THE OLD SETTLERS OF SIKKIM

Ravi Thapa

It's good to know that an educated youth of Sikkim,who is self-employed like Shri Milan Sundas is keen to know about the govt's policies on local protection.I am also an educated self-employed youth and a non-political person and would like to share the following with everyone,particularly Mr Sundas.

Everyone will agree with me that there has been and there is protection of Old Laws in the state in consonance with Article 371 F of the constitution.Violation of Revenue Order No.1 is not permitted.It has also been learnt that Local Employment Protection Act has been sent to the President of India for assent,which would further safeguard local interest. With regard to land holding,it is pertinent for us to know that the land acquired for power projects are on BUT basis(built,operate and transfer),i.e. the land will be handed over to the owners after 35 years.Intially,the land acquired willbe registered in the name of SIDICO and leased out to power developers for 35 years.In case any acquired land is unused,it will be handed over to its original owners. As for acquisition of land by the Govt.for hotels and other industries ,the ownership remains with the govt.If the acquisiton is directly through landowners then it is on lease of 99 years.

Trade licences and registration of licenses too are the rights enjoyed by the locals and Old Settlers & their descendents only.Also in the pipeline is the system of issuing driving licences to locals only. We all talk of safeguarding local interest and put the onus on the govt.But it is also the responsibility of all bonafide Sikkimese.The govt cannnot always be rigid and straightjacketed and may at times have to take steps which may directly or indirectly affect some individuals or sections of the society,to keep in pace with the changing times.Opening the doors of Sikkim for investors was such step.But it can still be said that this development has not been at the cost of local interest.People should realise this and make most of the opportunities presented to them.