Cabinet May Approve 7th Pay Commission this Wednesday

10:19 PM

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National

27th June 2016 Cabinet May Approve 7th Pay Commission this Wednesday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday directed the Finance Ministry to implement the 7th Pay Commission recommendations, results of which could be termed as a huge bonanza for lakhs of government employees.

A Committee of Secretaries headed by Cabinet Secretary P.K. Sinha has submitted its report on the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission which may be accepted, a financial ministry official said. Based on the panel’s report, the Finance Ministry is preparing a Cabinet note and the issue may come up for approval by the Cabinet as early as June 29.

“Committee of Secretaries (CoS) has finalised its report on Pay Commission recommendations... We will soon (file) draft Cabinet note based on the report,” Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa said here on Monday.

7th Pay Commission

The Budget document has stated that "the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission due from January 1, 2016 is to be implemented during fiscal year 2016-17 as also the revised One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme for Defence services"

The Pay Commission had recommended 23.55 per cent overall hike in salaries, allowances and pension involving an additional burden of Rs 1.02 lakh crore or nearly 0.7 per cent of the GDP.

The panel recommended a 14.27 per cent increase in basic pay, the lowest in 70 years. The previous 6th Pay Commission had recommended a 20 per cent hike which the government doubled while implementing it in 2008.

The 23.55 per cent increase includes hike in allowances.

The entry level pay has been recommended to be raised to Rs 18,000 per month from current Rs 7,000 while the maximum pay, drawn by the Cabinet Secretary, has been fixed at Rs 2.5 lakh per month from current Rs 90,000.

Sources said the secretaries’ panel may have recommended higher pay increase, with minimum entry level pay at Rs 23,500 a month and maximum salary of Rs 3.25 lakh.

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Terrorists ambush CRPF bus kills 8 jawans, 22 injured in Jammu and Kashmir's Pampore

10:14 PM

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terrorism news

25th June 2016 Jammu and Kashmir Lashkar terrorists ambush 161 battalion of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) bus and kills 8 jawans, 22 others reported injured in Jammu and Kashmir's Pampore 5 km from state capital Srinagar on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. The terrorists rained bullets on a bus bus carrying more than 40 jawans which was returning after a firing exercise to Srinagar The attack appeared to be a Fidayeen (suicide attackers) attack carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Despite intelligence inputs about a possible attack in the area and security forces on high alert on Saturday the terrorists were able to carry out the ambush. Hence questions are being raised over whether there were some lapses on part of the forces. The terrorists appeared to have carefully chosen the spot for the ambush as every vehicle has to slow down at the spot because of a sharp curve on the road.

Later, Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba claimed responsibility for Pampore terror attack, carried out by at least two terrorists, who were carrying AK-47s and hand grenades. According to some accounts two more militants were involved in the attack but there was no official confirmation.

Terrorists Lashkar-e-Taiba ambush CRPF bus kills 8 jawans, 22 injured in Jammu and Kashmir's Pampore

Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police K Rajendra, who visited the spot, said the two terrorists had been neutralized but "unfortunately we have suffered some causalities too". when asked whether the slain terrorists were from across the border, Rajendra said, "In all probability they seem to be from Pakistan."

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikkar said "I think the standard operating procedure wasn't followed properly," adding that the situation will be clearer after an inquiry.

Inspector General of CRPF Nalin Prabhat said "First hand impression of the bodies of terrorists is that both appear to be Pakistanis, definitely from Lashksr, and in all likelihood they were fidayeen (suicide attackers),".

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said, "They (terrorists) cannot achieve anything by such attacks..but these acts are only defaming Kashmir; also it's a set back to our religion because they do it under the garb of religion".

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7th Pay Commission payout likely to be delayed 2-3 months

8:05 PM

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National

25th June 2016 Brexit fallout may force Modi govt to delay 'salary increment'. Amid all the implications of Brexit on India, something that may stand out is a strong possibility of the delay of much-awaited payout of 7th Pay Commission Commission for another 2-3 months.

Earlier reports said that Government could implement Seventh Pay Commission from August 1. It was said that Central government Employees would get increment in their July salary and six months arrears in the month of October.

The linger may result in wake of increased volatility in the markets as a result of Britain's exit from the European Union. For the markets to re-stabilize, it may take another 2-3 months. The same period also awaits the next bi-monthly RBI Monetary Policy (of the outgoing RBI Governor) which may most likely see interest rates remain intact. Even a slight hike holds adequate possibility.

This talked about tenure is critical as amid the already happening exodus from domestic equity markets, load of huge 7th Pay Commission payout on the government exchequer can further jeopardize its fiscal health.

As per Zee News, "In order to stabilize overall outflows from the domestic equity markets, government needs to adopt wait-and-watch policy for another quarter before thinking of implementing the payout as any haste can further increase volatility in the market".

