Separate dev boards likely to divide communities: Dr Lama

Deep Pradhan, EOI, 24 January 2014: Darjeeling Dooars United Development Foundation chief Dr. Mahendra P Lama today expressed apprehensions on the state government’s approval to set up development boards as are being demanded by various communities of the hills.

He said, “If the government is setting up development and cultural boards to the communities with an objective of uplifting and uniting them, the idea is most welcome. But if it is some selfish political ploy, we condemn the move vehemently.”

Speaking at an organisational meeting today in Mirik, Lama suggested that instead of individual development boards, a single gazette notification should be issued for development projects that would cover all the communities. He said the current policy of forming separate development boards will in all likelihood create division among the communities.

Lama, who has been on a self-campaign for the upcoming general elections, emphasised the DDUDF is working seriously to generate awareness among people of rural areas about their political, educational and social rights. He noted intellectual development of society is possible only if the public responds positively.

Stressing on the need to preserve and develop the Nepali language, Lama, who is an acclaimed academician, said, “We must act with a vision to build a bright future for the Gorkha community.”

Responding to a query, the DDTDF chief said the organisation has written letters to several political parties including the GJM, GNLF, CPRM, CPM, Congress, TMC and BJP, apprising them about the DDTDF’s election agenda. Expressing optimism about the organisation getting positive responses from the parties, Lama noted some of them have already begun analysing the DDTDF’s poll agenda.

He reiterated the DDTDF’s primary agenda is the formation of a separate state even as he expressed confidence of winning in the election citing organisation’s “zero enemy” policy.