Sikkim Chief Minister PS Golay met with the Hon’ble Governor of Assam, Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya, at Raj Bhawan, Assam, today. The meeting was marked by warm exchanges and reflections on Acharya’s tenure as the Governor of Sikkim.

Describing the meeting as a heartfelt reunion, CM Golay expressed deep admiration for Acharya’s wisdom, humility, and dedication to public service. He shared that reconnecting with Acharya felt like meeting a long-lost guardian, highlighting the Governor’s kindness and insightful guidance during the interaction.

“I am sincerely grateful for his time, thoughtful words, and encouragement,” CM Golay stated. He also extended his best wishes to Shri Acharya for continued health, happiness, and success in his future endeavors.

CM PS Tamang extended his heartfelt gratitude for the Governor’s time, thoughtful words, and encouragement. He also conveyed his best wishes for Acharya’s continued good health, happiness, and success in all his future endeavors.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary R Telang, DGP Akshay Sachdeva, Principal Secretary to CMO SD Dhakal, and Law & Parliamentary Affairs Secretary Suraj Chettri.

A 24-year-old man from West Bengal, currently residing in Bojoghari, Gangtok, has reportedly lost ₹2,60,776 in an online job fraud linked to a project named “75 Explore.”

According to a complaint filed by S.K. Nur Mohammad at Sadar Police Station, the incident occurred on March 11, 2025, between 9:47 AM and 7:30 PM. Mohammad alleged that unknown individuals contacted him with an online job offer and convinced him to transfer funds as part of the onboarding process. The scammers reportedly claimed that the payment was necessary to secure the job and complete certain project tasks.

After realizing that he had been duped, Mohammad approached the police, who have registered a case under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and the IT Act, 2000. The investigation is currently underway to trace the fraudsters and recover the lost funds.

Police have issued a public advisory urging people to exercise caution while dealing with online job offers. “No genuine employer will ask for money upfront for a job. Avoid sharing personal or banking details with unknown sources,” a police spokesperson stated.

This case highlights the growing threat of online job scams targeting job seekers. The police have advised the public to report any suspicious activity immediately and to verify the authenticity of job offers before proceeding.

The bail petition for Samsong Tamang, also known as Shamsan Tamang, was unexpectedly withdrawn on the same day it was filed, raising questions over procedural integrity. The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Gangtok, marked the case as “disposed of” during the first hearing on March 12, 2025. However, the official court order is yet to be updated on the District and Sessions Court’s portal, raising concerns about transparency.

The bail plea, filed under case number 5/2025, was listed before the Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Gangtok. Court records initially showed that Advocate Ranjit Prasad represented the petitioner while the State of Sikkim appeared as the respondent. However, sources later revealed that Prasad denied involvement in the case, claiming that another advocate had misused his ID and password to file the petition without his consent.

The case originated from an FIR filed against Samsong Tamang on February 3, 2025, over a controversial Facebook post dated January 1, 2025, on a page named “Patrukar.” The post allegedly contained derogatory remarks targeting the Khas community and their cultural practices, leading to widespread public outrage and demands for legal action. Tamang was subsequently charged under sections 299, 196(1), 352, and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

The advocate responsible for the unauthorized filing reportedly apologized to Ranjit Prasad, and the matter was resolved internally within the Bar Association. The bail petition was formally withdrawn with an appraisal to the Judicial Magistrate regarding the misuse of credentials.

Legal experts have raised concerns over the misuse of professional identity in sensitive cases, warning that such lapses could undermine public trust in the legal process. “This incident highlights the urgent need for stricter monitoring and protection of legal credentials,” said one senior advocate.

Meanwhile, the Khas community, which had been at the center of the controversy, has not issued any official statement on the withdrawal of the case. Public and legal circles continue to speculate about the reasons behind the swift withdrawal, with calls for greater accountability and transparency in judicial proceedings.

The Bailey bridge at Phidang, Dzongu, a crucial link for tourists and locals traveling to North Sikkim, has been damaged, raising concerns over connectivity and safety. The General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF), tasked with maintaining the bridge, has been criticized for the slow pace of repairs. Despite repeated appeals, the Ministry of Defense (MOD) has yet to take decisive action to accelerate the process.

The damaged bridge has left residents and travelers with limited options, as only one backup road maintained by the Roads and Bridges Department is currently operational. This road was initially intended as a temporary solution when other routes were blocked. Residents have expressed frustration over the lack of urgency in fixing the bridge, highlighting the strategic importance of maintaining smooth access to North Sikkim, a sensitive border region.

The public has called for immediate intervention to restore the bridge and improve infrastructure maintenance to prevent further disruptions in the future.

Nearly 600 hospitals across India are at risk of suspension, and over 1,100 could be delisted from the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) due to alleged fraudulent activities, according to the National Health Authority’s (NHA) anti-fraud unit. The unit has proposed penalties totaling ₹122 crore against 1,504 hospitals found violating scheme guidelines.

A recent report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, tabled in Parliament on March 12, highlighted the misuse of funds by certain hospitals under the AB-PMJAY scheme. The committee expressed serious concern over how some hospitals allegedly exploit the scheme for financial gain and called for stricter oversight.

AB-PMJAY provides annual health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family for secondary and tertiary care to around 12.37 crore economically disadvantaged families. Currently, over 30,000 hospitals are empaneled under the scheme.

To prevent further misuse, the committee recommended that the NHA implement a data-driven fraud detection system, analyzing claims and hospital activities to identify irregularities. It also urged the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools for faster detection and intervention.

The Department of Health and Family Welfare has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward fraud and stressed that measures are being taken to strengthen monitoring and accountability. The committee further suggested developing 155 key performance indicators (KPIs) to track the effectiveness of fraud detection efforts.

The recommendations aim to protect the scheme’s integrity and ensure that benefits reach the intended beneficiaries without compromise.

A major fire broke out at a plastic scrap godown in Roy Colony, Chayan Para, near the Eastern Bypass under Ward 42 of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) on Thursday evening.

Locals noticed the fire and immediately alerted authorities. Five fire engines were deployed to the scene and began efforts to control the blaze. However, the fire had not been fully extinguished at the time of reporting.

The godown, which stored scrap materials, was completely destroyed in the fire. The blaze also spread to a nearby house, causing panic among residents.

Ward 42 Councillor Shoba Subba arrived at the site and assured that all necessary measures were being taken. “The reason for the fire is still unknown. Our immediate focus is on containing the fire and preventing further damage,” said Subba.

No casualties or injuries have been reported so far. The fire department is conducting an investigation into the cause of the incident.