On Friday, Britain voted to quit the European Union after 43 years of membership, throwing the world markets in a tailspin and leaving European leaders worried over how to stem a rising Eurosceptic tide.
The vote rattled Indian financial markets too, shaving over 1,000 points, or 4 per cent, off a key equities index, while pulling the rupee just below the 68 mark to the dollar.

Both Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan sought to calm the markets and said there was no cause for panic as India's economic fundamentals remained strong and along with other macro indicators.

"We are well prepared to deal with the short and medium term Brexit consequence -- strongly committed to our macro-economic framework with focus on stability," Jaitley tweeted from Beijing.

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Sushila Sonar's low cost electric Wheelchair

12:18 PM

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science news

Writes Sanjog Chamling

23rd June 2016 Arunachal Pradesh: Sushila Sonar, an Indian Gorkha, who recently won Gold for India in the International Taekwondo Championship held at Bhutan (Read here - Gorkhas Daughter wins Gold and Bronze in International Taekwondo Championship) has given us yet another reason  to be proud. Sushila, a student of BSc Interior Design from  Arunachal Pradesh has designed low cost electric wheelchair which is the hope for the physically challenged and elderly.They will no longer have to be at the mercy of someone to move from one place to another.And they will have no reason to compromise their dignity. she said.

She did her graduation from JD Institute of Fashion Technology Guwahaty. She believes that, her low cost electric wheel chair will be of great help who cannot afford expensive wheelchairs in the market.

Sushila Sonar an Indian Gorkha with her wheelchair

She was inspired to make such a wheelchair when she saw her friend's mother who is partially paralyzed."I call it a 'magic wheels' since it gives mobility to those who are otherwise dependent on others. I recon it gives more confidence to people." she added.

Sushila Sonar's interview
Ms. Sushila Sonar, a Gorkha resident of Arunachal from Naharlagun came up with a brilliant initiative of making low cost electric wheel chair out of  waste products for the Physically Handicapped people. The 'migic wheels' costs Rs 20,000 which is the cheapest so far available in the market.The avarage cost of the powered wheelchair in the market cost from Rs 60,000 to Rs10,00,000 Sonar said.

Sushila Sonar's low cost electric Wheelchair

" Architecture is not an inspirational business, it's a rational procedure to do sensible and hopefully beautiful things in Life "

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India launches record 20 satellites ISRO creates history

9:31 PM

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science news

Sriharikota: India successfully put into orbit its own earth observation satellite Cartosat-2 and 19 other satellites, including one belonging to the Google company Terra Bella, USA, on Wednesday morning. With this, India successfully completed yet another multiple satellite launch in a single rocket mission. Exactly at 9.26 am, the PSLV rocket standing 44.4 metres tall and weighing 320 tons tore into the morning skies with fierce orange flames at its tail.

Gathering speed every second, the rocket raced towards the heavens amid loud cheers from ISRO officials and the media at the rocket port here. At the rocket mission control room, Indian space scientists at ISRO were glued to their computer screens watching the rocket escaping the Earth’s gravitational pull.

Soon after the launch, a beaming ISRO Chairman A S Kiran Kumar said the mission was a success and that the new-generation Cartosat was in place. The rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle’s (PSLV) main cargo was India's 725.5 kg Cartosat-2 series satellite for Earth observation with a design life of five years.

ISRO creates history, successfully launches record 20 satellites

This satellite is similar to the earlier Cartosat-2, 2A and 2B. The other 19 satellites weighing around 560 kgs were from US, Canada, Germany and Indonesia as well as one satellite each from Chennai's Sathyabama University and College of Engineering, Pune.

The images sent by Cartosat satellite will be useful for cartographic, urban, rural, coastal land use, water distribution and other applications. According to ISRO, the 110 kg SkySat Gen2-1 belonging to Terra Bella, a Google company, is a small earth imaging satellite capable of capturing sub-metre resolution imagery and high definition video.

The Planet Lab’s Dove Satellites are also Earth imaging satellites. A total of 12 Dove satellites, each weighing 4.7 kg, were carried in this mission inside three QuadPack dispensers, ISRO said. The PSLV rocket also put into orbit the 85 kg M3MSat from Canada. The technology demonstration mission is jointly funded and managed by Defence Research and Development Canada and the Canadian Space Agency.

ISRO record launch 20 satellites

The other satellites launched are: 120 kg LAPSN-A3 of Indonesia, the 130 kg BIROS, from German Aerospace Centre, Germany and the 25.5 kg GHGSat-D, Canada. Just over 17 minutes into the flight the PSLV rocket ejected Cartosat at an altitude of around 515 km.

It was followed by two other Indian satellites — the 1.5 kg Sathyabamasat from Sathyabama University that would collect data on green house gases and the 1 kg Swayam satellite from College of Engineering, Pune, to provide point-to-point messaging services to the HAM radio community.

The whole mission got over in around 26 minutes. It was the first time that ISRO launched 20 satellites with one single rocket mission. In 2008, the ISRO had launched 10 satellites with the PSLV rocket.

With the success of Wednesday’s rocket mission, India has successfully launched 74 satellites for international customers.

