of Commerce, has expressed his happiness over Chamling’s announcement. “This is a great news for us and we are grateful to the chief minister. The business community voted the SDF for an absolute mandate,” he said.
Among the other proposals passed by the cabinet was reservation for Bhutia-Lepchas in the panchayats, government services and in the higher education. Chamling said the Bhutias and the Lepchas comprised 20 per cent of the state’s population and the reservation would be implemented for them. Reservations for OBCs would be 21 per cent and for the Limboos and Tamangs would be 14 per cent in the same fields.
Chamling announced health insurance for all Sikkimese people and bank accounts for every housewife, as promised in the SDF manifesto. “The cabinet has also decided to open a grievance cell for each department,” he said.
The chief minister made a special reference to the verdict given by the voters of Dzongu, a Lepcha reserve and the hotbed of anti-hydel plant protests. “The protests in Dzongu now turns out to be sponsored by vested interests as the people there had voted for the SDF. The verdict is a referendum for the power projects,” he said.
FROM THE TELEGRAPH
Gangtok, May 21: After returning to power for the fourth time, Pawan Chamling will now try to bring cheers to the old settlers in the state.
The chief minister said he would work for providing income tax exemption to the old settlers, comprising mostly the traders, who had been left out of the facility.
“We have started working towards this as the SDF had promised before the elections. We have already started the paper work,” Chamling said following the first cabinet meeting of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) government, a day after taking oath.
Last year, central income-tax relief was granted to those who have Sikkim Subject Certificates, an instrument of identification given by the Chogyals to the people. But the non-Sikkimese — about 30,000 people are in this segment and many of them have been around since the time of the king — were not included in the exemption.
S.K. Sarda, the president of the Sikkim Chamber of Commerce, has expressed his happiness over Chamling’s announcement. “This is a great news for us and we are grateful to the chief minister. The business community voted the SDF for an absolute mandate,” he said.
Among the other proposals passed by the cabinet was reservation for Bhutia-Lepchas in the panchayats, government services and in the higher education. Chamling said the Bhutias and the Lepchas comprised 20 per cent of the state’s population and the reservation would be implemented for them. Reservations for OBCs would be 21 per cent and for the Limboos and Tamangs would be 14 per cent in the same fields.
Chamling announced health insurance for all Sikkimese people and bank accounts for every housewife, as promised in the SDF manifesto. “The cabinet has also decided to open a grievance cell for each department,” he said.
The chief minister made a special reference to the verdict given by the voters of Dzongu, a Lepcha reserve and the hotbed of anti-hydel plant protests. “The protests in Dzongu now turns out to be sponsored by vested interests as the people there had voted for the SDF. The verdict is a referendum for the power projects,” he said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)