95% FORMULA AND THE FUTURE OF SIKKIM

Sikkim is a forward looking State with loads of future vision. The growth of Sikkim in the last couple of decades has been phenomenal, much to the envy of its neighboring states. Other smaller states in the country, both mainstream and peripheral, look forward to Sikkim and draw lessons from this rapidly rising State. The budget speech of Honorable Chief Minister delivered on March 5, 2008 clearly highlights the noble visions and broad road-maps to be followed by Sikkim in the days to come in order to achieve sustainable and inclusive development paradigm in the region.

However, the recent announcement of 95% local reservation with regard to employment in the State in private sector has invited serious challenge on the anticipated future of Sikkim. In other words, the 95% formula does not go along with the spirit of ambitious visions of the HCM's budget speech. It contradicts the very notion of sustainable and dynamic Sikkim.

Sikkim at the present juncture needs to concentrate on the capacity building of each and every Sikkimese instead of protecting them through reservation. This becomes pertinent from the perspective of long term and sustainable future of the region. Reservation is only a short term measure. It is a shortcut that will seriously hamper the future of Sikkimese and thereby the state of Sikkim in the long run. The world today demands knowledgeable, efficient, effective, open, dynamic, visionary, and forward ward looking individuals. None of these characters will flourish among us if we keep on protecting ourselves in the guise of reservation. The 95% local employment formula in the private organisations may lead to following outcomes in the long run:

1. It will discourage potential private sector players to invest in the state;

2. Those private sectors that already are in the state shall gradually leave the region;

3. It will isolate Sikkim from rest of the country and world;

4. It will encourage regional homogenization and obstruct knowledge diversity and dynamism;

5. And, it will eventually retard the Sikkimese economy and society.

Patricia Mukhim, a well-known Shillong based activist-writer once reported in "The Telegraph" on how second graded Khasis are given priority over non Khasis who are meritorious while recruiting the teachers, adversely influencing several batches of the students. "Is this a blessing or a curse? Is there any parent who would want his or her child to be taught by second grade teachers?" She asks.

Ms Mukhim's report may not be completely relevant in the context of Sikkim but we definitely need to ask similar such questions with respect to 95% local reservation in the private sectors including private institutions of higher learning.

Sikkim Express, 20 March, 2008