Category Archives: Economy

Economy, Regional

One day hill trail for hikers: GTA to introduce route to commemorate Tenzing’s Everest summit

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On May 29, 1953, Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary scaled the world’s highest peak for the first time
Darjeeling’s Mall or Chowrasta from where the Tenzing Norgay Hiking Trail will start.: File picture

Binita Paul, TT, Siliguri, 29.05.24 : The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) will introduce a one-day-long hiking trail for adventure enthusiasts and tourists in general in the hilly terrains of Darjeeling on Wednesday to commemorate the 71st anniversary of the Mt. Everest summit.

On May 29, 1953, Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary scaled the world’s highest peak for the first time.
S.P. Sharma, the GTA’s chief public relations officer (PRO), said the tourist-friendly one-day trail in Darjeeling had been conceived earlier but was never launched.

“From tomorrow (Wednesday), the trail will be active for tourists. Tenzing Norgay had traversed the route to practise trekking several decades ago,” he said.

Mount Kanchenjungha as seen from Tiger Hill, the last destination of the trail. : File picture

The trail, Sharma said, will start from Chowrasta, the popular promenade in the heart of the hill town, and move through picturesque landscapes and charming villages.

“It will move through the quaint hamlet of Toongsung and people can experience the serenity of Lambadara and immerse themselves in the rich cultural tapestry of Gurung Gaon,” the GTA PRO said.

After Gurung Gaon, tourists will experience the adventure of crossing the Rungdung river.

“As one descends, the trail leads him/her to Rangeyroong, offering panoramic vistas of the majestic Himalayan peaks,” Sharma said.

In the final leg, a tourist or a trekker will move to Gaddikhan while the last destination will be Tiger Hill.

“We would like to invite tourists to experience the legacy of Tenzing Norgay and celebrate the spirit of mountaineering on the Tenzing Norgay Hiking Trail,” he added.

Sources said the hiking trail would be 12km long. “This trail is a moderate challenge and requires around five to six hours of walking at a height of 8,500ft. Along the way, tourists can witness diverse flora and fauna, including rare orchids and vibrant birds,” said a source.

Dawa Gyalpo Sherpa, the coordinator of adventure tourism at the GTA, said: “Trekking is for long trips while day-hiking is a one-day trip. We recommend it for tourists with families. We are also launching a second trail tomorrow (Wednesday),” he said.

Sherpa said the Tibetan Museum, the house of Tenzing Norgay, the Ava Art Gallery and the historic Burdwan Palace (Rajbari) fall along the second trail.

He said tourists could have a tea break at Shiv Eco-Camp before venturing through the serene Arya tea estate where they could check out the process of making the world-famous Darjeeling Tea.

Tourists will also visit the Sidrapong hydro-electrical project, which is recognised as Asia’s first hydroelectric project. From Sidrapong, tourists will drive back to Darjeeling via the Orange Valley tea estate.

“This will be a 10km-long trail with moderate difficulty level. The altitude will be from 6,800 feet to 3,600 feet. This adventure walk offers a unique opportunity to explore the region’s cultural, historical and natural heritage while promoting eco-tourism and sustainable travel practices,” said Sherpa.

Tourism stakeholders said many visitors to Darjeeling would prefer short treks.

“Usually, trekkers head for Sandakphu (the highest point in Bengal). But it takes four to five days to cover the entire route and many couldn’t afford it because of the lack of time and health reasons. They will now have the option to join these shorter treks,” said a tour operator based in Siliguri.
Economy, National

Parents lament high fees of private schools, blame central and state governments for ‘burden’

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 With government schools in a state of neglect, parents in small towns, cities and rural areas send kids to private institutions that charge high fees

Basant Kumar Mohanty Kannauj, TT, Yavatmal, 28.05.24 : Ankit Dixit, 30, from Uttar Pradesh’s Kannauj has a child who will enrol in nursery next year. The high fee that private schools charge is giving Ankit sleepless nights.

“In Kannauj, parents pay Rs 3,000 a month in nursery fees for schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). This is a heavy burden on parents,” Ankit said.

With government schools in a state of neglect, parents in small towns, cities and rural areas send kids to private institutions that charge high fees.

“If someone asks about the school where your child is admitted, you feel ashamed to say that he or she is in a government school. Private schooling has become a normal affair as they are perceived to offer quality education,” Dixit said.

He said the central and state governments have not taken any step to regulate school fees.

“Private schools are not the solution. The new government at the Centre must take steps along with the states to improve the quality of education in government schools,” he said.

The government had in 2010 enforced the Right To Education (RTE) Act, which stipulates free and compulsory education to children up to 14 years of age, a trained teacher for every 30 children and at least one classroom for every teacher.

