Congress accused ruling SDF of misleading people on old laws

Gangtok, Dec 17 (UNI) Opposition Congress today accused the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) government of misleading the people of Sikkim on old laws of the state.

Congress party general secretary Kunga Nima Lepcha told reporters here that Chief Minister Pawan Chamling had assured the November 27 committee, spearheading the agaitation against the possible dilution of Rule 4(4) -- one of the old laws that provides preferential treatment to the people of Sikkim in the appointment in government jobs -- that the government would pass a ''state law'' in the just concluded winter session of the assembly to protect the old laws.

Mr Chamling had also extended support to the protest rally taken out by the committee when the issue was sub-judice, he added.

But the government only passed a resolution to hoodwink the people, Mr Lepcha claimed.

Advisor to the Chief Minister B.B.Gooroong told a press conference yesterday that the government had not committed anything to the Commitee.

Mr Gooroong said that all old laws were protected by Art 371 F (k) of the constitution and no legislation was required to protect them further. He also said that since it was a constitutional issue, only Parliament could pass an amendment bill and the state assembly had nothng to do with it.

Mr Lepcha said though the government time and again announced that it was committed to protect the interest of the Sikkimese people but it diluted the Rule 4 (4) by quietly extending the Employment Exchange (Compulsory notification of Vacancies) Act, 1959 to the state. He demanded immediate withdrawal of such laws.

The Act got the Presidential asscent in the first week of this month.

The Congress leader said that while a question relating to Rule 4 (4) put up by the lone party member in the state assembly was not answered on the ground that the issue was subjudice how did the house pass a resolution in this regard, while some ruling party members were allowed to speak on the issue.

UNI BD PC VD GC1812