Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) within 10 to 12 days: Mamata

DARJEELING/KOLKATA, 2 MARCH: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee today assured the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha leadership that the process for implementing the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration in the Darjeeling Hills would be completed within 10 to 12 days.

"The chief minister has assured us that the process for implementing the GTA will be completed within 10 to 12 days,” GJMM general secretary Roshan Giri told reporters after a meeting with the chief minister in Kalimpong.

The GJMM leadership, however, stick to their stand that they will not participate in the GTA election unless the land verification committee sorts out 199 moujas each from the Dooars and Terai to be included in the GTA jurisdiction. GJMM president Bimal Gurung met other leaders to discuss the party's future course after the meeting with the chief minister.

"The GTA election will not be conducive unless the land verification committee sorts out the land issue. The government should evoke ways and means to sort the issue,” said Mr Giri. He said that several development issues were discussed in the meeting. "The three victims of the Sipchu firing were given cheques of Rs 2 lakh each. A Central university and an engineering college for the Hills is also on the cards,” said Mr Giri.

The GJMM also demanded a recruitment drive for the youths of the Hills. On the outstanding electricity bill, the GJMM has urged the chief minister to waive the dues.  

The GJMM has threatened that if the GTA formation is not completed within 27 March, it will resume its statehood agitation. Giri further added that as per their demand of the cases pending

The principal secretary of the tourism department, Raghavendra singh, said a task force had been formed to assess the tourism potential of the region. The chief minister visited Kalimpong Girls' High School where she announced to provide Rs 25 lakh for renovation of the school, which was damaged by the earthquake. She also visited Pine View Nursery and Chitra Bhanu. The chief minister will leave for Kolkata tomorrow.

statesman news service