Gorkha certificate row: Bista urges Shah to intervene

SNS, DARJEELING, 6 JUNE 21 : Darjeeling's BJP MP Raju Bista has taken up with Union Home Minister Amit Shaha case where the Gorkha Certificate produced by a man from Jalpaiguri district was rejected during his selection process in the Central Armed Police Force (CAPE).

According to Mr Bista, he has drawn Mr Shah's attention to a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs dated 19 November 2018, which provides for certain height relaxation for male Gorkhas in their recruitment into the CAPE.

"Recently, I was made aware of an incident concerning a Gorkha youth, a resident of Bagrakote TG, Mal-bazaar, Jalpaiguri District (Dooars), who had produced his Gorkha Certificate during a Central Armed Police Force selection process. However, he has complained that his Gorkha certificate was not accepted for the selection procedure, as he doesnot reside in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) region," Mr Bista said today.

"I have informed him that perhaps due to administrative miscommunication, the height relaxation granted for Gorkha recruits is only being provided to Gorkha youths who belong specifically to the GTA region, while Gorkhas from elsewhere in India are deprived and denied of this relaxation," he added.

According to him, he has informed Mr Shah that 'Gorkhas' is a common terminology used to denote the ethnicity of the community, and is not bound to a specific territory. "The Gorkhas are today spread beyond GTA region and are residing in various parts of our nation. Hence, non-exemption of height relaxation provided to the Gorkhas, for Gorkha youths from the rest of the country is rendering them with great disadvantage, as they are unable to apply for the various posts in CAPE" Mr Bista said.

He said that he has requested Mr Shah's intervention to ensure that the height relaxation provided to the Gorkha recruits are implemented for all Gorkha youths from across India.

"I am most hopeful of a positive response from him," the Member of Parliament said.