SKM Govt neglecting organic mission but using organic brand to seek Central funds: SDF

GANGTOK,: The opposition SDF on Monday accused the SKM government of maintaining a “double standard” on Sikkim’s organic farming mission, alleging that it invokes the State’s organic brand to obtain Central funds while neglecting the organic sector within Sikkim.

“Unfortunately the double standard approach of the SKM government with regard to the organic mission in Sikkim and at the Centre clearly indicates that the SKM government is only using the mission as a brand of convenience for securing central assistance. The SDF party strongly condemns the SKM government’s use of the Organic Sikkim brand as a tool for securing funds while neglecting the organic mission on the ground,” said SDF Cheli Morcha in-charge Komal Chamling in a media statement on Monday.

The SDF functionary mentioned about the announcement of Rs 583 crore in Central support for organic agriculture and infrastructure growth in Sikkim. During his recent visit to Sikkim, Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launched Mission Sikkim Organics, a Rs 360 crore initiative aimed at transforming Sikkim into a globally integrated premium organic economy benefiting over 66,000 farming families, she said.

Stating that the SDF welcomes this support, Komal questioned: “Why does the SKM government champion Sikkim’s organic brand before the Centre while completely neglecting the organic mission within the State?”

She maintained that whether before the 16th Finance Commission, in Parliament through demands for a Green Bonus, or before Union Ministries, the SKM government continues to invoke Sikkim’s organic mission and green initiatives while asking for financial assistance. Yet on the ground, the organic mission that once made Sikkim a global brand in sustainable agriculture has altogether become obsolete, she asserted.

The SDF functionary said that a serious blow to Sikkim’s organic reputation came in October 2024 when the Sikkim State Organic Certification Agency (SSOCA) was suspended by APEDA, Government of India after finding that inorganic rice had been certified as organic rice from Sikkim by SSOCA for export. Along with Reliteaur Foods Private Limited, a private company involved in the exports, SSOCA was suspended for one year and fined Rs 10 lakh, she said.

“This incident tarnished the integrity of Sikkim’s organic certification system, thus seriously defaming Sikkim’s organic brand in international markets. Despite the shame brought on to Sikkim by this certification scam, the SKM government gave no explanation and took no action,” said Komal.

She maintained that the person heading SSOCA - when the suspension occurred- continues to head the organisation despite the seriousness of the incident which defamed Sikkim globally. Why has the government not taken action till date?, she asked.

“The concerns surrounding SSOCA are not isolated. Farmers have repeatedly raised concerns regarding declining support systems, seed availability, market access, and certification processes. It is well known that inorganic fertilisers and pesticides are being used across Sikkim today, thus completely undoing the decades of hard work that led to 100% organic status. Reports have been received of old data being used for certification of land as organic, highlighting concerns regarding the continued monitoring and verification processes required to maintain organic certification standards,” said the SDF Cheli Morcha in-charge.

“The Organic Mission in the world’s first organic State is in a state of ruin. The mission was not merely a government scheme; it was a historic policy initiative that began in 2003 under the leadership of former Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and culminated in Sikkim achieving 100 percent organic status in 2016. The achievement brought international recognition, including the prestigious Future Policy Gold Award from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in 2018. The Organic brand is synonymous with Sikkim today,” said Komal.