The lone government school at Krishnapur village under Ralegaon Tehsil in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district has only two dilapidated rooms.

Deorao Sitaram Thackeray, 72, said nearly 25 children are enrolled in the school, which has classes up to the fifth standard.

“The nearest government school is in Ralegaon, which is 2km from here. We send our children to the village school even though it is in dilapidated condition,” Thackeray said.

According to a Public Education Manifesto released by civil society groups RTE Forum, Alliance to Right to Early Childhood Development and the Campaign against Child Labour, only 25.5 per cent of schools in the country are RTE-compliant. Nearly 8.4 lakh teacher posts are vacant in about 10 lakh government schools in the country. One in seven schools is run by a single teacher.

Apart from the quality of education, access to schooling is another issue for the students.

Rasoolpur village under Badaun tehsil in Badaun district has a government school where children from 300 families can study up to Class VIII. The children either have to drop out after Class VIII or go 5km to Kheda Bhamora village to continue their education.

“Many children, particularly girls, drop out after Class VIII,” said Vinesh Yadav, a shopkeeper.

The report said there had been a steady growth in the number of private schools across the country. Seven of 10 new schools in India are now private.

Prof Ranjan Welukar, former vice-chancellor of Mumbai University, said the increase in private schools meant a rise in discrimination among children.

“The quality of education should be equal for all children. If the children of the rich and the middle class go to private schools, they will have different types of education. This leads to discrimination. Education should be inclusive,” Welukar said.

He said health and education should remain in the public sector for the development of the nation.

Prof C.B. Sharma, former chairman of the National Institute of Open Schooling, a central government school board, harped on stringent regulations to check fee structure in schools.

“There should be an independent school education commission, which will vet curriculum and books and prescribe fee structure that the private schools have to adhere to,” Sharma said.
Economy, Regional, West Bengal

Tea workers’ union seeks MGNREGS safety net from Mamata Banerjee government

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In a letter to Mamata, the National Union of Plantation Workers (NUPW), which is affiliated with Intuc, has said that workers of several tea estates of the Terai and the Dooars are not getting work for six days every week because of low yield in plantations hit by inclement weather
Tea workers at a garden in the Siliguri plains.: File picture

TT, Siliguri, 27.05.24 : The distress in north Bengal tea industry has prompted a leading tea trade union to write to chief minister Mamata Banerjee, seeking jobs for tea workers under the 100 days’ work (MGNREGS) scheme.

In a letter to Mamata, the National Union of Plantation Workers (NUPW), which is affiliated with Intuc, has said that workers of several tea estates of the Terai and the Dooars are not getting work for six days every week because of low yield in plantations hit by inclement weather.
Mani Kumar Darnal, the NUPW general secretary who sent the letter to Mamata, said several tea companies these days were engaging less number of workers every week.

“Workers are losing out on wages because of the ‘no work, no pay’ system. Many tea workers are the sole breadwinners in their families. That is why we have written to the chief minister to provide jobs under MGNREGS for workers so that they can at least this loss in their earnings can be compensated,” said Darnal.

Over three lakh workers serve in the tea estates of north Bengal.

As of now, a tea worker in Bengal earns ₹250 per day. Under the MGNREGS, the daily wage rate, after the Centre’s revision in March this year, is the same.

In his letter, Darnal said that the Bengal government should create one manday per hectare of tea plantation.

A trade union leader explained it. “This means that if a garden has 1,000 hectares of plantation area, 1,000 mandays (optimally) can be created. Tea workers can work under the scheme on rotation, which means a worker who has not been engaged in the garden today can work under the MGNREGS, and tomorrow, another worker can replace him depending on the situation. This will eventually help workers earn roughly the same amount every month,” the trade union leader said.

Jobs like land development, micro and minor irrigation work, watershed management and drainage, which are stipulated under the scheme, can begin in tea gardens, he said.

In the letter, NUPW leader Darnal also said that the state government could mull over the proposal of providing jobs to one member of every family or household in a tea estate.

“As tea leaf production is low now, tea companies are in distress and cannot provide regular jobs to workers. Hence, if every household in the garden has a job card, they can tide over this crisis,” said Darnal.

Trinamool leaders, when told about the letter, said that the BJP-led Centre had stopped providing funds to Bengal for the 100 days’ job scheme.

“That is why the state government used its own funds to clear the dues of those who worked under the scheme but didn’t get their wages,” said a TMC leader based in Alipurduar, a district with over 60 tea estates.

