Kolkata:

BJP MP from Darjeeling Raju Bista has announced that National Highway 10 has been handed over to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL). Earlier this road was maintained by the PWD West Bengal.

This is an important development as NH-10 is critical for movement of military vehicles to the Nathu La Pass border with China and other critical border areas with China as well. NH-10 connects Sikkim to the rest of the country and has seen frequent closures due to sinkage and landslides.

Last month, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of NH-10. Addressing a press conference during her visit to North Bengal, Ms Banerjee had said the West Bengal government is taking the NH-10 situation seriously, and Sikkim, Darjeeling and Kalimpong in West Bengal were facing disruptions due to the frequent closure of NH-10.

“We will talk about the hills with the army as this concerns Sikkim as well. It includes Sikkim, Kalimpong and Darjeeling. The army uses this road. It has to be addressed as soon as possible. The Chief Secretary will hold discussions on this,” she had said.

Announcing the handover, Raju Bista in a post on X said, “I am happy to share that the 52.10 km stretch of the Sevoke-Rangpo section of National Highway 10 has now been handed over to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL). As most of you are aware, I have made repeated representations and followed up with the Union Minister of Road, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari ji regarding the need for handing over this portion to NHIDCL.”

“I realised a long time ago that the WB PWD lacks the expertise and financial resources to keep an important highway connecting the border regions of Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Dooars and Sikkim to the rest of India. I have said time and again that the WB PWD should hand over the portion of NH-10 they are controlling to NHIDCL, so that the people from our region too can get access to better roads. Finally, a major concern of our region is being addressed,” Mr Bista said.

I am happy to share that the 52.10km stretch of Sevoke-Rangpo section of National Highway 10 (NH-10) has now been handed over to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL).

As most of you are aware, I have made repeated representations and… pic.twitter.com/Q6endl15V8

— Raju Bista (@RajuBistaBJP) November 5, 2024

Sikkim has pushed for the handing over of this important and strategic road link to the Union government. In June, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang asked the Union government to bring the Rangpo-Sevoke stretch of NH-10 under the National Highways Authority of India for better maintenance and upkeep of Sikkim’s main road connection to the rest of the country.

The NHIDCL is also developing National Highway 717A as an alternative to NH-10. Earlier, Mr Gadkari had shared updates on the construction of an alternate highway NH-717A to Sikkim, bypassing Coronation Bridge and NH-10. The alternate highway starts from Bagrakote (NH-17) in West Bengal and ends at Ranipool (Sikkim).

This highway will enhance connectivity among villages in Sikkim, reduce the distance between Pakyong Airport and capital city Gangtok by 2.5 km and greatly benefit the common people of Sikkim.

“Recognising the vital role the transportation sector plays in the accelerated economic growth of the country, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, our government prioritised development to meet the current and future highway needs,” Mr Gadkari had said about NH-717A.

“This is a landmark moment, which will ensure that people from our Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Sikkim region will benefit due to the central agency NHIDCL taking care of this critical NH-10 infrastructure. With this we can ensure timely repair, maintenance and expansion of NH-10, which will benefit the local people, students, tourists, trade, and especially our drivers community including taxi drivers, bus drivers and truck drivers,” Mr Bista added.

The Sikkim Assembly will continue to remain opposition-less with candidates from the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) withdrawing their nominations for bypolls for two Assembly seats a day after the nominations of leaders from another party were rejected during scrutiny. Candidates from the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) will now win uncontested, ensuring that it will have all 32 MLAs in the Assembly. 

One of the candidates from the Pawan Kumar Chamling-led SDF has said he withdrew his nomination because he got no support from the party, while the other has not yet revealed his reason for doing so. 

In the Assembly elections held earlier this year, the Prem Singh Tamang (Golay)-led SKM had won 31 of 32 Assembly seats and the lone SDF MLA, Tenzing Norbu Lamtha, had also joined the ruling party in July. Bypolls were supposed to be held for the Soreng-Chakung and Namchi-Singhithang Assembly seats on November 13 because Mr Tamang, who had contested from two constituencies, had given up the Soreng-Chakung seat in favour of Rhenock and his wife, Krishna Kumari Rai, had quit as the MLA from Namchi-Singhithang.

Mr Tamang’s son, Aditya Golay, will now be declared the winner from Soreng-Chakung and SKM candidate Satish Chandra Rai from Namchi-Singhithang when the deadline for withdrawal of nominations ends on Wednesday. 

