National commission for Scheduled Tribe team led by the chairperson of the commission Mr. Rameshwar Oroan along with member of the commission, Secretary to the Government of India Mr. B.L Meena, and Joint Secretary of the commission Mr. Aditya Mishra, in a press meet held at Secretariat Conference hall indicated that they are in Sikkim for an official visit from 18th to 20th  April 2011 to conduct a meeting with the Chief Minister of the state Mr. Pawan Chamling to discuss and review the implementation of reservation policy and development program for STs being run by the State Government and other important issues relating to STs.

Mr. Oroan while speaking to the media said that in order to increase representation of Bhutia and Lepcha from 12 to 16 in case of increase of Assembly seats in Sikkim from 32 to 40 the commission was of the view that keeping in mind the provision of Article 332 of the constitution, it would be appropriate that the number of seats in the state legislature should be increased from 32 to 40 to provide fair share to all the Scheduled Tribes in the state and the increased seats (8) in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly should first be reserved for the ScheduledTtribes according to their population in order to safeguard the political rights of all the Scheduled Tribe communities (including Bhutia- Lepcha).

Mr. Oroan while speaking about the Tribal status in Sikkim said that the literacy rate among the tribal community which is over 75% is quite good along with  the living standards of the Tribal here in Sikkim. Mr. Oroan adding further said that in comparison to other states in the nation the tribal’s here in Sikkim are much more civilized, literate and a role model for the other state to look forward.

Courtesy: Sikkim Mail

 

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