The NUPW leaders, however, said that the Mamata Banerjee government has introduced Karmashree, a scheme to provide 50 days’ work to people. “At this time of crisis, this scheme can be extended to tea gardens,” one of them said.
Economy, Sikkim

No footfall dip, visitors choosing rural homestays over Gangtok hotels: Sikkim government

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Tourism stakeholders, in recent months, have been stating that the poor condition of arterial highway NH10 and its frequent closures, as well as the closure of important tourist spots like Gurudongmar in north Sikkim and steep cab fares are deterrents to tourism in Sikkim at the moment
The Temi Tea Garden in Namchi district of Sikkim, a tourist destination famed for its pine trees and view of the mountains: Sourced by The Telegraph

Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, 27.05.24 :  The Sikkim tourism department has argued that homestays and other smaller accommodations in rural areas are attracting tourists over Gangtok hotels to counter those claiming a steep decline in visitors to the Himalayan state.

Data available from hotels based in Gangtok suggested that tourist footfall declined this year compared to earlier years.
Negating the inference of Gangtok hoteliers, a senior Sikkim tourism official said: “During the first quarter (of 2024), 2.94 lakh tourists visited Sikkim. One should not think like the earlier days when tourists would come to Gangtok hotels first and from there go to other places in the state like Geysing and Namchi.”

“Because of good transport facilities, they (tourists) are nowadays going directly to Yumthang valley and other places through various other entry points (to Sikkim) like Melli, Rangpo, Ramman and Reshi, and not necessarily touching Gangtok,” the official added.

The official said he had recently spoken to elected rural representatives in Zuluk and adjoining areas about tourism. “They said homestays were attracting big crowds and doing evergreen business,” the official added.

According to the Sikkim official, these homestays only charged around ₹1,000 per head for food and accommodation. Homestays are making small profits but earning all year round. Honestly, homestay owners are happy…. It is their business strategy,” the official added.

Tourism stakeholders, however, refused to fully endorse the government’s argument that tourism had not dwindled and had shifted focus from hotels to homestays.

“While a lot of homestays have come up in Sikkim and the Darjeeling hills, we do not think Gangtok hotels are not doing well because of homestays. The flow of tourists in Darjeeling town is much higher at the moment than Gangtok. Although Darjeeling has as many homestays, its hotels are also doing well, which is not the case with Sikkim,” said a hotelier with properties both in Sikkim and Darjeeling.

There are some 1,700 registered homestays in Darjeeling hills and almost an equal number in Sikkim. Many homestays are not registered in both places.

Tourism stakeholders, in recent months, have been stating that the poor condition of arterial highway NH10 and its frequent closures, as well as the closure of important tourist spots like Gurudongmar in north Sikkim and steep cab fares are deterrents to tourism in Sikkim at the moment.

As recently as on May 13, the Union ministry of tourism had written to the Sikkim tourism and civil aviation department, expressing concerns that tourists visiting the state had complaints of “exploitative” cab and permit rates and lack of amenities for visitors, among other things.

The Sikkim government had then formed a high-level panel to look into the complaints.

On Friday, Sikkim tourism department issued an order stating that luxury cabs taking tourists to Nathula, Tsomgo and Baba Mandir from Gangtok cannot charge more than ₹7,000 and normal vehicles not more than ₹6,500, both inclusive of permit fees.
Economy, International, National

China, Nepal open traditional border trade points

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PTI, Beijing, May 25, 2024 :  China and Nepal on Saturday reopened their traditional border trade points that have “supported livelihoods” and played a “significant role” in fostering the development and prosperity of border areas.


The development comes two months after Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha urged China to reopen the 14 traditional border points with the Tibetan Autonomous Region not just for bilateral trade and commerce but for the movement of people too.

The reopening ceremony on Saturday took place in Zhentang township on the China-Nepal border in the city of Xigaze — in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region — a pivotal city for China’s opening-up to South Asia, bordering India, Nepal and Bhutan, and hosting five trade land ports, state-run Xinhua news agency said.

Feng Xuecheng, director of the municipal commerce bureau, said that traditional border trade has long supported the livelihoods of border residents and played a significant role in fostering the development and prosperity of border areas. “We plan to continuously improve border trade infrastructure and promote further economic and trade exchanges between China and Nepal,” Feng was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

At the Zhentang trade point, 110 Chinese merchants and 47 Nepalese merchants engaged in transactions involving over 50 types of goods, including daily necessities, building materials, food and beverages, agricultural products and Nepalese handicrafts.

Trade activities also resumed at other traditional sites in counties such as Zhongba, Saga, Gyirong and Nyalam, the report said.

Earlier on March 29, during his first visit to China from March 25 to April 1 was in Lhasa, when he underscored the importance of exporting products from Nepal during a meeting with Wang Junzheng, secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Tibet Autonomous Regional Committee.

