Pink card to strengthen validity of Old Sikkim Subjects’


Land Revenue dept claims confusion being created by non-Sikkimese

source:Sikkim Express

GANGTOK, June 2: In a public appeal, the State Government today asserted that it does not intend to do away with the existing Sikkim Subject certificates with the proposed controversial Pink Cards system.

“Some confusion is being created by the persons who are either not Sikkimese or holder of false certificates or have not understood the reasons behind issue of Pink Card. This needs to be done away with at the interest of the Sikkimese populous showing that intension of Government is not to do way with the existing Sikkim Subject but to strengthen validity of Old Sikkim Subjects who are actually entitled to hold it”, said the concerned department of Land Revenue & Disaster Management in its appeal.

The department has published its appeal in both English and Nepali language in around 80,000 pamphlets in pink colour which will be distributed to the masses through sub-divisional authorities and Panchayats.

The Sikkim Cabinet had on August 12 last year approved issue of Pink colour identity card to old Sikkim Subject holders and their legal and direct descendents.
“Issue of extra card in distinct colour to original old Sikkim Subjects have been warranted as there were 31,180 reported false cases against 3,15, 693 Sikkim Subject holders as on December 25, 2005”, the department said in its public appeal.
Land Revenue additional secretary TN Dhakal said that the department had conducted a survey in 2005 to verify the number of Sikkim Subject holders in the State. It is up to the government to decide what to do with those false cases, he said. He said that during the 2005 survey, the department had found 31,180 Sikkim Subject certificates had been acquired through fraudulent measures.

The department in its appeal has informed that the administrations and Panchayats in all the four Districts have been sensitized about the importance of the Pink Card being issued and sincerity required in identifying real old Sikkim Subjects so that benefits given to them by the State Government and Centre are not availed by wrong persons.

“We have to ensure that only genuine old Sikkim Subjects are given the Pink cards in conformity with the records available in the Sikkim Subject register”, the department said.

Presently, application forms are being collected by the eligible local people to submit for the Pink cards from the Panchayat and block divisional officials which will be then vetted and cards will be issued by the Land Revenue department.
The department said that purpose behind the Pink card drive is to facilitate the government on reservation of government or private undertaking jobs for the local people, to allow educational facilities to the local people which includes both facilities at the school level and also for higher studies and in order to identify the bonafide Sikkimese for exemption of Central Income Tax.

The objectives are also to extend benefits of various government schemes to the local people on priority and to preserve separate and distinct identity as the original inhabitants of State of Sikkim.

“Innocent people should not be misguided by giving wrong information that the validity of Old Sikkim Subject will be lost. In reality, the issue of Pink card will upgrade the value of Old Sikkim Subject who are actually genuine Indian of Sikkimese origin”, the department said.
Dhakal said that process of issuing Pink cards will be completed by October.

Meanwhile, State BJP president Padam Chettri questioned why the State Government is not taking action against those 31,180 persons who have taken the Sikkim Subject certificates through fraudulent means.

The department has the figures ready and the State government should take action against such persons, said Chettri. He said that the party has been demanding that the State government should publish the names of those persons eligible for the Pink Cards in the lines of electoral rolls.

“Publish the list of Sikkim Subject holders who will get the Pink Cards. Invite objections and debate. Then only decide whether to go for it or withdraw the move”, said Chettri.

Inviting objections from the public will also clear doubts on the person who has applied for the Pink Card, said the State BJP president.