Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Lepcha youth meeting discusses PTG status and demands

MANGAN, 25 July: Sikkim Lepcha Youth Association (SLYA) North District organised a meeting in coordination with the association’s central body here at the Zilla Bhawan yesterday.
The SLYA North District president, Kukoo Pakimoo, in his address, detailed that the association was working in different sectors for the upliftment of the Lepcha tribe and that the district level meeting had been called to follow up on the changes that the Primitive Tribe Group status accorded to Lepchas has brought about.

“The PTG status has done little for the Lepchas so we want to place a memorandum to the State government for fifty percent reservation in job opportunities, education sector, provision of schemes, facilities and preservation of old Lepcha names,” he stated. 
He further celebrated footballers Ong Tsh Lepcha and Nim Tsh Lepcha who have done the community proud with their performance on the field.
“We have supported hydel projects for the sake of national development and the government and developers should in turn take care of our tradition, culture, old nomenclature, nature and environment which are getting adversely affected by such developmental projects,” Mr Pakimoo added.
The president SLYA, central body, Ongden Lepcha, stressed that Primitive Tribe Certificates (PTC) should be opted for by every Lepcha of Sikkim and informed that forms can be collected from the District Collector’s office.
Regarding the issues raised by SLYA North District, he said that the central body offers full support but it will take some time to achieve the desired goals.
He also informed that, Tendong Lho Rum Faat will be organized at Rinchenpong this year.
The chief guest, Zilla Adhyaksha (N), Khamsoom Lepcha, in his address said that the State government was doing everything required for the Lepchas but needs to be given more time. He advised the SLYA to properly discuss the matter with Panchayats, Zilla members and senior citizens of the community for a better and progressive result.
He further informed that the Thekong Munsolong statue will be established in Dzongu.
The meeting was also attended by vice president, Passang Lepcha, general secretary North District, Kessang Lepcha, members, Namgyal Lepcha, Panchayats and Zilla members.

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