8 Things to Know about the Record Launch of 20 Satellites

• 1. The total weight of all 20 satellites carried onboard PSLV C-34 was about 1,288 kg.
• 2. The 727 kg Cartosat-2 series satellite is the primary satellite in this mission.
• 3. The 320 tonne PSLV C-34 carried 17 foreign small satellites from Canada, Indonesia, Germany and the US.
• 4. The foreign satellites include LAPAN-A3 from Indonesia; Brios from Germany; M3MSat and GHSSat-D from Canada; SkySat Gen 2-1 and 12 Dove satellites from the United States.
• 5. The 110 kg SkySat Gen2-1 is a small Earth imaging satellite designed and built by Terra Bella, a Google company.
• 6. Each of the 12 Dove satellites weighs around 4.7 kg. They are earth imaging satellite developed by US-based Planet Labs.
• 7. PSLV C-34 also carried two student satellites.
• 8. The PSLV placed the satellites in the designated polar Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO) in about 30 minutes after the launch.

Via deccanchronicle

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7th Pay Commission Bill Pass with Merge 50% DA

12:38 AM

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National

18th Jun 2016 Good News for Central Government Employee: 7th Pay Commission Bill Pass with Merge 50% DA. Waiting for all central government employees is over by declaring this good news. 50 percentages DA is merge in Basic pay is finally accepted by central government of India. This will affect form 01-01-2016.

Highlights of 7th Pay Commission Benefits

1. Minimum Pay is 21000 per month.
2. There is no Grade pay system. Only pay scale is there.
3. Retirement Age is 60 years or 33 year of service which is first it is applicable. Read Full Article
4. This salary Increment is implemented from 01-01-2016. This will be effective from 01 August 2016 in central government.
5. Arrears will be given in one installment.
6. The final report by the 13-member Committee of Secretaries headed by Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha may be submitted on June 18.
7. Seventh Pay Commission Panel had recommended 23.55% hike in salary. But now it may be 30% hike said by news.

As per Media Report the secretaries group may recommended a 30 percent increase in minimum and maximum basic pay structures along with doubling of existing rates of allowances and advances.

7th Pay Commission Bill Pass with Merge 50% DA

The 7th Pay Commission had suggested a maximum basic pay of Rs 2,50,000 and a minimum of Rs 18,000. A 30 percent increase would translate into maximum monthly salary of Rs 3,25,000 and minimum at Rs 23,400, respectively.

From 1st August this all recommendation will be implemented. And from this month you will get your new increased salary.

Arrears will be given in in only one installment.

Calculate Your New Pay Scale
Download Above Image.
See your Current Pay scale and Grade Pay. In Last column there is a new Initial Pay as per seventh pay commission. This is expected pay scale and initial salary.

OR

 

Via 7thpaycommission

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Deligation led by Pawan Chamling met PM Narendra Modi

12:33 PM

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Sikkim

New Delhi 16th June 2016: Deligation led by the Chief Minister of Sikkim Pawan Chamling met Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi today at New Delhi and submitted memorandums demanding seat reservation for Limboo and Tamang in Sikkim Legislative Assembly, allowing Karmapa to Sikkim and tribal status for 11 left out communities of Sikkim.

Sikkim delegates led by Chief Minister who met PM in New Delhi have sought Rs 43,589 Cr (Forty Three Thousand Five Hundred and Eighty Nine Crore) special package for development.

Chief Minister of Sikkim Pawan Chamling met Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi

This is the second time the duo have met this year PM Narendra Modi was invited to inaugurates Sikkim Organic Festival January 2016.

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Gorkha community has served the nation in difficult times: Dr Jitendra Singh

12:05 PM

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West Bengal

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh has said that the Gorkha community has served the nation in most difficult times, through thick and thin, and the stories of their bravery, valour and patriotism are an example for others.

Dr Jitendra Singh was speaking to a delegation of “Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangha”, a national organization of Gorkhas in India, who called on him here yesterday for redressal of their long pending issues and sought his intervention, particularly considering the fact that out of over one crore Gorkha population in whole of India today, the major portion of over 35 lakh lives in the North-Eastern region of the country.

Dr Jitendra Singh Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region 

The delegation, led by its National President Shri S.M. Moktan, held a detailed meeting with Dr Jitendra Singh, wherein they brought up the issue of proper documents being provided to the members of the community to certify that they are permanent residents of the region. In the absence of such documents, they complained, they are sometimes seen as foreigners or illegal settlers or non-locals. In many States, they complained, that lack of such documentation has also deprived them from being enlisted in voters list.

Demanding OBC (Other Backward Class) status for Gorkha community, the members of the delegation requested for fair share in various incentives and avenues. They also urged that the Gorkhas living in the Northeast States may be involved in the development and economic activity in the region. The other demands put forward by the delegation included the request to include Gorkha language in the Eighth Schedule of Constitution and introduce Nepali language as a vernacular subject in schools and colleges.

