Sikkim Public Order Bill termed a “black bill” by Opposition

Gangtok Aug. 11: The Sikkim chief minister today tabled a bill in the Assembly for a special law to address “social vices and offences” that might cause disturbances to public order.

The bill seeks to ban processions, hunger strikes, squatting, sloganeering and waving black flags or other forms of agitation that might “promote enmity or hatred between sections of the society”on the “grounds of religion, race or caste”. Such actions will be deemed disturbances to public order, the bill states.

The Sikkim Prevention and Control of Disturbance of Public Order Bill has been termed a “black bill” by Opposition parties, which have no representation in the Assembly where all 32 seats are held by Sikkim Democratic Front.

Legal experts described the proposed state law “unconstitutional” and said it would be scrapped if taken to court.

“The state government after due deliberations felt that there is a need to deal with such types of offences affecting public order. This can only be effectively addressed by having an appropriate law/rule in place,” chief minister Pawan Chamling said while introducing the bill in the House. Sources in the government denied that there had been any immediate provocation to put the law in place.

An entire gamut of offences has been listed in the bill that will be put to vote on August 26. From public nuisance, drunken behaviour, drug abuse and resorting to child labour, the proposed law also seeks to ban persons below 18 years from entering bars and discos.

Under the provisions of the bill, a special court will be set up with the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court by a notification by the state government. Each of the four districts of the state will have a special court. The bill also provides for punishment for offenders found guilty under the proposed law: a minimum imprisonment of five years with a fine not less than Rs 50,000. All offences under this law shall be considered cognisable and non-bailable.

“The provisions proposed in the bill are in total violation of the democratic values and norms. This is a black law that seeks to suppress the voice of the people and is against fundamental rights,” said Kumga Nima Lepcha, the acting president of the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee.

The state BJP president, Padam Chhetri, said the bill was totally “undemocratic”. “Such laws are not implemented in a democracy. All the opposition parties should be united against this law. Just because there is no Opposition in the Assembly does not mean that such Taliban-like rules are to be passed as a law. By this law any dissenting voice will be crushed,” said Chhetri.

In recent times, the most vociferous protest in the state capital was by the Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) against the construction of mega-hydel projects in Lepcha reserve in Dzongu in North Sikkim. “The ban on agitation might be interpreted in any way. ACT activists Dawa Lepcha and Tenzing Gyatso Lepcha, who held hunger strikes for 53 days and 96 days in 2007 and 2008 respectively in Gangtok, had caused some embarrassment to the Chamling government that is into its fourth term now,” a political observer said.

Asked to comment on the bill, a former judge of Calcutta High Court, Bhagabati Prasad Banerjee, said: “Even though a portion of the laws related to public order has been placed on the state list and the state has the power to enact legislation on them, the bill placed by the Sikkim government will not be considered as valid if challenged in court.”

The judge said the state governments could enact laws on minor offences that affect public order like littering and committing nuisance. “But as far as public disorders like promoting enmity or hatred or disaffection among different communities are concerned, there are strong central laws for it. On these issues, a state government cannot enact any law,” Banerjee told The Telegraph in Calcutta.

BJP serves legal notice on allotment of power project land

Gangtok, July 22 (PTI) The Bharatiya Janata Party [BJP] state unit has served a legal notice on the Sikkim Government seeking clarification on what it described as illegal land allotment at Lower Lagyap Power Project site at Ranipool in East Sikkim. The notice was served yesterday with the respondents being the Chief Secretary, four District Collectors, and Secretaries of Power, Urban Development & Housing and Land Revenue Departments, Padam Chettri, president of the state BJP unit said today.Chettri told a press conference here that according to a notification passed in 2003, government land cannot be allotted to anyone.

Eleven families have however, been allotted land in the area on the Ranipool-Pakyong road in 2010, he said adding that the file was approved on a government holiday and registration done on December 3, 2010. There were 100 applicants ranging from drivers, lower divisional clerks to linesmen but none of them received land, while these 11 big shot people have been allotted land, the BJP president claimed. Citing a Supreme Court order passed on July 17 this year that land acquired for public purposes cannot be re-allocated, he further said such instances were noticed not only in the Power Department but in other departments as well. We have served a one month legal notice to the eight Sikkim government officials involved and if they do not respond then we will go to the High Court and if need to the Supreme Court with this matter,he said.

