Rate revised for high altitude goods carriers
Staff ReporterGANGTOK, October 15: A four tier rate system has been notified for ferrying or transporting of goods using porters or animals at high altitudes of Sikkim. The new rates were agreed and notified recently following a meeting of the officials of the State Labour department, Army officials and representatives of owners of mules and yaks used for carrying goods at high altitudes of East and North districts.According to the revised rates for North and East Sikkim, a porter is entitled to Rs. 100 per trip in altitudes up to 8000 ft while a sum of Rs. 124 is given to ponies or yaks for one trip in the same altitude. The rate for one trip between altitudes of 8000-12000 ft is Rs. 150 for each porter while it is Rs. 187 for each pony or yak. As the altitudes climb to 16000 ft, a porter is entitled to Rs. 175 per trip while a sum of Rs. 220 is to be given to ponies or yaks for one trip. The rate for one trip at altitudes above 16,000 ft for a porter is Rs. 200 and Rs. 250 for a pony or yak used to carry goods.