CAP submits memorandum to Union Finance Minister on controversial Finance Act 2023

A team of CAP visited the National Capital on June 12 and raised the issue of the expansion of the "Sikkimese" definition in the Finance Act 2023

By Prakash Adhikari

The Citizen Action Party (CAP) has submitted a memorandum to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on the controversial Finance Act 2023 and urged the minister to maintain status quo of Sikkimese definition.

A team of CAP, including L.P. Kafley and Shri Lakpa Sherpa, Vice President (National Coordination), visited the National Capital on June 12 and raised the issue of the expansion of the “Sikkimese” definition in the Finance Act 2023 passed by the Lok Sabha on March 26.

National Coordination, Vice President, CAP, Lakpa Sherpa, told Northeast Live that they submitted a memorandum to the Finance Minister saying that Article 371F has been nullified as they condemn Clauses IV and V in the verdict.

Sherpa said that the finance minister told them that the notification was issued for income tax exemption.

Speaking on the financial issue in Sikkim, Sherpa said that a total of Rs 9000 crores have been scammed and that the money is not showing up in the budget for this year. He accused the government of paying interest on loans by taking loans.

President of CAP, LP Kafley, said that there are economic issues in the state and their main reason to compete in the upcoming election will be the economic issue.

Due to expansion of the Sikkimese definition the expansion of the Sikkimese subject allowed by the article 371 F of Sikkim is almost nullified.

As per the clause iv and v included in the classification of Sikkimese under Section 10 of 26AAA of the Finance Act:
I) Any other individual, whose name does not appear in the Register of Sikkim Subjects but it is established that such individual was domiciled in Sikkim on or before the 26th day of April, 1975;
II) any other individual, who was not domiciled in Sikkim on or before the 26th day of April, 1975, but it is established beyond doubt that such individual’s father or husband or paternal grand-father or brother from the same father was domiciled in Sikkim on or before the 26th day of April, 1975.

Also Read: Sikkimese Identity Row: Finance Bill amendment only for income tax purposes assures FM Sitharaman

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