ASSOCIATION OF OLD SETTLERS OF SIKKIM
GANGTOK,SIKKIM
Date:22/02/2010
Press Release
The Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim strongly condemns the article titled “Sikkim makes settlers ‘second class citizens” published in the Hindustan Times dated 22/02/2010. I deny each and every remark attributed to have been made by me in the said article.
The said article is an attempt by some vested interest and groups who want to dissuade the ruling government from continuing its efforts to secure Income Tax exemption to the left out categories of people.
It is an attempt to sabotage our movement which is solely aimed at securing income tax exemption for the old settlers residing in Sikkim since prior to 1975 and is not, in any way, directed against any one.
I vehemently deny having met or spoken to any correspondent of any newspaper let alone this particular correspondent from the Hindustan Times. I deny having passed any remark against any particular community and the ruling party.
I strongly condemn the remarks made against the ruling party in the said article. No discrimination of any kind is perpetuated against any community in Sikkim. On the contrary, as the facts stand, action of the Central Government in bringing about an amendment in Section 10 Clause 26AAA of the Income Tax Act, 1961 in the Finance Act, 2008 has overnight made the Old Settlers “Non-Sikkimese” which when brought to the notice of the Hon’ble Chief Minister by the Association; the Hon’ble Chief Minister was pleased to adopt a unanimous resolution in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly for the inclusion of the left out categories of persons in the scheme of exemption.
For centuries all the communities in Sikkim have been living in perfect harmony as brothers and the Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim has always received support and encouragement from all the Sikkimese brethren in its endeavor to secure I.T. Exemption and the question of my making remarks hurting the sentiments of my own brothers of a particular community does not arise.
The Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim reiterates its complete faith and confidence in the State Government of Sikkim and the Hon’ble Chief Minister who has been all along sympathetic towards the cause of the old settlers and working relentlessly to get them justice from the Central Govt.
(S.K. Sarda)
President
Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim.
Gangtok,Sikkim
THE OLD SETTLERS OF SIKKIM....................e.newsletter of the old settlers living in Sikkim prior to its merger with India who have a history of 130 years in Sikkim: .....Editor: S K Sarda
Monday, February 22, 2010
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Old settlers advised to seek legal advice on IT exemption issue
GANGTOK, October 21: Deflating the high hopes of the old settlers of Sikkim for an early resolution of their concerns on the controversial income tax exemption issue, the State Government has asked the community numbering to around 400 families in the State to seek legal and constitutional advice so that the matter can be forwarded to the Centre.
In a recent communiqué to the Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim (AOSS), which had been spearheading the demand for income tax exemption at par with Sikkim Subject holders, the State Government has belatedly directed the body to approach legal experts or chartered accountants to look into the lacunae ‘if any’ in the Income Tax Act 1961 for ‘possible inclusion’ of their demands within the provisions of the said Act ‘so that the Government of Sikkim could take up the issue with the Government of India’.
The decision was communicated to the AOSS recently by the six member committee headed by Chief Secretary which had been formed to examine all matters relating to the grant of exemption of Central Income Tax (Direct Income Tax) to the left out individuals in Sikkim and make recommendations to the State government for taking up the issue with the Centre.
Having examined the matter, the committee members were unanimous in the decision that there were ‘no provision’ in the Income Tax Act, 1961 for grant of income tax exemption to the left out individuals of Sikkim, the committee told AOSS directing it to approach legal experts.
It is interesting to note the ‘if any’ rider in the communication to the AOSS which not only reinforces the State government’s surrender as it itself had admitted that there is no provisions in the Income Tax Act for income tax exemption but also deftly lobs the whole issue into the court of AOSS who have now no option except initiate a cumbersome legal exercise so that it can put up a dossier before the State government.
Following this process which may take months, it is also unclear at this moment whether the State government will simply ‘Cc’ the AOSS findings to the Centre or strengthen it with its official inputs.
As the State government escalates down from its tall promises of ‘Ladakh model’ and other politically coloured assurances, the AOSS has decided to rethink and draw up a new strategy to pursue their demands under the legal framework suggested by the State government. It is informed that a meeting will be conducted tomorrow here at Gangtok where members of AOSS from all four districts will attend as the body has been compelled to huddle back to the drawing board after a steady campaign in the past two years.