Dr Jitendra Singh gave a patient hearing to the delegation. He said, the Ministry of DoNER recognizes their sensitivities and added that many of the demands put forward by them do not strictly pertain to his Ministry and therefore he will forward them to the concerned Departments and Ministries.

Prominent among the delegation members included Shri V.B. Thupu from Uttar Pradesh, Shri D.C. Poudiyal and Shri P.P. Pradhan from West Bengal, Shri Guman Bhoj Limbo from New Delhi, Shri Jagannath Koirala from Meghalaya and Shri Bhupendra Adhikari from Uttarakhand.


Press Information Bureau Government of India Ministry for Development of North-East Region

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Smriti Irani to lay the foundation of the NIT in Sikkim

9:11 AM

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Sikkim

Gangtok, June 8: The Union human resource development minister, Smriti Irani, is scheduled to visit Sikkim on June 24 and lay the foundation of the National Institute of Technology at Thekabong in East District on the same day.

Sikkim HRD principal secretary G.P. Upadhaya today said Irani would be in the state for at least three days, during which she was slated to hold interactions with ministers and bureaucrats and chair the meeting of a parliamentary committee on her ministry.

"The Union HRD ministry has accepted the proposal of setting up of the NIT campus at Thekabong. The Union HRD minister will lay the foundation of the campus during her visit to Sikkim on June 24," said Upadhaya.

Thekabong is nearly 30km from Gangtok and close to Pakyong where Sikkim's first airport is being built. The state government has acquired 172 acres of land for the campus.

The Sikkim NIT was set up in 2010 and is operating out of a government building at Rabong in South District on a temporary basis with six departments.

Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Pawan Chamling meeting the Union Minister for
Human Resource Development - file photo

Residents of Thekabong are happy that the NIT is coming up in their village. "Employment will be generated and villagers can do more business after the campus is established. We are grateful to the government for bringing the project to our area," said a villager, D.B. Chettri.

Upadhaya said Irani would hold a meeting with Sikkim ministers and bureaucrats at Chintan Bhawan here on June 26.

"State HRD minister R.B. Subba will place our demands before the Union minister at the meeting. There are four major demands: establishment of IIT/IIM and model degree colleges in the state, granting permission to start a state university and the upgrade of the Law College to National Law University," he said.

Irani will also visit a few government schools. "Our department is yet to finalise the schools which will be visited by the Union Minister. Keeping the time constraint in mind, we would take her to some schools in East District," said an HRD official.

On June 25, Irani will chair the meeting of the Consultative Committee of Parliament of the MHRD in Gangtok.

She is expected to leave Sikkim on June 26 or the next day.

Telegraph

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HRD Minister Smriti Irani launches Sikkim's Online Admission and RUSA Portal

10:00 PM

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Sikkim

Sikkim 3rd June 2016:Today, In a significant development in the field of higher education in Sikkim, admission to government degree colleges throughout the State will go online from this year onwards. The web portal for Online Admissions and State RUSA portals for Sikkim was digitally launched today by Union Minister for HRD Smt Smriti Zubin Irani via live webcast from Shastri Bhawan New Delhi.

The programme witnessed the largest ever digital launch of projects under Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) under the auspices of the Hon'ble Union Minister. Together with the projects of Sikkim, the Minister launched RUSA projects for nine other states of the country.
Joining the live webcast at the State was Minister for Energy & Power & Labour Mr. D. D. Bhutia, Minister HRDD Mr. R.B Subba, Minister Roads & Bridges Mr. G.M. Gurung, Parliamentary Secretary HRDD Shri Shyam Pradhan, Principal Secretary HRDD cum SPD RUSA Sikkim Mr. G.P. Upadhyay, Director Higher Education HRDD cum Joint SPD RUSA Sikkim Mr. Jitendra Singh Raje, senior officers of State HRDD, Principal and faculty Sikkim Government College Tadong, and faculty and students from West Point Senior Secondary School.

Sikkim's Online Admission and RUSA Portal was digitally launched today by
Union Minister for HRD Smt Smriti Zubin Irani via live webcast
 from Shastri Bhawan New Delhi.

While addressing the State of Sikkim, the Union Minister congratulated the State HRDD for the merit based and transparent system of 24 hour online admissions in all state run colleges. She termed it a unique initiative which will benefit over 6000 students.

The Union Minister was also joined by MP Lok Sabha from Sikkim Mr. P.D. Rai.
Later interacting with the team from Sikkim, Union Minister Smt Smriti Irani informed that the Ministry of HRD has sanctioned the long pending demand of the State to incorporate Bhutia and Lepcha languages in the post graduate courses under UGC.

She further informed that the State HRDD is entitled to introduce skill building courses recognized by the Government of India in Government colleges in the State.

The Union Minister also complimented the progress made by Sikkim under the scheme Badhe Bharat Padhe Bharat and RUSA. The Minister informed that she would soon be visiting Sikkim with her team from MHRD.