Sikkim BJP’s anti-corruption padyatra begins

GANGTOK, June 12 – The Sikkim unit of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), began its six- month padyatra against corruption from today, halting enroute at the house of the poorest of the villagers. The six member BJP team comprises the president of the BJP unit, Padam Chettri, general secretary Padam Sharma, members Prabhuram Kharka, Laten Sherpa, Amber Sunwar and Dawa Sherpa.

Earlier, addressing the media in a press conference at its office, BJP state president Chettri informed that they will focus on South and West District and plan to visit remote areas where the Chief Minister failed to reach. During their visit, the BJP team will collect complaints from the public in a complaint form.

Chettri alleged that after 17 years Chief Minister Pawan Chamling started visiting in village areas; then also he failed to reach remote areas. Sikkim is a State with abundant glaciers, but still people are facing water crisis in village areas and the concerned department is still silent, we would delve into the reality of this scenario, Chettri asserted.

During the six-month pad- yatra the BJP team will focus on three problems: health, education and food because the Central government has been providing enough facilities to Sikkim but people have failed to receive the facilities provided by the Central government.

A public meeting would be conducted at Jorethang Bazaar on June 15, in-charge of the Sikkim State unit Indra Sen Reddy and two BJP central committee members would be present, Chettri informed. He further mentioned that the BJP has plans to reach every Gram Panchayat Unit during their padyatra, meet the members of the panchayat and villagers and talk regarding the development, rights and problems of the areas. Chettri requested cooperation from government officials during their proposed visit.

(Assamtribune)

BJP Sikkim President Padam Chettri hunger strike against corruption

Gangtok, May 28:The Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) Sikkim Unit claims that the day long hunger strike carried out by them at Kaluk Bazaar West Sikkim on 26th May 2011, regarding corruption was a huge success.
Addressing the media President of BJP Sikkim Unit Mr. Padam Chettri during a press conference held here in the capital on 27th May said that BJP members are ready to lay their lives against corruption. Furthermore Mr. Chettri also informed the their party plans to call strike in West Sikkim again if Chief Minister Pawan Chamling continues his door to door tour in West Sikkim. Adding further Mr. Chettri further mentioned that they have submitted a memorandum today to the District Collector West against contractors as Mr. Chettri stated that there are many pending projects in West Sikkim, but the concerned contractors have already took their payment from the departments leaving their work unfinished,
so BJP has also demanded that such contractors should be black listed within a month. Mr. Chettri furthermore said that the BJP will continue their movement in the State against corruption and stressed that Chief Minister Pawan Chamling who is currently in a door to door tour of every village across the State and meeting the people must fulfill his word given to the innocent Sikkimese people with in a month and firstly CM must fulfill the grievance put forward by the citizens of South District.
Informing further Mr. Chettri said that there are many projects which are still incomplete like, district jail construction work at West Sikkim, Kaluk to Soreng road carpeting, Kaluk to Rinchenpong road carpeting which is around 16 km, Tourist lodge at Rinchenpong along with Sumbuk Jhora construction which need to be attended to early.

BJP's Border Darshan yatra to Nathu La Pass

New Delhi, May 14 : In order to sensitise countrymen about the security problems of the border areas and people living there, BJP veteran L K Advani today flagged off a unique 'Border Darshan' pilgrimage.

"Border Darshan is an effort to focus attention on the areas which have been in the forefront of the country's defence. Border areas like Kashmir and Northeast need special care and we have to ensure our defence preparedness to face challenges emerging from various factors across the border," Mr Advani said at his residence here.

First of the 15,700 km-Border Darshan will be started from Munsiyari in Uttarakhand.

The BJP will observe 110th birth anniversary of Jana Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee as a year of 'Border Darshan'.

It will be visiting inaccessible border areas of the country in all the four directions commencing from May 14 to April 17, 2012.

Speaking about the Darshan yatra, Mr Advani said the BJP was a product of the sacrifice of the Jana Sangh founder who laid down his life for the sake of integrating Jammu and Kashmir into the Indian Union.

Protesting against the prevailing permit system for Indians even to visit for tourism purposes, he walked into Jammu and Kahmir from Punjab but returned dead under mysterious circumstances in 1953. It was after this supreme sacrifice, things changed in J and K and the President, Supreme Court and Election Commission could get to exercise their powers in the state.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP and Dr Shyama Prasad Mukerjee Research Foundation Director Tarun Vijay said the yatra would touch border areas like Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, Lahaul and Spiti in Himachal, Nathu La Pass in Sikkim, Bara Hoti in Uttarakhand in the areas bordering China.

