LET’S DEBATE THE BILL

Letter:
Recently there was a great deal of controversy regarding the Public Order Bill. I am certain that most people are reacting without having read the Bill. I am one such person. Your paper would be doing public service if you could publish this Bill for people to read, understand and react. We have a literacy rate of around 80% and we need to know the truth first hand rather than reactions from vested interests. In this context, I welcome ASESE&UA’s move to hold a debate on this Bill. It’s good that NASS is also participating in this debate. If the SDF Govt. feels that the Bill is good for Sikkim, it should grab this opportunity to debate the issue and convince the people. I urge all right thinking people of Sikkim to participate in the debate. Though I have very little faith in local TV’s independent status, I will still take this opportunity to request them to broadcast this debate (and fairly too).
Like Anna says, Let the People Decide What is Good For Them.
[recvd on email]

Public Order Bill will return after public consultations and consent, CM announces

GANGTOK, 30 August: “We have withdrawn the Bill for the moment, but will bring it to the house again after explaining its aims and objectives in detail to the people. Next time, the Bill shall come after public discussions, deliberations, debates and with the consent of the people,” stated Chief Minister Pawan Chamling in his valedictory remarks in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly today.
The Chief Minister was referring to the withdrawal of the Sikkim Prevention and Control of Disturbance of Public Order bill which was introduced by him on 11 August and withdrawn when the Legislative Assembly met next on 26 August. The Governor, it may be recalled, had advised the State Government to withdraw the Bill which was received by a slew of protests from social and political organisations in the state.

ASESE&UA wants politics to grow up beyond personal attacks in Sikkim

GANGTOK, 28 Aug: The All Sikkim Educated Self-Employed & Unemployed Association [ASESE&UA] has appealed to the State Government to concentrate on addressing the “real issues” of the state instead of continuing to defend the Public Order Bill.
The association has argued that the level of political debate in the state needs to be improved by bringing up productive and useful Bills.

Public Order Bill withdrawn, five amendment passed one more tabled

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY MEETS FOR BUDGET SESSION 2011 PART-II

GANGTOK, 26 Aug: The Sikkim Prevention and Control of Disturbance of Public Order Bill, Bill No.10 of 2011 introduced by the Chief Minister who also holds the Home portfolio on 11 August was unanimously withdrawn by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly today. The “notice of motion” to withdraw the Bill was announced on 14 August and formalized today.
The session in the house concluded within 15 minutes.
Today, the second session of the Budget Session-2011 [the concluding session is scheduled for 29 August] also saw all the five amendment bills introduced in the house during the first session on 11 August being unanimously passed without any discussions.

SHRPP members shave heads to protest Public Order Bill

GANGTOK, 25 Aug: Ten members of the Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party [SHRPP] shaved their heads today in protest of the Public Order Bill and marched from Nam-Nang to the Tourist Information Centre passing through MG Marg wearing placards condemning the Bill.
The Sikkim Prevention and Control of Disturbance of Public Order Bill, it may be recalled, was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on 11 August. The State Government has since announced its decision to withdraw the Bill and is expected to complete the formalities on Friday when the Assembly convenes.

SSSBS wants people to insist that Public Order Bill be passed

GANGTOK, 25 Aug: Sikkim Sachet Swarojgar Berojgar Sangathan [SSSBS] has appealed the people to advise the State Government to pass the Sikkim Prevention and Control of Disturbance of Public Order Bill, 2011 and not withdraw it as it plans to do on Friday. The Bill, SSSBS believes, will “restrict” anti-social activities in the State.
The organisation has further appealed the people not to support “vested interest” who “are trying to mislead the youth and general public and defame Sikkim”.

NASSS takes out strong rally in protest of Public Order Bill and in support of Anna Hazare

GANGTOK, 24 Aug: The protest rally called by the recently-formed Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan Sikkim [NASSS] drew strong participation here today as the protesters marched through town raising slogans against the Public Order Bill of the State Government and in support of the Anna Hazare-led movement for the Jan Lokpal Bill at the national level.
The rally started from the Deorali Truck Stand and concluded at the Fish Pond near Paljor Stadium after walking through National Highway 31A, its number swelling as more and more groups joined it through the walk.

GOVERNOR ADVISES, GOVT LISTENS

Govt decides to withdraw Public Order Bill
GANGTOK, 16 Aug: The State Government has decided to withdraw the Sikkim Prevention and Control of Disturbance of Public Order Bill, Bill No. 10 of 2011, which had been introduced in the Assembly on 11 August.
An official press release issued today informs that the Government has decided to withdraw the Bill as per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly.
Earlier, Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh has advised the State government to withdraw the said Bill, a communiqué confirmed by the Raj Bhavan yesterday.

SPCC seeks Governor’s intervention to stall Public Order Bill

GANGTOK, 14 Aug: The Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee has appealed to the Governor to intervene on the issue of the Sikkim Prevention and Control of Disturbance of Public Order Bill introduced in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly on 11 August in a press release issued by the acting president, Kunga Nima Lepcha.
The Sikkim-unit of the Congress has claimed that the introduction of the Bill has been so timed as to “take advantage” of the absence of the “most powerful opposition leader” NB Bhandari, who is serving a one-month prison sentence.

ASESE&UA condemns Public Order Bill

GANGTOK, 14 Aug: The All Sikkim Educated Self Employed & Unemployed Association, in a meeting of its office bearers held yesterday, unanimously resolved to condemn the tabling of the Sikkim Prevention and Control of Disturbance of Public Order Bill. The meeting, an ASESE&UA press release informs, was chaired by the chief advisor of the association, Pahalman Subba.
The organisation has likened the Bill to the “Enabling Bill/Act, 1933” of Germany after which Hitler became a dictator. The meeting resolved to discuss the effects of the Bill with Constitutional experts and coordinate efforts with other organisations to protest it.
The association has argued that since Sikkim is a peaceful State it does not require such law and has rejected it.