THE OLD SETTLERS OF SIKKIM

SPCC slams Govt on IT issue

Sikkim Express | www.sikkimexpress.com


11 March, Gangtok: Slamming the State Government for “thoughtlessly and hurriedly” repealing the Sikkim Income Tax manual 1948 on June 16, 2008, the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) has today said that the party will take up the matter for legal remedy to protect the Sikkim Income Tax Manual 1948 in the “best interest of all the four communities of Sikkim including the members of Old Business Community”.
For this SPCC, party releases inform has already consulted the Constitution experts of the Country on the strategies for protecting Article 371 F of the constitution of India. “Sikkim congress has been opposing the enforcement of direct Central Income Tax to Sikkim on the ground that the Sikkim Income Tax Manual 1948 is protected by the Article 371 F of the Constitution” the party spokesperson Kunga Nima Lepcha said adding “Sikkim Income Tax Manual 1948 was a very effective law which was acceptable to all including the members of Old Business Community of Sikkim.”
The party has further stated that the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling ‘s claim of securing exemption of Direct Income Tax for the Sikkim Subject holders is nothing but a eyewash as he has not spelt out whether such exemption is permanent of for a time being only. The Sikkimese people, the SPCC said are kept in dark about the Property and Wealth taxes. Regarding the IT exemption to the Old Settlers of Sikkim, the SPCC stated that the Chief Minister has been making a mockery of them. “He has promised to fight for the IT exemption for the Old Settlers but showed his changing colour when he asked the members of business community to approach the Central Government themselves for the said exemption.” release reads.