Chamling for Ladhak model to provide IT exemption to business commun

Gangtok, Jun 22 (UNI) Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today said he was seriously considering adopting the Ladhak model to ensure Income Tax exemption for the old business community of the state.

''I am studying the Ladhak model where the business community in that region have been exempted from Income Tax and will be moving files with the Centre to provide the same relief to our business community and those who are working in Sikkim for many years,'' said Mr Chamling during a function of his Sikkim Democratic Front party at the party head office in Gangtok.

The Centre had recently exempted Sikkimese subject holders and those having Certificate of Identification from the purview of Direct Income Tax.

''The old business community living in Sikkim for generations will now have to pay Income Tax now as they do not have Sikkim Subjects or Certificate of Identifications. The community has been pressing the state to seek similar exemption as their Sikkimese counterparts, '' he said.

Stating that he had now arrived at the Ladhak model to provide relief to the old business community and others working in the state, Mr Chamling appealed the community to help him.

However, the Chief Minister also slammed the business community for not taking the Sikkim subjects which they had been offered by the Chogyal and now taking the state government to court on petty issues.

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