Darjeeling DM to take SMP charge

The DM has also been authorized to ensure day-to-day administrative as well as financial functioning of the SMP as a temporary working arrangement until further order or until an elected body in the SMP is constituted

SNS, SILIGURI. 18 NOVEMBER 2020: The Special Secretary to the state government yesterday issued an order, asking the Darjeeling district magistrate to take charge of the Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad (SMP). The Five-years term of the elected board at the rural body in Darjeeling district (plains) ended on 15 November.

"The District Magistrate, Darjeeling & ex-officio Exective Officer, Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad, shall remain respobsible for custody of the related documents, registers etc of Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad," the government order states.

The DM has also been authorized to ensure day-to-day administrative as well as financial functioning of the SMP as a temporary working arrangement until further order or until an elected body in the SMP is constituted.

Reacting to the development, BJP's national spokesperson and Darjeeling MR Raju Bista, said the Trinamul Congress "does not believe in democracy and democratic institutions."

Mr Basta had also protested the state's decision to appoint administrators in civic and rural bodies in Darjeeling district and has informed the Centre of the present situation.

"The abject apathy of the TIMC-led government in West Bengal towards our region is obvious for everyone to see. They had not made any arrangements for continuation of services for the local rural Panchayat and Mahakuma Parishad in Siliguri sub-division, leaving people in distress. It is only after we raised the issue of continuation,TMC party has woken up from the slumber and have made arrangements," Mr Bista said.

"People have come to note that TMC is running many local grassroots level bodies in North Bengal without elected representatives, and they are yet to declare elections for the same. Darjeeling Municipality, the oldest municipal body in the region has been defunct since June 2019. Siliguri Municipal Corporation is being run by a temporary administrative body since May of 2020, now Panchayats and Mahakuma Parishads will be run by bureaucrats, no one knows for how long," Mr Bista said.