GTA to Push for Transfer of 59 Departments from State Government

EOI, DARJEELING, OCT 24, 2024 : The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Sabha will form a committee to take forward the issue of the 59 departments that are yet to be transferred by the state government.

This was one of the resolutions adopted by the Sabha on Thursday in the meeting held at Gorkha Ranga Manch after a period of almost a year. The last GTA Sabha was held on November 1, 2023, making this the fourth such Sabha after the new board took over.

Speaking after the meeting, GTA Sabha Chairman Anjul Chowhan said, “It has been decided unanimously by the house today that a committee will be formed regarding the transfer of departments. We believe that they will work for it and a solution will be brought forward.”

The committee, which will be formed by the GTA principal secretary and the secretary, will take up the matter with the state government’s Department of Hill Affairs in Kolkata in the coming days.

When asked about rumors that the state government is not sanctioning funds to the GTA, the GTA Chairman said, “It is not that funds have not been allotted by the state government. They are giving, which is why the GTA is running, but there is the question of remaining funds for which we will send a proposal. We are working together with the state government.”

The Hamro Party GTA Sabhasad Ajoy Edwards said, “The discussion today was proactive, and we took up the issue that the GTA Sabha should be held every three months at minimum, which the GTA Chairman assured us that it will be done.”

“Apart from that, the agenda of the GTA today did not address the issue of tea gardens, which we proposed, and discussion was held on it. We have come to realize that the issue of tea gardens is related to the Land and Land Reform department, which is a transferred subject but is yet to be done. In true spirit, 59 departments are yet to be transferred. Similarly, when it comes to natural disasters, we can form a department with the Natural Disaster Management of India, but that is also yet to be transferred,” said Edwards.

He said that after departments are transferred, different issues related to tourism, education, disasters, and other things can be tackled by the GTA. “The DGHC was formed, then the GTA, but the administrative powers to work in the departments are not there, which is why the late Subash Ghisingh took out the demand for the 6th Schedule in the past. At present, this is the reason why the GTA cannot function properly,” said Edwards.

A resolution was also passed today naming the two parking lots in Darjeeling, namely at Lebong Cart Road and near the Railway Station, in memory of saheed Deoraj Sharma and Krishna Sharma, who laid down their lives during the Bhasa agitation.