SIBLAC ‘dissatisfied’ with NCST Chairman’s statements

GANGTOK, 21 April: The Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) has expressed ‘dissatisfaction’ on comments made by Dr. Rameshwar Oraon, Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) as reported in newspapers on Wednesday.
SIBLAC has questioned as to why the Chairman, “who holds such a responsible office”, said that he would recommend increase of Assembly strength to make seats for Limboo and Tamang communities in the Legislative  Assembly on the formula suggested by the Burman Roy Commission. This format has been objected to by SIBLAC which has demanded commensurate increase in BL seats in the event of any increase in Assembly strength.

According to SIBLAC, Sikkim already enjoys “special status” within the Union which is explicitly governed by Article 371F which was an over-riding and non-obstante provision against all other constitutional powers.
“We welcome him to Sikkim and hope that his visit will ensure the socioeconomic and political rights of the Sikkimese people as per Article 371F of the Indian Constitution but he should have first studied and scrutinized the different aspects of the special provisions which is provided to the Sikkimese before making any public statement,” stated the SIBLAC convener, Tseten Tashi Bhutia at a press conference held here in the capital yesterday.
While explaining that the issue was “very sensitive and emotional”, the SIBLAC convener reiterated that SIBLAC and many of the opposition parties here have ‘rejected’ the Roy Burman Commission report “since it does not reflect the special provisions guaranteed to the Sikkimese by the Constitution of India”.
“The Chairman has commented without studying the facts and the history of Sikkim”, alleged the SIBLAC convenor.
While explaining that the Chairman should have ‘pondered’ upon certain “solemn instruments”, including the May 8 Tripartite Agreement of 1973 and Article 371F of the Constitution, while dealing with the political rights of the Bhutia- Lepchas and Nepalese of Sikkimese origin, the SIBLAC convener said that all Sikkimese had already been granted special rights and privileges by the constitution which could not be equated by others.
“Before coming to any conclusion on the sensitive seat reservation issue on the constitutional provisions of the Bhutia Lepchas (BL), the Chairman who has just been appointed in October last year should have accordingly deliberated on the recommendations made by his predecessor Urmila Singh to the Government of India on the particular matter vide her D.O. No. Sikkim-2/Inclusion/ service/ 2006/ RU-II dated 3 September 2008 including SIBLAC’s numerous submissions with the Commission, the UPA Chairperson and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs,” Mr. Bhutia said.
Further, Mr. Bhutia said that it was “pertinent to mention that dealing with such a sensitive issue with regard to Sikkim should be taken with utmost care given  the state’s strategic location amid international borders wherein uncertainties still prevail over China’s fluctuating policy on Sikkim and India’s national security concern followed by continued  disturbances in the surrounding region”.
“We also request the Chairman to involve SIBLAC in any dialogue process, that may be taken on this most sensitive issue since the Sikkimese Bhutias, Lepchas have always maintained their faith and conviction on the Indian Constitution and Article 371F”, concluded Mr. Bhutia.