In the west the yatra would touch Okha, Gujarat, Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, Uri in J and K, and Moirang in the eastern state of Manipur.

The yatra would touch Lakshadweep and Andaman Nicobar islands on the eastern and western coasts of India.

He said for the participants of the yatra the unanimous resolutions adopted by Parliament after the Chinese aggression in 1962 and on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in February 1994 would be the guidelines and the nation would be apprised about the resolutions passed in the regimes headed by Jawaharlal Nehru and P V Narasimha Rao on two separate occasions.

During the yatra, the participants will meet the ITBP/BSF jawans, pay tributes to the martyred soldiers and understand the difficulties they face in their day to day life and their perception of the challenges from across the border.

The BJP will also prepare a Border Status Report through the Border Darshan yatra.

--UNI

Multiple RTI officials mockery of RTI Act in Sikkim - BJP

Gangtok,Nov24:The BJP today accused the Pawan Kumar Chamling government for gross violation of the provisions of the Right to Information Act (RTI) by way of appointment of multiple officials in each department.
The information seekers under RTI have been made to run from pillar to post to elicit replies to their specific queries as there were too many officials assigned for the job in each government department, the BJP Sikkim unit vice president Padam Bahadur Chettri told reporters here.

For instance, the Building and Housing department has as many as 18 officials assigned with the task of handling RTI queries, he said quoting to the reply of his question under the Act seeking the details of the government buildings constructed by the said department.

Not only that his query was returned unanswered, but the Building and Housing department returned his application saying that the query should have been addressed to the specific officials as there were 18 of them assigned to respond to RTI queries.

Stating that there should not be more than one official with each department assigned for the purpose of furnishing replies under the RTI Act, Chettri urged the Chief Information commissioner to ensure that the government departments in Sikkim stuck to the rules of the Act which was enacted to ensure transparency in the government.

Sikkim Opposition Parties demands enquiry into multi-crore fraud attempt

Gangtok, November 20: Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) has demanded the investigating agencies like CID should be independent hand for conducting in-depth investigation in major crimes like the multi-crore scam to hoodwink State Bank of Sikkim (SBS) which was busted recently.

In a press statement, SPCC congratulated the CID and State Intelligence Bureau for their ‘unprecedented success’ in busting the serious racket of Rs. 85 crores. The party said that names of those influential persons involved in the case should be made public so these big names are exposed. Culprits must be punished irrespective of their official, social and political status, the party said.

The SPCC added that ever since the formation of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) in Sikkim, the State has been witnessing innumerable major crimes. The opposition party highlighted cases like printing of fake currency notes, operation of illegal private banks like Teena, Bharosa and Siddhi, which swindled away crores of rupees of the depositors, smuggling of red sandalwood.

“The commitment of the SDF government to uproot corruption and illegal activities from the face of Sikkim has so far proved complete failure. Instead there has been constant increase in such activities”, said the SPCC.

Meanwhile,State BJP vice president Padam Chettri has demanded that an appropriate Central government agency to probe into the attempted financial fraud in Sikkim that came into light recently thanks to a CID Sikkim expose.
“The accused persons are from outside the State and the criminal case has national and international ramifications. Moreover it has foreign exchange angle since the International Bills of Exchange is involved”, said Chettri today in a press statement. He demanded that the case should be investigated by the appropriate Central government agency such as CBI.
The BJP vice president has decided to approach the CBI Director requesting the agency to take up the case

BJP asks chief secy to lodge FIR against officials

Gangtok, 27 Oct: Claiming Rs 4.95 crore were siphoned off from government funds, the Sikkim BJP today asked state chief secretary Mr TT Dorji to order filing of a criminal case against guilty officials and contractors.
“Officials and contractors had colluded to siphon off the money in the name of construction of a multi-span steel bridge over Teesta river at Gour in north Sikkim but the construction did not happen,” party vice-president Mr Padam Chettri told newsmen, adding it was loot of public money.
Quoting the reply of the Roads and Bridges Department to an RTI query, he claimed authorities have themselves conceded that 90 per cent of the proposed cost of the bridge was released to the contractors before the commencement of the construction work three years ago.
But, barring two concrete pillars on either end of the Teesta river, the bridge never came up and the entire money went into the pockets of corrupt officials and contractors, he alleged.
“But for RTI, the blatant case of swindling of public money would have been left hidden in the files,” he said.
Mr Chhetri claimed he has documentary evidence of another case of corruption in the construction of a proposed Rs 13-crore bridge at Singtam to connect south and east Sikkim in which one-third of the projected cost has already been released to the contractor without commencement of any work on the ground.

