Opposition boycott of GTA Sabha session

EOI CORRESPONDENT, DARJEELING, APRIL 10, 2023: Sabhasads of the opposition bench staged a boycott of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Sabha on Monday and accused the ruling dispensation of the hills of being mere puppets of the West Bengal Government. 

As per rules, it is mandatory to hold the GTA Sabha every three months. However the second Sabha was held after seven months. The opposition bench led by the Hamro Party wanted a proposal to be placed and passed to oppose the motion passed by the West Bengal Assembly against division of the state, and also the alleged remarks of a Trinamool Congress Minister against the Gorkha and Adivasi communities. 

"In February, a Trinamool Congress minister had said there was influx in the region. We condemn this statement of the Minister. We wanted the GTA Sabha to pass a proposal to condemn the statement and submit it to the West Bengal government. But, the GTA Sabha chairman and deputy chairman failed to take any measures. So we decided to walk out, " HP president and an elected Sabhasad  Ajoy Edwards said. 

Edwards said the Gorkha community looked at the GTA Sabha as a shield and expected certain responsibilities to be taken up. 

"People feel the GTA will help them address issues. But, at the moment those at the helm are mere puppets of the state government and are afraid to speak up for the people. We don't want any confrontation with Bengal but we should also be able to speak against things wrong," he said. 

Independent Sabhasad Binoy Tamang who was earlier a Trinamool leader said the GTA should be able to show courage and challenge the State Government. "Talking about influx cannot and should not be tolerated. This is the mindset of the State Government," he said. The opposition bench placed six proposals which included forming a joint committee to oversee distribution of land right to tea garden workers. 

GTA Sabha deputy chairman, Rajesh Chouhan said he was not aware of the opposition Sabahsads staging a walkout. "The opposition bench did place some proposals and then lef twithout waiting for the response from the Treasury Bench. We had around six to seven proposals which were placed and passed and the Sabha ended," he said. 

The Sabha placed a proposal for formation of a drafting committee for the Rules of Procedure of the GTA. "We did not have the rules of procedure. 

Today we placed a proposal to form a drafting committee which all the Sabhasads consented to. We have asked the Sabhasads to submit their views and suggestions within 15 days after which we will place it before the state government for its approval," said the deputy chairman.

The Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha which helms the GTA with a majority said it was the duty of any opposition to oppose and that it was not a big issue.