On Monday, the nominations of the two candidates of Citizen Action Party – Sikkim (CAP-Sikkim), Pobin Hang Subba from Soreng-Chakung and Mahesh Rai from Namchi-Singhithang, were rejected by the returning officers because of problems with their filings, including the number of proposers.

SDF candidates Prem Bahadur Bhandari from Soreng-Chakung and Daniel Rai from Namchi-Singhithang then withdrew their nominations on Tuesday and Mr Rai also quit the party. 

While Mr Bhandari has not given a reason for withdrawing his nomination, Mr Rai said, “The party leadership asked me to submit my nomination over the phone. After completing the scrutiny on Monday and availing clearance, I visited the residence of SDF President Pawan Kumar Chamling and got no response. There were no workers or leaders from the party extending any support.” 

“I felt, as a candidate, I had no importance at all as I had neither supporters nor financial support. The party leader was busy touring Nepal and attending functions,” he added.

Mr Rai also submitted his resignation to the SDF leadership, citing “step-motherly treatment and dissatisfaction”.

Eyeing Record

Aditya Golay said he would have preferred to contest the bypolls and set a new record after his father and chief minister Prem Singh Tamang won the Soreng-Chakung constituency after polling over 10,400 votes. 

“Workers from the SKM were quite confident that I would win uncontested, but I was more in favour of contesting the elections. In the Assembly elections, we had secured 10,480 votes for our party president Prem Singh Tamang and we were quite confident we would break that record. In the future, even if I am not contesting, we will ensure the next candidate breaks that record,” he said. 

The Citizen Action Party, who had its candidate Pobin Hang Subba disqualified, alleged that his proposers and supporters were “kidnapped by the SKM”. 

Asked about this, Mr Golay said, “I don’t see any grounds on which the CAP is making allegations against us. The Election Commission is an independent body and all the things that have transpired till now were done on factual grounds. If they want to take the matter to the court, they are most welcome to. They are a political party in the opposition and they can say whatever they want, but we will have to rely on facts and figures.” 

‘Was Prepared To Contest’

Satish Chandra Rai, the SKM candidate from Namchi-Singhithang, thanked Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang and the party for their support.

“After 25 years in politics, I have been elected as an MLA… We had prepared the road map for campaigning and everything was ready but the opposition candidate withdrew his nomination for reasons best known to him. We had neither threatened nor pressured the opposition candidate. In a democracy, anyone and everyone can contest,” he said. 

Mr Raid added that he wants to improve drinking water supply and drainage across the constituency. 

As the rest of India scrambled to meet the July 31 deadline for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR), one state remained blissfully exempt from the tax frenzy – Sikkim. Thanks to a special provision under Section 10 (26AAA) of the Indian Income Tax Act, Sikkim has been spared from paying income tax since its merger with India. This exemption was granted to preserve the state’s existing tax structure, which was in place before it joined the Indian Union.

Prior to its accession to India, Sikkim had its own tax system, and its residents were not subject to the Indian Income Tax Act. The Government of India, to maintain the status quo, granted Sikkim special exemptions from income tax.

Sikkim Income Tax Exemption Act 

The Union Budget of 2008 repealed the Sikkim Tax Act and exempted Sikkim residents from paying income tax through Section 10(26AAA) of the Income Tax Act. This move was made to preserve Sikkim’s special status under Article 371(f) of the Indian Constitution.

Legal challenges

In 2013, the Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim and others challenged the constitutional validity of Section 10(26AAA) of the Income-tax Act, 1961, before the Supreme Court of India. They argued that the definition of “Sikkimese” under this section unfairly excluded two categories of individuals from tax exemption: 

1. Indians settled in Sikkim before it merged with India on April 26, 1975.
2. Sikkimese women who married non-Sikkimese men after April 1, 2008.

As per Section 10(26AAA), introduced by the Finance Act of 2008 (effective retroactively from the tax year 1989-90), the term “Sikkimese” included:

1. Individuals listed in the Sikkim Subjects Register before April 26, 1975.
2. Individuals added to the register by government orders in 1990 and 1991.
3. Individuals whose close relatives (father, husband, paternal grandfather or brother) are listed in the register.

This definition covered most of Sikkim’s population but excluded around 1 per cent – Indians who settled in Sikkim before April 26, 1975, and chose not to give up their Indian citizenship, so their names were not in the Sikkim Subjects Register. 

The taxpayers argued this exclusion was unfair and discriminatory. They wanted the tax exemption to include all individuals settled in Sikkim before April 1, 1975, whose names were not in the register. They also argued that denying the exemption to Sikkimese women marrying non-Sikkimese men after April 1, 2008, was discriminatory.

