Key Legislative Proposals passed on the Third Session of the Eleventh Sikkim Legislative Assembly
Key Legislative Proposals passed on the Third Session of the Eleventh Sikkim Legislative Assembly
Gangtok, Dec 12 (IPR): The Third Session of the Eleventh Sikkim Legislative Assembly (SLA) commenced today at the Sikkim Legislative Assembly Secretariat, which was presided over by Speaker, Mr Mingma Norbu Sherpa.
The session commenced with obituary references and the observance of two minutes’ silence by the august House on the passing of former Member of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Late Athup Lepcha.
The obituary references were placed before the House by the Speaker, Chief Minister, Mr Prem Singh Tamang, and Minister, Mr Pintso Namgyal Lepcha.
Late Athup Lepcha was born on 18 July, 1943 to Late Chala Lepcha (Mondal) and Late Nangkit Lepcha at Lingthem, Upper Dzongu. He passed away on 10 September, 2025 at STNM Hospital, Gangtok, at the age of 84. He is survived by three sons, two daughters, and grandchildren.
Late Athup Lepcha served in various capacities under the State Government prior to entering public life. He was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly from the Dzongu constituency in 1979 on the ticket of the Sikkim Janta Parishad Party. Over the course of five years of his tenure as the elected representative, he worked with unwavering commitment for the welfare and development of the people of Dzongu.
He was remembered in the House as a visionary leader, a dedicated environmentalist, and a towering personality from Sikkim. His lifelong efforts towards the protection of Sikkim’s forests, rivers, and mountains earned him deep respect across generations. He was lauded as a figure of integrity, humility, and exceptional public service.
The House then took up the legislative business wherein eight Bills were passed by the august house:
1. The Sikkim Goods and Services (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (Bill No. 18 of 2025) introduced by Chief Minister, Mr PS Tamang, also the MInister-in-Charge of Finance Department
The statement of objects and reasons of the Bill states that “The Sikkim Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 was enacted and implemented from July 2017. The Act was amended in 2018; 2020, 2022 and 2023 for making the tax administration effective and for making tax compliance easy.
It is found necessary to amend certain provisions of the Act for improvement of tax administration and mainly for:
(a) Making the return to be filed by deducting authority mandatory for every calendar month whether or not any deductions have been made during the said month and
(b) to consolidate the provisions of Sections 73 and 74 by introducing new Section 74A to establish clear time frames for issuing demand notice and to provide relief in penalty for cases where no intentional fraud or wilful mis-representation is involved.
The Goods and Services Council constituted under Article 279A of the Constitution of India has approved and recommended the amendments. Accordingly, the amendments have been incorporated in the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 by enactment of the Finance Act, 2024 (No. 8 of 2024) and by enactment of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 2024 (No. 15 of 2024).
In view of the above, it has become necessary to have the Sikkim Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 amended. The proposed amendments aim to strengthen the tax administration and simplify compliance process.
With these objectives in view, this bill has been framed.”
2. The Sikkim Land Revenue Bill, 2025 (Bill No. 19 of 2025) introduced by Chief Minister Mr PS Tamang, also the Minister-in-Charge of Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department
The statement of objects and reasons of the Bill states that “The laws governing land surveys, assessment and collection of land revenue, maintenance of land records, and administration of government and community lands in Sikkim have remained scattered across multiple enactments, some of which are outdated and inadequate to meet present-day administrative and technological requirements.
With a view to consolidate, amend, and modernize the land revenue laws in the State, it has become necessary to enact a comprehensive legislation providing for a uniform and efficient system of revenue administration.
The Sikkim Land Revenue Act, 2025 seeks to provide a consolidated legal framework for the survey and settlement of land, classification of lands, assessment and collection of land revenue, digital maintenance of land records, management of government and community lands, and establishment of revenue courts for adjudication of revenue-related disputes.
The proposed legislation further aims to ensure transparency, accountability, and accessibility in the land revenue system through digitization, procedural codification, and establishment of specialized mechanisms for fair and speedy resolution of revenue disputes. It also seeks to repeal the Sikkim Agricultural Land Ceiling and Reforms Act, 1977 (Act No. 14 of 1978), thereby harmonizing revenue administration under one comprehensive statute.
