SIKKIM OBSERVER Saturday Feb 28 – Mar 6, 2015            Blog:sikkimobserver.blogspot.com

    Sikkim’s Dr. SK Rai in a jovial mood during the recent meet of the Rai community in Siliguri.

Education scam: ED attaches Rs 110-crore assets of Sikkim-based university

‘EIILM involved in money laundering racket, fake degree’

Gangtok, Feb 27: Undertaking its biggest action in a suspected education scam, Enforcement Directorate (ED) recently attached assets worth Rs 110 crore of a Sikkim-based private university which is alleged to have duped numerous students by issuing fake degrees.

Using the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the agency has attached cash of Rs 25 crore lying in bank accounts while the rest of the seizure value pertains to land assets in states like Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Haryana belonging to the institute, which was identified as the Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management (EIILM), PTI reported. The university is located at Budang in West Sikkim.

Students of the university began a silent protest against the management and authorities in December last year but their efforts failed to yield any result.

EIILM was established under the State of Sikkim Legislature Act No.4 2006 and the university proclaims affiliation with the University Grant Commission UGC.

EIILM University students during a strike in December 2014 (Pix: The Voice of Sikkim)

It is reported that more than four Registrars and Vice Chancellors  were changed  in 2014 in a span of five months. “We have lodged a complaint at Soreng Police Station on missing Registrar and VCs, our life is going to ruin like this if exams like crucial thing is not taking place. We aren’t listening to lame excuses now, it’s our career as well as our parent’s concern equally related to such amalgamation occurring time and again in university”, students told reporters.

The ED's zonal office here had registered a money laundering case against the institute and its promoters on the basis of a Sikkim police FIR on EIILM, the foundation which runs it, and its owner, Vinay Rai.

"Assets worth Rs 110 crore in the name of the university and others have been attached under money laundering laws. The educational institute was duping students by offering degrees and certificates in violation of UGC rules. There were numerous complaints against the fraudulent practices of the university," an official said quoting the attachment order, Business Standard reported.

This is the first big action under money laundering laws in an alleged education scam case in the country.

Efforts made to contact the university did not yield any result as the phone numbers provided on its website turned out to be "invalid". There was also no reply to emails sent in this regard.

Sources said the ED probe found that the management and owners of the university were "laundering" funds obtained from students as curriculum and tuition fees in purchasing large tracts of land and creating bank balances across the country.

"The university and its owners were conducting tainted transactions by extending illegal loans and making purchases in a circuitous manner within the organisations floated by them. The university violated UGC rules and other laws by establishing centres outside Sikkim and floating courses and giving degrees which they were not allowed to give," they said.

Golay doing the rounds, giving hope to people

Gangtok, Feb 27: Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) President Prem Singh Golay has kept his promises. He is currently on a tour of west district, where he has interacted with people from all walks of life.

The former minister and Burtuk constituency MLA is assuring the people that he and his party will keep a constant tab on the ruling government to ensure there is no discrimination and that all get their due share for their economic development.

After being absent from the State for several months, Golay appeared here during the party’s third foundation anniversary on February 4.

Earlier, there were many who believed that the SKM chief had ditched and deserted them. His presence at the party functioned not only cheered them up the former minister said his main purpose of being away was to probe into assets illegally amassed by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and his colleagues. He claimed that he now has credible ‘evidence’ to back his party’s corruption charges against SKM leaders.

Sikkim’s Chewang Lama selected for Volkswagen Motorsport tourney

Gangtok, Feb 27: After a short stint of car racing training in New Delhi recently Sikkim’s Chewang Lama has been selected for this year’s Volkswagen Vento Cup by Volkswagen Motorsport India.

Of the 50 entries for the race Chewang Lama is among the top 12 who were chosen for the tournament. He is the only trainee chosen from east and northeast parts of the country.

The drivers were given points on the basis of their basic knowledge of racing, adaptability, eagerness to learn, fitness and not excluding the lap times. They also underwent basic

slalom and braking exercises, which were observed closely by the driver coach.

Unlike last years, this year's driver selection is being conducted via karting sessions to make the drivers learn from their mistakes before they drive the real race cars.

Son of Udai Lama and Rahna Rai of Gangtok and an alumnus of Tashi Namgyal Academy (TNA), Chewang arrived here recently after his selection.

