GANGTOK : Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba on Wednesday met Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and submitted a representation highlighting key issues concerning the development of strategic roads along the Indo-Nepal border in Sikkim, the welfare of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel deployed in the frontier region, and the long-pending issue of seat reservation for the Limboo and Tamang Scheduled Tribes in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly.
During the meeting, the Lok Sabha MP urged the Home Ministry to prioritise the development of strategic roads along the Indo-Nepal border in Sikkim, considering the strategic significance of the frontier and the difficult terrain. He also requested the early implementation of the proposed all-weather road from BOP Nambu to BP No. 34/1 up to BOP Hanspokhri to strengthen connectivity, logistics and operational preparedness along the border.
He further requested the Ministry to consider the grant of Risk & Hardship (R1H1) Allowance for personnel of the 36 and 72 Battalions of the SSB, who are deployed in extremely challenging high-altitude and glacial terrain, a press release informs.
The meeting also included discussions on the long-pending issue of seat reservation for the Limboo and Tamang Scheduled Tribes in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly.
While acknowledging that the matter is political in nature and does not directly rest within the discretion of the Union Home Secretary, Indra Hang emphasised that it remains one of the most important constitutional issues concerning Sikkim and has remained unresolved for over two decades since the inclusion of the Limboo and Tamang communities in the Scheduled Tribes list in 2003. He urged that the matter receive the attention it deserves and sought an update on the steps being taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Indra Hang expressed hope that the Ministry of Home Affairs would give due consideration to these important matters in the interest of strengthening strategic border infrastructure, improving the welfare of SSB personnel, and facilitating progress towards resolving the long-pending constitutional issue concerning the Limboo and Tamang Scheduled Tribes.
