THE OLD SETTLERS OF SIKKIM

CM announces Residential Certificates for others without Sikkim Subjects

by NIRMAL MANGAR

GANGTOK, August 4: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today claimed that Pink Card drive of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) government was chiefly aimed to free the Sikkimese people from the burden of income tax for eternity and to prevent a repeat of 1984.

“Sikkimese Janta were enjoying income tax exemption before 1984 but due to the wrong policy of the then government led to burden of income tax on the people. The industrialists and businessmen from outside reaped maximum benefits meant for the Sikkimese people. We were successfully in removing the income tax burden by convincing the Centre. Now, to prevent a repeat of the 1984 incident, we have come up with the concept of Pink Cards”, explained the Chief Minister during the State level Panchayat Sammelan here at indoor gymnasium hall of the Paljor Stadium.

Speaking for the first time on the concept of the ongoing Pink Card process which has already created a furore among the opposition camps, Chamling said that the Pink Card initiative will be implemented only after the end of this financial year.
We will take opinion from the people before implementing the Pink Card initiative after March 31, next year, said the Chief Minister directing the Panchayats to sensitize the people on the rationale behind the Pink Cards.

One of the major aims of the Pink Card initiative was to arrest the influx in Sikkim, according to the Chief Minister.

“Influx has risen in Sikkim in present times and Pink Cards will help to stop this. Those opposing the Pink Card initiative have to understand the objectives of this initiative to clear their doubts”, said Chamling pointing out that developed nations have also implemented such schemes to protect the local interests.

Chamling also announced that the State government will be issuing residential certificates to those people without Sikkim Subject certificates and had settled in the State before 1975. These certificates will help these people to get trade licenses, taxi licenses and employment in the State, he said.

A ‘Chief Minister’s Literacy Mission’ was also announced on the occasion with the aim to make Sikkim a fully literate State in the next three years. As per the mission, teenagers and aged persons will be given education by the State government.
“Sikkim must be made a fully literate State by 2013”, said Chamling. He said that additional infrastructure amounting to Rs. 25000 will be provided to each school for the mission where the target groups will be taught elementary English, Nepali and mathematics under the charge of the concerned panchayat.

Highlighting the need of quality education, the Chief Minister said the State government is spending Rs. 40,000 annually on each student while an astronomical amount of Rs. 378 crores is spent annually on salaries of the government teachers.
The Chief Minister also took the occasion to take a swipe against the opposition political parties, whom he said, were attacking the State government as they cannot digest the development of the State.

“The opposition parties do not love Sikkim and they are skilled in making allegations of every type just to defame Sikkim”, said Chamling.

The Chief Minister also announced to set up Block Administrative Centre at Parka-Machong, Chumbung-Chakung, Nandu Gaon and Martam.

The Chief Minister also presented the ‘Panchayat Shree’ awards to panchayat members-Meena Kumari Subba (West), Sarad Pradhan (South), Thinley Uzer Bhutia (North) and Deepak Pakhrin (East). The award consists of a citation, shawl and Rs 50,000.