GANGTOK: The State BJP has welcomed the SKM government’s decision to implement a temporary work system at the GPU level to monitor and regulate the entry of external manpower into Sikkim.
State BJP executive Sangay Gyatso Bhutia praised the move as a positive step on Wednesday. He pointed out that Sikkim already has laws in place, such as the Sikkim Tenants and Domestic and Professional Compulsory Verification Act, 2008, and the Sikkim Labour (Regulation of Employment and Condition of Service) Act, 2021, which were created to address similar issues.
“Unfortunately, despite these laws, the State has been unable to effectively curb the illegal entry of individuals, posing a serious challenge to the preservation of Sikkim’s unique demographic and cultural identity,” Sangay Gyatso stated in a press release.
He said that too many outsiders coming into Sikkim is putting pressure on local resources and affecting the state's culture. "This is a big concern because the number of local people is going down due to low birth rates. Temporary steps can help, but they are not enough to solve this problem. The government should introduce the Inner Line Permit (ILP) as it is the only permanent solution," he said.
Urging the State government to introduce the ILP system in Sikkim, Sangay Gyatso said, “The ILP has been successfully enforced in other Northeastern States to regulate and monitor the entry of outsiders, providing a robust mechanism to safeguard indigenous populations and their rights. Its implementation in Sikkim is not only necessary but also a long-term solution to address the issue of illegal influx and ensure the State’s sustainable growth while protecting its people.”
He further asserted that the BJP remains committed to supporting initiatives that uphold Sikkim’s special constitutional status under Article 371F and protect the interests of its indigenous communities. “I call upon the government to take bold and decisive steps to secure the future of our State,” he said.