GTA Sabha members decide to withdraw show cause notices

SNS, Darjeeling, 4 October 2013: In a meeting held today, the executive GTA Sabha members unanimously decided to withdraw the show cause notices issued by different departments under the body to their respective employees regarding the salary cut for the month of August when the Hills were shuttered due to the GJMM stir. 

The members today said the show cause notices had been issued without any consent from the Sabha. 

“A resolution has been passed in the meeting favouring full salary to be paid to the GTA employees.The employees could not be punished this way. It was not possible for them to attend office as the Hills were closed during the stir. So we have decided to withdraw the notice. It is within our rights as the GTA is an autonomous body,” said Mr Jyoti Kumar Rai, executive member of GTA. 

The meeting was held at Gorkha Rangmanch Bhavan, presided over by the deputy chief, Mr Ramesh Allay. Six other executive members were present. Show cause notices were issued to the employees, asking them to explain with valid reasons and supporting documents their absence from their places of work. 

The notices warned of a cut in salary in case reasons are deemed unsatisfactory. 

Mr RD Meena, principal secretary to the GTA, said: “The notice was issued as per Bengal government’s order. It was implemented twice in the other districts of the state. However, they can forward their resolution to the state government.”