SIKKIM OBSERVER Saturday   Sept 7-13, 2013    

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GOLAY FINALLY QUITS SDF, RAISES POLITICAL PITCH

The rebel is even more defiant

Chamling has betrayed Sikkim, Sikkimese: Golay

Gangtok, Sept 6: Seven months after formation of his party – Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) – rebel leader and ruling party legislator PS Tamang (Golay) quit the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) on Wednesday alleging that the party he supported since its inception in March 1993 had betrayed the people and failed to live up to the high expectations of the Sikkimese people.

It is now only a matter of time before Golay is formally made President of SKM. While welcoming Golay into the party, SKM Working President Bharati Sharma yesterday said Golay will soon take “full leadership responsibility” of the party.

The rebel leader’s parting shots with the SDF and its President Pawan Chamling, carried in his 14-page resignation letter in Nepali, covered issues ranging from dilution of Sikkim’s distinct identity, corruption, unemployment, local protection, hydel projects and betrayal of people’s trust.

While accusing Chamling of turning the pro-people party into “your private intellectual property,” Golay in his resignation letter to SDF President, has alleged: “Your pro-poor slogan has proved to be mere false assurances.”

Stating that SDF was a “political party dedicated to the people and formed with the support of the people against nepotism, communalism and exploitation,” former minister and four-term legislator alleged that under Chamling’s “leadership, this party was used as a resource only for your and exploiters and realizing such injustices towards poor Sikkimese people, I am writing this resignation letter.”

Referring to charges of corruption against Chamling, Golay said, “I was deeply hurt when a corruption case was filed against you. That time, I was under the impression that it was just a political allegation. But when you took out a gazette notification to prevent CBI from entering Sikkim, I became fully convinced on the corruption allegations. If you were innocent, then you could have definitely given permission to CBI to investigate.”

Contrary to expectation and promises made by Chamling, hydel power projects have destroyed Sikkim’s fragile environment and have failed to provide adequate employment opportunities to local Sikkimese, the letter said. It also accused Chamling of failing to provide “work opportunities” and “construction works” to local people and giving the same to “outsiders” and “non-Sikkimese.”

The next Assembly elections are expected to take place in less than 6 months and Golay’s resignation from SDF is likely to kickstart hectic political activities in the State. Already, major political parties in the State and influential politicians and social organizations, which have been keenly awaiting Golay’s formal takeover of the SKM, are all set to raise their political pitch in preparation of the ensuing Assembly polls.

SIBLAC thanks CM on BL seat issue

Gangtok, Sept 6: The Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) is “thankful” to Chief Minister Pawan Chamling for his statement stating that the 12 reserved seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly for the Bhutia-Lepchas are meant for Bhutia-Lepchas and are not reserved for them on the basis of their Scheduled Tribe status.

SIBLAC chiefs, Tseten Tashi Bhutia and Chewang Rinzing Lepcha, in a press statement said they appreciated the Chief Minister’s confirmation that seats in the Assembly are reserved for Bhutia-Lepchas. Chamling made the statement during the Pang Lhabsol function in the capital recently.

During its legislative body here at Mintokgang, Chief Minister’s official residence, on August 4, it was declared that the 12 seats were reserved on the basis of BLs’ ST status and not on their ethnicity.

SIBLAC had urged BL legislators to explain their stand on the issue but there was no response from them.

Referring to the Supreme Court’s ruling on the 12 seats reserved for the BLs, SIBLAC, quoting the verdict, said “The reservation of seats for Bhutias and Lepchas is necessary because they constitute a minority and in the absence of reservation they may not have any representation in the legislative Assembly.”

 “Historical consideration and compulsions do justify inequality and special treatment,” the apex court said.

The ruling on the lone Sangha seat read:  “Sangha is not merely a religious institution but historically a political and social institution. Reservation of seat for it in Legislative Assembly of Sikkim is not violative of Articles 15 (1), 325.”

“Therefore, calling 12 BL reserved seats in Sikkim Assembly are by virtue of being ST is not only illegal, unconstitutional and immature but irrational and ridiculous,” Bhutia and Lepcha said.

We are Sikkimese, not Gorkhas: Bhutia body

Sonam Lama Kaloen

Gangtok, Sept 6: The National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO) has strongly condemned the “irresponsible and immature” statement of former minister T. Lachungpa for his attempts to label Sikkimese Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese as “Gorkhali”.

