Sikkim government plans review petition on apex court order

CM Tamang welcomed the judgment in regard to income tax exemption but sought to file a review petition to expunge certain observations in the judgment about the Sikkimese Nepali community

PRAKASH ADHIKARI, SUJAL PRADHAN, EOI, GANGTOK, JAN 28, 2023: The Sikkim government has decided to explore the possibility of filing a review petition for expunging certain portions of the recent judgment of the Supreme Court in regard to income tax exemption for Old Settlers of Sikkim, Chief Minister of Sikkim Prem Singh Tamang said in Gangtok on Friday at a high level meeting of the Central Executive Committee and District Executive Committee of Sikkim Krantikari Morcha held at Samman Bhawan.

He welcomed the judgment in regard to income tax exemption but sought to file a review petition to expunge certain observations in the judgment about the Sikkimese Nepali community. He said this would be in the larger interest of the people of Sikkim.

He said there had been unfounded allegations that the State Government had remained silent on the issue.

"We wish to stress that Sikkim Krantikari Morcha being a responsible political party and also the ruling party in government cannot abruptly give statements or react on any issue without proper study and critical analysis."

In a news conference on Friday, Sikkim Republican Party president K. B. Rai and Hamro Sikkim Party leader Bhaichung Bhutia, too, had expressed concern about certain aspects of the Supreme Court judgment. They also appealed to the State Government to file a review petition before the Supreme Court and convene a special session of the assembly to discuss the issue.