Supreme Court ruling

A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court ruled it was indeed discriminatory to deny tax exemptions to Sikkimese women married to non-Sikkimese men after April 1, 2008. This rule did not apply to Sikkimese men who married non-Sikkimese women or to Sikkimese women who married non-Sikkimese men before this date. The Court found this rule unfair and a violation of the constitutional right to equality. 

For Indians settled in Sikkim before April 26, 1975, whose names are not in the Sikkim Subjects Register, the judges agreed that the denial of exemption was discriminatory but suggested different solutions. Justice MR Shah struck down the rule denying the exemption, while Justice BV Nagarathna used Article 142 of the Constitution to direct the Centre to add a clause to Section 10(26AAA) to grant tax exemptions to these individuals. Until the law is amended, she ordered that these individuals should still get the tax exemption under Section 10(26AAA).

Gangtok:

All tourist vehicles entering Sikkim will now have to mandatorily carry a large garbage bag, according to an official order.

The decision has been taken to ensure community participation towards achieving the goal of environmental sustainability, said the order issued by the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department.

It will be the responsibility of the tour operators, travel agencies, and vehicle drivers to inform the traveller about the use of garbage bags for waste disposal, it said.

Random checks of tourist vehicles would be conducted to ensure compliance and any vehicle found violating the order, will be penalised, it added.

Awareness campaigns about cleanliness are being carried out to educate tourists about waste management and environmental sustainability, officials said.

Sikkim, which is India’s least populated state with over 6 lakh residents, gets more than 20 lakh visitors every year for its picturesque Himalayan destinations, they said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Guwahati:

One person was killed today when a taxi travelling on National Highway-10 from Lingi to Singtam in Sikkim’s Gangtok was hit by a large boulder. The accident was caused due to a landslide.

The incident comes amidst the monsoon’s severe impact on Sikkim, with NH 10—vital for connecting the state with the rest of the country—facing intermittent closures due to landslides and rising Teesta River levels. The alternative route via Kalimpong and Darjeeling districts is also frequently disrupted by landslides.

Sikkim’s Pakyong Airport has been non-operational since the start of the monsoon season, and helicopter services remain cancelled throughout this period.

Despite the challenges, the Sikkim government continues to press for NH 10’s maintenance by central agencies, emphasizing its critical role in national security and facilitating Army movements. This demand was reiterated by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang in discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Union Ministers.

Moreover, NH 10 and the Teesta River banks are still recovering from the damage caused by a glacial lake outburst flood in October last year. While state-led mitigation efforts are underway, ongoing rains have impeded restoration work.

The authorities in North Bengal and Sikkim have issued multiple warnings regarding incessant rainfall and travel advisories, underscoring the precarious conditions faced by commuters and residents alike during this challenging period.

New Delhi:
The verdict of Himalayan states Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh will be out today, as the tenure of their legislative assemblies end and the votes for their parliamentary seats are being counted.

Here are top 10 points on this big story:

New Delhi:

The voter turnout in phase four of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections stood at 62.84 per cent at 8 pm on Monday against 65.51 per cent in 2019, a dip of over 2.5 percentage points.

However, the Election Commission said a large number of voters were still in the queue at polling stations even after 6 pm, indicating the turnout would go up.

As many as 96 seats went for polls in the fourth phase. After the latest phase, polling has completed in 379 seats across 23 states and Union territories.

Polling also completed in state assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the turnout recorded in phase four stood at 65.51 per cent. Then, polling was held in 71 seats across nine states in phase four.

In phase one of the ongoing general elections, 66.14 per cent turnout was recorded. In the 2019 polls, the turnout in the first phase stood at 69.43 per cent.

In the second phase of elections held on April 26, the turnout was recorded at 66.71 per cent against 69.64 per cent in phase two of 2019 polls.

The updated voter turnout figures for the third phase of polling in the Lok Sabha elections stood at 65.68 per cent. In the third phase of 2019 general elections, the turnout stood at 68.4 per cent.

The poll panel said as per the laid down procedure, scrutiny of election papers takes place one day after the polling day in the presence of candidates or their authorised polling agents.

The decision to conduct repoll, if any, is also taken thereafter. Some polling parties return after polling day depending on the geographical or logistical conditions.

“The Commission will also, after the scrutiny and depending on the number/ schedule of repoll, publish the updated voter turnout along with gender wise breakup by May 17,” the EC said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Ahead of crucial assembly polls in the Himalayan state of Sikkim for its 32-member assembly — due on April 19 simultaneously with the Lok Sabha election — the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha has declared candidates for all seats and the lone Lok Sabha MP. The party has retained sitting MP Indra Hang Subba.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang was named the candidate from two constituencies — Rhenock (Pakyong District) and his native Soreng Chakung (Soreng District).

