Himalayan Times (1956)

February 19, 1956

Three

NEWS LETTER FROM SIKKIM

(From Our Correspondent)
Gangtok, February 14, 1956

On the occassion of
Sikkimese New Years'
Day the Durbur Day was
held infront of the Pur-
bar Mouastry on 12 Feb
1956. His Highness the
Maharaja of Sikkim took
the Royal Salute and
inspected the Guard of
Honour presented by the
State Polioe. The Political
Officer in Sikkim Apa
Sahib B. Panth, Shri N.
K. Rustomji, the DeWan
Sikkim State, Executive
Councillor SLri Sonam
Tshering, the Chief Secre-
tary Shri r. Densapa, thu
Council members and all
gazetted officers of the
State were present. Shri
N. K, RuBtomji, the
Dewan of Sikkim State
opened the Durbar with
his address of review for
19S5-56. High H ghness
the Maharaja presented
the Sanads ( Certificates )
to the persons who were
commended fur their good
and efficient works done
by them during 1954-55.
The address of the Dewan
were mainly featured on
the following subjects:-

1. Conoersion of pet-
rol engine vehicles by
diesel engine to be com-
pleted by the end of next
year in the S. S T. S. so
that the operating cost

may be reduced and
maximum profit available
to the nationalised trans-
port.

2. Prominent perso-
nalities from foreign coun-
tries visited Sikkim during
the year and their advices
for the development of the
State were very useful.
Expression of thanks to
th^ Government of India
for their kind invitation
to Shri J. T Namgyal,
the younger Maharaj Ku-
mar of - ikkim and to
Shri N.K. Rustomji, I C S.
the Dewan Sikkim State
along with other fi coun-
cillors of Sikkim State
Council to participate in
the Republic Day of India
in Delhi and arrangements
made for their inspection of
some of the important
development projects in
the vicinity of Delhi Bho-
pal and Sanchi.

3. Praised the P. W.
D. Department for the
construction of Develop-
ment building, Melli Nays-
bazar road and several
jeepable and bridle roads
in the interior regions.
He specially thanked Rai-
bahadur F. C. Jali, Chief
Engineer of Sikkim State
for his remarkable work
while constructing the Air

strip at Gangtok proper
within 8> short limited
time. , . ,

4. Expansion in the
number of School both
primary and middle in
Sikkim inspitfj of the dif-
ficulties laced by the
Education Department for
securing trained teachers.
He also stated the exemp-
lary work doue by the
Department for establish-
ing a Basio Training Cen-
tre at Gangtok where a
number cf rural teachers
are being trained.

5. Establishment of
a Demonstration farm, a
diary and a piggery near
Gangtok and distribution
of fertilisers and disease
free seeds to , the cultiva-
tors at subsidised rates
by the Agricultural De-
partment.

6. Assured careful
consideration of the Dur-
bar regarding levying of
rates of land revenue in
comparisiori^to the pre-
vailing rates at the neigh-
bouring Indian district of
Darjeeling which is the
main represf ntation of the
people.

« * *

It is understood that
the policy regarding the
realisation of bazar taxes
by the Department has
now been proved sound
on the partial adoption
as an experimental mea-
sure from the last year
which yielded increased
(Continued on page 10)