The opposition SKM hold Press conference in Gangtok. Photo: Northeast Now

Opposition Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM)  party has condemned the recent government circular directing to state government officials to attend the function to observe the completion of 24 years  of Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) government on December 28 at Saramsa Garden.

Addressing a press conference here this afternoon, SKM spokesperson Jacob Khaling said the priority of the State government should be the work of the people and not such celebration at the expense of the public exchequer. He asserted that the state machinery should be used in the interest of Sikkim and its people. He stated that the circular was an example of injustice and suppression of the government employees and misuse of the power.

Khaling mentioned that such circular would be never in the mind of a leader with democratic thoughts  as it was a symbol of  dictatorship. However, he urged the government employees to attend the function to give a grand farewell to the Chief Minister.

The SKM’s  educated unemployed youths wing general secretary, Tshering W Lepcha stated that following the success of SKM convention at Rolu the ruling government had immediately issued this circular. He asserted that there should be a choice for the government employees instead to make it compulsory to attend the function. He added that organising such meeting  when the election was not far way, was the misuse of the power. While criticising and condemning such circular, he stated that such order was also the violation of the Rule 5 of the Central Civil Service Rules, 1964.

Likewise, SKM student’s wing general secretary, Chopel Sherpa asserted that such function should not be in the expense of the public exchequer. He added that the function was just to take the political mileage as the election is  fast approaching.

Sagar Chhetri is Northeast Now Correspondent in Gangtok. He can be reached at: [email protected]