GTA relief fund meet inconclusive: more than Rs 2 crore 12 lakh had been collected

SNS, DARJEELING, 23 DECEMBER 21 : A meeting held here to discuss the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Chairman Relief Fund (CRF) ended inconclusively today.

The meeting discussed ways to utilize the funds collected under the fund during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, which was supposed to he meant for tea garden workers.

In March 2020, the GTA had taken initiatives to raise the funds for tea garden workers of Darjeeling Hills, with several organizations, institutions and individuals contributing to it.

"A core committee consisting of different stakeholders had been formed on 28 January to decide on how to use the CRF. During that time, more than Rs 2 crore 12 lakh had been collected, and we want all to know that the money is safe in the Central Bank of India," GTA Executive Director Samden Dukpa said.

"One thing that was decided here today in the meeting at Lalkothi (GTA headquarters) where different stakeholders were present was that the fund will be used for the benefit of tea garden workers," he added.

According to Mr Dukpa, proposals like using the kinds for treatment of chronic diseases of teagarden workers or paying wages of 10 days of the pandemic period were put forth in today's meeting. Some also proposed formation of a Shramik Bhawan in Siliguri that can be used by tea garden workers for medical emergencies.

"What policy we will take for the tea gardens workers will be decided in another meeting we will hold within January next year," said Mr Dukpa.

The All-India Gorkha League (Bharati Tamang camp) leader, SP Sharma, who was present in the meeting, wondered what would happen to a resolution taken by former GTA Chairman Anit Thapa of sharing the GTA's own matching grant against the donated amount.