Minister Mr. D.D.Bhutia thanked and complimented Smt Irani and the Ministry for launching the online admission and RUSA Web portal for Sikkim.

Similarly Minister Mr. R.B.Subba thanked and congratulated the Union Minister and the entire team at MHRD for the new projects and for supporting the initiatives of Sikkim HRDD.

The Minister also placed a few pending demands of the State HRDD before the Union Minister. He requested for laying of foundation stone of the NIT at the earliest. He also proposed for a National Law School in Sikkim. Likewise, the Minister proposed for setting up government colleges in all four districts of Sikkim. He also requested for increase of 50 seats in Government BEd college. Union Minister assured that the demands placed by Minister HRDD Sikkim would be looked into by the Ministry.

Via VOS

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Prof Mahendra P Lama in Eminent Persons Group (EPG)

12:17 PM

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National

Feb 21, 2016- India has formed the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) to review treaties and relations between the two countries and it is proud moment for all Indian Gorkhas that Prof Mahendra P Lama is part of it. Dr. Lama is one of the four members representing the country in EGP.

Former Indian ambassador to Nepal Jayant Prasad, ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s Nepal expert Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, Professor Mahendra P Lama and Professor BC Upreti, a senior fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation have been named as the members.

An agreement to establish the EPG was reached in 2011 during the official visit of former prime minister Baburam Bhattarai to India. The two countries agreed to prepare the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the EPG in 2014 during the third meeting of Nepal-India Joint Commission in Kathmandu.

Nepal formed its EPG last month. Former secretary and chief commissioner of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority Surya Nath Upadhyay, former ambassador Bhekh Bahadur Thapa, former ambassador Nilambar Acharya and UML lawmaker Rajan Bhattarai are the EPG members from the Nepali side.

Prof  Mahendra P Lama 

Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar made the announcement of formation of the EPG on Saturday during a press briefing coinciding with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s six-day visit to India.

Members
Indian side
Jayant Prasad, former ambassador to Nepal
Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, BJP leader
Prof Mahendra P Lama
Prof BC Upreti, senior fellow at Vivekananda International Foundation

Nepali side 
Surya Nath Upadhyay, former chief commissioner, CIAA
Bhekh Bahadur Thapa, former ambassador
Nilambar Acharya, former ambassador
Rajan Bhattarai, UML lawmaker
* Nepal formed its EPG last month

Via kathmandupost

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Dr. Mahendra P Lama addresses India-ASEAN Delhi Dialogue VIII

8:50 AM

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National

The prestigious Delhi Dialogue VIII organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India to promote and strengthen the political, economic, socio-cultural and strategic relations between 10 countries of South East Asia (Association of South East Asian Nations) and India will be over on 19th February in Delhi.

It started on 17th Feb 2016. It is attended by the high level Ministerial and business delegation from Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Philippines and Indonesia. Indian delegation is led by the Smt Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs, Chief Ministers, top bureaucrats, eminent academics and well known business houses.

The India-ASEAN trade has already reached a level of Rs 450000 Crore in 2015. ASEAN countries receive the highest amount of US foreign investment. Prof Mahendra P Lama was invited to address a specific session on “Promoting Cross Border Trade with ASEAN: Capitalizing on Comparative Advantage”. He primarily focused on the following issues. i) India’s Look East Policy has reached a crucial phase where the participation of the North East region is very vital. It is because the NER will be a physical gateway to the South East Asian countries as this region has 98 percent of its borders with neighbouring countries like Myanmar, Bangladesh, China, Bhutan and Nepal and 2 percent with the rest of India. Socio-culturally and historically this region had had very close relations with all these countries. ii) There are several opportunities as the concept of borders is fast changing. Borders are now becoming borderlands where there are huge opportunities for exchanges and interactions in areas like trade, investment, tourism, energy, disaster management, natural resources exchanges, education and health among many countries.

Dr. Mahendra P Lama addresses India-ASEAN Delhi Dialogue VIII

After the reopening of Nathu la trade route between Sikkim and Tibet the warming up in reconsidering the exchanges in borders have started. Government of India wants this to be consolidated. iii) There are several opportunities emerging particularly in the arena of small and medium enterprises, energy and services sector like tourism, education and health and agriculture, horticulture and floriculture.

For instance, in the Small and medium enterprises like in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand the top multinational with widely accepted brand names like Toshiba, Apple, Sony, Hyundai and Samsung could be invited to Assam, Meghalaya and Sikkim. The products could be exported anywhere in the world. iv) In the energy front the NER has almost 40 percent of India hydro power potentials and 18 percent of hydro carbon including gas, oil and coal. Therefore NER could play the role of a centre of energy pool. This could be connected with the Greater Mekong Sub-region where Laos, Cambodia, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam and Yunan and Guangxi Zhuang the two provinces of China have made huge cross border electricity exchange projects.

This has been a huge success. v) The small and medium enterprises in the NER should be opened to the investors from the ASEAN countries and whatever they produce could be sold in India and other South Asian and South East Asian countries under the India-ASEAN Free Trade agreement.

