Sikkim Health Minister quits in protest against ‘failure of Golay government in handling SC judgment issue’

PRAKASH ADHIKARI, EOI, GANGTOK, FEB 2 2023: In a jolt to the Prem Singh Tamang government in Sikkim, State Health Minister Dr Mani Kumar Sharma resigned on Thursday in protest against the way the State Government had handled the observations of the Supreme Court in relation to the judgment is delivered on January 23 in the case of income tax exemption for old settlers of Sikkim. 

In a letter to Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, Sharma said: "The State Government has not taken the sentiments of Sikkimese people seriously. I feel it is not necessary to remain in the state cabinet further."

He urged the Chief Minister to accept his resignation letter with immediate effect. It was not immediately known whether the resignation has been accepted. 

 The Health Minister could not be contacted for details of his resignation despite repeated efforts. Some observations made by the Supreme Court on January 13while allowing income tax exemption to all old settlers cutting across ethnic lines has riled the state politics, causing massive disaffection in all sections of civil society cutting across the party lines. 

The apex court made the observation while delivering its verdict on a petition filed by the Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim demanding exemption of income tax for those who had settled in the state before its merger with India on April 26, 1975.

Even the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha has taken out a peace march in protest against the apex court's observations. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has tried to allay ruffled sentiments of the angry locals by assuring that the State Government will soon file a review petition in the apex court.(With PTI inputs)