He was recently under training at by Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Delhi, the only Formula1 track in India, under the guidance of Anmol Rampal, a pro-racer and test driver for Honda, Mahindra,  Mercedes, BMW etc.  

The BIC is an Indian motor racing circuit in Greater Noida near Delhi. The circuit is best known as the venue for the annual Formula One Indian Grand Prix, which was first hosted on 30 October, 2011.

EDITORIAL

NORTHEAST  PLATFORM

Creating An Alternative

Between the gun-wielding militants of the troubled-torn Northeast India and its corrupt governments, which basically cater to the needs of power-hungry politicians and status-conscious bureaucrats, the common man is forced to live in fear, isolation and depravity. Past central governments in India seem content to only maintain status quo in the volatile region. The Modi Government at the Centre, too, does not seem to be much interested in disturbing the ‘peace of the grave’ in the Northeast.

The façade of peace and development in the region will lead to greater political uncertainty which is harmful for the region and the nation’s security interest in the fragile frontier. There is, therefore, the need for right-thinking people in the region to gradually come together on a common platform and carve out a credible alternative treading the middle path. Between the demand for sovereignty and suppression by the powers-that-be there must be a way for the people to live with pride and dignity in their own homeland.

US govt celebrates Tibetan Losar for the first time

US Under Secretary of State Sarah Sewall (centre) during the Losar celebrations in Washington on Monday.

Washington, Feb 27: On February 23, 2015, the State Department hosted a reception to celebrate Losar, the Tibetan New Year, to an invited gathering of Tibetan Americans, diplomats, State Department officials and other dignitaries. The first day of Losar fell on February 19 this year.

“This is the first time that such an event has been organized by the State Department and it can be seen as a recognition of Tibetan American culture and its contribution to American society. We are pleased to see the US Government taking this initiative,” said Bhuchung Tsering, Vice President of the International Campaign for Tibet.

Under Secretary of State Sarah Sewall, who is also the U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, welcomed everyone and shared her experience of interacting with the Tibetan community during her trip to India and Nepal last year and being able to see the different aspects of Tibetan culture then. She put Losar in the context of a Tibetan American culture.

The former Special Envoy of H.H. the Dalai Lama, Lodi Gyari, explained the symbolism of Losar to the Tibetan people and also saw the reception as the U.S. Government implementing its policy “to assist in preserving the distinct religious, cultural and linguistic heritage of Tibetan people.”

President of Capital Area Tibetan Association, Rigdhen Dolma, said that this reception was another significant event in the lives of the Tibetan American community coming on the heels of the recent visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Washington, D.C. to participate in the National Prayer Breakfast.

The reception included performance of traditional and auspicious songs, offering of Chang (Tibetan beer), cookies and ceremonial offerings.

Centre for ST status for Assam adivasis

Guwahati, Feb 27: In what may change course of politics in Assam, the Ministry of Home Affairs is set to recommend tribal status for at least 26 communities of adivasis, like Munda, Oraon, Santhal and other tribals of Jaharkhand origin, mostly associated with the tea plantation industry of Assam.

Pointing out that 97 communities are listed as tea tribes in the State, authoritative security sources in the Home Ministry said that most of them are listed as Other Backward Class (OBC) at their respective place of origin so all in the list of tea tribes of Assam can’t be granted ST status, Deccan Chronicle reported.

Disclosing that cabinet memorandum has already been prepared to include 26 adivasis in the schedule list of Assam, authoritative security sources said that the ministry has also forwarded the report of a parliamentary committee in 2002 to the Tribal Affairs Ministry which proposed to include tribal groups — Tai Ahom, Moran, Motok, Koch-Rajbongshis, and Chutia with adivasis in the schedule list.

It is significant that 26 adivasi communities, which are going to be included in the schedule list of Assam, have Scheduled Tribe status in their respective place of origin. The adivasis, which is known as tea tribes in Assam, comprising present and past plantation workers, have an estimated population of more than 60 lakhs in Assam.

However, due to sizeable presence of OBC workers in the tea-tribe community, the adivasis of Jharkhand origin were deprived of getting the ST status which they have been accorded at their respective states of origin.

Clarifying that a parliamentary committee in 2002 had recommended the inclusion of these communities in the schedule list of Assam, security sources said that Home Ministry has already started the process.

Sikkim to hold Int’l Flower Fest this spring

Gangtok, Feb 27: Sikkim Government will organise the 4th International Horticulture and Flower Exhibition in April-May this year on a much larger scale, an official said. The Sikkim Government organises a National and International flower show-cum-exhibition on alternate years and with the national-level event hosted at Saramsa Garden last year, it is time for an international exhibition this spring, PTI reported

The State Government is expected to invite participants from more than 12 countries to the show and related events which seek to promote Sikkim’s natural wealth of horticulture produce, Cymbidium Orchids and other flowers, all of which are now grown organically here, the official said. The International Flower Festival will include a buyers and sellers meet, a symposium and deliberations on development of orchids and cut flowers, and organic farming and its future.

A national-level Horticulture Exhibition-cum-Sale will be hosted at the venue alongside the flower show. The State Government, it is informed, has already apprised the Union Ministry of Horticulture about its plans and sought coordination and support from the Ministry.

Relaxation in Restricted Area Permit for Northeast

Gangtok, Feb 27: The entire areas of the States of Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland have been excluded from the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime till 31.12.2015 for foreign tourists subject to certain conditions. Certain relaxations have also been allowed in PAP regime in Arunachal Pradesh.

The proposal is under consideration for simplifying the permit system for Green Lake Trekking in Sikkim.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to Dr. Chandan Mitra in the Rajya Sabha this week.

ENVIRONMENT Sikkim

Sikkim faces a Goa-like situation, warns National Board of Wildlife

The Environment Ministry has come up with a way to bypass the wildlife board by sticking to the Supreme Court orders technically but not in spirit.

In order to bypass the need for a mandatory clearance from the National Board of Wildlife (NBW) for a slew of dams being developed in Sikkim, the Environment Ministry  recently slashed the protective zone around the hill State’s national parks and sanctuaries from the existing 10 km to an insignificant 25-200 metres.

Under the orders of the Supreme Court, any project falling within 10 km of a national park and sanctuary has to be whetted by the standing committee of the NBW unless a different site-specific protection ring is declared for each of these national parks and sanctuaries.

The standing committee of the board had earlier submitted a report to the Ministry warning that several dams in the State were coming up without the mandatory clearance and Sikkim faced a Goa-like situation with rampant and illegal development of these dams likely to cause devastation just as unlawful mining had done in the coastal State.

Construction of the Teesta III project at Chungthang, North Sikkim on the edge of Khangchendzonga National Park proceeding without SC-NBWL clearances. Note the extensive forest cover and large landslides at the construction site. (pix: Tehelka)

The committee had said the proposed Teesta V, Teesta III, Dik Chu, Panan, Tashiding and Ting Ting hydroelectric projects were coming up without the clearance.

But the Ministry has now come up with a way to bypass the wildlife board by sticking to the apex court orders merely technically but not in spirit. The court order said the 10 km protective zone (technically called the Ecosensitive Zone under the Environment Protection Act, 19XX) would be enforced unless the Centre and the State government notified a different perimeter based on scientific assessment. These zones were mandated to ensure that the wildlife parks did not get affected by industrial and development activities that happened right on the edge of these rich wildlife areas.

But the Ministry has quietly put out draft notification to reduce these protective zones around five national parks and sanctuaries from the existing 10 km to a negligible 25-200 metres. These draft notifications for Pangolakha, Singba Rhododendron, Fambonglho, Kyongnosla Alpine wildlife sanctuaries and the Khangchendzonga National Park (in Sikkim), are yet to be publicised by the Ministry. (The Hindu)

MISCELLANY Nature & Culture

Protecting Sikkim’s environmental and cultural integrity

By NELLIE VINOGRAD

Sikkim, a landlocked state in northern India, is a hotspot for a variety of reasons. Bordered on three sides by China, Bhutan and Nepal, it is a melting pot of cultures and languages and one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.

However, this hotspot is also in a precarious situation. Outside cultural influences put the traditional tribal cultures of the Bhutia and Lepcha people at risk. Its beauty makes it an attractive tourist destination, while its biodiversity and agrarian economy make it sensitive to environmental change.

