SIBLAC and allied organisations petition Governor demanding proportionate increase in BL seats if Assembly strength expanded

GANGTOK, 10 April: A six-member delegation of different organisations led by the Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee [SIBLAC] Convenor, Tseten Tashi Bhutia called on the Governor and discussed various aspects pertaining to the social-political rights of the Sikkimese people on Saturday at Raj Bhawan, informs a SIBLAC press release.
SIBLAC’s spokesperson Tenzing C’wang briefed the Governor on the issues being raised by SIBLAC and the delegation submitted a memorandum to the Governor on behalf of SIBLAC, National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation-Article 371F (NASBO-371F), Concerned Lepchas of Sikkim (CLOS), Denzong Chyarig Tsogpo (DCT) and Monks of Sikkim, the release adds.

The memorandum asks for a proportionate increase in the number of Bhutia-Lepcha (BL) seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly in the event that the strength of Sikkim Legislative is increased to any extent.
“The entire Bhutia Lepchas of Sikkim, at the outset, reject the Government of Sikkim’s resolution adopted in the recently concluded Sikkim Legislative Assembly Session April 23 - April 29, that intends to reduce the present ratio of the BL’s reserved seat in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly which would jeopardise and harm the political rights and safeguards provided to them by the Constitution of India,” the memorandum states.
The memorandum further expresses disappointment at the resolution and requests the Government of India to involve the petitioning organisations in “any matter that pertains to this particular subject which is of immense paramountancy to our political survival”.