Tamang, Thapa raise Covid, tourism issues with CM

SNS, DARJEELING, 25 JUNE 2020: Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha leader BinoyTamang has said that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee yestenlay requested them to begin work to develop two other dedicated Covid hospital in the Hills-one at Jamuney in Darjeeling and the other at Gorubathan in Kalimpong district.

In a release he issued after attending an all-party meeting in Kolkata yesterday, Mr Tamang said, " Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had called for an all-party meeting on 24 June to discuss the road ahead for handling the coronavirus crisis in the state. We had the opportunity to discuss multiple points regarding concerns and requests from Darjeeling and Kalimpong District."

According to Mr Tamang, apart from starting work for the two new Covid hospitals, they requested additional funds for more efficient Covid management in the region.

"We requested development of Covid-l9 testing laboratory facilities in the Darjeeling and Kalimpong hospitals and the newly-operational Tribeni Hospital, with teams of microbiologists and clinical lab assistants," he said. adding that they have also demanded installation of TrueNat machines in all the three faciities for proper Covid testing. The Morcha has also demanded support for the tourism industry.

"We have requested for major support to make sure we can revive the tourism industry like help in waving off electricity bills for hotels and homestays during the lockdown period to ease their burden. We have also asked help in arranging loans at subsidized interest rates and collateral-free through KVIB, KVIC. DIC and WBTDC for them. In addition. to revive and promote tourism in the region we have also asked for additional funds," Mr Tamang, who attended yesterday's meeting with Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Chairman Anit Thapa, said.

The release further said that they focused on the need to generate employment opportunities for people who have returned in the GTA area. "We have put forth ideas of introducing vocational training for development of new interested entrepreneurs who can get startup loans or MSME loans based on their project ideas and business viabilities. For migrant workers, employment can be generated under the MGNREGS, Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan Yojana, etc," said the Morcha leader, adding that they have also put forth concerns of members of the ICDS, ANM, Asha Workers, Ambulance drivers, etc.

Speaking about the agriculture sector, he said. "The primary livelihood of the rural population of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts is agriculture and livestock. But farming has been hit severely by the lockdown this year, along with the other sources of incomes for the rural population. Post-corona environment.Most of these sources of incomes are closed and are uncertain to reopen anytime soon."

"Help should be provided to the agriculture and livestock industries in arranging loans for fertilizers, seeds and new technologies. Focus should also be laid on introducing new farming methods to improve production, quality and market ability of crops and vegetables. Introduction of e-commerce and integrated markets for farmers to sell their produce at better rates should also be done to cut middlemen." he added. The press release also stated that in regards to the tea garden workers, there will be a trade union meeting separately to discuss the details.