BDOs & Panchayats sensitised on issuance of trade license

‘Issuance of trade license by Panchayats has added a new chapter in the delegation of power’

Pappu Mallick

GANGTOK, September 2: The State level orientation programme on the issue of ‘trade and hawker license’ by PRIs was held today here at Chintan Bhawan.

The programme organised by the State Rural Management and Development Department in co-ordination with the State Urban Development and Housing Department saw the presence of BDOs and Panchayats of all four districts.

In his opening remarks, the Secretary RM&DD, AK Ganeriwala informed that the issuance of trade license by the Panchayats has added a new chapter in the delegation of power in the State. This programme, he said has been organised to sensitise the BDOs and Panchayats on the issuance of trade license so that the very objective could be fulfilled in true spirit. Stating further, he said that 10 Gram Prashasan Kendra are under construction and 20 others will also be constructed in the near future. Highlighting on the enhancement of seats for women in Panchayat, he said that the bill which was recently passed by the Assembly, empowers women of the rural areas by giving equal status in local governance.

The Secretary lamented that the monthly honorarium is also being provided to the Panchayats by the State Government and in the same manner he also appealed to them to be vigilant and transparent while discharging their duties.

The Addl. Secretary UD&HD, Sonam D. Chankapa and other officials of the department made the power point presentation on the guidelines for issue of trade and hawker licenses and announcements of notified towns and bazaars classification.

According to their presentation, the Licensing Authority is the Secretary UD&HD. The issuance of trade and hawker licenses in the rural areas and the Municipal areas have been delegated to the Gram Panchayats, Gangtok Municipal Council and the Nagar Panchayats.

There are some criteria for the issuance of licenses like the applicant must be 18 years and above and should possess Sikkim Subject Certificate or Certificate of Identification. NOC from house owner, occupancy certificate of building in case premises fall under notified area, recommendation from MLA etc. are other criteria.  

The meeting also elaborated on the other procedures for obtaining trade licenses, criteria for the issue of hawker license, validity of license, conditions for renewal and cancellation. The bazaars and towns of all the districts have also been identified as Bazaar class-I, Bazaar class-II, Bazaar class III, and Rural Marketing Centres.

Earlier, the programme began with the welcome address by Deputy Secretary, RM&DD while the programme was rounded off by the vote of thanks proposed by Director Panchayat.

Cancer patient pleas for funds

Pappu Mallick

GANGTOK, September 1: A resident of  32 No., near Singtam in East Sikkim, Shyam Kumar Chettri (18), who has been suffering from knee cancer since January 2011 is being compelled to stay at STNM hospital here owing to lack of finance.

Speaking to media persons here today, Chandra Bahadur Chettri, the patient’s step father said he failed to take Shyam Kumar for treatment outside of the State as the amount of Rs 20,000 given by the State Government did not reach him on time. “A person who received this amount on my behalf misused the money and failed to reach me,” said Chandra Bahadur, an illiterate farmer. 

He did not disclose the name of the person who had misused his money but said the amount was given back only when a neighbour lodged a police complaint. “If I had got the money on time, my step son would have been cured by now,” he said.

However, when the his condition worsened, there was no option but to re-admit Shyam Kumar at STNM Hospital on August 28.

According to the doctors at STNM, the patient, who has been referred to a hospital in Delhi, should be immediately taken there and treatment started as soon as possible.

Losing all hope, Chettri has appealed to all people to help him save his step son’s life. Individuals and organizations willing to chip in help are required to contact (Pappu Mallick) in this number 9609869271.