Nepal officials in Lhasa had then said that Shrestha, during the meeting, reiterated the need for reopening of traditional border points for the promotion of trade and commerce as well as facilitating the movement of people. 
Business, Economy, Entertainment, Regional

Gorubathan has natural resources for adventure tourism

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KalimNews, Kalimpong, 24 May 2024: The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) is set to enhance the adventure tourism potential of Gorubathan, leveraging its abundant natural resources. Dawa Gyalpo Sherpa, the chief coordinator of Adventure Tourism for the GTA, conducted a survey in Gorubathan to identify opportunities for both tourists and locals. He highlighted the area’s suitability for activities such as paragliding, rock climbing, and riverside camping.

Prashant Rana, an expert in paragliding adventure tourism, along with his team, surveyed various locations and confirmed the potential for promoting adventure tourism in the region. During discussions with the Gorubathan Tourism Development Society (GTDS), the team exchanged ideas for developing tourism infrastructure. Sherpa announced that the GTA team plans to conduct test flights for paragliding in selected areas to further assess feasibility.

This initiative aims to boost the local economy by attracting adventure tourists and providing new recreational opportunities for residents. The development of adventure tourism in Gorubathan is expected to capitalize on its natural beauty and diverse landscapes, making it a significant destination for thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts alike.
 

Dawa Gyalpo Sherpa, chief coordinator of Adventure Tourism for the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), highlighted the positive impact of last year’s mountain bike racing event in Gorubathan and announced plans to reorganize it for a second time. He emphasized the importance of consistent training for local youths to sustain tourism development in the region. Sherpa acknowledged the efforts of the Gorubathan Tourism Development Society (GTDS) and stressed the need for active participation from local stakeholders and authorities to promote tourism effectively.

Sherpa noted that developing a tourist destination requires years of consistent effort and follow-up. He expressed his pleasure with the positive initiatives taken by GTDS and assured that the GTA’s Department of Tourism will support GTDS in achieving its goals. On behalf of GTDS, President Shyam Thapa thanked the GTA and the team for their support, highlighting GTDS’s efforts to generate income and ensure sustainable development for the local community.

Secretary Tufan Subba of GTDS added that with the help of GTA, adventure tourism in Gorubathan can be significantly boosted, opening new avenues in the tourism sector. He also mentioned plans to organize a workshop to train local tourist guides and encourage more youths to join the profession.

These initiatives aim to leverage Gorubathan’s natural resources for adventure tourism, enhancing the local economy and providing new opportunities for the residents.

Business, Economy, Regional, West Bengal

North Bengal-based online platform launches three new travel shows to boost homestays

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 Homestaying.in, a north Bengal-based online platform which connects around 500 homestays in the hills and plains, has taken the initiative to offer accommodations which suit the requirements of tourists
A grab of the video released by homestaying.in shows Manpreet Kaur, a yoga instructor, performing a yoga session at a homestay in  the Darjeeling hills.: The Telegraph

Binita Paul, TT, Siliguri, 24.05.24 : A website dedicated to homestays in north Bengal has launched three new travel shows on its YouTube channel to draw more tourists to the region.

Homestaying.in, a north Bengal-based online platform which connects around 500 homestays in the hills and plains, has taken the initiative to offer accommodations which suit the requirements of tourists.

“We have released three new travel shows on our official YouTube channel. The idea is to popularise the local homestays and promote the tourism industry in north Bengal. The shows will feature three distinct hosts, taking the viewers for a travelling experience throughout the region,” said Prabhakar Thapa, the founder of homestaying.in.

He said the travel hosts were from different walks of life and would promote various homestays and travel destinations, particularly from the hilly region.

Among them, Priyanka Chakraborty is a travel content creator, Manpreet Kaur is a yoga instructor and Jigme Singh is a hotelier.

The travel shows, Thapa said, will have weekly episodes and have been introduced while keeping in mind the exponential growth of homestays.

Priyanka, who will run a show called ‘The Modern Traveller,’ will guide tourists to find popular tourist destinations, covering the colonial architecture built by the British.

Manpreet Kaur, on the other hand, will take tourists on a spiritual retreat. “People will know how to rejuvenate themselves during a trip. There will be sessions on sound healing,” she said.

Jigme, on the other hand, will showcase the local cuisine.

“Our region has its own food platter and we will motivate every individual to venture beyond their familiar territories in cuisine,” said the travel host.

Thapa, while elaborating on their activities, said through their website, tourists can find only homestays.

“There is no option for hotels. Through our website, they can filter their requirements. We have categories like tea bungalows, high-altitude stays, hostels, B&B, and camping sites. All these are being run by the local people,” he said.

