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.

Two Drug Peddlers Arrested at Melli Check Post with Brown Sugar and SP Capsules today evening.

Acting on credible intelligence, a police team from Melli Police Station successfully apprehended two drug peddlers at Melli Check Post. The accused have been identified as Rohit Pradhan from Sumbuk, South Sikkim, and Obed Lepcha from Gangtok. They were traveling from West Bengal to Melli on a scooty bearing registration number SK04PA0919.

During a thorough search at the check post, the police recovered 24.920 grams of brown sugar, along with a small quantity of SP capsules and cough syrup, from their possession.

Following the recovery, a case has been registered under the relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Sikkim Anti-Drugs Act (SADA). Further investigation is currently underway.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang attended the State-level Gyalpo Losar celebration at Wangmasukhey Ground, Perbing, in Namchi district. The event was organized by the Denzong Sherpa Association (DSA) with support from the Sherpa Samaj of Sikkim (Kiduk). Chief Minister was accompanied by Krishna Kumari Rai, who attended as the special guest. The religious heads for the occasion were Ben Tulku Dasang Rinpoche and Ben Tulku Ngawang Tenzin Chogyal Rinpoche.

The celebration witnessed the presence of Speaker of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly and Chief Patron M.N. Sherpa, Deputy Speaker Raj Kumari Thapa, Urban Development Minister Bhoj Raj Rai, Ecclesiastical Affairs Minister Sonam Lama, along with MLAs, former MLAs, advisors, HoDs, and other dignitaries.

The Chief Minister was warmly welcomed by the Denzong Sherpa Committee and adorned with traditional Sherpa garments — the ‘Kho’ (dress) and ‘Shambu’ (hat) — symbolizing respect. He explored Sherpa stalls and food stalls that showcased the community’s rich cultural heritage.

In his address, Chief Minister emphasized the importance of preserving Sikkim’s diverse cultural identity through traditions, customs, costumes, and languages. He announced that the government has mandated wearing traditional attire at least once a week in schools and passing language subjects for promotion to the next class. He also mentioned that language teachers are being appointed to support language preservation.

Highlighting development plans, CM PS Tamang announced a grant of ₹2 lakh for roadside vendors from Namthang-Rateypani to build stalls. He also promised the renovation of Perbing Samtelling Gumpa, road construction in Namcheybong, and support for a Sherpa film and vision document by the DSA.

M.N. Sherpa expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for his inclusive governance and for allocating 50 reservation seats in medical programs for economically disadvantaged students. Three Sherpa students and one Chettri student recently received scholarships.

Area MLA Sanjit Kharel requested the Chief Minister’s support for road maintenance, renovation of Wangmasukhey Ground into a cricket stadium, a Janta Vaat program in Namthang Rateypani, and a four-story plaza with car parking, a Haat Bazaar, a police station, and a water supply line.

Two books — “Ethnography of Sikkimese Sherpa Tribe” and “Food Habits of Sherpa Tribe” — were launched during the event. Cultural performances featuring traditional Sherpa songs and dances were held, with Perbing Sherpa Kyidug securing first place in the Sherpa Dance Competition. The Chief Minister reiterated his commitment to preserving and promoting Sikkim’s rich cultural heritage.

The Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Gangtok, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism & Civil Aviation, Government of Sikkim, hosted the Industry Partnership Summit 2025 at Mayfair Spa & Resort in Ranipool. The summit, held under the Sikkim INSPIRES Project, brought together industry leaders, hospitality professionals, and government officials to address the evolving trends and workforce challenges in the tourism and hospitality sector.

Mr. Tshering Thendup Bhutia, Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation and Commerce & Industries, graced the event as the chief guest. He was accompanied by Mr. CS Rao, Principal Secretary, Tourism Department, as the guest of honour, along with key government officials and industry experts.

In his keynote address, Minister Bhutia emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between education and industry to create a skilled workforce. He highlighted that the Sikkim INSPIRES initiative aims to empower youth and women through sustainable economic opportunities, skill development, and entrepreneurship. “A well-trained, well-mentored student with hands-on industry exposure will be better prepared to tackle real-world challenges,” he said.

Minister Bhutia urged major hotel chains such as Mayfair, ITC, Taj, Ramada, and Summit to collaborate with IHM Gangtok and introduce industry-driven training programs. He also called for the introduction of short-term industry-certified courses aligned with employer needs to improve employability and career prospects for IHM graduates.

Mr. Rao, Principal Secretary, underscored the need for systematic reforms in hospitality education, including a specialized Himalayan Region Hospitality course to equip students with region-specific expertise. He stressed the importance of improving work conditions and competitive salaries to retain talent in the industry.

Mr. Neeraj Pradhan, Principal Chief Engineer and Nodal Officer of Sikkim INSPIRES, highlighted that the project’s objective is to enhance IHM Gangtok’s curriculum and placement opportunities through tailored training programs. He announced upcoming initiatives to address the skilled manpower gap and strengthen industry-academic ties.

The summit featured interactive sessions with industry leaders, including Mr. Rajesh Arya, President of the Global Association of Events and Hospitality Professionals, and Ms. Ritu Jolly, Head of Learning & Development at ITC Hotels. A panel discussion explored strategies to improve workforce readiness and employee retention.

The event also showcased a placement software developed by Argia Solutions under the Sikkim INSPIRES Project, aimed at streamlining job opportunities for IHM graduates. The summit concluded with the distribution of mementos to participants and resource persons, marking a significant step toward building a resilient and skilled hospitality workforce in Sikkim.