Dr Lama urges GJM to introduce Gorkhaland Bill in Parliament

DEEP MILAN PRADHAN, EOI, MIRIK, 26 Jul 2014: The Darjeeling Dooars United Development Front chief Dr. Mahindra P Lama urged the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha to introduce the Gorkhaland Bill in Parliament and has offered assistance for the process. “If the GJM want to prove its worth as the leading party in the hills, it should introduce the Gorkhaland Bill in Parliament. The DDUDF is ready to provide assistance if the party is having any difficulties in making the bill,” Dr. Lama told reporters in Mirik. He was in town today for an official tour of the region to revamp the party’s base after the defeat in the Lok Sabha Elections 2014.

“Before turning into a political party, the DDUDF will first prove its worth through constructive works,” Dr. Lama emphasised. He claimed there are a lot of foundation stone laying ceremonies taking place in the name of development, but there has not been any actual development in the hills. He alleged the state government of interfering in the Gorkha Territorial Administration’s works in bringing development to the hills.

On the current workers wage issues in TGs across Darjeeling, Dooars and Terai, the DDUDF chief said, “The BJP-led central government will not be able to influence a lot in the wage hike issue, even if the GJM seeks support. Therefore, everyone should press for Minimum Wage Act to increase the daily wages of TG workers.

Dr. Lama urged the GJM and Darjeeling MP to introduce the Darjeeling-Dooars-Terai region into the North Eastern Council. He also question the GJM about the number of times Hill MP SS Ahluwalia has spoken in Lok Sabha or the number of questions he has asked and even the number of times he was present in parliamentary sessions. He also urged the GJM to promote three-tier panchayat elections in the hills.

During his Mirik tour, he visited Jawahar Navodaya Vidhyalaya in Chabbisey and took note of the problems and informed he will soon meet HRDD Minister Smriti Irani and other senior departmental officials to discuss about the issues. He also attended a DDUDF committee-level meeting in Mirik bazaar.