Gangtok: The Committee on Inner Line Permit, constituted by the Sikkim government, has discussed the issue comprehensively in its first public hearing.
The committee, under the chairmanship of Shanta Pradhan, deliberated with the stakeholders during a day-long session on Monday.
The participants included representatives from political parties, the Lepcha Youth Association, the Sikkim Mulniwasi Suraksha Sangthan, the Sikkim Darbar Employees, the Yakha–Dewan Committee, the Joint Action Committee and those from the hotels and restaurant associations.
Secretary Home Department, Tashi Chocho, was also present with Tsewang Gyatso, the Member Secretary of the panel
The committee has been interacting with the various stakeholders about the issues related to demography. The emphasis is on tracking and monitoring of the population entering the state to look for an immediate solution.
Many politicians including Bhaichung Bhutia of Hamro Sikkim, KB Rai (Sikkim Republican Party), Passang G Sherpa (Sikkim Nagrik Samaj), Sonam Sherpa (SNS) were prominent among those pressing for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit in the state.
Sikkim Hotel and Restaurant representative opined that even if it is implemented , the ILP should not be done in a hurry but must be backed by an efficient system.
