Gurung’s party eyes agitation path to gain political ground

Amitava Banerjee, HT, 20 Jul 2016, DARJEELING: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has threatened to discard the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and walk the Gorkhaland agitation path.

“If the state government does not immediately stop the suppression of the Gorkhas, then the GJM will revert to its 2007 form,” said the GJM. The threat was issued on Monday, the day in which the signing of memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Union, state and GJM hit the fifth year that paved the way for the formation of the GTA. The MOA had been signed on July 18, 2011. “Despite five years having passed since the signing of the MOA, the GTA has not been able to function owing to a conspiracy hatched by the state government which includes constant interference in the day-today functioning of this autonomous administrative setup. People are being deprived of development owing to this. GJM did not accept GTA on its own accord but honoured the wishes of the government. The aspiration of GJM is Gorkhaland,” said Roshan Giri, general secretary, GJM.

Giri in a press release alleged that with the help of certain political outfits and “selfish elements” the state government has created obstacles in the path of the GTA. “The state government has not implemented the MOA and the GTA Act in the true letter and spirit. Powers and functions have not been transferred from the state to GTA yet,” claimed Giri.

In a clear violation of the MOA and Act the Land and Land Reforms Department, PWD and Information and Cultural Department have not been transferred to the GTA from the state claimed the press note. “Even powers of the transferred departments rest with the state government thereby creating a parallel administration. College Service Commission, School Service Commission and Subordinate Service Commission for the Hills have not yet been constituted,” said the release.

“The welfare of the Schedule Caste, Schedule Tribe and OBC rests with the GTA but the state has been forming multiple development boards for these communities without consulting the GTA,” alleged Giri.