Corruption rankles Gurung

Darjeeling, July 29/TT: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president Bimal Gurung has been campaigning against corruption, reprimanding even his own party leaders, ever since an agreement to set up Gorkhaland Territorial Administration was signed on July 18.

The Morcha chief’s newfound penchant for probity in the administration of the Darjeeling hills is attributed to his purported apprehension about the rerun of events that led to Subash Ghisingh’s exit from the DGHC. Observers say one of the factors that fanned the anti-Ghisingh wave in the region was rampant corruption in the council.

After the agreement was signed, Gurung has addressed at least six public meetings across the hills and in every speech, he highlighted the need to end corrupt practices by the party workers and leaders as well as the officials.

Addressing a meeting at Pintail Village, the very next day after signing the agreement, Gurung told leaders to stop nepotism immediately. “If leaders are only concerned about their family members and relatives, nothing can be achieved. You have to rise above these issues,” he said at Pintail.

In other public meetings at Darjeeling Gymkhana Club (twice), Chungtung near Darjeeling and at Dalgaon in Kalimpong subdivision, Gurung talked about corruption and the need to bring an end to such practices.

“You must stop thinking that everyone can be a contractor. Only those who can work should come forward. My message is also for some members of the Nari Morcha and Yuva Morcha,” Gurung said in Chungtung. He spoke on similar lines at the Gymkhana Club meetings.

In another address, the Morcha chief asked local contractors to be on their guard.

“If they do not work properly, they will be blacklisted. Work properly and you will not have to pay a percentage to the officials in different departments. These practices must stop,” said Gurung.

According to observers, Gurung probably believes that corruption is at an all time high in the hills. Many consider corruption to be the main reason behind the people’s rise against Ghisingh when he was at the helm of the DGHC.

In fact, the council had registered a case against its own officials for embezzling more than Rs 5 crore meant for the construction of primary schools under the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan.

The observers say the SSA defalcation was just the tip of an iceberg.

“Accountability was at its all time low in the DGHC and Gurung has probably realised that if the new body (GTA) is also steeped in corruption, he will lose the mass support he enjoys at the moment,” said an observer.

There are, however, apprehensions about Gurung’s tirade against corruption. This is largely because of his statement that he would not be involved in the functioning of the GTA but would “only order” to ensure that the body functioned smoothly.

“By not being involved in the GTA, Gurung will not be accountable for any lapses. But given the fact that he is the president of the party, he will take the initiative for a number of projects. This will again provide space for corruption to seep into the new body,” said another observer.