The team members include CPRM spokesperson Mohan Poudyel and members Sudan Pradhan, Anand Ghatani and Bikram Chettri. Poudyel said the group will also focus on curbing unemployment besides fighting graft corruption in the hills.
Addressing media personnel after the meeting, Poudyel slammed the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha of being the main cause behind the increase in unemployment in the hills.
“The process of appointments has remained stalled since the past 30 years in the Darjeeling hills. It stopped in 1985 shortly after the Gorkha National Liberation Front came to power,” he said.
The CPRM spokesperson added the meeting extensively discussed ways to eradicate unemployment. Saying the hill populace has remained deprived in terms of SSC exams, he said, “The government appoints people from the plains to vacant posts in the three sub-divisions. This has resulted in an increase in the number of educated unemployed youths.”
Further, Poudyel said the GJM leadership should make arrangements for settling all unpaid electricity bills. “The people abided by the orders of the GJM and refrained from making payments. Hence the party should now pitch in for the people,” he remarked.
The newly formed four-member group will soon start working towards ensuring development in cinchona plantations, tea gardens and for providing land pattas to village residents. (EOIC)