'CM's remark on GTA fund allotment a lie... GJM asks for detailed report: threatens to call 12 hr. bundh in hills if CM fails to show details

SNS, Darjeeling, Kurseong, 23 September 2016: The Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) has given an ultimatum for state chief minister Miss Mamata Banerjee to clarify on her statement that the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) has been provided a budget of Rs 4000 crores in last four years by 27 September, failing which the hills will go on a 12-hour long strike on 28 September in protest over the alleged misleading statement. Addressing a press meet at Bhanu Bhawan, GJMM chief Mr Bimal Gurung said that he will be filing a defamation case against Miss Banerjee on behalf of the GTA.

Speaking to media persons, Mr Gurung said, "It is very sad to witness that a person who holds the important position of chief minister bluffing in front of the people. Before uttering that GTA has been provided a grant of Rs 4000 crores in last four years, the CM should have thought for a second that a mere RTI will be enough to prove her lie.I suggest each and every conscious person to file a RTI in this regard. The reply will be that GTA has been handed a budget of Rs 238 crore in its tenure of four years."

The GJMM chief hinted that a major agitation will surface any time now against the alleged dictatorship and divide and rule policy of the state chief minister.

"I suggest all tourists and visitors that are planning to visit Hills this time around to consider their decision and undertake stock of situation before coming here.

"The agitation this time is of great importance and I won't entertain any request to resume any sort of transportation for any tourists," Mr Gurung said.

`All the development that has surfaced till now has been possible owing to the monetary assistance of the Central government and not of the West Bengal government. Even if we add all the expenses recurred in paying the salary of all staff under GTA and assorted expenditure, Rs 4000 crore as been claimed by Miss Banerjee cannot be justified," he said.

Speaking on the same issue, GJMM general secretary Mr Roshan Giri said that the party strongly condemns the statement of Miss Banerjee. Providing a breakdown of the funds received, Mr Giri said, GTA received a fund of Rs 55 crore in the year 2012-2013. Subsequently rupees 72 crores was released in 2013-2014, Rs 45 crore in 2014-2015 and 42 crore and 90 lakhs in 2015-2016." He also maintained that a sum of Rs 87 crore for this present year is pending as the GTA had submitted an examination of Rs 132 crore for the same.

Mr Giri further alleged that the chief minister has interfered in the matters supposed to be exclusively handled by the GTA though she has denied this.

`As per the agreement, GTA is bound to receive a budget of Rs 600 crore from the Central government. It has received Rs 465 crore till now, and all the development that we witness are largely carried out with this fund. How could we develop the Hills with the minimum budget been released by the state government. Thus the claim of Rs 4000 crore budget for GTA is utterly condemnable and we seek an immediate clarification about the same," Mr Giri said.