This Act is thus intended to modernize Sikkim’s land revenue system in alignment with current socio-economic conditions and technological advancements, while safeguarding traditional community rights and ensuring equitable access to justice for all stakeholders.
With these objectives in view, the Bill has been framed.”
3. The Sikkim Sewerage and Sewage Disposal Bill, 2025 (Bill No. 20 of 2025) introduced by Mr Sonam Lama, Minister-in-Charge of the Public Health Engineering Department
The statement of objects and reasons of the Bill states that “The Sikkim Sewerage and Sewage Disposal Bill, 2025 seeks to consolidate and amend existing law relating to sewerage and sewage disposal in the State of Sikkim. The primary aim of the Bill is to establish an effective, sustainable sewerage and sewage disposal system across the State of Sikkim for improved urban sanitation and wastewater management.
It provides for compulsory connection to Government sewer mains within 100 (one hundred) meters of the premises. The Bill empowers the Government to authorize inspections, fix service charges based on annual value or sewage flow and frame rules for its implementation.
The Bill's objects include regulating sewage disposal to prevent pollution and to empower the Public Health Engineering Department to inspect properties.
Additionally, it seeks to mitigate environmental risks arising from urban growth and generate revenue through service charges, thereby, supporting long-term infrastructure development in the State of Sikkim.
Since the House of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly was not in session and immediate action was required to be taken in this regard, the Governor of Sikkim had promulgated the Sikkim Sewerage and Sewage Disposal Ordinance 2025 on 26th day of September, 2025.
The Bill now seeks to replace the said Ordinance.
With the above objectives in view, the Bill has been framed.”
4. The Sikkim Water Supply and Water Charges Bill, 2025 (Bill No. 21 of 2025) introduced by Mr Sonam Lama, Minister-in-Charge of the Public Health Engineering Department
The statement of objects and reasons of the Bill states that “The urban population of Sikkim depends on Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) for drinking water supply. The main objective of this Sikkim Water Supply and Water Charges Bill 2025, is to provide every person with safe water for drinking and domestic needs. The PHED has been providing piped drinking water supply in urban, semi-urban and some rural marketing centres. The Sikkim Water Supply and Water Tax Act, 1986 was enacted by the Government of the State of Sikkim in the Thirty Seventh year of the Republic of India which was repealed by the Sikkim Water Supply and Water Charges Ordinance 2025. Since, during the intervening period there have been improvements in the infrastructure, including extension of services to new town/township and also capacity augmentation of the existing systems and water use.
With increasing population and increased demand, there is a need to provide reasonable distribution of drinking water to the citizens. It is necessary to discourage misuse and tampering of the public assets and effectively penalize anti-social activities in the best interest of the public.
The Bill also has provision for installation of water meters to ensure scientific supply and billing and frame rules for its implementation.
Since the House of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly was not in session and immediate action was required to be taken in this regard, the Governor of Sikkim had promulgated the Sikkim Water Supply and Water Charges Ordinance 2025 on 26th day of September, 2025. The Bill now seeks to replace the said Ordinance.
With the above objectives in view, the Bill has been framed.”
5. The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Sikkim Bill, 2025 (Bill No. 22 of 2025 introduced by Mr Raju Basnet, Minister-in-Charge of the Law Department
The statement of objects and reasons of the Bill states that “The Central Government is committed to make India the most preferred global investment destination by boosting investor confidence. The fear of imprisonment for minor offences had become a major hurdle hampering the growth of the business ecosystem and individual confidence. In order to tackle with this hurdle, the main initiative undertaken by the Central government was the introduction of Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023. Realizing the fact that most of the Acts belonged to the British Era when state mistrusted its citizens and those Acts was adversely affecting the development in the Country, the Central Government by enacting the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 proposed for decriminalization of large number of minor offences by replacing them with monetary penalties. The endeavor undertaken is not only to make lives and business easier but also to reduce judicial burden.
The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Sikkim Bill, 2025 has been framed in similar lines for the purpose of ease of living and ease of doing business.
With the above objectives in view, the Bill has been framed.”
