Dooars-Terai region should be made autonomous: JMM

RAJESH PRADHAN, EOI, BANARHAT, 30 May 2014: The Dooars-Terai unit of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha will soon write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Rajnath Singh demanding autonomy status for the Dooars-Terai region including the setting up of a separate tea ministry. The region has not been included in the GTA and with 294 administrative areas it is in desperate need of an autonomous administration, said unit president Raju Bara.

“We will demand the central government to form an autonomous body for the overall development and welfare of the 294 administrative areas,” he said.

Noting the tea gardens in the area have been beset by myriad problems of late, he said, “We are hopeful the government will consider the proposal for the formation of a tea ministry to take care of the issues related to the industry. If such a ministry is formed, all stakeholders will be able to enjoy the benefits.”

The JMM leader also said the party will be fielding a candidate in the Siliguri Municipal Corporation polls.

“We have never fielded a candidate in the municipality elections of Siliguri. This will be the party’s first venture. We will sit and discuss the issue with our allies, the BJP and the GJM,” Bara added.