Sikkim Legislative Assembly Historical Gorkhaland resolution moved by Chief Minister Shri Pawan Chamling and passed unanimously

Gangtok, March 29, 2011: The Chief Minister Shri Pawan Chamling today made historical news moving the statehood resolution in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly during the concluding session of the ongoing Budget session.

RESOLUTION HIGHLIGHTS Formation of Gorkhaland the ultimate & permanent Solution Sikkim need all political strife free situation in NH31A Gorkhaland demand is genuine, legitimate Smaller State are better governed, Sikkim is a sharing example The people of Darjeeling have been demanding Gorkhaland State. We do not see the problem and all the security concerns of our State being resolve without the resolution of Gorkhaland. The demand of the people of Darjeeling for formation of state is genuine, legitimate, legally, justified and within the parameters of Constitution of India. The Central Government may kindly consider the legitimate demands of the people of Darjeeling for Statehood and take necessary steps as required under the constitution. Shri Pawan Chamling

SINGLE SOLUTION Formation of Gorkhaland

In his resolution, the Chief Minister pegged that formation of Gorkhaland State is the ultimate and permanent solution to ease out the hardships suffered by the Sikkimese people and loss the thousand of crores of rupees by the Sikkim due to continuous disruptions along the states only lifeline, NH31A, on account of bandhs and strikes in the neighbouring Darjeeling region by pro and anti-Gorkhaland force. The resolution was second by the Chief Whip Ugen Gyatso Bhutia.

Without any rail link or air port, the 96 kms long NH31A is the only lifeline of Sikkim as the main supply route for the people of Sikkim and also for the defence personal stationed in the state who are guiding the international border that India shares with China, Nepal and Bhutan. Fifty one Kms of the highway stretches through the Kalimpong sub-division of the Darjeeling district and are extremely venerable to blockades and disruptions. The resolution state that formation of Gorkhaland State is the ultimate and permanent solution to ensure peace, security and development of Sikkim and the region, free movement of National Highway 31A lifeline of Sikkim is the central to the well being of the land locked sensitive border State Our Government has give peace, communal harmony and security to the State and its people this has been our contribution to the overall peace and security to the nation. In this peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the State, disturbances with no signs of normalcy and decrease taking place for so many years of Darjeeling in West Bengal affecting our lifeline National Highway 31A clearly indicates that only a permanent solution is the remedy said Chief Minister while presenting the resolution. The people of Darjeeling have been demanding Gorkhaland State. We do not see the problem and all the security concerns of our State being resolved without the resolution of Gorkhaland. The demand of the people of the Darjeeling for formation of State is genuine, legitimate, legally justified and with the parameters of the Constitution of India. The central Government may kindly consider the legitimate demands of the people of Darjeeling for Statehood and take necessary steps as required under the Constitution said Shri Chamling. Raising the pitch for Gorkhaland issue, the Chief Minister said: having witnessed huge loss of life and property in other parts of the country especially in Telangana it is worthwhile having a quick settlement to this long pending issue. Resolution of this issue well mean that it well be in the interest of the people of Darjeeling region as well as in the interest of the nation, he said advocating in favour of smaller States. Experience of the past few decades has clearly suggested that smaller States are more conducive and better governed. Creation Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab into three parts as well as creation of hill State of Uttarakhand and Meghayala etc. are example of success. Affected by their current status as part of larger unit due to cultural, ecological and historical coherence requesting for grant of Statehood justify creation of successful smaller State. Sikkim as a small State is shining example of success in the entire country. My experience in the administration of the State for all these years corroborates this fact,

said Shri Chamling who had lead the Sikkim Democracy Front Party to the government for fourth consecutive term since forming the first government in 1994. Informing that creation of a separate State in the Union list falling within the jurisdiction of the central government, the Chief Minister in his resolution proposed in the House for fulfilment by the Centre that the hope and aspirations deeply embedded in the hearts and minds of the people of Darjeeling for the State of Gorkhaland has been pending for a very long time which are genuine, legitimate, justified and with the framework of the India may kindly be fulfilled by central Government to ensure peace, security and development of Darjeeling and region as whole. At the outset, Shri Chamling told reminded the house that it had passed a resolution in the 2008 budget session emphasizing the urgency and requirement of ensuring unhindered movement of passenger good traffic to and for the Sikkim on NH31A. The State government forwarded the resolution to the centre government for drawing its attention to the plight, suffering, difficulties and humiliation faced by the people of Sikkim on account of occurrence/ recurrence of bands and strikes by the supporters of and those opposing Gorkhaland movement in Darjeeling and Siliguri areas in West Bengal, respectively. But even after this, such bandhs and strikes continued causing difficulties and huge loss to Sikkim apart from the inherent element of fear psychosis suffered by our people, said Chief Minister. He pegged the losses suffered by Sikkim on account of VAT, sales tax, loss of profit to business, mainline taxi, hotels, exercise duty loss on imports, animal imports and construction sectors to above Rs. 50 crores per day. The cumulative losses run thousands of crores since the year 1985 when the Statehood demand escalated affecting all activates in the region, he said. The extent of mental suffering, sense of deprivation and constant fear experience by the people of Sikkim cannot be easily measured and qualified nor can the losses in terms of development of Sikkim be properly assessed from 1985 ever Since such bands and strikes have started and affected the movement of traffic on entry or exit from Sikkim. This loss to the state of Sikkim deserves to be compensated. But who will compensate these losses? The Central Government or the Government of West Bengal? This should not happen and cannot be allowed to go on without end when we are all living in a democracy as the proud citizens of this country with equal voice and entitlement, Shri Chamling said. The chief Minister recorded that the visit of high level Central team in June 20, 2008 to Sikkim following a communication with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on the highway issue had resulted in an improved situation. The situation improved much but the trend now has been for a quick one day or a few hours disruption of traffic on

the highway either at Siliguri or in Darjeeling area along the NH 31A often vandalizing Sikkim bound vehicles plying along the route.

But the stark fact remains that Sikkim does need all weather and all political strife free situation on the National Highway and an alternate road that connects the State with the rest of the country throughout the year. This is central to the States well being as well for national security. The overall development of the state is dependent on these, said Chamling. Later in his vote of thanks during the conclusion of the budget session, the Chief Minister said that the Sikkim government has reached a conclusion that NH31A will not remain undisturbed till the aspiration of the Darjeeling people are fulfilled. Darjeeling District should be converted into a State and Centre must fulfil their demand, he said. This is a historical resolution passed by the assembly today in honour and favour of our neighbour and also in the interest of Sikkim. We want the demands of Darjeeling people to be fulfilled. We desire for development and statehood of Darjeeling people. We also want peace and development in the whole region, said Shri Chamling. He highlighted that the world has become a global village and Sikkim cannot take benefits of globalization when its connectivity link is blocked.