IT exemption for old settlers has distorted definition of ‘Sikkimese’: SPYF

DICHEN ONGMU and SUJAL PRADHAN, EOI, GANGTOK, APRIL 3, 2023:  In granting income tax exemption to old settlers of Sikkim, the definition of ‘Sikkimese’ has been distorted, general secretary of Sikkim Progressive Youth Forum (SPYF) Rupen Karki said on Monday.

Addressing a news conference, Karki emphasized the importance of revisiting the 8th May Agreement to maintain the special status and unique definition of Sikkimese as mentioned in the agreement.

He called for a “Jan Andolan” or people's movement to voice against the injustice and to ensure the preservation of the unique definition of ‘Sikkimese. ’He claimed that the movement for income tax exemption was not for the Sikkimese people but only for the investors with high income in the state. He argued that the movement represented the class interests of those paying income tax, rather than the majority of the Sikkimese people who did not pay income tax due to low incomes.

Karki alleged that both the ruling party and the Centre were working against the interests of the people of Sikkim by supporting a particular class and their income tax exemption. He accused the people's representatives in the state and the Centre of cheating them through false promises and failing to protect the people of Sikkim.

Karki said the petitioners of the case for IT exemption for old settlers prayed for the exemption by including them in the definition of ‘Sikkimese.’ He accused both the Sikkim Democratic Front and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha of distorting the Sikkimese term and working in the interest of a particular class in the state. Karki said SPYF was not in favour of IT exemption for the business community which was without Sikkim Subject Certificate and added that old laws as per the tripartite agreement should be restored in place. “It is high time we must revisit our old laws, especially Income Tax Manual 1948, which existed during the time of the Chogyal.