SIBLAC criticises Urban Dev minister for 'insensitiveness'

Gangtok, Jun 30 (UNI) The Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) today criticised state Urban Development Minister D D Bhutia for his 'insensivity' to increase the number of seats for Bhutia-Lepcha communities in the proposed expanded house in proportion to their population.

SIBLAC demanded a proportionate rise in the number of seats in the state assembly after the state government proposed the Centre to increase the number of seats in the state assembly from the existing 32 to 40 to accommodate the Limboo and Tamang communities.

The Limboo and Tamang communities have been demanding reservation of seats in the state assembly after they were included in the list of ST in 2002.

SIBLAC Joint Conveners Tsteen Tasi Bhutia and Kunga Nima Lepcha alleged that Mr Bhutia in a statement had said that the BL seats need not be increased in the expanded house.

The SIBLAC leaders said 12 seats were reserved for BL communities in the state assembly as per the Article 371F of the constitution to protect the rights and interests of different communities and to prevent dominance of one community over the other.

Parliament, Supreme Court and the Central government also believed that the demand for proportionate increase of seats was justified.

''But instead of supporting the demands, Mr Bhutia, who belonged to the community, choose to keep silent,'' they said.

The alleged that the statement of Mr Bhutia speaks of the 'double standard' of the politicians who claimed to be champions of Art 371 F but took a U turn for their own 'petty interest'.

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