Anit Thapa demands patta for entire land in possession of tea garden workers

Taking into account the sentiments involved, the West Bengal Government, too, a few days ago had asked the district administrations to put the survey on hold.

EOI, DARJEELING, SEPTEMBER 13, 2023 : Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) chief Anit Thapa on Wednesday met the West Bengal Land and Land Reforms secretary in Kolkata for granting of land rights of the entire land under the possession of tea garden workers. Following the demand of parya patta by the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), the West Bengal Government had started a process for grant of homestead patta on five decimal of land for tea garden workers. 

The BGPM had initially agreed with the proposal of the State Government. In a memorandum given to the Secretary in Kolkata, the GTA chief demanded, however, that a survey be started and pattas be distributed which were in and as per the current possession of the people and which also encompassed their agricultural lands. 

Faced with opposition from different fronts, the BGPM has now made a change in their stand. "We will not stop until all land in possession of the tea garden workers are given to them. It has been since time immemorial that they have a house in the tea gardens. They are also involved in farming and floriculture," the GTA chief said. 

Anit Thapa who is also the BGPM president met LLR secretary Smaraki Mahapatra and other officials for about half an hour in Kolkata. "The process for handing over five decimal parya patta started from August 1 but the tea garden workers want the entire area of land they have. Respecting their wishes, we want grant of both the homestead and agriculture patta. I have full faith in the State Government and am sure that our demand will be fulfilled," said Thapa. 

The hills have been on the boil ever since the West Besngal Bengal government issued the notification for grant of five decimal patta for the tea garden workers. The process of survey and identification is presently in progress. 

The opposition and also many workers of different tea gardens are protesting against right on only five decimals of homestead land as decided on by the State Government. 

In the face of criticisms, the BGPM is now backtracking from its earlier recommendation of patta on five decimals and has now requested the State Government to put the survey on hold. 

Taking into account the sentiments involved, the West Bengal Government, too, a few days ago had asked the district administrations to put the survey on hold.