THE OLD SETTLERS OF SIKKIM

Silence of Sikkimese society is ominous: Chamling


SE Report

GANGTOK, April 8: “The Sikkimese Janta has not given a serious thought on how Sikkim is progressing towards a bright future due the stand taken by the SDF party and government. Nobody has seriously thought on this”, regretted party president and Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today during a function at the SDF party head-office here.

Chamling was briefing the gathering of contesting and unopposed party candidates for the civic polls about the principles and discipline of the ruling front.
Congratulating the 44 party candidates who have gone unopposed in the municipal elections, the Chief Minister said that elections are a part of the democratic exercise. “Elections are being held for the first time for the municipal bodies in Sikkim which is a historic event. The elections should have been held much earlier but none came up to point out the delay. When the elections were finally announced, they said that it was being conducted in a haste manner”, he said.

Chamling also condemned the allegations leveled by the opposition political parties who have boycotted the municipal polls. Those who have said that the municipal polls are unconstitutional are terming the 73rd and 74th amendment of the Indian Constitution as unconstitutional, he said.
“Yet the Sikkimese society is silent, this silence is ominous,”, Chamling observed.

The ruling front president also directed the designated ward councilors not to lobby for the post of the chairperson, president, mayor or deputy mayor in the municipal bodies. All should accept the decision of the party and contribute towards Sikkim Nirman by fulfilling their responsibilities, he said.
Chamling further directed the urban body representatives to follow the discipline, principles and programmes of the party in the interests of Sikkim and Janta. He also asked them to deeply study the election manifesto of the party.
“The poor people have given birth to the SDF party and we must all work for them”, said the Chief Minister. He said that the party has selected the candidates for the municipal elections after a serious study. We have also given our best to ensure a balance and adequate representations for all, he added.

“We are number one in power decentralization. We have implemented several measures in this direction. Now, it is up to you all how Gangtok, Namchi, Rangpo, Singtam, Mangan, Geyzing and Jorethang will be. Work to fulfill your dreams for your bazaars”, Chamling told the party candidates. It is our plan to make Sikkim a slum free State and we will be distributing the Indira Awas Yojan to the local people on the basis of voter list from this time, he added.

The Chief Minister further informed that the State government has already the resolution passed by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly seeking income tax exemption for the old businessmen community of the State.

“Our detractors are trying to mislead the people. Now you all must save the people from being misled”, appealed Chamling to the party candidates. He also congratulated those independent candidates who withdrew their nomination papers for the municipal elections.