THANK YOU, DR PAWAN CHAMLING

SIKKIM: Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim thanks Chief Minister
Posted by barunroy on June 22, 2009

THE HIMALAYAN BEACON [BEACON ONLINE]

Gangtok, 22 June 2009

The Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim thanks Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim for taking up the issue of exemption from Income Tax to Left Out old residents of Sikkim including old business community, with the Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh on 20 June 2009 at New Delhi.

As per news appearing in the Press, Chief Minister highlighted the demand for grant of Income tax Exemption to the old residents of the State who were inadvertently left out in the past , with the Prime Minister.

In the past also Hon’ble CM in his first press conference after forming the government for the fourth time promised that the first task of the New Government will be to work for getting Income Tax exemption for the left out old residents including old business community.

It is pertinent to note that Sikkim Democratic Front had passed a resolution No 4 at Rangpo Mahasammelan last year wherein it was promised that the Government led by SDF will work towards getting I T exemption to Old settlers of Sikkim. The said resolution was brought by Hon’ble Minister Shri N K Pradhan and was welcomed by all and adopted as people’s resolution.

Dr Pawan Chamling, President, Sikkim Democratic Front in its election manifesto 2009 had been kind enough to promise protection and respect to the Old Business Community of Sikkim:
“The SDF Government has given respect and justice to the old business people of Sikkim along with the rest of the Sikkimese communities. This community which has contributed a great deal to the overall development of Sikkim has been recognized for the first time by our Government. They have also been given a proper business environment to flourish in a democratic manner and set up. They had been given dignity, respect and rights to live and practice their business in the State. We will continue and ensure that our business community members receive this respect and positive business environment. In addition to other facilities and rights provided to our business community it is the SDF government which has for the first time provided higher education facilities (Quota) for their children. This will also continue. They do not have to face any obstruction, disrespect or difficulty in carrying on their business and exercising their fundamental rights”.

(SDF Manifesto-Page 48)

Pursuant to the enactment of the Finance Act 2008, finding themselves out of place in the Sikkimese Society, these settlers have been continuously representing before the Government the need to include them for exemption of Central Income tax with their other Sikkimese brethren.

Taking due cognizance of this fact, Dr Pawan Chamling has honoured the sentiments of these people by resolving in the SDF manifesto 2009 as hereunder:

“While protecting this achievement of securing exemption from the Central Income tax, our Government has not lost sight of the genuine demands of the old business communities, old residents and old government employees, both State and Centre. Our government is seized of this problem and we are going to strongly plead for equal rights of the old business community of Sikkim.” ( SDF Manifesto- page 16)

Dr Pawan Chamling has appreciated that indeed there is a problem and this small section of old business community also has the right to its share of happiness and declared … “Our business community has contributed immensely toward the overall development of our State. This has been made possible by their hard work in an atmosphere of peace and security which has been provided by our Government. Their hard work has been recognized by our Government and citations and awards have been given to several prominent and old citizens of the community. We will continue to adopt the same policy and shall protect their interest in the State. We have passed a resolution for exempting them from Central Income tax for the old business community. Our SDF party has also ratified this stand with the support of the people of Sikkim.” (SDF Manifesto-Page 12-13)

The Association Of Old Settlers of Sikkim has full faith and confidence in the visionary leadership of Dr Pawan Chamling and his Government and pledges its continued support to all his policies & programmes which have been taking care of each and every section of the Sikkimese society