Darjeeling Hills: No landline telephone: Residents, tourists suffer

SILIGURI, 22 FEB: Residents of the Darjeeling Hills are finding it hard to contact government offices, as the BSNL authorities disconnected most of the landline telephone connections in the area six months ago because the bills had not been paid. The move has even hit the tourism industry, as tourists from other parts of the country and abroad are unable to contact hotels and tour operators over their old BSNL connections. The Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM), which has been spearheading the Gorkhaland statehood movement, had called on supporters to stop paying electricity and telephone bills, as well as taxes. Though normalcy seems to have returned following the signing of the tripartite agreement for the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, the issue of arrears has not been settled.
The Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council and other administrative officials have tried to settle the dispute, but have not yet succeeded. BSNL authorities have not waived the outstanding telephone bills in the Hills; they have urged the consumers to pay. Some consumers have started paying their outstanding bills, but many telephones are still non-functional in three sub-divisions of the Darjeeling Hills. BSNL general manager in Darjeeling A Dakua said his company has not yet taken a decision on waiving the dues. "Management officials in Kolkata are considering the matter. I have not received any order for rebate," he said. "In many cases, we have waived the late fine on the outstanding bills." Senior GJMM leader and Kurseong MLA Rohit Sharma said: "Senior GJMM leaders are looking into the matter. Don’t ask me about the matter. It was discussed during several central committee meetings, but it was inconclusive." sns