Sikkim’s Rajya Sabha MP, DT Lepcha, recently raised a critical demand in Parliament for granting permanent settlement rights to the residents of Jawaharlal Nehru Road (J.N. Road), which stretches from 3rd Mile to Zuluk, along the Indo-Tibetan Border in East Sikkim.

These residents are the descendants of laborers who were settled in 1952 for the construction of the road, formerly known as the Old Silk Road and Gangtok-Nathula Border Road. Over the years, they have played an essential role in India’s national defense and have made significant contributions to the state’s economy, particularly in the fields of tourism and cultural exchange.

These residents have a long history of supporting national security, most notably during the 1962 India-China conflict. They provided crucial logistical support and intelligence during the Nathu-La and Cho-La skirmishes, and their deep knowledge of the terrain remains an asset to India’s defense operations in the strategically important Nathula region. Their loyalty was also evident during the 2017 Doklam standoff, where they supported security operations.

However, despite their vital contributions, these residents live on forest land without legal ownership rights, which has led to ongoing identity challenges. MP DT Lepcha emphasized the urgent need to grant them permanent settlement rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, or another suitable legal framework. He argued that recognizing their rights would honor their sacrifices and contributions, as well as strengthen India’s defense infrastructure in the region, particularly given the growing developments along the border.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Sikkim Unit, through its Media Incharge Niren Bhandari, has expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for approving ₹555.70 crore in financial assistance for Sikkim.

The funds, sanctioned by a High-Level Committee chaired by Amit Shah, will support disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts in sectors affected by the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in October 2023.

BJP Sikkim acknowledged the Central Government’s support, emphasizing that the financial aid will help rebuild the state’s infrastructure, economy, and communities impacted by the disaster. The party also urged proper utilization and monitoring of the funds to ensure transparency and efficiency in reaching the affected people.

Niren Bhandari further stated that the unwavering support from the Central leadership will play a crucial role in the state’s recovery and long-term resilience.

The Sikkim Budget 2025-26 was presented during the Budget Session of the Eleventh Assembly, with a total expenditure outlay of ₹16,647 crore and a net budget of ₹16,196 crore after recoveries. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang outlined the financial roadmap, emphasizing investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, rural development, and tourism to drive sustainable growth and employment in the state.

A major announcement during the session was that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend Sikkim’s 50th Statehood Day celebrations on May 16 as the Chief Guest. He will inaugurate key projects and lay foundation stones for new initiatives aimed at boosting infrastructure, healthcare, and tourism.

The government introduced the “Zero Poverty, 100% Literacy” vision, focusing on education reforms, social welfare programs, and economic inclusion to ensure quality education and financial stability for all.

In healthcare, new collaborations with AIIMS and the Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi, will lead to the establishment of an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Centre. The 500-bedded Namchi District Hospital will also be inaugurated, improving access to healthcare facilities.

Tourism remains a priority, with major investments in projects such as the Nathula Border Tourism Development Project and Bhaleydhunga Skywalk, both expected to boost eco-tourism and attract more visitors to the state.

The budget session also introduced a State Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Strategy in collaboration with the Centre for Mental Health Law & Policy, Pune. The initiative aims to address mental health challenges and provide support systems for affected individuals.

In terms of employment opportunities, efforts are being made to facilitate global job placements for Sikkimese professionals. As a result, 13 nurses from Sikkim have secured jobs in Germany’s healthcare sector.

To further strengthen economic growth, the government has allocated substantial funds for key sectors. The education sector has been granted ₹2,164 crore, making up 13% of the total budget. These funds will be utilized for school infrastructure improvements, scholarships, and teacher training programs. The healthcare sector has been allocated ₹999 crore, focusing on medical facility expansions, including the development of multi-specialty hospitals. Rural development has received ₹1,331 crore to improve road connectivity, housing, and agricultural initiatives. Additionally, ₹2,896 crore has been earmarked for centrally sponsored schemes to leverage central government funding for state projects.

Another legislative update during the session was the notification of the Sikkim Motor Vehicles Taxation (Amendment) Act, 2025. The Act, which received the Governor’s assent on February 26, 2025, introduces revised additional tax rates on vehicle registrations across various categories, impacting both private and commercial vehicles.

Under the new amendments, private and government vehicles will be taxed between 1% and 6% based on their invoice cost. Commercial vehicles, including taxis and goods vehicles below ₹10 lakh, will be taxed at 1%, while those above ₹10 lakh will be taxed at 2%. Buses owned by educational institutions and private organizations will now be taxed at 3%. Motorcycles will be taxed based on engine capacity, with charges ranging from ₹1,000 for 80cc bikes to ₹7,500 for those above 500cc. Cars will be taxed between ₹10,000 for smaller vehicles up to 900cc and ₹25,000 for larger vehicles above 2001cc.

