Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, May 9: A delegation of Sikkim State BJP unit, led by the party General Secretary Shyamal Pal, today called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh and discussed wide range of political and organisational issues related to the State. They also submitted a memorandum seeking reservation for Limboo/Tamang community in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly.
Shyamal Pal gave an update of the current political scenario in the State of Sikkim and said that over almost quarter of a century rule by the same party has tactically sought to marginalise political workers from other streams and ideologies, which is a matter of concern. They said, they have also brought these issues to the notice of other national leaders of BJP in New Delhi.
Strongly advocating the case of seat reservation in Sikkim State Legislative Assembly for Limboo/Tamang community, Shyamal disclosed that verdict given by Supreme Court in Harry Ram Pradhan V/s State of Sikkim on 4th January this year directs the Ministry of Home Affairs to take a decision in the matter within four months. He requested that the issue be considered sympathetically and sensitively.
The memorandum submitted by the delegation demanded that the reservation for Limboo/Tamang may be considered out of 17 unreserved Assembly seats and that the strength of State Legislature may be increased to 40. In addition, it also suggested that, in the event of any new community being declared as Scheduled Tribe in future, the same may also be accommodated within the proposed overall increased size of 40.
Dr Jitendra Singh appreciated the State Sikkim BJP for successful membership drive which has rapidly increased the BJP strength from a single digit a few decades ago to several thousand at present. He also appreciated the self-discipline and hard-work with which the people of Sikkim have achieved exemplary literacy rate and growth rate.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Sikkim, Dr Jitendra Singh said, this only authenticated the high priority that the Prime Minister attaches to small and peripheral States like Sikkim. He also lauded Sikkim’s progress as the most developed State of the country in the field of organic farming and said, the Union Budget has allocated exclusive funds for organic farming which, in years to come, may become a very important option for young entrepreneurs and new start-ups.
Prominent among the other members of the BJP delegation who met the Minister were Eli Raipal, Yehang Tehoni, Phurbu Tamany and Malina Lepch.