Sikkim Legislative Assembly today unanimously passed a proposal granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to twelve communities.
The House approved the recommendations included in the detailed report recently submitted by the high-level committee formed by the Government of Sikkim.
This move will help ensure official Scheduled Tribe benefits and rights for people belonging to these 12 communities of Sikkim. The House unanimously expressed confidence that this step marks a major milestone toward ensuring fair opportunities and social security for all communities in Sikkim.
The proceedings began with obituary references in memory of former Member of the Legislative Assembly Athup Lepcha, followed by a two-minute silence observed by the House.
Tributes were paid by the Speaker, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang and Minister Pintso Namgyal Lepcha. Athup Lepcha, who represented the Dzongu constituency in 1979, was remembered for his contributions to public life and his work for the welfare of the people of Dzongu.
During the legislative business, the House passed the Sikkim Goods and Services (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introduced by the Chief Minister in his capacity as Minister-in-Charge of the Finance Department.
The Bill seeks to amend the Sikkim GST Act, 2017 to strengthen tax administration and simplify compliance in line with amendments made at the central level.