The Election Commission of India has recommended the dismissal of the petition filed by Opposition parties in Sikkim seeking disqualification of 17 MLAs of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) for holding offices of profit. The petition submitted to Governor V Rama Rao by the major opposition parties of Sikkim, including the Congress and BJP last year, had been referred to the Election Commission for its opinion.

“The EC’s opinion received by the Governor recently describes the charges made in the petition as devoid of merit and recommends its rejection by the Governor,” Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling’s advisor B B Gooroong told a press conference. The EC’s opinion is based on the provisions of the Sikkim Removal of Disqualifications Act, 1978 and the subsequent legislations passed by the State Assembly to widen its scope and bring some more offices under its purview, Mr. Gooroong said.

Pointing out that the Governor was constitution bound to act according to the EC’s opinion in this regard, Gooroong said the opinion had vindicated the stand taken by the ruling party that the opposition charges had no merit. He also described it as a “big setback” to the opposition parties of Sikkim who had run out of issues.

Quality hospitality service in Sikkim

The efforts of the state Department of Tourism and the huge inflow of funds from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, towards infrastructure development for proper promotion and growth of tourism, fostering more private-public partnerships, are finally yielding dividends for Sikkim.

Hospitality major Sarovar Hotels Limited with more than 36 premium properties all over India, have opened their first five star category luxury property in the entire North East called The Royal Plaza at Gangtok. The Sikkim unit of the Sarovar group is a unit of Teesta Rangit Private Limited having at present 45 operational rooms in deluxe, executive, club and suite categories.

The major facilities being offered by the hotel include Orchid, an international standard multicuisine restaurant, an international class bar Aura, two operational and two upcoming banquet halls, round-the-clock reception, dual car parking, upcoming sauna and health club.

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