Bridge to Dzongu missing between two pillars

GANGTOK, October 23: In its latest ‘Bhandaphor’ episode, State BJP unit today came forward with RTI documents claiming of misuse of Rs. 4.95 crore in an apparently abandoned multi span steel bridge project over Teesta river at Gour, Dzongu in North Sikkim.

As per the claims of BJP here, only two pillars have been erected in the project in the past two years that had been sanctioned at a cost of Rs. 4.9 crores resulting in wastage of public money. The fund for the bridge had been sanctioned by the North Eastern Council (NEC) and the people here have been taken for a ride, said BJP alleging massive misuse of public money.

Out of the total sanctioned fund, a sum of Rs. 4.3 crores have been allegedly utilized by the contractor who has only two cement pillars on both sides of the river to show leaving one to wonder how the bridge will ever come up with the remaining funds left.

As per the sign board posted along the site, the project started on January 21, 2006 and date of completion is January 21, 2007.

Interestingly, the cost of the sign board has been shown as Rs. 15,000 while a sum of Rs. 5.5 lakhs has been shown utilized for consultancy fees! To top it off, a sum of Rs. 10.8 lakhs have been shown utilized as contingency expenditure as per the documents provided to BJP.

The concerned department has already paid 90 percent of the costs while in reality, it looks that the 90 percent of the works still remain for the completion of the bridge, claimed BJP.

State BJP vice president Padam Chettri told the media that he will be taking up the issue of misuse of Central schemes by the State government with the national leaders and the concerned Ministry. The Centre should not give a free hand to the State government to misuse the public money and make Sikkim a den of corruption, he said.

“The Centre and DoNER should keep proper tab on the implementation of the government schemes here,” said Chettri promising to serially expose the other bridges ‘constructed only in paper’ in the State.

(SIKKIMEXPRESS)

BJP recce of North Sikkim

MANGAN, August 8: The State BJP unit has expressed its dissatisfaction with the management and infrastructure of the Mangan District hospital during a visit of the hospital today.
The BJP team was led by their vice president Padam Chettri who inspected the facilities in the hospital and met with the staff and patients.
Speaking to media, the BJP team expressed their unhappiness with the management of the hospital. The team also said that the sewerage system was not good in the hospital with improper electric lights in the toilets and bathrooms.
After visiting the hospital, the BJP team interacted with the people of Mangan bazaar. The garbage dumping area is not well managed and it is unhygienic to the people and could cause environmental problems in future also, said the BJP leaders. They also claimed that certain portions of the old hospital site which is a government land has been allotted to private holdings.
The BJP team had yesterday visited other areas of North Sikkim like Kabi, Phensong and Ramthang.
The main purpose of the BJP team was to inspect the status of the PMGSY roads which is under construction for the last four years. The works are still incomplete, said BJP team.
The BJP vice president Padam Chettri claimed to media that five kgs of rice out of total 35 kgs for BPL families are being deducted at the time of distribution and only 30 kgs of rice are being provided.

BJP CRITICIZE SIKKIM GOVT FOR MG MARG BEAUTIFICATION WORK

GANGTOK, November 13: The State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expressed its dismay and discontentment on the slow pace of work being carried out at the MG Marg and Tibet Road here in the Capital.
Terming the recent modification of the MG Marg demanded by the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling as “an unthinkable act,” especially in laying granite stone and putting removable flower pots, the BJP in a press release has stated that there is neither master plan prepared nor the tenure of the project has been estimated. The party has further questioned whether “such a change affected in the middle of the MG Marg project is done without review by a committee of experts or not.”
Stating that “the common people should not suffer due to the folly nature of the work undertaken by the government,” the BJP has demanded the Sikkim Democratic Front government to show the Blue print of the work in photograph or sketch and the same to be placed in the notice board at Titanic park, Civil Defence Office and on the State Urban Development and Housing Department notice-board.
The party has also demanded phase wise estimate of the project relevant with charts and the same to be published in all the local dailies for the information of the public. “Only then, the implementing body should as well obtain the opinion of the people,” the release states adding that such things are demanded in a democratic set up.
The BJP also states that the information is being sought from the Department via Right to Information Act.
According to the release, the State BJP has also sought information on the details of schemes undertaken so far from 1990 and schemes proposed to be undertaken in MG Marg, Tiber Road, Namnang Road, Paljor Stadium Road, Arithang etc. that are under UD&HD, estimated cost of each item, tendered amount, amount at which the contract given /work accepted/done departmentally, completion time given and the exact date the work to be completed, penalty clause for delay, penalty clause to the department if timely payment not given to the contractor, source of fund for the projects, available fund in the budget and the head of account under which the fund made available and other relevant details as considered relevant.
“If the whole of Sikkim government machinery has no expert on Project planning using PERT and/or Gantt Chart, the BJP would also be willing to help so that the works in total is completed by mid December to end of December 2007,” the release adds.

