Citizen Action Party pushes “Pension, Not Position!” campaign at vigilance headquarters in Gangtok

The Citizen Action Party – Sikkim on Thursday visited the Sikkim Vigilance Police Headquarters in Gangtok as part of its ongoing “Pension, Not Position!” campaign. The party’s delegation met senior officials of the Vigilance Department to share the objectives and concerns driving this public initiative.

The campaign, which has been gaining ground in recent weeks, addresses what the party describes as a disturbing trend of reappointing retired officers and bureaucrats to important public positions. The delegation urged retired officials to voluntarily step down, allowing space for new and capable leadership from the younger generation.

Speaking at the headquarters, members of the party delegation emphasized their respect for the role played by the Vigilance Department in ensuring integrity in governance. “We recognize and appreciate the work being done by institutions like the Vigilance Police in protecting transparency and accountability,” said Deewash Gurung, General Secretary of the Youth Council of Citizen Action Party – Sikkim.

However, the party also raised serious concerns over the continued presence of retired individuals in active administrative and leadership roles, warning that such practices may erode public trust, block opportunities for the youth, and slow down institutional reform.

“The very idea of a pension is to honor one’s service and offer a dignified retirement—not to create a backdoor for returning to positions of power,” said Gurung. “The system must make way for young and dynamic officers who are ready to serve with fresh ideas and energy.”

The core slogan, “Choose Pension, Not Position!”, reflects the party’s message that public service should not become a lifelong entitlement to power. In the words of the party’s release, “This is not just a slogan—it is a moral call to action.”