Sikkim assembly urges Centre to protect distinct identity of Sikkimese people

TT, GANGTOK, FEBRUARY 9, 2023: The Sikkim assembly on Thursday adopted a government resolution requesting the Centre to extend help and support to protect the distinct identity of the Sikkimese people in terms of Article 371F of the Constitution and ensure that the rights and protection guaranteed to the Sikkimese people were not diluted and to acknowledge that the special status and distinct identity and classification granted to the Sikkimese people were commitments given to the people of Sikkim by the Government of India at the time of the merger of Sikkim with India.

Sikkim Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Kunga Nima Lepcha who moved the resolution said in 2013 a writ petition was filed before the Association of OldSettlers of Sikkim before the Supreme Court. 

Subsequently, another group filed another writ petition. 

The challenge in both the petitions was against Section10(26AAA) of the Income Tax Act of 1961.Chief Minister of Sikkim Prem Singh Tamang said the State Government had taken swift measures to file a review petition before the apex court.. He welcomed the judgment of the Supreme Court of Wednesday that was taken in favour of the people.

The Chief Minister cautioned people against political propaganda that could disrupt the peace and harmony in the State. He said the State Government had constituted a committee to examine the government and private websites operating within Sikkim to ensure that any content posted on the websites did not disturb peace, harmony, and tranquility.

He said the State government had constituted a committee to look into the ‘applicability’ of the inner line permit (ILP) system in the State.

The committee would study the possibility of the implementation of ILP in Sikkim and its impact on other states of the northeast. The panel would submit its recommendations based on the findings of their study.

The Sikkim panel would visit Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland.