SIKKIM: The Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim condemns malicious news article

Posted by barunroy on February 23, 2010 in THE HIMALAYAN BEACON [BEACON ONLINE]

The Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim has strongly condemned the article titled “Sikkim makes settlers ‘second class citizens” published in the Hindustan Times on 22nd of February 2010. In a Press Release issued to ‘The Himalayan Beacon’ S. K. Sarda, President of the Association of Old Settlers in Sikkim said, ” I deny each and every remark attributed to have been made by me in the said article. The said article is an attempt by some vested interest and groups who want to dissuade the ruling government from continuing its efforts to secure Income Tax exemption to the left out categories of people. It is an attempt to sabotage our movement which is solely aimed at securing income tax exemption for the old settlers residing in Sikkim since prior to 1975 and is not, in any way, directed against any one. I vehemently deny having met or spoken to any correspondent of any newspaper let alone this particular correspondent from the Hindustan Times. I deny having passed any remark against any particular community and the ruling party.”

Sarda further said, “I strongly condemn the remarks made against the ruling party in the said article. No discrimination of any kind is perpetuated against any community in Sikkim. On the contrary, as the facts stand, action of the Central Government in bringing about an amendment in Section 10 Clause 26AAA of the Income Tax Act, 1961 in the Finance Act, 2008 has overnight made the Old Settlers “Non-Sikkimese” which when brought to the notice of the Hon’ble Chief Minister by the Association; the Hon’ble Chief Minister was pleased to adopt a unanimous resolution in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly for the inclusion of the left out categories of persons in the scheme of exemption. For centuries all the communities in Sikkim have been living in perfect harmony as brothers and the Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim has always received support and encouragement from all the Sikkimese brethren in its endeavor to secure I.T. Exemption and the question of my making remarks hurting the sentiments of my own brothers of a particular community does not arise. The Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim reiterates its complete faith and confidence in the State Government of Sikkim and the Hon’ble Chief Minister who has been all along sympathetic towards the cause of the old settlers and working relentlessly to get them justice from the Central Govt.”