6. The Sikkim Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (Bill No. 23 of 2025) introduced by Chief Minister, Mr PS Tamang, also the Minister-in-Charge of the Transport Department.
The statement of objects and reasons of the Bill states that “Whereas the Hon'ble Supreme Court in W.P. (C) No. 83 of 2010, Federation of Lepy.Organe (FOLO) & Anr vs. Union of India & Ors, the Hon'ble Supreme Court directed all the State Government to constitute a three members committee, comprising three officers from the Law and Justice Department, in consultation with the Hon'ble Chief Justice of the High Court to identify all the pre and post Constitution State Laws and to recommend to the State Government to make suitable amendment where the discriminatory expressions in respect of leprosy affected or cured persons are still part of the Statute.
The Committee constituted in Sikkim accordingly identified a provision in the Sikkim Motor Vehicle Act, 1957 which needs to be amended in compliance of the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court.
Now therefore, the State Government in compliance of the recommendations made by the said Committee deems it expedient to remove the discriminatory provision existing in Schedule Il of the Sikkim Motor Vehicles Act, 1957.
With the above objectives, this Bill is being framed.”
7. The Sikkim Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (Bill No. 24 of 2025) introduced by Mr Bhoj Raj Rai, Minister-in-Charge of the Urban Development Department
The statement of objects and reasons of the Bill states that “The Sikkim Town and Country Planning Act, 2024 was enacted to provide a comprehensive legal framework for planned urban and rural development, preparation of development plans, regulation of land use and implementation of development schemes across the State. During the initial phase of implementation, certain provisions of the principal Act were identified as requiring refinement to ensure greater clarity, administrative efficiency, and alignment with contemporary planning practices.
Clause 58 of the principal Act presently contains a marginal heading that does not fully reflect the intended scope and applicability of development schemes as envisaged under the Act. In order to bring the heading in conformity with accepted planning terminology and practice and to provide clearer guidance for the preparation and execution of development schemes, it has become necessary to amend the marginal heading by substituting it with the expression "Scope of Development Scheme."
Clause 122, dealing with procedural matters, has been reviewed and it has been found that its continued retention is no longer required in view of subsequent legal and administrative developments. Its omission will help streamline the statute and avoid potential overlaps or ambiguities within the legislative framework.
The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives.”
8. The Sikkim Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Bill, 2025 (Bill No. 25 of 2025) introduced by Mr Raju Basnet, Minister-in-Charge of the Education Department
The statement of objects and reasons of the Bill states that “Whereas, several private universities are already functioning or have been established by separate enactments, requiring incorporation within a unified statutory framework to secure uniformity of standards, proper regulation, and effective oversight;
And whereas, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in Prof. Yashpal & Another vs. State of Chattisgarh & Others (2005) 5 SCC 420 has unequivocally held that the creation and regulation of universities must rest upon stringent legislative control, robust statutory safeguards, and meaningful governmental supervision, and that universities cannot be permitted to operate as mere degree-distributing entities without adequate infrastructure, academic rigor, and quality assurance;
And whereas, the said judgment obligates every State to enact a comprehensive
legal regime ensuring that private universities conform to national standards of academic excellence, avoid commercialization of education, and function only within the territorial and regulatory limits prescribed by law;
And whereas, it is imperative to protect the interests of students, promote quality higher education, prevent malpractices, and ensure that all private universities operate in conformity with the norms of the University Grants Commission and other statutory regulatory bodies;
And whereas, it is the policy vision of the State Government to attract credible and reputed Private Higher Educational Institutions, ensure that they are distributed equitably across constituencies, and function as engines of local development, thereby contributing towards Sikkim's long-term goals of becoming a knowledge- driven, research-led state;
Now therefore, with the objectives to give full effect to the direction of the Supreme Court of India, and to establish a uniform, transparent, accountable, and enforceable statutory mechanism for private universities in Sikkim, the Bill has been framed.”
Thereafter, the House also passed the Government Resolution (Resolution No. 1 of 2025) seeking “Ratification of the Final Report of the Sikkim State High-Level Committee (SSHLC) on the inclusion of the Twelve Left-out Indigenous Communities of Sikkim in the Scheduled Tribe List by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly”, moved by Minister for Social Welfare Department, Mr Samdup Lepcha.