Mr Tamang replaces his son Aditya Tamang as the candidate from Soreng Chakung.

The Chief Minister who has won the by elections in 2019 from Poklok Kamrang constituency in Namchi district, has now given ticket to his wife Krishna Kumari Rai, a first-timer.

Three BJP MLAs who had resigned from the party on March 15, have been awarded SKM party tickets.

Sonam Tshering Venchungpa, who was elected in the 2019 by-election as the BJP MLA from Martm Rumtek constituency, has retained his seat with SKM.

Similarly, two leaders who defected from the Sikkim Democratic Front in 2019 and later joined the BJP, Raj Kumari Thapa from Yangang Rangang and Pintso Namgyal Lepcha from Dzongu constituency, have also retained their seats with the SKM party.

The SKM has dropped four legislators, including Aditya Tamang from Soreng Chakung constituency, Bishnu Kumar Sharma from Rhenock, Karma Loday Bhutia from Kabi Lungchok and SDF defector Em Prasad Sharma from Namcheybong constituency.

Protests took place outside SKM party office in Gangtok following the declaration of party tickets.

The agitated people from the Kabi Lungchok constituency opposed the SKM’s decision to award ticket to Thilay Tshering Bhutia, a former minister and long-time legislator of the SDF regime.

The SDF (Sikkim Democratic Front) has declared 26 candidates for the assembly polls, 11 of who are former legislators. Former two-time Lok Sabha MP Prem Das Rai has once again secured the MP ticket.

Former Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling will be contesting from Poklok Kamrang constituency, which he had relinquished for the by-elections in 2019. He was the sitting legislator from Namchi Singhithang, where Bimal Rai has now been given ticket.

Sikkim Krantikari Morcha’s rebel legislator Mani Kumar Sharma has secured ticket from his home constituency in Singtam Khamdong.

Bhaichung Bhutia who joined SDF in November, has secured his native Barfung constituency. Former Gangtok Municipal Commissioner Ashish Rai, who was denied ticket in 2019, returned to the party last year having secured the coveted Arithang constituency as SDF candidate for 2024 elections.

Sikkim Chief Minister PS Tamang on Monday announced two housing schemes for those who lost their homes in the flash flood that ravaged the northern part of the Himalayan state.

The state government will also provide Rs 10,000 each to students who lost their school materials and Rs 5,000 more if they live on rent far from home, Mr Tamang said.

The flash flood, which was triggered by a cloudburst in the early hours of October 4, has left at least 38 people dead and affected over 88,000 people. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kolkata:

The Indian Air Force has started humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations in Sikkim, devastated by a flash flood in Teesta river, a Defence official said on Monday.

Thirty-three bodies, including those of nine army jawans, have been recovered so far from slush and debris left behind by the flash flood that devastated Sikkim, while the search continued for more than 105 people who are still missing, officials in the Himalayan state said.

The Jalpaiguri district administration in adjoining northern West Bengal has said 40 bodies were fished out of the river downstream.

Officials warned that the figures reported by Sikkim and West Bengal may have some duplication even as both states were keeping each other informed of their respective rescue efforts.

“The IAF commenced its humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations from Air Force Station Bagdogra for the flood victims of Sikkim on the Air Force Day,” the Defence official said.

The air force started carrying Garud commandos, communication equipment, fuel, medicines, search and rescue equipment by Chinook and MI 17 V5 helicopters to the state from Sunday, he said.

Stating that the Eastern Air Command is coordinating the humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR) operations, the official said that the IAF is fully geared up to reach out to the victims of the flash floods that left the small Himalayan state in disarray.

“The helicopters are kept ready to transport the stranded tourists and local residents to safer locations as soon as the weather conditions improve,” the Defence official said.

The Met Department on Monday forecast light to moderate rain at many places accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim over the next five days.

Meanwhile, the Jalpaiguri district administration in West Bengal has said they have so far recovered 40 bodies from the downstream of the Teesta River. Officials said 10 bodies have so far been identified.

Since bodies are still being found from the slush and debris left behind by Teesta in both states, the exact toll will be clear in the next few days after collating the details, officials said.

The flash flood, which was triggered by a cloudburst in the early hours of Wednesday, has affected 60,870 people. So far, 2,563 people have been rescued from different areas of the state, most of which have been cut off from the rest of the country, according to the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)