Sikkim

18 Feb

Prem Singh Tamang Mourns Passing of Ngari Rinpoche

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Venerable Ngari Rinpoche, the younger brother of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, describing the loss as a moment of grief for the spiritual community and followers across the world. In a condolence message issued on Tuesday, the Chief Minister said he was deeply saddened to learn about the demise of the revered spiritual figure and extended his heartfelt condolences to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the bereaved family members and followers mourning the loss.Tamang said Venerable Ngari Rinpoche was widely respected for his spiritual guidance…

18 Feb

Bharatiya Janata Party Flags 40% Water Loss After Inspecting Ratey-Chu Supply to Gangtok

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

A delegation of the Sikkim unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by state president DR Thapa, carried out an on-ground inspection of the Ratey-Chu drinking water source, the main supply system that provides water to Gangtok. The visit highlighted serious concerns over the condition of the pipeline network and the growing drinking water shortage in the state capital. According to the BJP delegation, the inspection revealed several leakage points along the pipeline route, including three to four major breaches. Party leaders claimed that due to these leaks, nearly 40 per cent of the water diverted from the source…

13 Jan

Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen (Retd) K T Parnaik praises Sikkim’s cleanliness drive

Banasree SarkarArunachal Pradesh, Sikkim

Lt Gen (Retd) K T Parnaik, the governor of Arunachal Pradesh, praised Sikkim's accomplishment of becoming the cleanest state in the nation and urged increased collaboration between the two states in areas like people-to-people interaction, sustainable tourism, and environmental conservation. The governor praised the Sikkim government's ongoing emphasis on cleanliness, environmental preservation, and civic duty during a courtesy call by Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang at Lok Bhavan in Gangtok. According to an official statement, Parnaik is in the Himalayan state on a two-day official visit. He claimed that the people's strong sense of collective ownership and public discipline…

08 Jan

Sikkim Signs MoU with IIFT Kolkata, Launches Export Facilitation Cell to Boost MSMEs

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim has taken an important step to strengthen its small businesses and help local entrepreneurs reach wider markets by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Kolkata. Along with this, the state government has also launched a dedicated Export Facilitation Cell to support exports and promote the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The MoU was signed between the Commerce and Industries Department of Sikkim and IIFT Kolkata at a programme held at the department’s conference hall on Wednesday, January 7. The signing coincided with the formal inauguration of the Export Facilitation…

06 Dec

Two Sikkim Civil Service Officers inducted into Indian Administrative Service

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Two senior officers of the Sikkim Civil Service (SCS) have been inducted into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) after completing the formal process of selection for the vacancies meant for the Select List of 2024. The state government confirmed the development on Friday and said that the induction has been approved as per the rules of the central selection procedures. According to officials, the two officers are Sarika Pradhan and Norzing Tsering Shenga. Both belong to the 2002 batch of the Sikkim Civil Service and have spent more than twenty years in different administrative roles in the state. Their names…

02 Dec

Sikkim makes ₹50 eco-tourism fee mandatory for all tourist stays

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Sikkim government has mandated contributions to the Tourism Sustainable Development (TSD) Fund from all tourist accommodation facilities, including hotels, resorts, homestays, service apartments and bed-and-breakfast establishments. Under the new directive, each tourist checking in must be charged ₹50, which the establishment must remit to the government. The compliance will be monitored through the Atithi Guest Information System. The TSD Fund, introduced in March 2025, supports eco-friendly tourism, infrastructure improvements, and responsible travel initiatives across Sikkim. Officials warned that non-compliant establishments will face fines of ₹5,000 for the first month and ₹10,000 for the second month, with the possibility of…

24 Nov

The Sevok–Rangpo rail project is 85% complete, and NF Railway reports that work is proceeding at “Excellent Pace”

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The ambitious Sevok–Rangpo railway line, a long-awaited project that will bring Sikkim onto India’s railway map for the first time, has achieved 85 percent completion, according to Shri Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Northeast Frontier Railway. Speaking on Akashvani News Gangtok, he shared a detailed status report on the progress, challenges, and future outlook of the strategic line. Sharma said the project continues to move forward at an “excellent pace” despite demanding terrain, fragile geological conditions, and recurring environmental hurdles. The 45-km-long line is among India’s most complex railway constructions, with 86 percent of the alignment…

22 Nov

Sikkim Government Law College sees 96% voter turnout in SRC elections

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim Government Law College (SGLC) successfully concluded its Students’ Representative Council (SRC) elections for the academic session 2025–26, witnessing an outstanding voter turnout of 96.44%. The results were officially declared on Thursday, marking the formation of the newly elected SRC. Out of 309 registered voters, a total of 298 students cast their votes, demonstrating strong participation in campus governance. Of these, 100 were male voters, while 198 were female voters, highlighting a significant engagement from female students in the electoral process. The high voter turnout once again reflects the institution’s commitment to promoting democratic values and active student involvement in…

18 Nov

Rising security threats along the state border are noted by a Sikkim BJP adviser

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

BJP leader and state party adviser Tseten Tashi Bhutia has raised concerns over increasing security risks along Sikkim’s border areas, citing activities linked to neighbouring countries that require closer scrutiny. Bhutia said that information widely circulated on social media and news platforms provides a clearer view of developments near India’s frontiers, highlighting the need for heightened vigilance in Sikkim’s sensitive border zones. He warned that anti-India activities cannot be ignored and that proactive measures are critical to ensuring the state’s security. Highlighting the significance of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, Bhutia called it “very necessary” and “urgently needed,”…

15 Nov

Lamin Theengh of Sikkim wins four gold medals in the 35th National Strength Lifting Championship

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The 35th National Strength Lifting and Incline Bench Press Championship concluded in spectacular fashion at Palzor Stadium, Gangtok, on November 13, 2025, with over 750 elite athletes from 22 states participating in the four-day event. The championship, held from November 10 to 13, showcased India’s top strength athletes and highlighted Sikkim’s growing stature as a host for major sporting events. Organized under the leadership of the Sikkim Strength Lifting Association, led by Mr. Pema Dorjee Bhutia, Mr. Allen Targain, and Ms. Chandrakala Pradhan, the event was widely praised for its seamless execution and competitive spirit. Among the standout performers, Ms.…