In an apparently last minute effort
before the election code of conduct sets in, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha
president Bimal Gurung late
Tuesday night announced a slew of projects to be undertaken in the hills for which more than Rs300 crore has been approved.
Speaking at Bhanu Bhawan, the Gorkhaland
Territorial Administration secretariat, the GTA chief executive and GJM
president announced two super-specialty hospitals in Darjeeling and
Kalimpong sub-divisions at a cost of Rs90 crore each.
The two hospitals will be constructed
after dismantling the existing TB Sanitarium near Dali in Darjeeling and
the Leprosy Centre in Kalimpong.
"The code of conduct will come in to
force as soon as the election dates are announced and this has forced me
to make the announcement right away," said Gurung.
Other upcoming developments include a
multi-purpose auditorium with indoor game facilities, a gymnasium and a
seminar hall in Kurseong, Kalimpong and Mirik at an estimated cost of
Rs3.68 crore that will be delivered in two phases. The GTA will also
pump funds into a Rs4-crore drinking water project at Sindeybong and
take up an electrification project in the Simana area under
Sukhay-Maneybhanjyang constituency.
Further, a college will be set up in
Sukhaypokhari for an undisclosed amount. The GTA will also repair the
Teesta Valley and Pul-Bijanbari roads at a cost of Rs12 crore and Rs8
crore, respectively, while the Takdah-Glenburn road will be revamped at a
cost of Rs5.5 crore and a bridge built at Jangapani.
Gurung said an R&D institute for the
Nepali language will be set up for Rs22 crores "The academy will also
cater to other languages and house a museum and a canteen. The GTA
agreement has mention of such an academy," he said.
Community halls each costing Rs47 lakh
will also come up in the three sub-divisions of the hills. Darjeeling
will have 62 community halls, while Kalimpong will get 34 and Mirik 15.
The GJM chief also took exception to the
state government’s purported attempt to politicise its proposal of
granting Scheduled Tribe status to 10 communities here, and asserted the
GTA will strongly pursue the matter with the central government.
"The state government is trying to play
vote politics before the LS polls. As there are a lot of formalities
that need to be completed in order to achieve tribal status, patience is
needed. However, I will pursue the matter with the central government,"
said Gurung.
The 10 communities recommended for ST status by the state government are Kirat, Khambu Rai, Yakha Dewan,
Bhujel, Newar, Gurung, Mangar, Khas, Thami, Sunwar and Mukhia.
Representatives from all the 10 communities were present at the meeting
with Gurung.
"The GJM president has assured to take
up the matter with the central government and we have full faith in him.
We also pledge to remain united and remain as a Gorkha community on the
whole," said a member of one of the communities not wishing to be
named.(EOIC)