THE OLD SETTLERS OF SIKKIM

Dozen questions from Delay Namgyal on Pink Card exercise to CM

Sikkim express Report

GANGTOK, August 22: Claiming that the ordinary Sikkimese is confused about the rationale behind the Pink Card drive by the State government, politician Delay Namgyal Barfungpa in his personal capacity as a local resident has posed twelve questions to the Chief Minister seeking a guarantee that the Pink Cards are not a replacement to the Sikkim Subject Certificates.

“The people of Sikkim are confused about the Pink Card and the motive behind it. We are all made to believe by the district officials that due to various CoI that were issued to non-Sikkimese people during the last three decades, the Pink Card was a means to verify the original Sikkimese (having serial and volume number as per the Sikkim Subject Register) from the later settlers”, said Barfungpa in his letter addressed to the Chief Minister.

“What are the guarantees that Pink Card will not replace the Sikkim Subject Certificates? Will the original Sikkim Subject holders without serial and volume number get the Pink Card? Will the citizens who have lived in Sikkim for generations and have records of Dhuri Khajana and Patta Khajana, but have no Sikkim Subject Certificates will be eligible?”, questioned Barfungpa.

Barfungpa also questioned about the locus-standi of the Pink Cards in the national level.

Stating that there is a ‘tremendous resentment among all the Sikkimese’ over the Pink Card exercise, Barfungpa also sought to know under the provisions which Act are the Residential Certificates, a ‘surprise announcement’, ultimately going to be issued.

“What political, social and economic rights shall the recipients of the Residential Certificates enjoy in Sikkim? Will the rights be any different from the Pink Card holders? What is the cut-off year be?”, questioned Barfungpa. He also requested to know what steps the State government is proposing to check fake domicile certificates.