“Reserved tribal seats in panchayat elections”

Limboos and Tamangs, the two tribes fighting for their political rights in Sikkim since they were granted tribal status in 2003 will for the first time get reserved tribal seats to contest the forthcoming panchayat elections in the state, Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling said.

Speaking in the Assembly, Chamling expressed his government’s commitment to the overall development of the people of the state regardless of their caste and creed.

Expressing his intent of not compromising the interest of Sikkimese under any circumstance, he said the bill was momentous as it provided reservation to the MBCs and OBCs in panchayats.

Chamling termed the brief session of the state Assembly as historic in “many ways” as a bill granting 40 per cent reservation to women in panchayats was also passed during the session.

Describing the legislation as a major step towards women’s empowerment and emancipation, the Chief Minister said it was an example for the rest of the country to follow.

The Panchayat (amendment) bill which provides 40 per cent reservation to women in panchayats will send a bold and positive message to the rest of the country, he said adding that none of the other states in the country had done this before.

Panchayat elections are scheduled to be held in the state on October 31.

Referring to the ongoing protest against hydel power projects in the state, the Chief Minister said he could not understand the rationale behind the protest. “If we have the resources to generate hydel power why shouldn’t we harness them for the development of the state,” he asked.

Assuring that the proposed hydel power projects will generate revenue and job opportunities in Sikkim, he said the state government will go ahead with it. “I can’t jeopardise the future of the coming generations of the Sikkimese people by stalling them,” he said.

Sikkim | North East Enquirer (Headlines) | Nena Home Page |