Mamata urges GTA to work for people, pledges support

EOI, Darjeeling, 22 January 2014: With bilateral relations at their pinnacle, chief minister Mamata Banerjee today promised the state government would extend all possible support to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration even as she appealed to residents here to maintain a positive attitude.

Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony of the Himal-Terai-Dooars Sports Festival organised by the Darjeeling police and district administration at the Gorkha Stadium in Lebong, the chief minister said, “Everything is settled and things are on the right track in the hills. I want to tell the people here to never be negative but always maintain a positive attitude.”

Banerjee distributed trophies, certificates and awards to winners of the various sports events that were held over the past two months. She asked the youths to be dedicated in whatever career they chose to take.

 “Youngsters must work hard to achieve their goals in life. Sports and academics must go together, Gorkha youths must also strive to become IAS, IPS, engineers and doctors. In this regard, we will extend all help needed,” said the CM, while handing out bicycles to winners from the plains areas.

On the request of footballer Bhaichung Bhutia to convert the Gorkha Stadium into an astro-turf field, the chief minister said, “The state government has already given Rs1.7 crore for renovation of the stadium and will provide another Rs50 lakh soon.”

However, she made no comments on the request by football legend Shyam Thapa to establish a football museum in the Hills.

The CM visited Roy Villa near Lebong and inaugurated the Ramkrishna Mission Nivedita education and cultural centre in the presence of GTA chief executive Bimal Gurung and other officials. She then headed for Richmond Hill for a meeting with GTA executive members and officials, but refused to talk to the media.

After the meeting, Gurung said discussions were held on fast-tracking development and tourism projects in the hills.

 “We welcome the CM to the hills. We discussed projects related to development and tourism in the region. Nowthat things have become normal, the GTA will work together with the state government to establish a new Darjeeling,” said the GTA chief executive and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president.

Replying to questions on the prospect of the GJM contesting in the forthcoming Lok Sabha election, Gurung said, “We did not discuss the election issue with the chief minister. The matter of contesting and fielding candidates for the Lok Sabha polls will be discussed later in our central committee meeting.”

With Banerjee on Tuesday announcing the formation of a development and cultural board for the Tamang community, the GTA chief executive said he also took up the tribal status demand by 10 communities with the CM. He further said the demand would be placed before the central government soon.