Indra Hang Subba meets Vice President, raises key Sikkim issues

GANGTOK,: Sikkim Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba on Sunday called on Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan in Gangtok and thanked him for attending Sikkim’s 51st Statehood Day celebrations as the chief guest.

During the interaction at Lok Bhavan, Subba conveyed his sincere appreciation for the Vice President’s presence at the celebrations, which, he said, added “immense dignity and significance” to the occasion marking Sikkim’s transition from a Himalayan kingdom to the 22nd State of India through the 36th Constitutional Amendment in 1975.

The MP said the visit had encouraged the people of Sikkim and reflected the continued importance of the State within the country’s democratic and constitutional framework.

Subba also highlighted the progress achieved by Sikkim over the past five decades in areas such as peace, communal harmony, environmental conservation, sustainable development, education, youth empowerment and preservation of cultural heritage.

He reiterated the State’s commitment towards contributing to the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047” through its ecological heritage, strategic importance, cultural diversity and educated youth population, the release said.

The MP also raised several longstanding demands and concerns of the people of Sikkim before the Vice President, who is also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

These included the inclusion of 12 left-out communities in the Scheduled Tribe list, reservation of seats for the Limboo and Tamang Scheduled Tribes in Sikkim Legislative Assembly and the proposed visit of the 17th Karmapa to Sikkim.

Subba said these issues were closely linked to the identity, historical justice and constitutional aspirations of the people of the state.

He also reiterated the importance of safeguarding Sikkim’s unique identity, demographic balance and cultural heritage under the special constitutional protections provided through Article 371F and the spirit of the historic May 8 Agreement of 1973. “The MP requested the Vice President to extend all possible support and goodwill from his office towards the fulfilment of these longstanding aspirations of the people of Sikkim,” the release adds.