THE OLD SETTLERS OF SIKKIM

SIBLAC submits Memorandum to the Union Home Minister, P. Chidambaram in N.Delhi

source: VoiceofSikkim on Jun 23, 2010


22 June, New Delhi: In furtherance to its meeting with the UPA Chairperson Ms. Sonia Gandhi, a high level delegation comprising of various BL organisations including the SIBLAC, NASBO 371 F and the Denzong Chyarig Chogpo led by the SIBLAC Convener Mr. Tseten Tashi Bhutia has submitted a memorandum to the Hon’ble Union Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram here today i.e. Monday, June 22, 2010.


To

Mr. P Chidambaram ji
Hon’ble Union Home Minister
Government of India
North Block
New Delhi

Sub: Proportionate Increase of Bhutia Lepcha (BL) seat in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly.

With reference to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)’s communication no: Sikkim-2/Inclusion/Service/2006/RU-II dated: 01.12.2009, addressed to the Union Home Secretary (Annexure I), I would like to submit the following;

1. That the content of the said letter is unclear as regard our numerous representations for increase in the total number of BL seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly under the circumstances, the strength of the Assembly is increased to any extent.

2. Please refer to Hon’ble Chief Minister’s letter nos. SH/4(29)SCM/129 dated:01.09.2007 and SH/4(29)SCM/121 dated: 28.08.2007 and, addressed to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the then Union Home Minister respectively (Annexure II & III), in which he emphasised as “ however if the Government of India still feels that the present strength of 32 seats in Sikkim Legislative Assembly should remain at 32, then the Limboo and Tamang communities may be provided reservation of seats in Sikkim Legislative Assembly within the strength of 32 before the April-May, 2009 Elections without disturbing the seats of Bhutia-Lepchas and Sangha.” It is pertinent to note here that the Hon’ble Chief Minister’s emphasis goes in consistent with the Union Home Ministry’s option number (i) of the letter D.O. No. IV/11015/1/2005-CSR.11 New Delhi, the 30th July, 2005 (Annexure IV). This arrangement is acceptable to us.

3. The Home Ministry must verify on the courses of actions following its repeated queries and stand to the State Government of Sikkim vide letter D.O. No IV/11015/1/2005-CSR.11 New Delhi, the 1st May, 2006 (Annexure IV) wherein the Ministry has emphasised on ensuring that no single section of the population acquires dominating position due mainly to its ethnic origin as given in the Tripartite May 8 Agreement of 1973 as also upheld by Article 371 F and enhanced by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India (RC Poudyal Vs Union of India & others)

4. Please refer to the crucial meeting held in the Conference Room No.119, North Block, New Delhi on 24.04.2006 at 12.30.PM, chaired by the then Union Home Secretary and also attended by the then Sikkim Chief Secretary and other senior officials that reiterated to uphold the BLs interests and the action taken report on the same if any.

5. We appreciate the then NCST Chairperson’s D.O.letter no. Sikkim-2/Inclusion/Service/2006/RU-II dated: 03.-9.2008 and its contents to the then Union Home Minister (Annexure V). However, there appears to have been lack of coordination and communication between varying parties involved in such a significant and sensitive matter of constitutional significance armed by legal authentications of the Supreme Court of India. It is very unfortunate that the stakeholders in the matter including the Governments of India and Sikkim should not update itselves on the matter fully and timely.

Finally, we once again reiterate with our standing position in condemning the recommendation of Prof. B.K. Roy Burman Commission. In fact, it is put on record that the Burman Commission Report has been protested and castigated tooth and nail by all the socio-politico organisations of Sikkim. A review-report of the S I B L A C on the Burman Commission recommendations has already been submitted to you. Further, a noted national anthropologist Prof. A.C. Sinha, Former Professor of Anthropology and Dean of Social Sciences Faculty, North East Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, Meghalaya has only recently rejected the Burman Commission Report for its inherent partialism and errors as well as contradicting recommendations.

Under the circumstances, it has become crucial that your good self is considerate enough to ponder upon various aspects and facts before coming to any final decisions, since the entire matter pertains to the political survival of a community, the BLs in particular and the Sikkimese in general in the national mainstream. This shall go in the best interest of our National Security and Integrity of our nation.

I hope that your good self would definitely find wisdom in our representation and act considerately at the earliest.

With highest regards.

Tseten Tashi Bhutia
Former Minister
Cum
Convenor
Dated: June 22, 2010.
Camp: New Delhi