BJP leader calls for implementation of Inner Line Permit in Sikkim

BJP Sikkim State Executive Member Sangay Gyatso Bhutia has welcomed the SKM government’s decision to introduce a temporary work permit system at the GPU level to regulate the entry of external manpower into the state. However, he emphasized that existing legal frameworks, including the Sikkim Tenants and Domestic and Professional Compulsory Verification Act, 2008, and the Sikkim Labour (Regulation of Employment and Condition of Service) Act, 2021, have failed to curb illegal entry effectively.

Bhutia expressed concerns over the unchecked influx of individuals, which he stated is straining local resources and threatening Sikkim’s socio-cultural fabric. He noted that the declining indigenous population due to low fertility rates further exacerbates the issue. While acknowledging the temporary permit system as a step in the right direction, he argued that it would not provide a long-term solution.

“The government must implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP) as it is the only permanent solution to this pressing issue,” Bhutia asserted. He highlighted the success of the ILP system in other Northeastern states in regulating the entry of outsiders and safeguarding indigenous communities.

Bhutia urged the state government to take decisive action, stating, “The ILP is not just necessary but essential to ensuring Sikkim’s sustainable growth while protecting its people.” He reaffirmed the BJP’s commitment to supporting initiatives that uphold Sikkim’s special constitutional status under Article 371F and safeguard the interests of its indigenous communities.

“The time has come for bold and decisive steps to secure the future of our state,” he said.