Bimal Gurung advocates for ST demand of 10 communities

PR, KalimNews, Kalimpong, 19 December 2014: Representing 10 Gorkha Communities a team led by Bimal Gurung, GTA Chief Executive and  S.S Ahluwalia, MP and Binoy Tamang today met Jual Oram, Union Minister For Tribal Affairs at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.

The 10 Gorkha communities was represented by Bharatiya Gorkha Janajati Sangharsha Mahasangh and was headed by Central Committee members Kanchan Gurung,  R.B.Raya, S.P. Pradhan,  Amar Dewan,  B.B. Mangar,  Ratan Khawas, Deepak Mukhia and M.S.Rai.

Bimal Gurung reiterated  that the immediate inclusion of 11 communities from Darjeeling and Dooars region in the list of Schedule Tribes is under the consideration of Government of India, a release and Facebook status of Bimal Gurung Official states so.  

On the basis of the demands from 11 communities namely Bhujel, Gurung, Mangar, Newar, Jogi, Khas, Rai, Sunwar, Thami, Yakhha (Dewan) and Dhimal in the List of Schedule Tribes under the Government of India, the status adds.  

It also states that the GJM leaders also placed special demand for ST Status of Dhimal Community.

It also adds that it is reminded that the Government of West Bengal has also passed the inclusion of the above communities in its State Cabinet on 24th February 2014 and the CM had also wrote a letter to the than Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh on 28th February 2014 for the same.

It has stated that unfortunately the ST status of the hill communities had come under a cloud after it was revealed in June that the earlier UPA Government's Union ministry for tribal affairs had withdrawn the proposal of granting Schedule Tribe status to the 10 Darjeeling hill communities but the demand was renewed by the relentless pressure of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and GTA Chief Executive Bimal Gurung after the formation of the new Government at Delhi.

It has stated that Jual Oram, Minister for Tribal Affairs  has assured the delegation that the demand of the inclusion of 10 Gorkha communities will be granted soon. He also apprised the delegation that the Ministry has already taken the initiative for processing it  and the report will be placed to the Home Ministry and the cabinet.

It also adds that the Minister further said that the demand for the tribal status was freshly placed by the new Government after repeated appeals by Bimal Gurung and GJM 5 months ago.

The release also states that Oram also said that since the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha was an alliance partner in the present Government, it is ready to cooperate for the inclusion of the 11 communities.