Will resign as CM if Opposition can prove that Article 371F has been diluted, says Sikkim CM PS Tamang

Tamang affirmed that though the definition of the Sikkimese people has been expanded under a central law, Article 371F remains intact. He challenged the opposition who are saying that 371F

REPORTED BY PRAKASH ADHIKARI

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has made a big statement stating that he would resign from the post of the CM, if the opposition parties can prove that Article 371F of the constitution which guarantees special provisions to the Himalayan state, has been diluted.

Tamang affirmed that though the definition of the Sikkimese people has been expanded under a central law, Article 371F remains intact. He challenged the opposition who are saying that 371F is over, to prove their claim.

Tamang also said that he would resign along with his cabinet on moral ground if people without Certificate of Identification and Sikkim Subject Certificate apply for the post of Assistant Director (IT) as advertised by Sikkim Public Service Commission and if those applications are accepted.

Meanwhile, the Sikkim Democratic Front has decided to file a Writ petition in the higher Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court challenging the SC’s recent judgement on ‘IT exemption’ matter of Sikkim and further ‘violation of Article 371F’ by the Finance (Amendment) Act 2023 passed by the Parliament.

This was announced by SDF chief and former Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling at the Central Executive Committee meeting of his party yesterday.

On April 10, a one-day special session of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly concluded with the adoption and passing of Government Resolution No.2 of 2023, “Clarification of clause (iv) and clause (v) of section 10 (26AAA) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 as inserted by Finance Act, 2023 (No.8 of 2023).

During the session, Chief Minister Tamang had requested the Speaker to constitute an All-Party Committee to oversee and deliberate on the aforementioned Government Resolution extensively.

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