SIBLAC voices concern over SDF resolve to increase Assembly seats to 40

DEMANDS PROPORTIONAL INCREASE IN NUMBER OF BL SEATS
GANGTOK, 09 Mar: SIBLAC has raised concerns over the resolution to demand an increase in the number of Assembly seats to 40 from 32 adopted by the ruling SDF party at its convention held at Jorethang recently. A press release issued by the SIBLAC convenor, Tseten Tashi Bhutia, contends that to demand an increase in total number of seats without proportional increase in BL seats was “unconstitutional” and “poses a serious threat to the political safeguards provided by Article 371F of the Constitution to minority Bhutia-Lepcha community in Sikkim.”
SIBLAC has underlined this issue to register its concern over the recent statement of Vice-Chairman of the National Minority Commission who, during his recent visit to Sikkim, stated on record that “minorities are safe in Sikkim”.
“It is unfortunate the person like Dr Sangliana is making such a statement without reading the inside story of Sikkim. Such statement is likely to create deep mis-impression in the minds of people outside Sikkim who are sympathetic to the cause of minority in Sikkim,” the release states.
Some of the leaders of SIBLAC including its convenor Mr Bhutia are currently camped in New Delhi to represent what the organisation sees as the “feeling of political insecurity” arising in the wake of SDF party’s resolution. SIBLAC will soon be approaching national political organisations soliciting their support to its demand.
Although it is positive that BL electorates have been given the opportunity to elect their own representatives but in actual terms BL representatives are not elected simply by the BL votes but by non-BLs who are in majority in the reserved BL constituencies, the release states.
The release goes on to state that besides political insecurity, “the National Commission for Minorities must recognise that land, identity and religious heritage form the core political issues of minority Bhutia-Lepcha people that need to be addressed by Government of India without any delay”.

NCM Vice Chairman visits Sikkim

GANGTOK, 09 Mar: Vice Chairman, National Commission for Minorities, Government of India, Dr. HT Sangliana, who was on an official visit to the State from 05 to 08 March with the purpose of analyzing the condition of the minorities of the state was all praises for the state of Sikkim.
Speaking to the media at the State Circuit House on the eve before his departure from the state Dr. Sangliana said that  the minorities of the state are well looked after by the state government. Expressing his satisfaction over the treatment towards the minorities in the state he observed that all the scholarship and educational facilities to minorities are being provided by the state government through the various departments which are working for the upliftment of the minorities, he said.
He mentioned that the National Commission had advised all state governments to open state-level cells and about 17 states have already opened such cells. The state body can act as a nodal agency to address issues of the minority and Sikkim has also been advised to open a state-level cell, he added. It may be mentioned here that Sikkim does not have a state-level cell as yet.
Appreciable attention is being paid for the education of the minorities in the state, Dr. Sangliana said. A delegation of United Sikkim Christian Welfare Society and Ringhim Monastery in Mangan submitted memorandums to the vice-chairman in the morning of 07 Mar.
Dr Sangliana also had a meeting with the Chief Secretary of the state on the same day wherein various issues related to minorities were also discussed.

PD Rai sees Angmo’s comments as ‘extreme provocation’, will register ‘strong protest’

GANGTOK, 20 Nov: Lok Sabha MP from Sikkim, PD Rai, through a press release, has expressed reservations over the views of member of Minorities Commission, Spalzes Angmo, who was recently on a visit to the State to assess the damages and relief measures being carried out in the wake of the 18 Sept earthquake.

Minorities Commission member tours North Sikkim, wants project developers to do more for the people

MANGAN, 18 Nov: Member of National Commission for Minorities, Spalzes Angmo, accompanied by the NCM Joint Secretary, was on a two-day tour of North Sikkim on 17 and 18 Nov. They were accompanied by DM (N), TN Kazi, Welfare Officer (N), PW Lepcha and former chairperson, Pintso Lepcha of Dzongu.