SIKKIM RECORDS MORE THAN 80 PERCENT VOTER TURNOUT IN RURAL POLL

GANGTOK, October 26: The Gram and Zilla Panchayat elections were conducted smoothly and peacefully all over the State today.
The polling process started from 8 am after the polling stations were opened. Electronic Voting Machines were used for the first time ever in the civil polls in Sikkim. An estimated 1.41 lakh electorate cast their franchise today to decide the fate of 835 candidates in the fray for 47 Zilla Panchayat and 304 gram Panchayat seats amid tight security arrangements.
No poll rigging or disturbances were reported from any polling booths across the State.
The poll fever was missing from the Capital and its surrounding areas as it has been declared as Municipal Area for which the voting will be held next year in January.
The State Election Commission had set up 524 polling stations across the four Districts and deployed 3144 polling personnel and 1048 policemen to conduct free and fair polls for 47 Zilla Panchayat seats out of a total of 93 seats of which 45 candidates have been elected unopposed pending a formal announcement after the conclusion of polls. With regard to the gram Panchayat polls, a total of 711 candidates are contesting 304 seats out of 889 of which 585 candidates have been elected unopposed pending an official announcement.
Today’s polls saw a huge turnout of women voters, perhaps bolstered by the 40 per cent reservation accorded to them in the Panchayat by the State Government.
“We enjoy 40 per cent reservation as compared to women of other States in the country, so what can be more exhilarating and encouraging than this,” Devika Chettri, a female voter from Aho Yangtham Ward under Losing Pacheykhani constituency, said while talking with SIKKIM EXPRESS.
CP Dewan, State Election Commissioner informed that EVM malfunctions were reported from Lower Tintek (East Sikkim), Perbing, Melli Gonpa, Kaetang (South Sikkim) and Kaluk in West Sikkim. “Although no such technical snags were reported from North District, the default EVM Machines were replaced immediately in other three Districts,” Mr. Dewan informed.
Lower Lingzya in North Sikkim was recorded as the ward with least voters. The ward had only 48 voters while Melli Ward of South Sikkim recorded maximum voters with 1,179 voters.
As per the information received from the State Election Commission, there were a total of 841 contesting candidates both for Gram as well as for Zilla Panchayats. For the Gram Panchayat the election were held in 304 wards for 717 contesting candidates. Meanwhile for 47 Zilla Panchayat seats there were 124 candidates contesting.
The latest data reveals 575 Gram Panchayat and 46 Zilla Panchayats as uncontested winners including one independent Panchayat candidate and the rest are all SDF party candidates.
Interestingly, this year’s rural poll also saw the participation of Opposition parties such as the Sikkim Pradesh Congress and Sikkim Gorkha Prajatantrik Party. The Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad (SHRP) and Sikkim State Bharatiya Janata Party boycotted the elections. On the other hand, although the SDF party has already secured 66% win uncontested the. Most the independent candidates who withdrew their nominations unofficially were also seen busy campaigning and supporting the ruling party candidates.
The voting ended at 4 pm in the evening after which the EVM machines were sealed in front of the contesting candidates and were sent to the Strong Rooms under the thorough vigil and supervision of the Police.
The counting of the votes will be held on October 29 from 8 am at Indoor Gymnasium Hall for the East District. For other three Districts the counting will be held at Indoor Gymnasium Hall (Namchi), Zilla Bhawan, Gyalshing and Zilla Bhawan, Mangan. The election for Nabey Shotak ward under Kabi Tingda constituency will be held on November 24. No nominations were made from the said ward earlier.
Likewise, the selection of Adyakshas and Up-Adyakshas from Zilla Panchayats will be held on November 5. Meanwhile the selection of Sabhapati, Upa-sabhapati and Sachiv will be on November 6 for Gram Panchayat Units.
However, till the filing of this report the total voting turn in the State as per official statement was 90 per cent.
In the South District, the public voted for 106 wards for the Gram Panchayat representatives in which a total of 265 candidates were in the fray. The fates of 38 candidates in 13 Zilla Panchayat Territorial Constituencies in 183 polling booths were also sealed today in the South District.
In both the Gram and Zilla Panchayats, the Independent candidates in fray were more in comparison to the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front party and other Opposition parties in other three Districts.
The Electronic Voting Machines will be reaching to Namchi District headquarters under the tight security by tonight today. Although the official statement is yet to come, observers hint that more than 80 per cent votes were polled today in the South District.
In the West District, out of the nine constituencies, all the candidates from two constituencies of Chakung and Hee-Bermiok were declared uncontested. In the remaining seven constituencies, people voted for eight Zilla Panchayats and 35 Gram Panchayat Units.
There were seven GPUs in Yoksam, six from Tashiding, six from Gyalshing, three from Daramdin, five from Soreng and nine from Rinchepong. In the Zilla Panchayats, there were one each from Dentam and Rinchenpong and two each from Tashiding, Daramdin and Soreng.

