SIKKIM LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

50 % reservation for women passed unanimously under PRI

 Gangtok, September 1, 2011: Women in Sikkim are the privileged lot and celebrated the passing of “The Sikkim Panchayat (Amendment) Bill, 2011- Bill No. 11 of 2011” during the four day long fifth Budget Session part II of Sikkim Legislative Assembly which concluded on 30th August, 2011. Significantly and probably the first time in the history of democratic India, this Bill provides for 50 percent reservation for women in Sikkim under the Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI). Mention may be made that the Chief Minister Shri Pawan Chamling had earlier introduced 30 percent reservation for women under the original Sikkim Panchcyat Act, 1993. This was subsequently increased to 40 percent through an amendment of Sikkim Panchayat Act in 2007.

Currently the population of women is almost half the total population of the State.  The Chief Minister stated that if the objective of the Constitution is to be fulfilled, proportionate reservation of seats for women must be provided in all Gram Panchayats and Territorial Constituencies of the Zilla Panchaytas. Further such reservation is also to be provided in the office of the Sabhapati and Up-Sabhapati of Gram Panchayats and Adhakshya and Up-Adhakshya of Zilla Panchayats.

During the session ‘The Sikkim Siddhesvara Dham Bill, Bill No.15 of 2011’ was unanimously passed by the House. The Bill was introduced by Minister In-Charge of Tourism and Civil Aviation Department on 29th August.

Likewise ‘The Sikkim Anti-Drugs (Amendment) Bill, Bill No.17 of 2011’ was also passed by the house unanimously which was introduced by Minister for Health Care, Human Service and Family Welfare Department Mr. D.N Takarpa on 29th August.

The Sikkim Appropriation Bill, Bill No. 18 of 2011 for excess demands for grants 2006-2007, the First Supplementary Demands for Grants 2011-2012, the excess demands for grants 2006-2007 and the Sikkim Appropriation Bill, Bill No. 19 of 2011 for the first supplementary demands for grants 2011-2012 were also placed by the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling on 29th August and passed unanimously during the Assembly Session.

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling laid the copies of following rules on the table of the house during the session.

(a)  The Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Amendment Rules, as notified vide notification No. 337/FI N/DSSL/808, dated 24.03.2011 and published in Sikkim Government Gazette No. 140, dated 24^th March 2011.

(b) The Sikkim Casino Game (Control and Tax) Amendment Rules, 2011 as notified vide notification No. FIN/DSSL/2010/III (247) 818, dated 30th March, 2011 and published in the Sikkim Government Gazette No. 150, dated 30th March 2011.

(c)  The Strategic Policing Plan for Sikkim and Annual Policing Sub-Plan 2011-2012.

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling also placed the following documents on the table of the house for record and reference. 

(a)  Tour of the Chief Minister to different villages and places across the State beginning from 17th May, 2011 along with the tour demands submitted by the members of the public, gram panchayat, Vol. I, II and III of East, West and South districts respectively.

List of public demands submitted by MLAs and Minister in respect to North District and tour of the CM to different village and places in the State from 17th May, 2011 and declarations and announcements along with list of sanctions for implementation in the next three years.