Courtesy & source- The Telegraph
Economy, Regional, West Bengal

Crisis in north Bengal tea industry, Dooars garden staff halt work over unpaid salary

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Around 80 staff and sub-staff of Nagaisuree, a tea estate in Matiali block of Jalpaiguri district, didn’t join duties on Wednesday

TT Correspondent, Jalpaiguri, 16.05.24 : The staff and sub-staff of a tea estate in the Dooars resorted to ceasework on Wednesday, alleging delay in their salaries.

Around 80 staff and sub-staff of Nagaisuree, a tea estate in Matiali block of Jalpaiguri district, didn’t join duties on Wednesday.
“Usually, we get our salaries by the 10th of every month. This month, we haven’t been paid till date (May 15). We have to run our families and meet various expenses, including educational expenses of our children,” said Deep Bhattacharya, a staff member.

Others like Biswasjit Das, Kamal Pradhan, Laxman Bhumij and Kishun Mahali said that unless the management paid them their salaries, they would not work.

“We have spoken with the garden’s manager and have made it clear that if the salaries are not paid immediately, we will not join our duties,” said Das.

Sources said a decline in tea production and prices over the past couple of months has landed the management of Nagaisuree in fund problems.

“Some other gardens in the Dooars are facing the same issue. If such a situation prevails, it will pose a question on the sustainability of these gardens,” said a senior tea planter in Siliguri.

Unlike the staff and sub-staff, the 1,450 tea workers of Nagaisuree have received their wages on time, said sources.

“The entire industry is in crisis. The management has been informed about the ceasework of employees. We hope the issue is resolved soon,” said a garden source.

Planters’ plea

The Indian Tea Planters’ Association (ITPA), an association of tea planters in north Bengal, has written to chief minister Mamata Banerjee, seeking financial aid for the brew belt.

“The north Bengal tea industry is in utter crisis due to production loss and price dip. Many tea estates are finding it tough to clear regular dues and a section of these are regulating working days,” said a source in ITPA.

“In such a situation, a financial package from the government is needed to help the industry tide over the crisis,” the source added.

Courtesy & source- The Telegraph
Economy, International, Regional, West Bengal

Bitter brew over Nepal tea imports, Darjeeling industry ‘shocked’ at lack of proper testing

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 The latest bitterness against the government’s failure to check the quality of Nepal tea comes after 28 trucks carrying Nepal tea were reportedly allowed to enter India in April-end without food security checks from the Panitanki border near Siliguri

Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, 16.05.24 : The Darjeeling tea industry is bitter over the government’s alleged move to allow Nepal tea imports without properly testing the entire consignment.

Darjeeling Tea Association (DTA) has alleged that it is “shocked that cheap and dubious Nepal tea is being allowed to be imported without FSSAI checks”.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory body under the Union ministry of health and family welfare and regulates, among other things, the quality of food articles in India, including its imports.

“The FSSAI in its order dated 23.04.2024 has clearly mandated that all import teas need to be subjected to full and accurate testing as per stated FSSAI protocol… Cheap duty-free dumping of low quality and FSSAI non-compliant teas from Nepal have turned the Darjeeling tea industry into an ICU patient…,” said a DTA official.

The latest bitterness against the government’s failure to check the quality of Nepal tea comes after 28 trucks carrying Nepal tea were reportedly allowed to enter India in April-end without food security checks from the Panitanki border near Siliguri.

Sources said that these trucks were first stopped and the entire consignment of Nepal teas was tested, but vehicles were allowed inside India before the test reports came in.

Administrative sources admitted that the trucks were allowed to enter India with a directive from “higher authorities.”

“At the moment, the first five consignments of importers (for tea) are now being tested and this is valid for six months. Of course, random tests are also done,” said a source in the known of things.

The incident of the 28 trucks created a flutter in Nepal.

“The issue was taken up right to the Nepal Prime Minister’s office by Nepal tea growers. The matter was also raised with the Indian government,” said a source in Nepal.

The Darjeeling Tea industry wants the government to take stringent measures against the “dumping” of Nepal tea into India. Industry stakeholders have alleged that many unscrupulous dealers in India are either mixing or selling Nepal tea as Darjeeling tea.

The tea-growing districts of Nepal are contiguous to Darjeeling district.

Nepal exports around 16,000 tonnes of tea, around 90 per cent to India.

Courtesy & source- The Telegraph
Economy, Regional, West Bengal

Tea gardens struggle as weather wreaks havoc

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MP, 15 May 2024, Alipurduar: This year, tea production has been significantly impacted by extreme weather conditions. 

