Mangan, May 15, 2012:

Justice Altamas Kabir, Judge Supreme Court of India who is an Executive Chairman, National Legal Services Authority visited North Sikkim on Sunday and held interaction with the public and panchayats.  He was accompanied by Chief Justice High Court of Sikkim, Justice Permod Kohli, SP Wangdi, Judge High Court of Sikkim and District Collector North, TN Kazi.

The first session of the programme was held at BAC Passingdang in Upper Dzongu where the interaction session was held with the people and panchayats of Dzongu.  He was accorded welcome by the public and area MLA cum Minister for Power, Sonam Gyatso Lepcha along with the district administration.  The function was organized by Sikkim State Legal Services Authority under the aegis of National Legal Services Authority.

Justice Kabir was impressed with the good administration and law and order of North Sikkim as the local people informed about the good administration.  Similarly, while interacting about the law and order in North Sikkim Sr. SP North, BK Tamang informed that maximum cases in North district are registered relating to accidents.

The public and panchayats in the interaction session highlighted about the bad road condition of Dzongu as most of the road falls under BRO.  Due to the weak bridge, the heavy vehicles cannot ply over this road which is delaying in several other projects.  They further highlighted about the delay in getting forest clearance from Centre which is also hampering the progress of different developmental schemes in the villages.

The Dzongu MLA cum Power Minister, Sonam Gyatso Lepcha on behalf of the people highlighted about the Sangkalang-Toong road which started since 1992 has not been completed by the BRO till date and requested for the further execution of the said road which is the dire need of the public.  He also highlighted about the decline of cardamom farming in Dzongu which was the main source of income for the people of Dzongu. In this regard he requested the chairman to discuss the matter with Spices Board.

Later, Justice Kabir also inaugurated the Legal Aid Clinic at Mediation Centre at Mangan.  A short interaction was also held at Mangan with the public and panchayat of North Sikkim including Lachen, Lachung and Mangan where the representatives from Lachung highlighted about the provision of doctors and other medical facilities in this remotest part of the state of Lachung and Lachen.  The representatives of Mangan Nagar Panchayat also disclosed about the poor service of BSNL in North Sikkim and requested the entourage for taking up the matter with the concerned authorities.

Responding to the people here, Justice Kabir informed that most of the people are not aware of about their rights and about legal services which is very essential.  He also informed about the National Legal Services Authority which has been established during the year 1998.  Apart from the legal matters NLSA will also provide other services regarding the proper implementation of the schemes, he added.  He also assured all the demands placed by the public to discuss in the centre with concerned authority.

Likewise, SP Wangdi also spoke about the Legal Services Authority and the importance of the function.

Also in the team of entourage were Maltilda Issac, Joint Secretary SLSA, KC Barfungpa, District and Session Judge cum Member Secretary SLAS.  DC North TN Kazi, Sr SP North, BK Tamang, SDM Mangan, PW Lepcha,  ADC North, DDO North, Chewang Gyatso Bhutia, and the officials from various departments.

Earlier the session had started with the welcome speech delivered by DDO North Chewang Gyatso Bhutia followed by brief introduction of the session by KC Barfungpa, District and Session Judge cum Member Secretary SLAS.

Sikkim Mail

 

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