Question : RESERVATION OF SEATS FOR ST IN ASSEMBLY IN SIKKINI



(a) whether the Government is aware that Sikkim Legislative Assembly does not have a single seat reserved for Scheduled Tribes; and

(b) if so, the action taken by the Government to preserve and protect the Scheduled Tribes in Sikkim Legislative Assembly?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI SALMAN KHURSHID)

(a): The present composition of the seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly is as under :-

(i) General- 17

(ii) Bhutia-Lepcha-12

(iii) Scheduled Caste-2

(iv) Sangha-1

As may be seen from the above composition, 12 seats are reserved for Bhutia-Lepcha not as Scheduled Tribe but as sequel to political agreement in the year 1973 between Government of India, ex-Chogyal of Sikkim and Political Parties of Sikkim. Apart from Bhutias and Lepchas, Limboo and Tamang were recognized as Scheduled Tribes vide the Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) order (Amendment) Act, 2002 (32 of 2002).

(b) ; Any possible reservation of seats for Scheduled Tribein the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, proportionate increase in Limboo-Tamang, Bhutia-Lepcha etc. will depend on data of population of Scheduled Tribes in Sikkim on the basis of 2011 census, not only in terms of their number, but also dispersal patterns constituency-wise. Based on such data, Sikkim Legislative Assembly may also need to pass a fresh resolution indicating number of seats that could be reserved for Scheduled Tribes communities, Bhutia-Lepcahs communities. Limboo-Tamang communities etc. H is learnt from Office of the Registrar General of India that even though population enumeration exercise has been completed, it would require more than a year to get the individual Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes figures to be finalized and published. Hence, a decision regarding reservation of seats for Scheduled Tribes, Limboo-Tamang, Bhutia-Lepchas etc. will depend on individual population details of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes figures based on 2011 census, which is still awaited. Any increase/decrease in the present status could be considered only after a wider debate from all the Stake holders in the State of Sikkim.