NSS submits memorandum to CM; wants grant of CoI & IT exemption without discrimination

SIKKIM EXPRESS REPORT:

GANGTOK, December 13: Reiterating their demands of treating all citizens residing in Sikkim without any discrimination, the Nagarik Sangharsha Samiti (NSS) has today submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Pawan Chamling requesting equal treatment on grant of Certificate of Identification and Income Tax Exemption to all citizens residing in the State before April 26, 1975.

These demands have been refreshed today following the adoption of Resolution No.1 in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly on December 11, 2009 seeking exemption from the purview of Income Tax under the Income Tax Act, 1961 to the three distinct categories of persons residing in Sikkim.

In the memorandum dated December 13, the NSS has pointed out that the dates and years specified by the State Government are not only “discriminatory but utterly confusing to one and all”, which they added may create unnecessary chaos and confusion. Basing this stance, the Samiti has requested the Government to treat all citizens equally and without discrimination taking April 26, 1975 as the base year or cut off year. “This will be in consonance with Article 14 of the Constitution of India read with the letter and spirit of Article 371F which came into force on 26/04/1975,” the memorandum signed by NSS chief co-ordinator Prem Goyal reads.

“The Samiti feels that the State Government is yet to live up to the expectations of a section of the citizens who have been discriminated in the matter of Certificate of Identification and tax exemption and therefore requested the State Government to undo the wrong, the memorandum further reads.

At the same time, the Samiti has requested the Chief Minister to issue an appropriate Order/notification directing the concerned authorities of the State Government to issue Certificate of Identification to all citizens residing in Sikkim before April 26, 1975 treating them equally in the socio-economic and political fields and to recommend to the Government of India suggesting the amendment to the Income Tax Act, 1961, Sec.26AAA in the manner under “26AAA, in case of an individual and descendents, being a person resident in Sikkim- before April 26, 1975, any income which accrues or arises to him/her.”