GANGTOK, : MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, also the AICC in-charge for Sikkim, has
questioned the ruling SKM and BJP on the inordinate delay in granting ST status
to the left-out communities of Sikkim and Assembly seat reservation for
Limboo-Tamang communities.
Ulaka
was addressing the media here at Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC)
office on Sunday. He also sought clarification from the SKM government and the
BJP-led government at the Centre on the talks surrounding the Sikkim-Darjeeling
merger.
“The
issue of the Sikkim-Darjeeling merger is being talked about everywhere. Where
did this topic arise from, and who started it? Isn’t it the Sikkim government’s
role to clarify this issue? Is Sikkim’s Chief Minister involved? Is the BJP
government involved? The Centre had assured the Darjeeling hills a permanent
solution. Does the Sikkim-Darjeeling merger fall under this solution? Why is
the 32/32 SKM government silent on this issue? Is it just a rumour or gossip?
Or is it true? If it is true, then the Sikkimese people will not forgive the
SKM government. Congress demands the SKM government to provide a clear
statement on the Sikkim-Darjeeling merger issue,” said Ulaka.
The
AICC leader blamed both the SKM and BJP for the unfulfilled demand of
Limboo-Tamang Assembly seats.
“Since
2019, the SKM government has been aligned with the BJP-led Central government.
Since then, there has been growing disappointment among the people of Sikkim.
As the AICC in-charge, this is my maiden visit to Sikkim, and after interacting
with the civil society, it is evident that people are disheartened. One of the
key issues is the Limboo-Tamang seat reservation. Chief Minister PS Golay and
Sikkim’s Lok Sabha MP both belong to the Limboo-Tamang communities. Despite the
BJP being in power and Sikkim running as a double-engine government, why has
this issue not been resolved? Why hasn’t it been taken to the Assembly?”, Ulaka
asked.
He
further questioned, “Why has the issue of the 12 left-out communities of Sikkim
also not been resolved? Why are the BJP and SKM governments silent on the
matter?”
Citing
the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on the Power department, Ulaka
claimed that out of Rs. 3410 crore in revenue
generation, only Rs. 1484 crore was deposited into
the State treasury.“Where did the rest of the money go? The Chief Minister must
be answerable, as this issue will be raised in Parliament soon. The
double-engine government must take responsibility,” he added.
The
AICC functionary congratulated Sikkim on its upcoming 50th Statehood
celebration. He briefly highlighted the contributions of the Indira Gandhi-led
Congress government in achieving Sikkim’s Statehood.He also expressed concern
over the rising suicide rate in Sikkim, calling for immediate attention to
mental health issues in the State.
