AJAY THAMI
PAKYONG: Like other economic sectors, flower growers in Sikkim are also struggling to generate business during the ongoing 21-day lockdown period. Some of them are solely dependent on seasonal flower sale for income like Kumar Chettri, a progressive flower grower of Upper Namcheybong, Pakyong.
“I used to earn Rs. 6000 to Rs. 7000 per month by selling seasonal flowers at Pakyong market and sustain my family. Due to the lockdown, I could not sell my flowers which greatly affect my source of income,” said Chettri.
Chettri informed that flowers have bloomed in his greenhouse and are worth around Rs. 25,000. But I cannot sell these flowers, he said. He requested the State government to consider some relief package for flower growers like him.
There are other flower growers in our village and they are also dependent on this livelihood source but are facing great hardships due to the lockdown, said Chettri.
MP WANTS BENGAL GOVT TO REVIVE CINCHONA PLANTATIONS IN WAKE OF HYDROXYCHOLOROQUINE DEMAND
Our Correspondent
DARJEELING: Darjeeling MP Raju Bista said the West Bengal government should come forward to revive the cinchona plantations in the hills as the demand for anti-malarial drug hydroxycholoroquine is on the rise for coronavirus-infected persons.
Hydroxychloroquine demand came into the forefront recently after the US government sought supplies of the anti-malarial drug from the Indian government.
“In the past few days, I have received numerous calls and messages from the people regarding our cinchona plantations turning into a hub for hydroxychloroquine. From what I have been told, that product is synthetically derived. I am not certain of the capabilities of the cinchona lab here but given proper equipment, chemicals and resources, I am sure they can produce hydroxychloroquine,” said the Darjeeling MP in a press statement yesterday.
“Cinchona plantations in our Darjeeling and Kalimpong hills have a rich 160-year-old history. It was once the most important centre for production of quinine in India. It employs nearly 7,000 employees and supports the sustenance of around 50,000 individuals. After the tea industry, cinchona plantations are the second largest source of industrial employment in our hills. In any other place, such an important industry would have the obvious attention of policymakers, market specialists, business owners and the government,” said Bista.
He said the West Bengal government has abdicated all its responsibilities towards cinchona plantations in the hills.
“Four factories connected with this industry have been shut down in the past 25-years. Business has dried up and there is no policy or plans in place to revive this magnificent industry. Till date, cinchona plantations have been viewed merely from socio-political perspective. I feel the time has come to look at cinchona plantations from the economic perspective and to make it a hub of medicinal plants in India,” said Bista. He added that with proper plans, marketing and executing team, cinchona plantations can be transformed into a positive unit.
For this, we are trying to get a research centre on medicinal plants under National Medicinal Plants Board to be established for cinchona plantations with help from AYUSH ministry, said the MP.
SDF ACCUSE STATE GOVT OF IGNORING HEALTH SECURITY OF PHARMA WORKERS, TEMI TEA GARDEN EMPLOYEES
Staff Reporter
GANGTOK: SDF spokesperson J.B. Darnal on Saturday accused the SKM government of being indifferent to the health concerns of the Temi tea garden workers by permitting the State undertaking to operate during the lockdown period amidst COVID-19 fears.
The lone tea garden of Sikkim is functioning with the flush tea leaves being plucked and processed like many other tea plantations in neighbouring Darjeeling hills and Assam.
Addressing the media here, the SDF spokesperson said: “It is clear that the management and the State government is least concerned on the safety of the workers in Temi tea garden. Tea is not an essential commodity and there is no harm if one season is compromised keeping the safety of workers in mind. We fear that with social distancing not being maintained, a coronavirus hotspot could come up in Temi region.”
Darnal said Temi tea garden does not come under Essential Commodities Act 1955.
“There are 405 workers in the plantation, they have already raised concerns over their health safety over lack of social distancing, and also not getting grace payments during the lockdown like the pharma company workers. Such endeavour can also be taken for the Temi tea garden workers as well,” he said.
The SDF spokesperson also maintained that proper social distancing protocols is difficult to implement in the pharma factories here.
“There are 20,000-25,000 workers in various pharmaceutical companies and at any given time the factories need at least 500 people as manpower. In such a scenario, there is no social distancing being maintained. The Rs. 300 overtime payment given to the workers during the lockdown does not suffice when some are earning Rs. 900 per day. There is clear instructions from the Cabinet Secretary of the Union government vide a notification dated March 22, 2020 which asserts that the daily wages for such workers amidst the coronavirus scare or any such emergency must be raised twice than the normal rate,” said Darnal.
The workers of the pharma factories should be given temporary shelter and food provisions within the factory premises so they can maintain social distancing from their families amidst the COVID-19 fears, said the SDF spokesperson. He also sought setting up community kitchens like in other States here in Sikkim taking the migrant workers into account.
“The State government may be serious about the safety of frontline workers but they must not forget the work put on by village police, Safai Karmacharis, journalists and other essential service providers. The State government must ensure life insurance for such workers worth Rs. 1 crore at least. In urgency, they must release funds for such workers as well over the next 2-3 days not as a festival allowance later in the year”, said Darnal.
CM ATTENDS VIDEO CONFERENCING WITH PM
All States to follow Centre’s decision on COVID-19 lockdown
SE Report
GANGTOK: Chief Minister P.S. Golay today took part in the video conference of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Chief Ministers of all the States regarding COVID-19 situation and ongoing lockdown.
During the video conference, it was agreed that all the States will follow the guidelines and decisions of the Central government on COVID-19 lockdown and post-lockdown situations, the Chief Minister shared in his social media account.
“We are happy to inform that till now 56 tests which have been conducted in our State have all come out to be negative. Till this afternoon, 950 students of Sikkim stranded outside have been provided with financial assistance of Rs. 5000 per student,” said Golay.
Similarly, patients who are obtaining medical treatment outside Sikkim are also provided with financial assistance by the government.
“So far, fortunately no positive case of COVID-19 has been reported from Sikkim but we should be very vigil and take utmost care and should not let any sort of complacency to creep in.”
The Chief Minister extended his heartfelt gratitude towards the people of Sikkim for their support and cooperation. Without their participation, it would not have been possible to keep COVID-19 at bay, he said. He also thanked the line departments who are working tirelessly in the present situation.
“I urge all the citizens to be calm and composed during this period. We will be holding a cabinet on Tuesday for taking further decision on the challenges being faced because of the COVID-19,” the Chief Minister shared.sikkimexpress/from, india