We will seek legal advice and submit our report to the State government, said the AOSS president SK Sarda to SIKKIM EXPRESS. He said that advice of the State government has been well taken by AOSS terming the communiqué as ‘positive signals’ from the State government.
Mr. Sarda said that AOSS is confident that ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) will take up the matter with the Centre as the party has committed to deliver income tax exemption to the left out individuals of Sikkim.
The old settlers had fully backed the SDF party during the recent elections and it is the responsibility of the SDF government to fulfill its promises, was the general feeling running high among the left out individuals of Sikkim.
Source: sikkim express
GANGTOK, October 21: Deflating the high hopes of the old settlers of Sikkim for an early resolution of their concerns on the controversial income tax exemption issue, the State Government has asked the community numbering to around 400 families in the State to seek legal and constitutional advice so that the matter can be forwarded to the Centre.
In a recent communiqué to the Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim (AOSS), which had been spearheading the demand for income tax exemption at par with Sikkim Subject holders, the State Government has belatedly directed the body to approach legal experts or chartered accountants to look into the lacunae ‘if any’ in the Income Tax Act 1961 for ‘possible inclusion’ of their demands within the provisions of the said Act ‘so that the Government of Sikkim could take up the issue with the Government of India’.
The decision was communicated to the AOSS recently by the six member committee headed by Chief Secretary which had been formed to examine all matters relating to the grant of exemption of Central Income Tax (Direct Income Tax) to the left out individuals in Sikkim and make recommendations to the State government for taking up the issue with the Centre.
Having examined the matter, the committee members were unanimous in the decision that there were ‘no provision’ in the Income Tax Act, 1961 for grant of income tax exemption to the left out individuals of Sikkim, the committee told AOSS directing it to approach legal experts.
It is interesting to note the ‘if any’ rider in the communication to the AOSS which not only reinforces the State government’s surrender as it itself had admitted that there is no provisions in the Income Tax Act for income tax exemption but also deftly lobs the whole issue into the court of AOSS who have now no option except initiate a cumbersome legal exercise so that it can put up a dossier before the State government.
Following this process which may take months, it is also unclear at this moment whether the State government will simply ‘Cc’ the AOSS findings to the Centre or strengthen it with its official inputs.
As the State government escalates down from its tall promises of ‘Ladakh model’ and other politically coloured assurances, the AOSS has decided to rethink and draw up a new strategy to pursue their demands under the legal framework suggested by the State government. It is informed that a meeting will be conducted tomorrow here at Gangtok where members of AOSS from all four districts will attend as the body has been compelled to huddle back to the drawing board after a steady campaign in the past two years.
We will seek legal advice and submit our report to the State government, said the AOSS president SK Sarda to SIKKIM EXPRESS. He said that advice of the State government has been well taken by AOSS terming the communiqué as ‘positive signals’ from the State government.
Mr. Sarda said that AOSS is confident that ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) will take up the matter with the Centre as the party has committed to deliver income tax exemption to the left out individuals of Sikkim.
The old settlers had fully backed the SDF party during the recent elections and it is the responsibility of the SDF government to fulfill its promises, was the general feeling running high among the left out individuals of Sikkim.
Source: sikkim express
SIKKIM STATE LEVEL COMMITTEE OF AOS-SIKKIM FORMED
ASSOCIATION OF OLD SETTLERS OF SIKKIM.
GANGTOK. SIKKIM.
PRESS RELEASE
22.10.2009
A State Level delegates meeting of Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim ( AOSS) was held in Gangtok on 22-10-09 which was attended by more than 350 delegates representing all towns and bazars of Sikkim.
The meeting which was called to deliberate on the socio-economic development of the old business community of Sikkim witnessed unprecedented enthusiasm in appreciation of sincere efforts and unstinted support of the Government led by Dr Pawan Chamling who has stood by the community which is in minority, at all times.
The meeting discussed enactment of Finance Act 2008 wherein the old settlers have been inadvertently left out from the exemption of Direct Taxes and appraised that the AOSS has been taking up the cause of these 9000 odd left out individuals who are two centuries old settlers and who are true Sikkimese earning and investing within the state.