NASBO chief Sonam Lama Kaloen has warned Lachungpa to “restrain himself” from making such statements as it is aimed at altering the basic constitutional and historical identity of the Sikkimese.

“Mr. Lachungpa’s statement is detrimental to the Sikkimese right and tradition which has the tendency to set up negative precedence which is not in the interest of the Sikkimese posterity. We reassert here that we are Bhutias, Lepchas and Nepalese of Sikkimese origin, thereby forming united Sikkimese society. We are Sikkimese, no more no less,” Kaloen said in a press statement.

While stating that such attempts to change the identity of the three ethnic Sikkimese communities was “most unfortunate” Kaloen said Lachungpa’s statement comes subsequent to Chief Minister Pawan Chamling’s recent statement that special rights of the Sikkimese under Article 371F  could “be done away with if New Delhi so desires”

Darjeeling schools, colleges to open from Sept 13

No transport, walk to school: Gurung

Darjeeling, Sept 6: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha presented a 'Teachers' Day gift' to tens of thousands of students of Darjeeling Hills by announcing the re-opening of schools and colleges from September 13. But the bitter part of this sugar-coated pill is that students would have to trek to their institutions every day.

Morcha chief Bimal Gurung vowed that the ongoing shutdown will continue, prompting chief minister Mamata Banerjee to warn that she will not tolerate "hooliganism". "I want the Hills people to live in peace and usher in development," Mamata said, The Times of India reported.

Gurung invited the heads of all educational institutions and teachers to his Patlebas residence on the outskirts of town on Thursday noon. The academic community told him about the need to re-open schools and colleges that have remained shut since August 3. They managed to convince Gurung that students could lose an entire academic year if educational institutions remained closed.

Gurung agreed. He even withdrew his diktat for students to hold weekend rallies and asked schools to hold classes on Saturdays and Sundays to make up for the lost time. But true to his style of functioning, Gurung decreed that no transport would be allowed to ferry students to schools and colleges.
The institutions were instead told to arrange for boarding facilities for students who cannot walk the distance. Students from the rest of the country and abroad, who are boarders, would be allowed to come up to their respective schools in vehicles. This diktat has put students, who stay in places like Jorebungalow and Ghoom, but study in Darjeeling in a quandary.

Gurung has also decreed that a five-minute lecture on Gorkhaland would be part of the morning assembly in all schools and colleges. He has asked teachers and students to conduct signature campaigns in support of Gorkhaland and send the petitions to President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Chamling appears before inquiry commission on graft charges

Gangtok, Sept 6: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling last month appeared before the Commission of Enquiry headed by Justice RK Patra on charges of corruption and misuse of power leveled against him and his Cabinet colleagues by the State Congress party.

The probe is in connection with allegations made by the State unit of the Congress party headed by former chief minister, NB Bhandari, who has now left the party and is heading his old party, Sikkim Sangram Parishad.

Chamling, a four-time chief minister, was accused by the Congress of amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income. Similar accusations were made against some of his ministerial colleagues as well.

The Commission was set up by the Chamling Government. Opposition parties have condemned formation of the Commission. The Sikkim National People’s Party (SNPP) headed by Biraj Adhikari while urging for CBI probe against Chamling and his colleagues, had stated that Patra Commission, constituted by the State Assembly, cannot function as a court of law.

The State unit of the BJP alleged that Patro Commission was set up to avoid CBI probe. It said the Commission will never convict Chamling.

 Meanwhile, Diley Namgyal Barfungpa’s PIL on corruption charges against Chamling & Co in the Supreme Court is likely to be taken up soon.

The apex court in January 2012 issued notice to central and Sikkim governments and the CBI to respond to the serious allegations of corruption against Chamling and his Cabinet colleagues. Barfunga says CBI has enough proof of their alleged involvement in corrupt practices.

