The Citizen Action Party (CAP) Sikkim on Thursday, May 14, 2026, strongly condemned the State government’s decision to impose an odd-even vehicle rule across all districts, calling the move a direct attack on daily life and vowing non‑compliance, party spokesperson Mahesh Rai said in a media statement. Rai described the measure-introduced as part of an austerity and fuel‑conservation drive-as punitive and out of touch with local needs.
Rai said the state’s justification, which cites Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for fuel conservation, misrepresents the Centre’s intent. He argued that while the Prime Minister has urged voluntary austerity, he has not endorsed draconian restrictions that “paralyze the lives of ordinary citizens,” and accused the State government of overreaching to impress central leadership.
Pointing to Sikkim’s hilly terrain and sparse public-transport network, Rai said private vehicles are often essential rather than a luxury for many residents. He called a blanket, state‑wide odd‑even rule “illogical” and disconnected from the realities faced by rural and urban commuters alike.
CAP-Sikkim announced it will not comply with the new regulation. Rai said party members and supporters will refuse to pay any fines or penalties and are prepared to face legal consequences if authorities choose to pursue enforcement. “The government can arrest us, but they cannot silence the voice of the people,” he said.
The party also urged the government to curb what it described as excessive official spending, cultural extravaganzas and administrative waste-referring to such events as “naachgaans” or cultural programmes-rather than penalizing ordinary citizens. CAP demanded an immediate withdrawal of the odd‑even notification for private vehicle owners and called for a more reasonable approach to fuel conservation that does not amount to what it labeled “state‑sponsored harassment.”
Rai framed the dispute as a matter of governance and basic rights, saying true leadership should relieve citizens’ burdens rather than add to them. He urged Sikkimese residents to resist the measure and promised CAP would stand with anyone affected by the policy.
Original Source: https://www.sikkimexpress.com/news-details/cap-condemns-state-wide-odd-even-traffic-bid
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