After thorough analysis, the tea plantation workers’ organisations are planning to approach the state government. 
Due to a lack of rain, tea production has suffered greatly in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar, sparking widespread concern among various tea gardens. 
The Trinamool Cha Bagan Shramik Union (TCBSU) intends to approach Labor minister Malay Ghatak regarding this issue. 
The letter will detail the extent of production loss in over 300 tea gardens in North Bengal, providing an overview of the situation in these gardens, according to union leaders. 
Gangaprasad Sharma, a leader of TCBSU, stated: “This year, many tea gardens have experienced production losses of up to 90 per cent compared to last year. Naturally, we are deeply concerned. 
Additionally, it was decided in our organisational meeting that TCBSU will soon submit a memorandum on this matter at the Jalpaiguri PF office.” The tea industry attributes the decline to the lack of rainfall over the past four months, which has led to diseases and insect attacks in the plantations. 
Chinmoy Dhar, Chairman of the Tea Association of India, North Bengal, remarked: “Rainfall is now a blessing for us. 
This year has brought unprecedented weather extremes, posing significant challenges for the tea industry.” 
However, scattered rainfall has been observed in the tea gardens of North Bengal since Saturday. 
The Saraswatipur tea garden in Jalpaiguri district received a record amount of 6.5 inches of rain. 
Courtesy & source- Millennium Post
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/tea-gardens-struggle-as-weather-wreaks-havoc-563939
Economy, Regional, Sikkim, West Bengal

After a lull in April, tourists start returning to Darjeeling, Sikkim

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Sanchita Aich Bag, MP, 15 May 2024, Siliguri: After a slump in tourism during the month of April, it is back on track again with a large number of tourists visiting Darjeeling and the neighbouring state of Sikkim. 

However, fewer tourists are visiting the Dooars area compared to the hills. Currently, hotels and homestays have 90 per cent occupancy in Darjeeling. 
The tourist footfall in Sikkim is also huge following the Teesta disaster caused by flash floods in River Teesta on October 4, 2023. 
The flash floods had wreaked havoc taking a toll mainly on road connectivity. “Very few tourists visited Sikkim in April this year as compared to last year. 
However, a large number of tourists are visiting Darjeeling this month. 90 per cent of occupancy is booked. We hope we will witness a tourist rush in the month of June also,” said Samrat Sanyal, the Secretary of Himalaya Hospitality and Tourism Development Network (HHTDN). 
Every year, from April to June, a large number of tourists visit Darjeeling, Sikkim. However in April this year, hotels and homestays experienced around 50 to 60% occupancy. 
In some places, the percentage dipped to 45 per cent also.” Tourism stakeholders blamed it on the Lok Sabha election. 
They also blamed excessive price hikes on flight fares. “Fewer flights are operating from Bagdogra Airport. The fare has increased. Many tourists are avoiding visiting this region owing to this also,” Sanyal added. 
North Sikkim has been heavily affected by the October flash flood. Owing to disruption in road connectivity and the closure of National Highway 10 frequently for repairs have further contributed to the dip in tourists. 
Vehicles to Sikkim and Kalimpong to and fro Siliguri had been diverted through Lava and Gorubathan which is a longer route. 
Therefore, the vehicle fares also shot up. All these reasons added up to fewer tourists visiting Sikkim in April. 
However, this month onwards, with road connectivity restored and heat waves sweeping the plains, people have started visiting Sikkim. Almost 70 per cent occupancy has been recorded in different places in Sikkim, including Gangtok.

Courtesy & source- Millennium Post
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/after-a-lull-in-april-tourists-start-returning-to-darjeeling-sikkim-563948
Economy, Regional, West Bengal

GTA launches tourism app for homestay owners in Darjeeling, Kalimpong

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Dawa Gyalpo Sherpa, the chief coordinator of adventure tourism in the GTA, said that the objective is to see that hundreds of homestay owners, cab operators and tourist guides earn regularly by providing services to tourists in the hills
A homestay in the hills: Sourced by The Telegraph

Bireswar Banerjee,  TT,  Siliguri, 09.05.24 : For the first time, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has launched a mobile app to ensure that hundreds of homestay owners and other local stakeholders of the tourism industry in Darjeeling and Kalimpong hills get adequate business.

Dawa Gyalpo Sherpa, the chief coordinator of adventure tourism in the GTA, said that the objective is to see that hundreds of homestay owners, cab operators and tourist guides earn regularly by providing services to tourists in the hills.

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They can get themselves registered in the newly launched app named “darjeelingkalimpongtourismapp”, and can be downloaded from Google Playstore, he said.

“The stakeholders can register themselves through the app (available in Google Playstore) free of cost. It will help them find tourists who intend to stay at homestays or avail transport service or the service of a guide,” said Sherpa.