For instance, the bamboo shoots, pine apples, avacado, lichis, ginger, cardamom, flowers could be harnessed by the companies like Makro and Alligator Industry of Myanmar. It was suggested that clauses to promote such integration of trade and investment could be included in this agreement. vi) The Ministry of Development of North East Region (MDoNER) could now be located in the North East region only from its present location in New Delhi. This way Ministry can devote exclusive time both to the development of NER and also to strike linkages with the South East Asian countries for promotion of India’s Look East Policy. This way the MDoNER and North East Council could effectively use the huge funds for infrastructure provided by the Central Government. vii) The Darjeeling and Dooars region of West Bengal could also be incorporated in the North Eastern Council so that this regional also get all the facilities. The session was chaired by the Dr Rajat Nag , former Director General in the Asian Development Bank in Manila.

Source: Kalimpong News.

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"सानो सानो राज्य गठनको समर्थन गर्दैछौ र गोर्खाल्यन्डको मांगलाई पनि समर्थन गर्छौ" - श्री अरबिन्द केजरिवाल

11:48 AM

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nepali

दिनांक १८ फरवरी २०१६ बिहीवार को दिन गोर्खा फाउनडेशनको प्रतिनिधीहरुले दिल्लीका मुख्य मन्त्री श्रीमान अरबिन्द केजरिवालज्युलाई वहाँको बासस्थानमा भेटघाट गरे । उक्त भेटघाटमा गोर्खा फाउनडेशनको प्रतीनिधीहरुले मुख्य मन्त्रीलाई केही मांगहरुको बिन्ती पत्र सुम्पे । मुख्य मन्त्रीज्युले गोर्खा फाउनडेशनको बिन्ती पत्रलाई ध्यान पूर्वक पडी दिनु भयो साथै वहाँले चाडै यस बिषयमा समाधान गरी दिने बचन दिनु भयो। मुख्य मन्त्रीले यस बिषयमा सचीवालयलाई र बिशेष सचिवलाई पनि तुरन्त निर्देश दिनु भयो । वहाँले आफ्नो बिशेष सचीव सुश्री अस्वथी मुर्लीधरण सित नियमित रुपमा संपर्क गर्नु भन्नु भयो। मुख्य मन्त्रीज्युले दिल्ली सरकारको बिभिन्न बिभागहरुमा १५००० नोकरीहरु छन, गोर्खा दाजु भाई दिदी बहिनीहरुले पनि यसमा मौका पाउने छ भनेर बचन दिनु भयो र नोकरीको निम्ती नामहरु पठाइ दिने गोर्खा फाउनडेशनलाई जिम्मा लगाउनु भयो।

मुख्य मन्त्रीलाई छुट्टै राज्य गोर्खाल्यान्डलाई समर्थन मांग गर्दा, वहाँले भन्नु भयो, हामी त पहिले देखीनै सानो सानो राज्य गठनको समर्थन गर्दैछौ र गोर्खाल्यन्डको मांगलाई पनि समर्थन गर्छौ भन्नु भयो।

आउँदो दिनमा सम्पन्न हुने सेमिनरमा वहाँको स्वंय सहभागी हुने बचन दिनु भयो अपितु वहाँ न आउन सके पार्टीबाट कोही बरिषठ साथी पठाउने बचन दिनु भयो । वहाँले चाडैनै दिल्लीमा गोर्खाहरुको निम्ती एउटा कमयुनिटी हल बनाइ दिनु हुने आशवाशन पनि दिनु भयो। दिल्ली बसेका सबै गोर्खाहरुको सुरक्षाको मांग गर्दा वहाँले भन्नु भयो गोर्खाहरुको सुरक्षा र मानमर्यदाको निम्ती हामी चिन्तित छौ र कुनै घट्ना व असुबिधा भए सिधै मुख्य मन्त्री वा बिशेष सचिव सित संपर्क गर्नु भन्नु भयो । हामी पुर्णरुपले सहयोग गर्ने आश्वासन दिनु भयो ।

Supporting the formation of smaller states we also support the demand for Gorkhaland - Arvind Kejriwal

प्रतिनिधि टोलिमा सघन मोक्तान, युधिषटिर शाह, लोप्सँग लामा, डा० बिनु सुन्दास, निरज छेत्री, डि० के० प्रधान, एन्ड्रु गुरुङ अनी श्रीमती रेबेका राई उपस्थित थिए । सबैले बारी-बारी आ-आफ्नो पक्ष मुख्य मन्त्रीसित राख्नु भयो ।

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Shiva Thapa bags Gold Medal in 12th South Asian Games 2016 as India wins 7 gold in boxing

11:09 PM

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sports news

Our pride, Shiva Thapa bags Gold Medal today during the 12th South Asian Games 2016 at Shillong, Meghalaya. Indian boxers packed a powerful punch as they bagged all the seven gold medals on offer in the men's event of the 12th South Asian Games on Monday.

