The Opposition Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) has demanded that the state government make public the transport agreement signed between Sikkim and West Bengal.

The party has further urged the government to immediately make amendments if there was any “mistake” in the agreement in the interest of drivers of Sikkim.

Addressing a press conference here today, SKM chief coordinator and MLA, Sonam Lama, said that drivers of commercial vehicles of Sikkim have been facing problems and losses due to the “countersign permit.” “Drivers of the state faced the same problem last year as well due to the countersign permit.

The state government should have taken steps early this year,” he said. He further demanded that the state government immediately address this issue and also compensate the losses of drivers caused because of the permit issue.

It may be mentioned here that the West Bengal government has said that it has cancelled the agreement with Sikkim. West Bengal Transport Minister Suvendu Adhikari had reportedly accused the Sikkim government of not abiding by the agreement signed in 2013 and imposing restrictions on vehicles entering the state from Bengal.

He said that his government had cancelled the agreement that allowed free movement of commercial vehicles between the two states. Sikkim’s Transport Department Secretary SBS Bhaduria had on Tuesday said that they have not yet received an official confirmation on West Bengal cancelling the transport agreement.

“There is no official confirmed document regarding the cancellation of the transport agreement so far, but the Sikkim Government wants to resolve the problems without hampering the interests of both the states,” he had said.

SKM working president MP Subba said today that most of the taxi drivers have bought vehicles on loans and are still paying instalments. “They have been affected mostly due to the ongoing fight over the permit issue,” said.

SKM working president Navin Karki said local taxi drivers have been paying high taxes to the government and that rules were also not driver- friendly. He stated that in other states, the bluebook and documents are renewed at least in every 5 years, “but in Sikkim, it is renewed annually.”

SKM spokesperson Jacob Khaling alleged that that Sikkim Democratic Front government was not concerned about the livelihood and issues of the drivers.

He further alleged injustice and discrimination with taxi drivers of the state. He demanded that the reciprocal transport agreement between Sikkim and West Bengal be made public so that the public comes to know what was in the agreement.