Gangtok, March 20 -- The Urban Development Department of Sikkim held a press conference to address concerns over the rampant subletting of trade licenses, particularly in Class-II bazaars and urban local bodies. The Minister emphasized that licenses issued to Sikkimese individuals are being rented out to non-Sikkimese people, raising security concerns given Sikkim's strategic location as a border state. He warned that such practices would face strict legal action, especially considering the challenges in tracking individuals in the event of crimes.

The Minister pointed out that, under the 2014 amendment to the 2012 labour clause, license owners are prohibited from employing "muneems" (managers). The department plans to carry out extensiv...