Sikkim EC draws flak from BJP

GANGTOK, Oct. 25: Sikkim BJP leaders have termed the State Election Commission "anti-women" for scheduling panchayat elections on 26 October, the last day of Tika, one of the important festivals for the Nepali community."It will be difficult for the people to cast votes tomorrow which is a festival day. Since no leave is allowed during the election period, many government employees, especially women, would not be able to attend Tika celebrations," said Mr HR Pradhan, president of the state BJP unit. Mr Pradhan added that many people chose not to fight the elections owing to financial problem. "Since the election was being conducted on festival day, it was difficult for the financially poor aspiring contestants to participate in the polls. This is the reason why a large number of seats went uncontested, paving way for the SDF candidates to emerge victorious," Mr Pradhan, said. Although, many corrections were made in the delimitation and voter lists following BJP's complaints, the Opposition parties were not given the draft reservation proposal. As a result, the BJP decided to boycott the rural polls, Mr Pradhan, said.

Sikkim gears up for smooth Panchayat Poll

Gangtok: After the scrutiny of nomination and withdrawal of candidature, the State Election Commission has issued a final list of candidates and as per it, 67% panchayat are uncontested.In the West District, out of the total 283 GPU wards, 245 were uncontested and and the election for 38 GPU wards will be held. In the South District, out of 257 GPU wards, 151 declared uncontested and leaving 106 on the fray. Whereas in the East District, the total number of GPU wards are 243 out of which 121 were uncontested and election will be held for 122 GPU wards. And in the North District, out of 106 GPU wards, 68 are uncontested and 38 GPU will contest for elections.Similarly, in the Zilla Panchayat, out of the 25 ZPs in West district, 17 were uncontested and elections will be held for 8 ZPs. In the South District, out of 23 Zilla Panchayat, 10 were uncontested and elections will be held for 13 ZPs. While in the East District, out of 27 ZPs, 9 remained uncontested and 17 ZPs will contest the election and 1 Zilla Panchayat, remains vacant. And in the north district out of the total 18 ZPs, 9 remains uncontested while elections will be held for 9 ZPs.Accordingly, a meeting to review the arrangements for Panchayat Election, 2007 was held on October 8 in the Conference Hall of Rural Management & Development Department, Tashiling Secretariat Gangtok under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim. The meeting was attended by Director General of Police, Principal Secretary, Home Department,Commissioner-cum -Secretary, Rural Management & Development Department, Secretary, State Election Commission, all District Collectors (who are also the Returning Officer for the Panchayat Election), all District Superintendents of Police and other officials of Police, Home & State Election Commission.The meeting reviewed action taken by all concerned and confirmed all actions required to be taken as per Law/State Election Commission guidelines including arrangements for police and other man-power requirements for ensuring a free, fair and smooth poll. The meeting also reviewed the over-all law & order situation, likely trouble spots and other problem areas.The Chief Secretary expressed his satisfaction over the arrangements made and directed that all actions of the authorities connected with Panchayat Election should be transparent and as per law and guidelines issued by the State Election Commission, according to a press release received from the Home Department.