Shri S.K.Sarda, President of the Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim in his address appreciated that the SDF party itself in its Election manifesto had dealt with the matter in detail and promised that as soon as the Government comes into formation, the matter of Income tax Exemption to old settlers will be taken up. True to his words, Dr Chamling immediately after the formation of the Government for the 4th term visited New Delhi and urged Prime Minister of India to solve this problem. The president on behalf of the old settlers expressed gratitude to His Excellency the Governor and the Hon’ble C.M for having taken on record in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly the need to secure exemption from Income tax for them in their endeavor to deliver justice and equal rights to all.
Shri Suresh Agarwal, General Secretary appraised the meeting of the various steps taken by AOSS and the support received from the State Government in this regard. He said, upon the request of the AOSS the Government was kind enough to constitute a committee to look into its request for exemption to old settlers and recommend their case to Government of India. He said that the Committee in its first meeting held on 8.10.2009 has directed AOSS to obtain expert legal opinion which could help the State Government in pursuing for exemption for the old settlers with Government of India. He further said that this was a very positive signal from the State and that the AOSS shall faithfully discharge the responsibility given, by consulting legal luminaries and present their opinion before the committee.
The meeting adopted the following resolutions.
1. A Thirty One Member State Level Committee formed to obtain expert opinion from leading legal, constitutional and taxation luminaries.
2. As directed, the opinion(s) so received shall be submitted to the State Government for consideration and taking up the matter for exemption of Income tax to left out individuals with Government of India.
3. To support the popular demand of implementation of Income Tax act with prospective effect for PEOPLE SETTLED POST MERGER.
4. To inform the Income Tax Department of all developments in this regard by submitting copy of letter received from the Government of Sikkim and relevant extracts of the present meeting.
Anil Kumar Gupta
Secretary
Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim (AOSS).
Gangtok, Sikkim
GANGTOK. SIKKIM.
PRESS RELEASE
22.10.2009
A State Level delegates meeting of Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim ( AOSS) was held in Gangtok on 22-10-09 which was attended by more than 350 delegates representing all towns and bazars of Sikkim.
The meeting which was called to deliberate on the socio-economic development of the old business community of Sikkim witnessed unprecedented enthusiasm in appreciation of sincere efforts and unstinted support of the Government led by Dr Pawan Chamling who has stood by the community which is in minority, at all times.
The meeting discussed enactment of Finance Act 2008 wherein the old settlers have been inadvertently left out from the exemption of Direct Taxes and appraised that the AOSS has been taking up the cause of these 9000 odd left out individuals who are two centuries old settlers and who are true Sikkimese earning and investing within the state.
Shri S.K.Sarda, President of the Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim in his address appreciated that the SDF party itself in its Election manifesto had dealt with the matter in detail and promised that as soon as the Government comes into formation, the matter of Income tax Exemption to old settlers will be taken up. True to his words, Dr Chamling immediately after the formation of the Government for the 4th term visited New Delhi and urged Prime Minister of India to solve this problem. The president on behalf of the old settlers expressed gratitude to His Excellency the Governor and the Hon’ble C.M for having taken on record in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly the need to secure exemption from Income tax for them in their endeavor to deliver justice and equal rights to all.
Shri Suresh Agarwal, General Secretary appraised the meeting of the various steps taken by AOSS and the support received from the State Government in this regard. He said, upon the request of the AOSS the Government was kind enough to constitute a committee to look into its request for exemption to old settlers and recommend their case to Government of India. He said that the Committee in its first meeting held on 8.10.2009 has directed AOSS to obtain expert legal opinion which could help the State Government in pursuing for exemption for the old settlers with Government of India. He further said that this was a very positive signal from the State and that the AOSS shall faithfully discharge the responsibility given, by consulting legal luminaries and present their opinion before the committee.
The meeting adopted the following resolutions.
1. A Thirty One Member State Level Committee formed to obtain expert opinion from leading legal, constitutional and taxation luminaries.
2. As directed, the opinion(s) so received shall be submitted to the State Government for consideration and taking up the matter for exemption of Income tax to left out individuals with Government of India.
3. To support the popular demand of implementation of Income Tax act with prospective effect for PEOPLE SETTLED POST MERGER.
