Invitee members from Terai, Dooars included in GTA

The Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) board on Wednesday adopted its first resolution for inclusion of nine invitee members in the GTA from Terai, Dooars, Kurseong and Kalimpong. The GTA adopted the resolution at a high-level meeting, and selected the nine invitees — including three members from the Dooars, three from Terai, one from Kurseong and two from Kalimpong. The three invitee members from Dooars are rebel adivasi leader Jhon Barla, Ashok Kama and Saraswati Pradhan. Their names had been mentioned in the list of proposed candidates by the GJM to the state government. However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is said to have rejected all three names, which resulted in resentment among the Gorkhas living in Terai and Dooars region.

The invitee candidates are yet to know their responsibilities. “I was informed that my name has been proposed and accepted as an invitee member in the GTA. But I don’t know what role I will play in the GTA. I will hold a meeting with the GJM president soon on the issue,” said Jhon Barla.

Wilson Chapramari, GJM MLA from the Dooars region, said, “The posts offered are mainly symbolic. It is to show that Dooars and Terai regions have representation in GTA.”

Express news service