Sikkim Opp cries foul again

GANGTOK, Oct. 10: The four Opposition parties of the state ~ Congress, BJP, CPI-M and Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad ~ have requested the State Election Commission to foil the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front's alleged bid to rig the upcoming panchayat polls in the state. The Opposition parties, meanwhile, have appreciated the Election Commission's decision to replace the returning officer of Soreng sub-division in West Sikkim during filing of nomination papers. "We believe that by doing so the EC has proved its credibility. We expect the EC officials to take action on several representations submitted by the Opposition parties and individuals," a letter sent to the EC by the Opposition parties, read. The Opposition leaders have suggested the EC to strictly implement the election code of conduct. "We have noticed that still many ministers, MLAs, chairpersons and advisors are using government vehicles for electioneering," they said. The Opposition parties have urged the EC to prevent the SDF from defacing buildings, walls and trees in the name of electioneering. They have also criticised the SDF for publicising the recent 40 per cent seat allotment to women in the panchayat polls through banners. The Opposition leaders have urged the EC to remove such banners.

BJP PRESIDENT WRITE TO 'PM' ON DZONGU ISSUE

Gangtok,October5: In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, BJP President Rajnath Singh On October 3,2007 has requested him to direct government of Sikkim for not to immediately implement hydel projects in Dzongu region of North Sikkim and also to despatch a central team consisting of prominent environmentalist , religious and scientific leaders to study the matter raised by the people of Dzongu through the protests on platform provided by the Affected Citizens of Teesta. The developmental projects should not be taken up ignoring the emotional and religious attachment of the local people of Dzongu as issue seems to have similarity to the project of Ram-Setu as raised by BJP as per information received

The BJP President has written to Prime Minister after getting a detailed brief from BJP leader Hitendra Prasad who was deputed to tour and gather first hand information on the matter of Dzongu after a delegation of lepcha people called on Shri Rajnath Singh in New Delhi to apprise him in details of Dzongu issue and religious importance of it to lepcha tribe.

BJP & SHRP to boycott Panchayat polls in Sikkim

GANGTOK, Oct. 1: The BJP and the Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad, a local organisation, have decided to boycott the forthcoming Sikkim panchayat polls. Alleging inappropriate time schedule and whimsical seat reservation against the state government, the general secretary of the SHRP, Mr Tara Shrestha, said: "We have boycotted the panchayat polls as a protest against the whimsical seat reservation. We shall hold a rally in front of the Gandhi statue tomorrow and start non-cooperation movement from 3 October," he added. The BJP claimed that it was fighting for separate seat reservation for the Limboo, Tamang, Lepcha and Bhutia communities and had filed a case in the Supreme Court in support of its demand. "We have boycotted the panchayat polls but would be supporting the Independent candidates, some of who are from this party," said the BJP Sikkim state secretary Mr HR Pradhan. There is much enthusiasm among the other political organisations about contesting the polls. "The Congress is contesting the polls and campaign for the party candidates has already begun," said Mr Nar Bahadur Bhandari the former chief minister and president of Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee. "We would contest the polls but we are not yet certain about how many candidates we are fielding." said Mr Anjan Upadhaya of the CPI-M. The ruling SDF party leader, Mr BB Gooroong, however, said: "Our candidates have already filed the nominations and our party is fully geared for the polls. We are now concentrating on poll campaign.”

Sikkim Opp unhappy with Panchayat poll date

GANGTOK, Sept. 26: The Opposition parties have criticised the state government's decision to hold the panchayat election during the festival season. It may be recalled that the State Election commission had yesterday hinted at holding the panchayat election tentatively on 26 October."The government has fixed election date in between Dusshera and Diwali. Moreover, we do not have adequate time to prepare for the elections," said a senior Congress leader. The Congress, though, has decided to fight the elections anyhow. "We have discussed the matter with our party high command in New Delhi. They have told us to participate in the polls without bothering about the government's dirty political game," the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee president and former chief minister, Mr Nar Bahadur Bhandari, said.The CPI-M leaders are also unhappy with the government's "hasty" decision. "The State Election Commission had given Form A and B yesterday only. We have sent the forms to our head office in New Delhi," said Mr Anjan Upadhaya, senior CPI-M leader of the state. "We do not have adequate time and to prepare for the polls," he added. The Opposition parties, including BJP, Congress, CPI-M, Sikkim Sangram Parishad and Gorkha Prajatantrik Party had earlier requested the government to hold the polls after the festival season. The Opposition parties have also criticised the government over the seat reservation and delimitation issues. "The seat reservation and delimitation should have been made on community basis and not the party basis. We are planning to launch a non-cooperation movement against the government,” said Dr AD Subba, president of SHRP.