Editorial

MARCH FOURTH, GOLAY

Keeping Hope Alive

Sikkimese people are a disillusioned lot and yet they cannot be blamed for this sorry state of affairs. Ever since the ‘merger’ in 1975 Sikkim’s political leadership have taken the people for a long ride and the people have now become unresponsive to any situation. And yet the rebel ruling Sikkim Democratic Front leader and legislator, PS Tamang (Golay), who quit the SDF this week, has managed to keep hope alive for change in Sikkim for a long time. How has he been able to do this? Is he blessed by Sikkim’s mountain gods or are the people really desperate and longing for change and see Golay as the only hope? There are many young, active, experienced and able politicians who have been moving around for support but only Golay seems to have captured the imagination of the people. Why?
Now that Golay has come from the system that thrives on lies, deceit and corruption he has to lead the people from the front with an able and loyal team of the young and the old from all communities and region. Those who are disillusioned with Pawan Chamling are likely to side with Golay for the same reasons that they supported the SDF chief initially. Autocracy must be replaced by genuine democracy at all levels of functioning. Rampant corruption in the administration must be put to rest. Those who have betrayed the people must be exposed and taken to task. The farce that goes on in Sikkim must come to a decisive end. This can only be done with an effective leadership that gives not only hope but justice, freedom, democracy and rule of law to the people. Golay must march fourth confidently and decisively for Sikkim and the Sikkimese people to become victorious over forces of darkness and treachery.

No ‘divide and rule’ game in hills: Mamata

Mamata says no to division of Bengal

(Right) Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with Lepcha leader Lyangsong Tamsang,  in Kalimpong on Tuesday. (pix: The Hindu)

Kalimpong, Sept 6: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday termed the politics of shutdown in Darjeeling hills as "destructive" and said it cannot solve the identity crisis that has gripped the Gorkha community.

"This is a destructive politics going on here. I do not want to see people in the hills starve. I can say that the Gorkhas would not get their identity by calling an indefinite strike in Darjeeling. I would not allow the three sub-divisions to be carved out of the state and I would not allow the politics of strike," Mamata said, The Indian Express reported.

She was addressing the members of the Lepcha community meeting in Kalimpong during a function which the latter had organised to felicitate her.

Without naming the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha or its leaders, who are spearheading the agitation in the hills, Mamata said that no work has been done by the local leaders, even though the government has given "whatever you have asked for."

Criticising the lifestyle of the leaders in the hills, Mamata said, "I know how the leaders lead their lives while the people in the hills starve. The children of these leaders study in Indonesia, New Zealand and Australia, while those of the villagers are deprived of their education as the same leaders have shut down all the schools."

The chief minister also rubbished the allegation that she was playing a 'divide and rule' game in the hills by segregating Lepchas away from the Gorkhas.

"I have never told the Lepcha brothers to get separated from their Gorkha brothers. The Lepcha people are the primitive tribe and the original people of the region. At least 1.5 lakh Lepcha brothers stay here. I want their development and I want them to exercise their rights," Mamata said.

She said that she had also given the GTA (Gorkhaland Territorial Administration) to the "Gorkha brothers". "But every six months, there is a drama here. They make tall claims, but have done nothing. They dictate people, like the kings used to," she added.

Mamata also announced several sops for the Lepcha community, including an amount of Rs 1 crore for the Lepcha development office, employment to 5,000 youths from the community in the police force and a cultural centre for them.

The Lepchas later bestowed her with the title "Kingchum Darmit" (Goddess of Fortune).

Mamata appealed to the GJM to withdraw its agitation which has led to a virtual shutdown in the region.

(Left) Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee being welcomed by the Gorkha community at Bagdogra airport on Monday.

"You must withdraw the bandh (shutdown) and ensure a return to normalcy in the hills. The tourists will come back and there will be prosperity only if normalcy is there. They (the GJM) are paralyzing life and development in Darjeeling. In the name of agitation they are imposing autocracy by forcing people to remain indoors. We won't tolerate this," she said.

Ridiculing the GJM for rushing to Delhi, she said: "Why only Delhi, you are free to even go to (US Pesident Barack) Obama if you want to. But Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong are inseparable part of West Bengal. They will remain with West Bengal. There is no question of separation."

Banerjee's comments came on a day GJM chief Bimal Gurung claimed that Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde has told a party delegation in Delhi that the central government will soon convene a tripartite meeting to solve the impasse over the Gorkhaland issue.

Talking to reporters at Bagdogra airport in north Bengal on way to Kalimpong, she said politics should not be linked to development activity and observed that bandhs never do any good; it is only an impediment to development.

Taking exception to the GJM’s “Ghar Bhitra Janta” agitation coinciding with her visit to the region, she said, “Asking the people to remain indoors is nothing but a shutdown call. They are obstructing the development in the hills.”

“We love all democratic movements. We respect all democratic set-ups. We respect the Constitution. We run the government as per the Constitution. Every six months if anybody wants to break to constitutional obligation (it cannot be supported),” Mamata, who had declared the shutdowns as illegal and urged the GJM to accept the court verdict in this regard, said.