4. To inform the Income Tax Department of all developments in this regard by submitting copy of letter received from the Government of Sikkim and relevant extracts of the present meeting.
Anil Kumar Gupta
Secretary
Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim (AOSS).
Gangtok, Sikkim
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
While addressing the conference Pawan Chamling, Chief Minister of Sikkim said that the steps taken by the Sikkim government to issue Identity Card for the Sikkim Subjects and their descendents to maintain their distinct identity as well as to others residing in the State is the step taken on internal security system.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
From Sikkim Express
Nagarik Sangharsha Samiti writes to CS; demands equal treatment in tax exemption
GANGTOK, September 1: The Nagarik Sangharsha Samiti has written to the Chief Secretary demanding equal treatment to persons (baring foreigners) residing in Sikkim before April 26, 1975 in the matter of tax exemption and in socio-economic and political arena in Sikkim.
A letter signed by Prem Goyal, Chief Coordinator of the Samiti has also urged the six-member Committee on Tax Exemption to give them the opportunity to present their views to the Committee before making recommendations to the Government of Sikkim for taking up the issue with the Government of India.
“You may kindly recall that we have, right from 1977 onwards, been working for the protection of the rights and interests of all citizens residing in Sikkim. We submitted a memorandum dated June 25, 1996 to the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling, and thereafter several reminders and fresh memorandum have been submitted periodical1y, urging the State Government to accord equal treatment to all persons residing in Sikkim before April 26, 1975,” the letter reads.
The Samiti has in the past submitted several memorandums to the Governor of Sikkim, Chief Minister, Union Finance Minister and also to the Central Board of Direct Taxes from time to time reiterating their ‘genuine’ demand for equal treatment.
Nagarik Sangharsha Samiti writes to CS; demands equal treatment in tax exemption
GANGTOK, September 1: The Nagarik Sangharsha Samiti has written to the Chief Secretary demanding equal treatment to persons (baring foreigners) residing in Sikkim before April 26, 1975 in the matter of tax exemption and in socio-economic and political arena in Sikkim.
A letter signed by Prem Goyal, Chief Coordinator of the Samiti has also urged the six-member Committee on Tax Exemption to give them the opportunity to present their views to the Committee before making recommendations to the Government of Sikkim for taking up the issue with the Government of India.
“You may kindly recall that we have, right from 1977 onwards, been working for the protection of the rights and interests of all citizens residing in Sikkim. We submitted a memorandum dated June 25, 1996 to the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling, and thereafter several reminders and fresh memorandum have been submitted periodical1y, urging the State Government to accord equal treatment to all persons residing in Sikkim before April 26, 1975,” the letter reads.
The Samiti has in the past submitted several memorandums to the Governor of Sikkim, Chief Minister, Union Finance Minister and also to the Central Board of Direct Taxes from time to time reiterating their ‘genuine’ demand for equal treatment.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
INCOME TAX EXEMPTION TO LEFT OUTS IN SIKKIM
SIKKIM: CS heads committee to study Income Tax exemption to ‘Left Outs’
Posted by barunroy on July 22, 2009
FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS
GANGTOK: The State government has constituted a six member committee headed by chief secretary ND Chingapa to consider exemption the left out individuals of Sikkim from the purview of Central Income Tax.
The other members of the committee are additional chief secretary TT Dorji, law secretary RK Purkhayastha, Chief Minister’s principle secretary RK Basnet and transport secretary KN Bhutia.
HB Rai, additional commissioner, commercial taxes division is the member secretary of the committee.
The high level committee has been tasked to examine all matters relating to grant of exemption of Central Income Tax (Direct Tax Law) to the ‘left out’ individuals in Sikkim and make recommendation to the State government for taking up the issue with the Centre. The committee has also been directed to submit its report at the earliest.
It may be added that the ‘left outs’ as referred by the State government implies those persons living in Sikkim for generations and had not been granted exemption from paying income taxes as provided to people with Sikkim Subject Certificates.
The Union government had last year exempted Sikkim Subject holders from paying Direct Income Tax by passing an amendment in the Finance Bill of 2008.
People of Sikkimese origin having Sikkim Subject Certificates have been exempted from Direct Taxes as per the 26AAA clause paving way for the Act to be enforced in the state.
