Kalimpong district demand under discussion in GJM party forum

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has thrown its weight behind the demand for a separate district of Kalimpong. The issue was under discussion in the party forum, GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said. The two GJM MLAs from Darjeeling and Kurseong also extended support to the demand for formation of Kalimpong into a district.

GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said: "The issue of realigning the boundaries of new blocks and subdivisions is mentioned in the GTA agreement. And the district status for Kalimpong is an ongoing discussion within the party."

The MLAs of Darjeeling and Kurseong had also extended support to the demand for formation of Kalimpong into a separate district,  Kalimpong MLA Harka Bahadur Chhetri said on Sunday, speaking to the media. Chhetri is the prime mover of the demand.

Chhetri informed that in the recently concluded Budget session of the West Bengal, he had once again raised the issue to chief minister Mamata Banerjee who had responded positively saying that this was an important issue, which needed to be given due consideration. Chettri said that 34% of the hill area fell under Kalimpong sub-division and given the geographical spread of the region and the scattered population, Kalimpong was entitled to the status of a separate district which would also ensure faster development of the area.

Extending support to the demand, Kurseong MLA Rohit Sharma said, "I support this demand, as it will help in promoting a devolved development process."

Likewise, Darjeeling MLA Trilok Dewan said, "I completely approve of this demand, because keeping in view of the area, population and geographic realities of the region, Kalimpong should be upgraded to a district status."

However, the MLAs from Darjeeling and Kurseong said that this issue needed to be discussed within GJM and GTA Sabha first, and once it was approved, then the proposal could be further presented to the WB state assembly. (HS)