Formalities to bring Karmapa to Sikkim complete, says T W Lepcha

Deepak Sharma, EOI, MANGAN, AUG 17/--/ All the official procedures have been completed with the Centre to bring the Karmapa to Sikkim, State Forest Minister Tshering Wangdi Lepcha said on Wednesday. But the Karma was at present in the USA. “So when he comes back to India it's on him to decide when he will visit Sikkim and meet devotees.”

Lepcha was addressing the Independence Day celebration in Mangan town where he hoisted the national flag and received the salute at the parade. Contingents of the Sikkim Police, NCC and students from nearby schools participated in the parade in which of two pipe bands, one from Ringhim Secondary school and the other from Mangan Senior Secondary School, also took part. The Minister said the Sikkim Government had sanctioned a new football ground for Mangan, Sikkim Forest Minister Tshering Wangdi Lepcha said on Wednesday at the Independence Day celebration in North District. “The project should be implemented properly for the benefit of all,” he said. Various other projects such as the protection work of Rafong Khlola, a sewage system of Mangan and solid waste land fill for the town had been sanctioned and these would lead to rapid development of the town.

He asked Mangan Nagar Panchayat office bearers and councillor to cooperate with common people. The pressure of inconvenience faced by the public had ultimately to be borne political parties, he said. “So from all sides we have to see and a solution has to be found.” He said the ruling Sikkim Democratic Fronty had placed a formal proposal with the Centre for increasing the number of seats in the Sikkim assembly seats settle the issue of Limboo - Tamang communities. He said Sikkim had witnessed development in all spheres. The HPV vaccination program was an initiative of the State government and people should take the benefit since the State Government was providing it free of cost. He also stated that the State had sought to decriminalize the users of drugs and treat it as a disease to control drug abuse in Sikkim. On the occasion, various awards were distributed to government employees for their meritorious services. District Collector (North) Karma R. Bonpo was felicitated by the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Welfare Department.