BJP VOICED ON PANCHAYAT RESERVATION PATTERN

Gangtok, September 26: Bharatiya Janata Party, Sikkim unit voiced on reservation system of Sikkim. For the first time, the backward class as contained in Article 243D (6) has been provided reservation as Most Backward Class (MBC) and Other Backward Class (OBC) in the reservation pattern for Panchayat and Zilla Panchayat in Sikkim by the Government in which the State Election commission had no role. But as far as the eligibility of the candidates for contesting on the reserved seats for MBC and OBC, the criteria as laid down by Notification No. 7/ GOS -9 (15) SWD of 5th December 2003 issued in Sikkim Government Gazette No. 432 of 11th December 2003 can not be ignored or overruled as all reservation for Backward class is on the basis of economical, social and educational backwardness and not on the basis of caste only.
BJP approached to the State Election Commission to direct the Returning Officer to strictly check that the candidates or their dependent who will contest in MBC or OBC reserved category are entitled to contest in the reserved category of MBC or OBC based on above Notification. As per party, the persons or their dependent or their guardian having/possessing twelve and a half standard acres of land either of himself/herself or of his/her guardian or of his/her dependent; possessing twelve and a half standard acres of land either of himself/herself or of his/her guardian or of his/her dependent; having gross annual income (not net income) exceeding Rs. 2.00 lakh (Rupees two lakh) or above either of himself/herself or of his/her guardian or of his/her dependent by any means which could be house rent, land rent, taxi income, business, earning of any kind of himself/herself and from the family members; contractor or their dependent or their guardian having done a contract work exceeding Rs. 20.00 lakh per year either by himself or by their dependent or by their guardian ( Note: For every Rs. 100/- of contract work, the contractor will have to pay 2% as turnover tax and with 2% tax payment the income can not be less than 10% and hence any one doing contract work is expected to earn 10% profit); candidates whose guardian or dependent if hold the post of Class I Officer rank of Joint Secretary and above in any service; candidates or their dependent or guardian if hold Constitutional posts; candidates whose dependent or guardian is engaged in profession like doctor, lawyer, CA, consultant, Engineer or any other vocation of like status are not entitled to contest as MBC or OBC candidates.
The Party also asked about the limit of the expenditure of the Panchayat ward and the Zilla Panchayat ward.

BJP ALLEGES VOILATION OF ELECTION CODE BY SDF GOVT

Party demands disqualification of eight uncontested candidates from Toong-Naga GPU
GANGTOK, September 24: The State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has today heavily come upon the State Government on the recent declaration of seven uncontested candidates for the Toong-Naga Panchayat wards and one person for Zilla Panchayat ward.
The party in a press release has expressed shock over the announcement of the uncontested candidates before the declaration of elections by the State Election Commission (SEC) and that too during the Garibi Uthan Diwas celebrations in North District.
According to the BJP, the SEC has also ignored the oppositions’ demand of postponement of the Panchayat polls and its adherence with the SDF party to hold the elections between two important Hindu festivals of the year.
In a letter addressed to the Secretary of the State Election Commission, the BJP has demanded for the disqualification of all the eight persons elected uncontested from the Toong-Naga GPU so as to ensure fair and free election.
Terming it as a clear violation of code of conduct, the letter alleges that “the declaration as uncontested winner even before the publication of the Election Schedule by the Commission would mean that they will not allow any other person whether of different parties or Independents to contest the election to become uncontested winner using unfair means and may even lead to violence in the event of other candidates filing the nomination.”
The release also appends the names of the uncontested candidates as reported in the papers. “The candidates are Dorjee Tak Lepcha from Rel, Chodup Lepcha from Toong, Passang Lepcha from Meyong, Premkit Lepcha from Naga Namgor, Leymu Lepcha from Munul, Thutop Lepcha from Madey and Singtook Lepcha from Kimrong for Toong Naga Gram Panchayat unit and Diki Lhamu Lepcha for Zilla Panchayat,” the letter reads.
On the other hand, expressing doubt over the SDF party’s double standard of claiming as harbinger of democracy in Sikim, the State BJP has said that it has understood the decision of the Commission to have been taken in consultation with the SDF Government, for which the BJP has questioned whether the decision would amount to anti-Hindu decision.
Coinciding with this, BJP basing its stand on the Article 243D (6) of the Constitution of India which provides for reservation for ‘backward Classes of Citizens’ has asked whether as designed in the SDF manifesto of 1994 has reservation for OBC and MBC as the status of Other Backward Classes as one group in the Centralist and not state list.