THE OLD SETTLERS OF SIKKIM

CM assures the business community -He will request Centre for Income Tax exemption


Staff Reporter

GANGTOK, July 29: The Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said that the people of Sikkim should be aware of the “viruses” eating democracy that do not want to see the State prosper.
He said this while proposing the vote of thanks at the end of the two-day long summer session of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly here today.

Reacting to the walk out staged by the Sangha MLA in protest after being denied the permission to discuss the Burman Report by the Speaker, the Chief Minister said that Acharya Lama had not understood Burman Committee report. “He has also failed to understand that the Burman Report is in favour of all the communities in Sikkim,”

Mr. Chamling said adding that people should not make the mistake of mixing Burman Committee Report with Limboo Tamang seat reservation issue, as both of them are entirely two different issues.

Stating that the Report will bring suitable solution for the seat reservation, the CM said that it has been widely accepted by the people of Sikkim.

“We have tabled the white paper on Limboo Tamang seat reservation as well as on Income Tax exemption because we want to maintain total transparency, Mr. Chamling added

The CM also said that all the amendment bills introduced during the summer session are for the benefit of all the people of the State.

At the same time, the Chief Minister assured that his government would submit a memorandum to the Central Government requesting them to follow the Ladakh model to exempt Central Direct taxes for all the old business communities and employees residing in Sikkim for decades.

“If the then Chief Minister, NB Bhandari had pursued both the issue of seat reservation and IT exemption, the people would be enjoying both the rights today but he failed to do so,” Mr Chamling added.

Source: Sikkim Express 30 July 2008