Glasgow Commonwealth Games silver medalist L Devendro Singh, who is recovering from an injury, began India's gold rush in boxing when he pipped Mohib Ulla of Pakistan in 49kg category at the SAI campus in North Eastern Hill University on the outskirts of the city.

The other gold medallists of the day were Vikas Krishan (75kg), Shiva Thapa (56kg), Madan Lal (52kg), Dheeraj Rangi (60kg), Manoj Kumar (64kg) and Mandeep Jangra (69kg).

"It was a bit tough and my focus was to avoid any injury with the qualifiers coming up next month," the London Olympics quarter finalist Devendro told PTI after he was was adjudged winner 2-1 via split decision.

Shiva Thapa bags Gold Medal in 12th South Asian Games 2016

The Manipuri completely dominated the first and second rounds to run away with the bout.

Mohib Ulla mainly relied on wild swings, while a cautious Devendro was handing out straight crosses and body punches to be adjudged winner.

If Devendro fought off injury to open India's account, world no 6 in middleweight Vikas Krishan put up a brave front after fighting a flu to down Tanveer Ahmed in the 75kg to end the home side's campaign with a magnificent seven gold medals.

Despite not being able to put up his best, Krishan prevailed over his Pakistani opponent with some feisty uppercuts and was adjudged 3-0 winner.

"I was running temperature after landing here failing to cope with the temperature as I'm on full antibiotic dosage so I was not able to give my best," Krishan said while India head coach GS Sandhu felt he would have won through TKO had he been fully fit.

Guwahati lad Shiva Thapa impressed the boisterous crowd, which included his father Padam and brother Govind among others, to prevail upon Sri Lankan W Ruwan Thilina in the 56kg title bout.

Against the Lankan, who was headbutting, Thapa had a defensive strategy.

"The strategy worked and I did not allow him to settle down initially before unleashing a flurry of blows," the world number 2 said.

Source TOI

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HRD has acknowledged Chandra Sharma, looking to contact him

4:29 PM

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technology news

Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has acknowledged Chandra Sharma (a gorkha from Assam) for his passion on building a Helicopter and are looking for Mr Sharma's contact details.

Mr Sharma was looking to fly his self made helicopter on the occasion of Republic day on 26th January 2016. Unfortunately he failed to acquire the clearance to fly the same and he is still looking forward to fly his masterpiece.

Thus the message from HRD has come as a ray of hope for Chandra Sharma who is a school dropout mechanic by profession.

We wish him good luck for his coming days and may he succeed in flying his self made helicopter in the bright blue of Assam very soon.

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Sikkim to get its railway line soon - gets green flag from Supreme Court

11:34 PM

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Tourism

The Supreme Court on Wednesday showed the green flag to a litigation-marred railway line from Sevoke in West Bengal to Rangpo in Sikkim, a project hanging fire since 2009 as wildlife activists and environmentalists are opposed to it.

The Sivok-Rangpo New Rail Line Project is a mere 44.98 km with only 7.6% of the tracks falling in the Himalayan state bordering China but its importance is immense from the strategic point of view and as a possible apparatus to accelerate socio-economic development of the people.

A top court bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur cleared the decks by permitting Northeast Frontier Railway’s plea to allow changing the status of more than 8.84 hectares of forest land in Mahananda wildlife sanctuary so that the project can be continued. It also directed the West Begal government to denotify the area within two months.

Indian Railways - a file photo

“The rail line will serve as a reliable mode of transportation and meet national defence requirements as well,” chief minister Pawan Chamling said.

The court instructed the railways to strictly adhere to environmental safeguards fixed by the national wildlife board, which approved the project in June 2015 but ringed it with tough guidelines.

To avoid loss of forests, 14 tunnels have been planned — the longest being 5,116 metres. The total tunnel length is about 38.552 km, about 85.86% of the total route. This means that a train will run through tunnels or cross 22 bridges for most of its journey.

The wildlife board had cleared the project with guidelines that tunnels should be built only at daytime, trains should run at restricted speed and modern technology, such as wireless animal tracking system, should be adopted to avoid accidents.

The top court underlined how critical the railway line is for Sikkim, which currently depends solely on national highway 10, a switchback of steep, landslide-prone rocky slopes that remains closed for days during monsoon.

The railways told the court how the state struggles for supplies during the rainy season.
An ambitious as well as prestigious project, with a budget of Rs 1,339.48 crore, it ran into trouble because the tracks will pass through Mahananda sanctuary and forest divisions of Kurseong, Darjeeling, Kalimpong and East Sikkim which are known for their rich wildlife diversity. Occasionally, wild elephants and other protected animals are mowed down by trains along another broad gauge line inside the sanctuary.

In the yet-to-be tabled second leg, the railway line is likely to reach Nathu La on the India-Tibet border.

