GANGTOK,: The Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) has demanded the
State government to present a white paper which critically examines all social,
political and economic issues of Sikkim as the State approaches its 50th
Statehood Day.
As Sikkim
marks 50 years of Statehood, this is a critical moment to prioritise the
preservation of our unique identity as 'Sikkimese' under Article 371F of the
Constitution of India and reflect on our progress and challenges, said SIBLAC
convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia in a Thursday press statement.
The SIBLAC
convener highlighted multiple areas of concern for Sikkim which needs to be
included in the white paper ‘Sikkim: Then and Now-50 Years of Progress and
Challenges’ including the State’s fiscal position. He sought examination and
clarity on the State’s current fiscal health of the state, including per capita
debt, per capita income, Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), State-owned
revenue, and the rising loan component.
There must
be a comprehensive analysis of whether fiscal policies over the decades have
contributed to sustainable growth or exacerbated financial vulnerabilities for
future generations, said Tseten Tashi, also asking what steps have been taken
to reduce the growing income disparity between urban and rural populations.
One key
concern for Sikkim, as submitted by the SIBLAC, was its changing demography
which requires a detailed report. It was urged that the white paper should
explain the impact of population influx on Sikkim's delicate demographic
balance, threatening the rights, culture, and identity of the indigenous Sikkimese
people, while enumerating measures to address challenges related to resource
allocation, employment, and social harmony, ensuring the protection of
indigenous rights.
The SIBLAC
convener maintained that though clause (k) of Article 371F protects all old
laws of Sikkim, yet the Sikkimese people today feel deeply threatened about
their survival in their own homeland. Issues such as the illegal transfer of
land from local people to outsiders, including foreigners, facilitated by the
ruling dispensation, need immediate attention, he said.
Decisive
action is required to prevent further erosion of constitutional safeguards and
to protect Sikkim’s distinct identity, said Tseten Tashi.
The SIBLAC
convener further called for addressing pending issues of Sikkim. These include
restoration of Nepali seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, reservation of
Assembly seats for the Limboo-Tamang communities, and ST status for the
left-out Sikkimese communities. He demanded proportionate seat reservation of
BL seats if Assembly seats increased to any number from present 32 as per Article
371F.
Tseten
also demanded the implementation of ILP report already submitted to the Chief
Minister by the committee and action against the illegal settlement of
outsiders/foreigners in border-sensitive areas in national security interest.
He sought the status of the proposed Teesta-IV and Panam HEPs in Dzongu which
is strongly opposed by local public and panchayats.
The white
paper should also have a detailed analysis of government manpower growth, its
implications for State finances, and its contribution to public services, it
was demanded.
“The Chief
Minister has publicly invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Golden
Jubilee celebrations, highlighting the national significance of this occasion.
SIBLAC urges the government to make this event truly meaningful by presenting a
transparent account of Sikkim's journey and addressing these critical issues,
which will shape the future of the Sikkimese people,” said the SIBLAC convenor.
Tseten
Tashi said the SIBLAC fully endorses the statement made by State BJP president
DR Thapa, other political parties and all stakeholders opposing the unification
demand by the Gorkha National Congress.
