To get Central funds, opposition panchayats in hills must not be denied projects, says Raju Bista

Funds for the development of areas under panchayats in the Darjeeling and Kalimpong hill regions have been allocated by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj under the 15th Finance Commission

EOI, DARJEELING, MARCH 15, 2024 :  BJP national spokesperson and Darjeeling M.P. Raju Bista warned on Friday that the Centre would be compelled to withhold panchayat funds for the hills if proposals for projects placed by elected gram panchayat and panchayat samiti members of the opposition parties were denied by the ruling dispensation. 

In a Press release, Bista said: “My attention has been drawn to a shocking video that exposes the way the ruling party in the hills is actively working to prevent any development in gram panchayat and panchayat samiti seats that have been won by the opposition candidates. 

During a deliberation on funds and projects to be sanctioned at Gorubathan Panchayat Samiti, the ruling party members are heard claiming that they are not obliged to consider proposals for development put forth by anyone else, since they run the Board. 

Similar complaints have been received from gram panchayat and panchayat samitis under the control of the ruling Trinamool Congress – Bharatiya Gorkha Projatantrik Morcha alliance across the Gorkhaland Territorial Administrative region,” Bista said. 

“This is not only against the norms of democracy, but it is also against the constitutional provisions. By openly denying to consider or allocate funds for projects put forth by elected gram panchayat and panchayat samiti members who are not aligned to the ruling party, they are depriving our region of the much needed development work, and the rights of our citizens as enshrined under the Constitution,” he said. 

The Press statement also said that with panchayat elections not held in the hills in 20 years, the West Bengal government had already rendered this region backward. 

“It may be reminded that the funds for the development of areas under panchayats in the Darjeeling and Kalimpong hill regions have been allocated by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj under the 15th Finance Commission. This fund is meant for the development of our entire hill region and is not confined to the development of only areas that have elected ruling party panchayat members.” 

Bista said he would not tolerate any such subversion of constitutional provisions or democratic rights of the people. 

“These are public funds, and the ruling party cannot selectively decide on the areas that get allocation of development funds, and that doesn't. I request all gram panchayat and panchayat samiti members to bring to my immediate attention all such forms of discrimination, so that we can nip such discriminatory practices in the bud,” he said. 

The Darjeeling MP requested the ruling party to ensure inclusive development of the entire region. Selective development of only a few areas would not to be entertained. The Centre might be forced to withhold funds if such practices continued, he said. 

He also said that he would take up this matter with the Union Minister for Panchayat Raj for action