However, the old business community who has been living in the State for generations but without Sikkim Subject certificates have expressed their objections for being left out of the Act.
The old business community had also expressed their objections for being bracketed into ‘Non Sikkimese’ category by the Union government in the Finance Act.
The old business community living here for generations had demanded to be defined as ‘Left out Sikkimese’ and not as ‘Non Sikkimese’.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by barunroy on July 22, 2009
FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS
GANGTOK: The State government has constituted a six member committee headed by chief secretary ND Chingapa to consider exemption the left out individuals of Sikkim from the purview of Central Income Tax.
The other members of the committee are additional chief secretary TT Dorji, law secretary RK Purkhayastha, Chief Minister’s principle secretary RK Basnet and transport secretary KN Bhutia.
HB Rai, additional commissioner, commercial taxes division is the member secretary of the committee.
The high level committee has been tasked to examine all matters relating to grant of exemption of Central Income Tax (Direct Tax Law) to the ‘left out’ individuals in Sikkim and make recommendation to the State government for taking up the issue with the Centre. The committee has also been directed to submit its report at the earliest.
It may be added that the ‘left outs’ as referred by the State government implies those persons living in Sikkim for generations and had not been granted exemption from paying income taxes as provided to people with Sikkim Subject Certificates.
The Union government had last year exempted Sikkim Subject holders from paying Direct Income Tax by passing an amendment in the Finance Bill of 2008.
People of Sikkimese origin having Sikkim Subject Certificates have been exempted from Direct Taxes as per the 26AAA clause paving way for the Act to be enforced in the state.
However, the old business community who has been living in the State for generations but without Sikkim Subject certificates have expressed their objections for being left out of the Act.
The old business community had also expressed their objections for being bracketed into ‘Non Sikkimese’ category by the Union government in the Finance Act.
The old business community living here for generations had demanded to be defined as ‘Left out Sikkimese’ and not as ‘Non Sikkimese’.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
PLAINSMAN ? LEFT OUT SIKKIMESE ?
Red flag over ‘Plainsmen Business Community’ nomenclature
Does the term `businessman’ refer to all persons?-NSS
SE Report
GANGTOK, November 11: Expressing an outraged objection, Nagarik Sangharsha Samiti (NSS) today strongly censured the State government for repeatedly trying to nomenclature a section of the Sikkimese residents as ‘Plainsmen Business Community’.
“The use of the terminology ‘Plainsmen Business Community” is a misnomer and inappropriate in as much as persons deprived of equal rights at par with the former Sikkim Subject Holders are from different places and different avocations and professions”, said Prem Goyal, NSS chief coordinator in a press statement.
“To brand the heterogeneous group into ‘Plainsmen’ or ‘Business Community’ is to continue the perpetuation of injustice against each individual who, under the banner of Nagrik Sangharsha Samiti, has fought relentlessly for the past 33 years for being treated at par with the erstwhile Sikkim Subject Holders who became citizens of India on and from April 26,1975 only”.
NSS said that the terminology ‘businessmen’ can be safely used to describe all persons doing any and every kind of business for their livelihood irrespective of whether such persons are legally entitled to enjoy the socio-economic and political rights in Sikkim.
“Does the term `businessman’ refer to all persons? The Samiti would appreciate if the terms like ‘businessmen’ and ‘plainsmen’ are altogether avoided. This will go a long way in strengthening communal harmony, peace and brotherhood in a small State like Sikkim where we have been living like one family”, Mr. Goyal said.
The outcry of NSS is based on a news item carried by a local English daily which reported that the State government is examining ‘plainsmen business community for facilities at par with Sikkim subjects’.
NSS said that this exercise clearly demonstrates the fact that the ‘State Government is trying hard to extricate itself from the illegal and discriminatory policies being pursued for over three decades affecting a sizeable number of persons resident
in Sikkim until April 26, 1975-the historic day when Sikkim became a part of India’.
The body also accused the government of desperately trying to cover up its ‘illegal and discriminatory policies and practices’ by restoring to ‘misinformation and disinformation campaign’.
