As Sikkim marks 50 years of statehood, the Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) has urged the state government to issue a comprehensive “White Paper” assessing the state’s progress and challenges over the past five decades. SIBLAC has proposed the document, titled Sikkim: Then and Now—50 Years of Progress and Challenges, to critically examine fiscal health, demographic changes, and political developments.
Key concerns raised by SIBLAC:
Fiscal Health: The committee highlighted rising debt, income disparity, and concerns over financial sustainability.
Population Influx: Protective measures for indigenous rights and cultural preservation were emphasized.
Constitutional Safeguards: SIBLAC demanded action against illegal land transfers and restoration of seat reservations in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly.
Development Transparency: Questions were raised about infrastructure growth vis-à-vis central funds.
Corruption and Crime: A call for decisive action on corruption and drug-related crimes was made.
The committee also endorsed BJP Sikkim President D.R. Thapa’s stance against the Gorkha National Congress’s unification demand, reaffirming the need to preserve Sikkim’s unique identity.
