Chamling sets off controversy

SNS, Gangtok, 16 July 2013 : Pawan Chamling’s assertion that the Centre can abolish Sikkim’s special privileges provided by Article 371-F of the Constitution any time, has set off a fresh controversy with the Opposition parties terming his remark ‘irresponsible, regrettable and condemnable.’ 

"As the chief minister of the state, he is bound by duty to safeguard the constitutional provisions guaranteed by the Article. If he cannot protect the interests of Sikkim and its people he had better step down. His pathetic statement has robbed him of the moral right to rule Sikkim,” said Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) President, Kunga Nima Lepcha. 

The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) said his statement appears to be an attempt to provoke the Sikkimese people to confront the Centre. Both the Congress and SKM have stated that Article 371-F in the Constitution based on the Tripartite Agreement of 8 May 1973 was part of the solemn assurance given by the government of India to the people of Sikkim at the time of the merger. 

Referring to the contentious petition by the Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim (AOSS) at the Supreme Court, SKM working president, Bharati Sharma said Mr Chamling should provide a solution to the controversy. 

“The state government should take into account the mounting anger among the Sikkimese while striving towards an amicable solution,” she said in a statement issued here today. She also criticised Mr Chamling for indulging in duplicity vis-à-vis the matter. 

“The ruling party keeps passing resolutions for granting income tax exemption to the left-out old settlers on one hand, and on the other, leaves little scope for such exemption,” she said. 

“All his actions are prompted by vote-bank politics and he is not sincere in his effort,” she added. The SPCC president said the state government must protect the interests of the bonafide Sikkimese regarding the Income Tax exemption. 

“Income tax exemption has been given to the Sikkimese people under Section 10(26) AAA of the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961, by virtue of their being Sikkim Subject Certificate holders and their descendents. This exemption should be protected by all means. The chief minister has not given any assurance to the people of Sikkim that he would defend the exemption,” said Mr Lepcha in his statement. 

“On the contrary, he has stated that the matter would be decided by the court, thereby giving a signal that he is no longer capable of protecting the rights and interests of the Sikkimese people," he said.