(With inputs from Pramod Giri in Siliguri)

Source hindustantimes

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Centre to implement One Rank One Pension (OROP) Scheme, issues implementation table

11:11 PM

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OROP

One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme will be implemented by the Centre beginning next financial year. The Union Government on Wednesday issued the tables for implementation of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, thereby fulfilling the long-standing demand of the defence personnel after 42 year. Although, a section of veterans is still protesting against the provisions of the pension scheme, Centre seems firm on going ahead with the version rolled out before them in September.

The annual recurring financial implication on account of implementation of OROP at the current rate will be approximately Rs. 7500 crore.

Although, the ex-servicemen had demanded the base date to kept at April 1, 2014, Government has decided to keep it at July 1, 2014. The arrears from July 1 to December 31 will be Rs 10,900 crore. Annual recurring financial implication on account of OROP implementation at pension scale of 2013 would cost a recurring amount of Rs 7,500 crore until the next revision.

Centre to implement One Rank One Pension (OROP)

The payment of arrears and revision of pension under OROP is to be made by the Pension Disbursing Authorities in four installments, except for family pensioners and pensioners in receipt of gallantry awards who will be paid arrears in one installment.

The amount of pension will be revised once in five years. Ex-servicemen had strongly objected to the clause, calling it ‘Five rank, one pension’. Instead, they had demanded the revision of pension at every one or two years. However, incorporating the populist demand of the army veterans would further increase the burden on the economy.

The total increase in the Defence Budget for pensions is estimated to go up from Rs. 54,000 crore (BE 2015-16) to around Rs. 65,000 crore (proposed BE 2016-17), thereby increasing the Defence Pension outlay by about 20 percent.

The OROP scheme is set to benefit over 18 lakh ex-servicemen and war widows.

Source india.com & aninews

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National Honour for ‪GORKHA‬ ICON - Rangu Souriya

9:21 PM

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NGO

Ms. Rangu Souria is one of the 100 top women achievers of India, and yesterday she received an award at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, New Delhi, in collaboration with Facebook had launched 100 Women Initiative last year to recognize and acknowledge women who are making a difference in their communities.

Ms. Souriya has devoted her life to rescuing children and youth trafficked into brothels, domestic-slavery and other exploitative situations, and has so far rescued over 600 victims from the traffickers.

She has risked her life and devoted all her resources to this cause, and it was befitting to see her hard-work being finally acknowledged by the Hon'ble President of India and the Ministry of Women & Child Development.

We are thankful to all our readers who have supported her cause and we hope that this incredible love and support will continue for her in the future.

Hat's Off to Rangu Di and all the people associated with Kanchanjunga Uddhar Kendra, Marg Ngo Darjeeling and Dooars Express who have worked selflessly and tirelessly to save our most vulnerable children and youth from the traffickers

Via TheDC

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Rewati Chetri represents India in 27th World Miss University

6:20 PM

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Rewati Chettri

Writes Sanjog Chamling

Rewati Chettri / Chetri , Femina Miss India 2015 Miss Popular & Miss Multimedia, Gorkha girl from Assam's 'Ant Hill' Haflong is representing India in the 27th World Miss University which is held in Beijing, China in 2016.

World Miss University is an international beauty contest held annually in Seoul, South Korea since 1986, with an average of about 70 contestants every year.The event is to select World Miss University Peace Corp Representatives.

As an event was organized by the International Association of University Presidents after the United Nations named 1986 the Year of Peace, the organizing committee dispatches peace missions to regions in conflict like Kosovo and Rwanda. These days, the event is organized by World Miss University Organizing Committee which has headquarter in Manhattan, New York, USA.

The current titleholder is Michelle Lucas of the Philippines who was crowned on December 19, 2015.

Danced for Pinga song from Bajirao Mastani for Talent round in 27th World Miss University

Rewati has already made the Indian Gorkhas proud several occasions in the past and we hope she'll make us proud this time around too. However, one cannot deny the fact that by representing nation in the event such as World Miss University she has already made the community, rather the whole of North East proud of her.

What can you do?
Vote for Rewati to win Miss Popular at World Miss University 2016. Follow the below link.
http://www.wmu.world/board_DRfW87

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NAMO - orchid named after Narendra Modi in Sikkim

7:27 AM

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Sikkim

Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling named a new orchid variety, Cymbidium Namo, in honour of Prime Minister Modi, on Monday.

Pawan Kumar Chamling of the Sikkim Democratic Front, who has been Sikkim Chief Minister since 1994, is the state’s most popular leader ever. 

Modi, who visited Sikkim on Monday, unveiled three new Orchid varieties developed in Sikkimat a flower show. 

He named the first two after his personal heroes – Sardar Patel and Deendayal Upadhyaya. They wll be known from now on as Cymbidium Sardar and Lycaste Deendayal.

Pawan Kumar Chamling named the third flower Cymbidium Namo.

Cymbidium or boat orchid comprises of 52 evergreen species. They bloom during the winter, and each plant can have up to fifteen or more flowers. 

The genus offers a wide rang of colours including white, green, yellowish-green, cream, yellow, brown, pink, and red.

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