Dzumsa cannot double as cooperative, Thupden Lachungpa challenges

GANGTOK, 01 July: Responding to a statement reportedly made by Sikkim Democratic Front’s North district president, NT Lepcha, published recently in a local daily, wherein he had said that the Dzumsa itself is a cooperative society, Lachung Dzumsa Educated Unemployed Cooperative Society president, Thupden Norzang Lachungpa, warned Mr Lepcha not to interfere in Lachung’s issues and to concentrate on his own area. 
Addressing a press conference today, Mr Lachungpa said that Mr Lepcha lives in Naga in North Sikkim and does not have full knowledge on Lachung so he should not interfere in matters concerning Lachung and the Dzumsa. Stating that the Dzumsa system has been in existence for hundreds of years as compared to the modern concept of cooperatives, he contended that the two cannot be said to mean the same thing.
Mr Lachungpa reiterated his stand against the ‘block system’ with regard to contract works in Lachung. He stated that the Lachung Dzumsa Educated Unemployed Cooperative Society was officially registered as a cooperative society in March earlier this year and thanked the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary for their support in this regard. He also thanked Sr SP North for providing him the required security.