LF to establish autonomous body in hills: Saman Pathak

DEBASIS BHOWMIK, EOI, Siliguri, 6 Mar 2014: Started his campaign for the upcoming parliamentary election, Darjeeling constituency CPM candidate Saman Pathak said his prime objective is to simultaneously work for the development of the hills and plains. While addressing the press today at the Anil Biswas Bhawan, Pathak said he is looking to propose the setting up of a permanent wage commission for tea workers in Parliament.

Besides, he intends to resolve the separate statehood issue with the formation of an independent and autonomous administrative body for the hills. Commenting on this, acting district secretary Jibesh Sarkar said the Left Front will take the initiative of setting up an autonomous body on the lines of the Sixth Schedule.

He said existing laws will be reviewed, if necessary, to establish a GTA-like or even more powerful organisation. Presently, the state government is interfering with the operations of the departments under the GTA and the LF will bring this up in the Lok Sabha, added Sarkar.