NSS claimed that it has ‘repeatedly made it clear that the State Government must concede its demand for equal treatment in socio-economic and political arena on the basis of all the applicable laws and rules in force in the State of Sikkim and that denial of equal treatment are violative of the Constitution and the rule of law’. It asserted that the sizeable number of residents of the pre-merger date, that is, April 26, 1975 is a group of bonafide Indian nationals from all communities and from different places in India and ‘not just those who run a business or hail from the plains’.
NSS also refuted the reported claims of the State government directing the ‘business community’ to prepare a charter of ‘grievances and demands for examination’.
“No communication has been received from the State Government on the issue and the question of submitting any list of grievances and demands does not arise at all. The demands and grievances of NSS have been repeatedly made known to the State and the Central Government right from 1977 and the one point formula is equal treatment to all those residents in Sikkim till April 26, 1975”, NSS said.
NSS also said that it is ‘ironic that Indian nationals already resident in Sikkim till April 26, 1975 were conveniently left out and are being treated as ‘second class citizens’ when 73,431 persons granted Indian citizenship who were neither Sikkim subject holders or Indian citizens taking April 26, 1975 as the cut off year.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Source:Sikkim Express)
Does the term `businessman’ refer to all persons?-NSS
SE Report
GANGTOK, November 11: Expressing an outraged objection, Nagarik Sangharsha Samiti (NSS) today strongly censured the State government for repeatedly trying to nomenclature a section of the Sikkimese residents as ‘Plainsmen Business Community’.
“The use of the terminology ‘Plainsmen Business Community” is a misnomer and inappropriate in as much as persons deprived of equal rights at par with the former Sikkim Subject Holders are from different places and different avocations and professions”, said Prem Goyal, NSS chief coordinator in a press statement.
“To brand the heterogeneous group into ‘Plainsmen’ or ‘Business Community’ is to continue the perpetuation of injustice against each individual who, under the banner of Nagrik Sangharsha Samiti, has fought relentlessly for the past 33 years for being treated at par with the erstwhile Sikkim Subject Holders who became citizens of India on and from April 26,1975 only”.
NSS said that the terminology ‘businessmen’ can be safely used to describe all persons doing any and every kind of business for their livelihood irrespective of whether such persons are legally entitled to enjoy the socio-economic and political rights in Sikkim.
“Does the term `businessman’ refer to all persons? The Samiti would appreciate if the terms like ‘businessmen’ and ‘plainsmen’ are altogether avoided. This will go a long way in strengthening communal harmony, peace and brotherhood in a small State like Sikkim where we have been living like one family”, Mr. Goyal said.
The outcry of NSS is based on a news item carried by a local English daily which reported that the State government is examining ‘plainsmen business community for facilities at par with Sikkim subjects’.
NSS said that this exercise clearly demonstrates the fact that the ‘State Government is trying hard to extricate itself from the illegal and discriminatory policies being pursued for over three decades affecting a sizeable number of persons resident
in Sikkim until April 26, 1975-the historic day when Sikkim became a part of India’.
The body also accused the government of desperately trying to cover up its ‘illegal and discriminatory policies and practices’ by restoring to ‘misinformation and disinformation campaign’.
NSS claimed that it has ‘repeatedly made it clear that the State Government must concede its demand for equal treatment in socio-economic and political arena on the basis of all the applicable laws and rules in force in the State of Sikkim and that denial of equal treatment are violative of the Constitution and the rule of law’. It asserted that the sizeable number of residents of the pre-merger date, that is, April 26, 1975 is a group of bonafide Indian nationals from all communities and from different places in India and ‘not just those who run a business or hail from the plains’.
NSS also refuted the reported claims of the State government directing the ‘business community’ to prepare a charter of ‘grievances and demands for examination’.
“No communication has been received from the State Government on the issue and the question of submitting any list of grievances and demands does not arise at all. The demands and grievances of NSS have been repeatedly made known to the State and the Central Government right from 1977 and the one point formula is equal treatment to all those residents in Sikkim till April 26, 1975”, NSS said.
NSS also said that it is ‘ironic that Indian nationals already resident in Sikkim till April 26, 1975 were conveniently left out and are being treated as ‘second class citizens’ when 73,431 persons granted Indian citizenship who were neither Sikkim subject holders or Indian citizens taking April 26, 1975 as the cut off year.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Source:Sikkim Express)
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