He said that over the past few years, hundreds of homestay facilities have come up across Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. Such accommodations were promoted to provide an alternative earning opportunity to people in remote locations of the hills.

“But what we have noticed is that a section of homestay owners after eventually handing over their facilities to outsiders on lease with a contract of a meagre amount. They are doing it because of an assured income but it is affecting the basic concept of homestay tourism,” he added.

The app has been launched so that the GTA has a record of the homestay facilities and the local homestay owners can get tourists through it and get decent earnings instead of providing the property to somebody else on lease.

“Once a homestay owner registers through the app, he can directly contact tourists and have steady business round the year without involving any middleman or agencies,” Sherpa said.

The owners can also put details of their properties with photographs, location and description on how to reach the place, mode of transport, nearest airport and railway station and local attractions in the app. “We will put QR codes in railway stations, airports, and other transit points so that tourists can scan the code and install the app to find a homestay, a cab or a guide,” said a source.

To popularise the app, the tourism department of the GTA has started sending teams to common locations like Sittong in Kurseong subdivision, where homestays, to inform the owners. “We will cover all locations where homestays have come up to encourage owners. Transporters will be told about the app soon,” said Sherpa.
Economy, Misc, Sikkim

President of India confers Padma Shri on renowned bamboo craftsman Jorden Lepcha

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PIB, GANGTOK, MAY 9, 2024 : President of India Droupadi Murmu conferred Padma Shri on Jorden Lepcha from Sikkim in the field of Art at a Civil Investiture Ceremony in New Delhi today. Born on July 28,1971, in the serene village of Rubeyam Ram, nestled amidst the stunning landscapes of Dzongu, Mangan District, Sikkim, Lepcha’s early years were shaped by the teachings of his parents who introduced him to the art of bamboo crafting.

 
Driven by a deep passion to revive ancient traditions, Lepcha immersed himself in mastering the intricate techniques of crafting Lepchahats, known as Thyaktuks. The pivotal moment came in 1997 when he participated in a six- month training programme for traditional hat weaving organized by the Government of Sikkim’s Industry department. Despite facing challenges in selling his creations initially, he persevered, taking on additional jobs to support his family while honing his craft.
In 2005, Lepcha began sharing his knowledge by conducting training sessions for aspiring artisans in Gangtok, summoned by the Directorate of Handicrafts &Handlooms (Govt. of Sikkim). 
 
His commitment extended to offering free training sessions at his own residence, empowering individuals to embrace and propagate the ancient craft of Lepcha hat weaving. Lepcha’s legacy goes beyond individual accomplishments; it’s about the impact one person can have in preserving and perpetuating cultural traditions. 
 
Through his efforts, he has not only safeguarded a cherished cultural heritage but also empowered countless individuals to embrace their heritage and sustain themselves through craftsmanship.
 
Through dedication and hard work, Lepcha’s expertise gained recognition, earning him accolades such as a Certificate of Merit from the Ministry of Textile(Government of India) and the esteemed title of Master Craftsman for the State of Sikkim. But beyond personal achievements, his journey has always been about giving back to his community and preserving their cultural legacy.
 
Brief citation about the life and work of the awardee Jorden Lepcha is given below-
 
1. Shri Jorden Lepcha is a famous bamboo craftsman from Sikkim.
 
2. Born on July 28, 1971, in the serene village of Rubeyam Ram, nestled amidst the stunning landscapes of Dzongu, Mangan District, Sikkim, Shri Lepcha’s early years were shaped by the teachings of his parents who introduced him to the art of bamboo crafting.
 
3. Driven by a deep passion to revive ancient traditions, Shri Lepcha immersed himself in mastering the intricate techniques of crafting Lepcha hats, known as Thyaktuks. The pivotal moment came in 1997 when he participated in a six- month training program for traditional hat weaving organized by the Government of Sikkim’s Industry department. Despite facing challenges in selling his creations initially, he persevered, taking on additional jobs to support his family while honing his craft.
 
4. In 2005, Shri Lepcha began sharing his knowledge and skills by conducting training sessions for aspiring artisans in Gangtok, summoned by the Directorate of Handicrafts & Handlooms (Govt. of Sikkim). His commitment extended to offering free training sessions at his own residence, empowering individuals to embrace and propagate the ancient craft of Lepcha hat weaving.
 
5. Shri Lepcha’s legacy goes beyond individual accomplishments; it’s about the impact one person can have in preserving and perpetuating cultural traditions. Through his efforts, he has not only safeguarded a cherished cultural heritage but also empowered countless individuals to embrace their heritage and sustain themselves through craftsmanship.
 