For vehicles transferred from other states into Sikkim, a tax equivalent to 50% of the additional tax rates will be imposed. Similarly, vehicles purchased from dealers outside Sikkim, despite availability in the state, will be subject to 50% higher tax rates. However, commercial electric, hybrid, and battery-operated vehicles will be exempt from additional tax, while non-transport electric and hybrid vehicles will be taxed at 1% of the invoice cost.

During the budget session, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang also announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for multiple projects during the 50th Statehood Day celebrations. Among the projects set for inauguration are the 500-bedded Namchi District Hospital, Swarna Jayanthi Maitreya Manjri, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Statue, and the Passenger Ropeway at Sangachoeling, which will connect Pelling to Sangachoeling Monastery.

Foundation stones will be laid for several key projects, including the Golden Jubilee Convention Centre in Namli, the Bhaleydhunga Skywalk, the Nathula Border Tourism Development Project, the Singhshore Bridge, the Golden Jubilee Integrated Cultural and Sports Village, and a working women’s hostel in Tadong. These projects are expected to enhance Sikkim’s economic development, tourism potential, and infrastructure.

The Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AH&VS) Department, Gangtok District, conducted a series of awareness programs in March 2025 to educate livestock farmers about infectious diseases affecting cattle, small ruminants, and pigs. The campaign focused on Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste-des-Petits Ruminants (PPR), emphasizing their prevention under the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) and PPR-Eradication Programme (PPR-EP).

Under the leadership of Dr. Z Bhutia, Additional Director & District Head, and Dr. Seema Rai, Joint Director & DDO, the initiative aimed to eradicate these diseases by 2030. Farmers were urged to actively participate in the 5th round of vaccination, which began on March 1, 2025, ensuring all eligible livestock were immunized.

The program was conducted across Syari, Navey Shotak, Sumin, Makha, Patuk, Namli, Tumlabong, Chuba, Singbel, Sang, Martam, and Rumtek. Farmers were provided with mineral mixtures and nutritional supplements to enhance livestock health. Additionally, the call center number 1962 was shared with farmers to facilitate doorstep veterinary services under the Livestock Health & Disease Control Programme (LHDCP).

The awareness initiative reflects the government’s commitment to livestock health and the prevention of economically devastating animal diseases, ensuring sustainable livelihoods for farmers in Sikkim.

A surprising traffic violation notice from Sikkim has left netizens in splits after a four-wheeler driver was reportedly fined ₹1,000 for not wearing a helmet. The violation, listed under Section 194D of the Motor Vehicles Act, is typically applicable to two-wheeler riders.

The fine, issued to a vehicle with registration SK01TA3XXX, has sparked widespread amusement and confusion on social media. The challan screenshot, which has now gone viral, features a Maruti van with no helmet-clad driver in sight—understandably so, as helmets are not required for four-wheeler drivers.

Social media users have been quick to react, with many joking that driving in Sikkim’s hilly terrain now requires rally-style safety gear. Some even speculated whether it was a clerical error or an issue with the automated traffic violation detection system.

Traffic official haven’t yet to respond to the unusual challan, but if it is indeed an error, the vehicle owner may have grounds to contest the fine. Meanwhile, the incident serves as a reminder to always double-check traffic violations before making payments.

India’s economic landscape continues to evolve, with Maharashtra maintaining its position as the state with the highest Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), while Sikkim has emerged as the leader in per capita income.

Maharashtra recorded a staggering GSDP of ₹36.46 lakh crore, making it the biggest contributor to India’s overall economy. The state’s thriving industrial, financial, and technological sectors have been key drivers of this growth. Meanwhile, Sikkim has achieved the highest per capita GSDP in the country, reaching ₹6.25 lakh, reflecting its strong economic performance relative to its small population. The state’s success is attributed to sustainable industries like hydropower, eco-tourism, and organic farming, which have significantly boosted prosperity.

Other major states have also posted impressive economic figures. Tamil Nadu (₹23.93 lakh crore), Uttar Pradesh (₹22.84 lakh crore), Gujarat (₹22.03 lakh crore), and Karnataka (₹22.7 lakh crore) remain top contributors to the national economy, driven by sectors such as IT, manufacturing, and agriculture. Madhya Pradesh follows with a GSDP of ₹12.46 lakh crore.

In terms of per capita GSDP, southern states have shown significant progress, with Telangana (₹3.46 lakh), Karnataka (₹3.37 lakh), and Tamil Nadu (₹3.12 lakh) ranking among the highest. Kerala and Andhra Pradesh also report strong figures at ₹2.87 lakh and ₹2.46 lakh per capita, respectively.

These figures indicate that while larger states dominate in overall economic output, smaller states like Sikkim are excelling in per capita prosperity, setting benchmarks for sustainable and inclusive growth.