During the discussion on the Government Resolution, the Chief Minister and Leader of the House expressed his sincere appreciation to the members of the High-Level Committee for their extensive and scholarly work in preparing a comprehensive report on each of the left-out communities. He also thanked the Minister for Social Welfare Department for placing the Resolution before the House.
The Chief Minister stated that the Final Report of the Sikkim State High-Level Committee is a rigorous and comprehensive document, prepared through extensive field research, community-level consultations, and expert inputs from scholars and practitioners across various institutions.
He further stated that the Report not only details the ethnographic profiles of the twelve left-out indigenous communities but also places them within the broader context of Sikkim’s unique history, its mountainous borderlands, and the longstanding contributions of Sikkimese communities to national security, peace and stability since the State’s merger with the Indian Union.
The Report, he remarked, reflects the essence of the term “Sikkimese” and acknowledges the historical tribal identity recognised both during the Chogyal period and under the special provisions of Article 371F of the Constitution.
Reiterating the state government’s commitment, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that such a detailed, evidence-based submission would provide strong and adequate grounds for consideration by the Registrar General of India and the Government of India, thereby receiving due appreciation at the national level.
While briefly referring to certain observations circulated in the public domain, the Chief Minister clarified that the engagements undertaken by the Committee with various stakeholders formed an essential part of its mandated consultative process. He reiterated that all procedures were carried out with due diligence, transparency, and in accordance with established norms, and emphasised that the focus must remain on the substantive and comprehensive work reflected in the Committee’s Report.
He also placed on record the state government’s gratitude to all communities including those outside the twelve left-out groups for their unity, support, and collective goodwill in this endeavour.
The discussion on the Government Resolution was also participated by Ministers, Mr NB Dahal, Mr Arun K Upreti and Mr Raju Basnet, and MLA Mr Lok Nath Sharma.
Subsequently, the Chief Minister, also the Minister-in-Charge of the Finance Department, presented the following Audit Reports:
(i) Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on State Finances for the year 2023–24, (Report No. 1 of 2025), Government of Sikkim
(ii) Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Performance Audit on Functioning of State Bank of Sikkim for the year ended March 2023, (Report No. 2 of 2025) Government of Sikkim
(iii) Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Social, Economic, Revenue and General Sectors and Local Bodies for the year ended March 2023 (Report No. 3 of 2025) Government of Sikkim
(iv) Separate Audit Report on the Accounts of Sikkim Power Investment Corporation Limited for the year ended 31 March 2022, and
(v) Separate Audit Report on the Accounts of State Bank of Sikkim for the year ended 31 March 2023.
The Speaker, thereafter, announced the laying of the following Annual Reports of the Departments and Commissions:
(i) Annual Report of the Sikkim Information Commission for the year 2024–2025.
(ii) Annual Report of the Police Accountability Commission, Sikkim for the year 2024–25.
(iii) Annual Report of the Rural Development Department, Government of Sikkim for the year 2022–23, 2023–24 and 2024–2025.
(iv) Annual Report of the Sikkim State Food Commission for the year 2024–2025.
In his valedictory remarks, Chief Minister, Mr Prem Singh Tamang, expressed gratitude to the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Ministers, and Members of the House for their involvement in the day’s proceedings. He stated that the House completed the introduction, consideration and passing of the Bills and the Government Resolution placed before it.
He conveyed his appreciation to representatives and officials from various Departments for their support in the presentation of the Audit Reports and annual reports. He also acknowledged the press and media fraternity for their coverage of the proceedings and the staff of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly Secretariat for their support in the conduct of the session.
In his valedictory address, the Speaker, Mr Mingma Norbu Sherpa, expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister, Deputy Speaker, Ministers, and Members of the House for their participation in the business of the day. He stated that the House concluded the passing of the Bills and the Government Resolution listed for the session.
He conveyed his appreciation to representatives and officials from various Departments for their support in the presentation of the Audit Reports and annual reports. He also acknowledged the press and media fraternity for their coverage and the staff of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly Secretariat for their role in the conduct of the session.
The valedictory session also had the participation of Member of Legislative Assembly, Mr Tenzing Norbu Lamtha.