Last summer (2013), a group of Guilford College students led by Associate Professor of English Heather Hayton traveled to Sikkim and discovered for themselves the intrigue of the area. They hope to develop a relationship with Sikkim that will continue into the future.

“The people of Sikkim opened their homes and hearts to us, so we needed to find a way to reciprocate without just imposing our Western values or money upon them, or simply taking without giving back,” said Hayton in an email interview. “I wanted to find a project that we could share and show students how we can work alongside local folks.”

This project took shape in the form of aiding a few schools in the region. The group of eight students, including seniors Lindsay Vanderhoogt and Charlotte Cloyd, who plan to return this summer, found that many children did not have access to school supplies like books, notepads and pens. Last year, they supplied 150 pounds of books to four schools and now plan to continue the supply drive in years to come.

“The schools we visited know we have access to money, but we didn’t want it to just be us giving them money,” said Cloyd. “Instead, we want to work with them to develop a sustainable model.”

Another project that the group will begin this summer is selling artisanal items from the relatively remote village of Dzongu, Sikkim. The money earned from the sale of these items will be returned to the people of Dzongu to help them support their community.

“We didn’t want to force our ways on them,” said Vanderhoogt. “We wanted to support and help them.”

The idea of protecting Sikkim’s environmental and cultural integrity is present in the upcoming work of Tom Clement ’14, who will travel there this summer as a reporter for the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Clement will focus on environmental issues in the area, such as how the area’s rich biodiversity relates to farming practices.

“I will be taking great strides to understand the history of colonization in the area and try to not reinforce those themes in my work,” said Clement. “I want it to be a collaboration and mutual exchange of information, so I plan to go into it with an open mind.”

Hayton emphasized the importance of respectful and responsible tourism, especially as Sikkim continues to interact with neighboring countries and opens itself to the Western world. Although there are benefits to these connections, there are also issues that the people of Sikkim must overcome.

“The sacred rivers in Sikkim are being polluted and destroyed by hydro-damming projects,” said Hayton. “Without a real political voice, rampant political corruption in India and no access to Western PR or funding, Lepcha and Bhutia leaders have resorted to hunger strikes to try to get attention for their environmental and religious issues. But that’s not a sustainable answer.

“So, I have real and deep concerns for the people and land I have come to love.” (The Guilfordian)

PEOPLE&PLACES Avinash Mohananey

Sikkim Police committed to its ‘Protect & Serve’ motto: DGP Avinash Mohananey

Avinash Mohananey, who recently took over as new Director General of Sikkim Police,  

wants all citizens to join the police force in making it a “responsible guardian of citizen's interests”.

In an appeal to the public in the police department’s website (sikkimpolice.nic.in), Mohananey, who was with the Intelligence Bureau (IB) for over two decades, says, “I call upon all the visitors to the site to derive greatest value from the service on offer through our website and spare time to extend constructive feedback for upgrading and adding value to our people friendly initiatives.

Together we will be able to pool our individual commitments to the society and create a culture within the organization which is satisfying to us and at the same time fulfill ….the organizational goals.

I call upon you to join the efforts to elevate the underlying theme of 'Protect & Serve' to acquire a new meaning and value in the context of a rapidly transforming Sikkimese society.”

A 1985-batch IPS officer from Sikkim, Mohananey took over as head of the Sikkim police in January this year after he was relieved from the Intelligence Bureau.

The post had been lying vacant after Jasbir Singh retired as Director General of Sikkim Police in October last year. Mohananey, born in Rajasthan on 19 August 1957 was inducted into IPS under Sikkim Cadre on 26 August 1985 and has been on central deputation since June 1991.

58-year-old Mohananey had an expertise on crucial desks in the central agency which included Kashmir and Pakistan. He was also posted in Pakistan from late 1990s to early 2000 before being sent to look after the Kashmir desk.

During his stint in the Intelligence Bureau, Mohananey had worked out a plan to choke funds received by separatists groups besides being part of the crack team constituted to solve the conspiracy behind the 2001 Parliament attack case.

An outspoken officer, Mohananey was able to bust a huge hawala racket in which some senior separatist leaders from Jammu and Kashmir were also involved.

He will be now leading the 7000-strong force till his retirement in August 2017.

                               Since1986

                 Sikkim OBSERVER

                                  The VOICE OF SIKKIM