GTA to drag state govt to court, again

SNS, Darjeeling, 26 September 2014: The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) is all set to file a writ petition in Calcutta High Court against the state government for allegedly “diverting” funds meant for the welfare and development of minorities in GTA areas to the district administration, despite the same being a ‘transferred’ subject.

“In 2013, the then Principal Secretary of the GTA, RD Meena, had sent a proposal for the uplift and development of the minorities in the GTA areas, for which funds were sanctioned by the central government in July 2014. 

But the state government sent the funds to the district administration instead of the GTA,” GTA member Binoy Tamang said over the phone from Kolkata today.

"The GTA Act states that all the funds for the welfare of the minority communities should be given to the GTA,” he added.

The writ petition is being filed for violating sections 50 (1), 50 (2) and section 26 of the GTA Act, according to him.

Mr Tamang added that the petition is being filed against the state Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department, Hill Affairs department, Darjeeling district magistrate and the government of West Bengal for violation of the GTA Act.

Mr Tamang, however, did not elaborate on the project. 

The defense lawyer for the GTA said here today that the writ petition will be filed by Monday.

“The writ petition was supposed to be filed by today, but it could not be done due to time constraints. However, it will be done by Monday,” the lawyer said.

Darjeeling District Magistrate Puneet Yadav could not be reached for comment despite several attempts.