Sikkim Bhutia-Lepchas support Kalimpong Lepchas

Gangtok, Sept 6: Welcoming the formation of Lepcha Development Board (LDB) and Lepcha Academy in Darjeeling, the National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO) said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s initiative will go a “long way in the socio-economic-cultural and academic development of the Lepcha community of the West Bengal State.”

“We believe that formation of the LDB and Lepcha Academy shall further boost the age-old communal harmony in the Darjeeling district, particularly amongst the Bhutia-Lepchas and the Nepalese amongst others, apart from bringing further upliftment of the community in all manners,” NASBO President Sonam Lama Kaloen said in a press statement.

NASBO has also criticized those who have criticized the Lepchas in Facebook. Such “abuses” are “detrimental to the larger interest of the society”, Kaloen said.

In a press release the Concerned Lepchas of Sikkim (CLS) has also supported formation of the Board and Academy.

“Formation of the Lepcha Development Board and the Lepcha Academy has been a long cherished demand of the Lepcha community of the neighboring Darjeeling district and we congratulate the community members there on its formation which also witnessed series of economic –social-cultural package at Mela Ground, Kalimpong which was announced by the West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee,” CLS President Gyatso Lepcha said.

“The Lepchas are known for its timidity and docile nature which in fact has contributed largely in maintaining the communal harmony in the Darjeeling Hills. We believe that this development shall definitely boost the over all progress of the community members in the Hills,” Lepcha said.

Tibetans entitled for Indian citizenship: Karnataka High Court

 Dharamsala, Sept 6: With the Karnataka High Court ruling in favour of a Tibetan refugee born in McLeodganj, many Tibetans born in India can now apply for Indian citizenship. The decision is likely to have implications for Himachal Pradesh that has thousands of Tibetans staying there as refugees.

The Tibetans born here are issued green books as identity cards and are considered refugees. They have to get their registration reviewed periodically from the police authorities.

A Tibetan born at McLeodganj on November 11, 1985, had moved the Karnataka High Court after he was denied an Indian passport by the regional passport office, Koramangala. The passport was allegedly denied in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

As per information posted on the official website of the Tibetan government-in-exile, Justice AS Bopanna of the Karnataka High Court has directed the passport officials to consider the request of the petitioner for a passport as expeditiously as possible. The court also ordered that the process should not take more than two months from the date of submission of all necessary documents by the petitioner.

The petitioner had pleaded that all those born between January 26, 1950, and July 1, 1987, to Tibetan parents settled in India should automatically be treated as Indian citizens by birth in accordance with Section 3(1)(a) of the Citizenship Act. He also referred to an order of the Delhi High Court in a similar case.

“As the birth certificate of the petitioner indicates that he was born on November 18, 1985, he is eligible to be considered as an Indian citizen by birth,” the advocate argued.

Tibetan prime minister-in-exile Lobsang Sangay on Tuesday said any Tibetan in exile in India could apply for Indian citizenship and his administration was not compelling anyone to apply for the citizenship.

"The decision to apply for Indian or any other country's citizenship is a personal choice," Sangay said, according to a post on the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).

The Indian Citizenship Act of 1986 grants citizenship rights to Tibetans born in India between 1950 and 1987 and to those born after 1987 if "either of whose parents is a citizen of India at the time of his/her birth".

"The CTA cannot prevent any Tibetan from applying for Indian citizenship. At the same time, CTA cannot compel Tibetans to apply for Indian citizenship, as the application process entails surrendering both registration certificate and identity certificate documents to the Indian authorities," Sangay said.

Gorkha party quits GJAC, says it wants Sikkim-Darjeeling unification

Gorkha Rashtriya Congress leaders in Gangtok (file pix)

Darjeeling, Sept 6: In a major blow to the GJM, yet another constituent of the Gorkhaland Joint Action Committee (GJAC) quit the organization, a day ahead of a crucial meeting of the 8-party platform in which it was to announce the way forward for the agitation for separate Gorkhaland state.

Gorkha Rashtriya Congress (GRC) pulled out of the GJM-led GJAC with party president Nima Lama, saying, "We realised that it was a wrong platform for us, because our demand is not Gorkhaland. We have been fighting for the unification of Darjeeling with Sikkim."

It is the second constituent to quit the GJAC after the All India Gorkha League walked out on August 17 demanding that the GJM resign from the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, just a day after the formation of the GJAC.

Apart from GJM, the constituents of the GJAC are BJP, Gorkha Taskforce, CPRM, Bharatiya Gorkha Rashtriya Parisangh and Gorkha Rashtriya Nirman.