Darj vehicle syndicates form new body

SNS, DARJEELING, 26 NOVEMBER: The All Transport Joint Action Committee (ATJAC), an umbrella organization of 53 vehicle syndicates in Darjeeling and affiliated to the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM), today formed a new committee.The ATJAC's new body, however, decided to stay neutral and independent this time around.

The new body is one of the many such committees formed by different associations that were affiliated to the Biimal Gurung faction of the Morcha ever since Binay Tamang split from the GJMM and was made the chairman of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration(GTA) board.

Recently, the Jamnukti Asthai Karmachari Sangathan not only formed a new committee but also changed its name to United Employees Union, while it said it would remain independent. The Janmukti ICDS Union also formed a new committee recently and changed its name to United Sishu Bikash Aganwadi Karmi-SaKarmi Sangathan. It also decided not to have any political affiliation.

"After the formation of the ATJAC in the year 2007, the body did not hold a single meeting. There was a need for a new committee and that was had today" said the ATJCs new vice-president, Pasang Sherpa.

He claimed that the 21 - member body would be independent and not have any affiliation, while Surya Narayan Pradhan was voted in as the president and Parsu Hingmang the general secretary.

The old president of the ATJAC was Norbu Lama and the general secretary Pramod Srimal.

"We want to keep a good relationship with everyone from the Centre, state administration and the GTA, and if we come under any flag, it will create problems when we have to meet different people with our demands. We also feel that we can function better if we are an independent body," Mr Pradhan said.According to the new president, their main work now will be to create a single apex body consisting of vehicle syndicates not only from Darjeeling but also places like Kurseong, Kalimpong and Siliguri so that they can jointly address certain problems.

The ATJAC also said it would not support any shutdown in the hills "Whenever anyone wants to demands from issues relating to tea gardens or Chit Funds, they often announce a vehicle strike without asking us, but from now on everyone doing so will have to write to us before calling for a bandh. We will then discuss the matter with the various vehicle syndicates and decide if we will support it or not ,- Mr Sherpa said,adding that in most cases they will not support strike in the Hills as it has only created problems for all.