6. Through dedication and hard work, Shri Lepcha’s expertise gained recognition, earning him accolades such as a Certificate of Merit from the Ministry of Textile (Government of India) and the esteemed title of Master Craftsman for the State of Sikkim. But beyond personal achievements, his journey has always been about giving back to his community and preserving their cultural legacy.
Career / Jobs, Economy, Politics, Regional, West Bengal

About 850 workers left without jobs as Totapara Tea Garden suspends operations

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Assistant Labour Commissioner Subhrajyoti Sarkar, stationed at the Jalpaiguri District Labor Office, disclosed that the Totapara plantation management has been summoned for a meeting scheduled for Monday to address the unfolding crisis. 

Dibyendu Sinha, MP, 2 May 2024, Jalpaiguri: The management of the Totapara Tea Garden in Jalpaiguri abruptly suspended operations, leaving about 850 tea garden workers unemployed. Workers claim this action was illegal, while the owners blame a section of the workers. 
Assistant Labour Commissioner Subhrajyoti Sarkar, stationed at the Jalpaiguri District Labor Office, disclosed that the Totapara plantation management has been summoned for a meeting scheduled for Monday to address the unfolding crisis. 
Aside from the contentious issue of work suspension, workers at Totapara tea plantation are grappling with outstanding dues, including Provident Fund (PF), gratuity and unpaid wages. 
Seeking redress, a cohort of workers converged at Banarhat Police Station on April 27, staging a sit-in protest to expedite the resolution of their dues. Despite efforts, a scheduled tripartite meeting convened at the Banarhat Block Development Officer (BDO) office found none of the management representatives in attendance. 
However, the administration received a letter from the owners assuring settlement of one installment of the outstanding wages on Tuesday. Expressing his dismay, Ramesh Mahali, a plantation worker, lamented: “The garden owner pledged to settle the dues by Tuesday, only to abscond and post the notice of suspension overnight, leaving us unaware until Wednesday, a holiday.” 
Punita Mahali, another worker, echoed the sentiment, stating: “From basic amenities like access to drinking water to essential medical treatment, the garden fails us. 
Adding insult to injury, our PF and gratuity remain unpaid. We hold onto hope that the garden will reopen following administrative intervention, once these issues are addressed.” 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/about-850-workers-left-without-jobs-as-totapara-tea-garden-suspends-operations-562267
Economy, Politics, Regional, States, West Bengal

Work suspended in Jalpaiguri tea garden, 850 people lose jobs on International Labour Day

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 Sources said the management had not been paying provident funds and gratuity for the past few months, much to the disgruntlement of the workforce
The factory premises of the Totapara tea estate on Wednesday. Biplab Basak

TT, Jalpaiguri , 02.05.24 : Around 850 people turned jobless on Wednesday when the world observed International Labour Day as the management of the Totapara tea estate in Jalpaiguri district announced the suspension of work, citing lawlessness in the garden.

The tea estate is located in Banarhat block and has around 855 workers.

Sources said the management had not been paying provident funds and gratuity for the past few months, much to the disgruntlement of the workforce.

“In the past few weeks, the management didn’t even pay the wages. We are yet to receive wages of three fortnights,” said worker Ravi Baraik.

A section of the labourers went to Banarhat police station on April 27 and held a demonstration, seeking the intervention of the law enforcers and the administration.

After their demonstration, a tripartite meeting was called in the BDO’s office
in Banarhat but none from the management’s side turned up.

“The management informed the administration that it would clear a fortnight’s wages on Tuesday. Accordingly, the wages were disbursed yesterday (on Tuesday) but later at night, a notice announcing the suspension of work from today (Wednesday) was issued,” said another worker Durga Oraon.

The workers saw the notice when they reached the factory on Wednesday morning to join their duties.

“The management was not paying the workers and when they demanded wages, the garden was closed down on the pretext of lawlessness. The administration should intervene immediately,” said Tabarak Ali, a vice-president of the Trinamool Cha Bagan Sramik Union.

Jairaj Biswakarma, the Banarhat block president of the BJP-backed Bharatiya Tea Workers Union, said the management should have held talks with trade unions.

“Instead, they (management) decided to close down the garden at the beginning of the tea season because of financial constraints and put the blame on workers. We condemn such moves,” he said.

Those associated with the Dooars tea industry said the garden had closed down several times in the past over financial issues.

Amitangshu Chakraborty, the principal advisor of the Indian Tea Planters’ Association of which Totapara is a member, said the organisation had received a copy of the suspension notice.

Officials of the state labour department said they hadn’t received any official information about the suspension of work from the company that owns the Totapara garden.

“Even then, we are gathering information from various sources. If the garden has closed down, we will take appropriate steps so that it reopens at the earliest,” said Subhgata Gupta, the deputy labour commissioner of Jalpaiguri.