Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Forms Disaster Management Committee, Opposition Leaders Donate Salaries for Relief Efforts

KalimNews, October 9, 2025, Darjeeling : An emergency meeting was held at the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Sabha Hall at Gorkha Ranga Mancha Bhawan today, chaired by the Sabha Chairperson Mr. Anjul Chowhan, to discuss urgent measures following the recent devastating natural disaster in the Darjeeling hills. The meeting focused on creating a comprehensive disaster management plan to streamline the immediate relief and rehabilitation work in the affected areas.

In light of the recent calamity, which brought heavy rains and landslides to the Darjeeling region on October 4 and 5, causing the loss of 21 lives, displacing hundreds, and damaging vital infrastructure, the meeting saw the formation of a dedicated Disaster Management Committee. The committee will focus on assessing the damage and coordinating relief efforts in the aftermath of this catastrophe.

Mr. Kamal Subba, a GTA Executive Sabhasad, was appointed as the Chairperson of the committee, while Mr. Ajoy Edwards, Mr. Binoy Tamang, and other key Sabhasads will serve as members. The committee's mandate includes evaluating the financial and infrastructural losses, coordinating with the state and central governments for aid, and overseeing the rebuilding of homes and essential services.

The preliminary assessment of the damage, as presented by the evaluation committee, estimated the losses to be around Rs 950 crore. The severity of the situation has led to the proposal that the calamity be officially declared a State and Central disaster. The GTA Sabha has urged both the West Bengal government and the central authorities to make this declaration in order to facilitate access to disaster relief funds and expedited rebuilding processes.

During the meeting, the opposition members of the GTA Sabha expressed their deep concern over the delayed recognition of the calamity. In a strong statement, Ajoy Edwards, Chief Convener of the Indian Gorkha Janashakti Front (IGJF), emphasized that it was the responsibility of the elected representatives to stand with the victims of the landslides. “We have seen the commendable response from political parties and district administrations for the rescue and relief operations, but now, it is essential for us to take concrete action. As a gesture of solidarity, the opposition Sabhasads have decided to donate their 18 months’ salary towards relief and rebuilding efforts,” Edwards declared.

The 45-member GTA Sabha includes 9 opposition Sabhasads, each of whom is entitled to a monthly remuneration of Rs 10,000. In an interesting turn, the opposition Sabhasads have opted to donate the salary they have not received for many months due to political disagreements over governance issues. This move is seen as a calculated decision to put pressure on the ruling party to take similar steps for disaster relief, highlighting the disparity between the ruling and opposition members' financial support for victims. The opposition's gesture has garnered attention as a significant show of unity in the face of disaster, regardless of political affiliation.

Former GTA Chairman and current Sabhasad from the Risheehat-Bloomfield constituency, Binoy Tamang, who is not affiliated with the IGJF, also supported the proposal, signaling that this was a matter beyond politics and a time for collective action. The 11-member committee, now tasked with overseeing the relief efforts, will include technical experts, local MPs, and MLAs to ensure effective coordination and accountability in the relief and rehabilitation process.

The meeting also saw discussions on the exact scale of the devastation. GTA Chairperson Mr. Anjul Chowhan, while providing an initial estimate of damages around Rs 950 crore, stated that the final figures would be available within 24 hours, as reports from far-flung areas were still being compiled. “We are working swiftly to assess all damages, including fully and partially damaged houses. We expect to have the final report ready by Tuesday,” Chowhan added.

The disaster’s toll was not only financial but emotional, with numerous homes washed away, roads and bridges damaged, and entire families displaced. Amidst the crisis, the GTA Sabha has expressed its desire to officially declare the landslides and floods as a “disaster” to secure government assistance for the affected regions. A final decision will be made once the full damage report is presented to the state government.

The Opposition members of the GTA also called for the inclusion of Darjeeling’s Member of Parliament (MP) and the three MLAs from the region in the disaster management committee to ensure greater accountability and better coordination with the central authorities. Additionally, the MPs were urged to utilize their MPLAD funds for relief and rebuilding efforts, though some MPs have pointed out that such funds can only be accessed once the calamity is officially declared a disaster by the state.

Ajoy Edwards urged the MPs to pressurize the central government for a special relief package for the hills. He added, “This cannot be an excuse for inaction. If you truly love Darjeeling, you must act now.”

Meanwhile, the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, arrived in the region on Monday evening and is scheduled to visit the landslide-affected areas on Tuesday. Her visit will include meetings with local officials to review the situation and plan further relief operations. It is expected that she will stay in Darjeeling on Tuesday and Wednesday to personally oversee the recovery efforts.

In a broader context, the state government has come under criticism for its delayed response to the disaster and its reluctance to officially declare the calamity a state and national disaster. Opposition parties, including the GTA’s Opposition Sabhasads, have called for immediate and substantial government intervention to address the needs of the victims and ensure swift rebuilding of the region’s infrastructure.

The unfolding disaster in Darjeeling is not just a humanitarian crisis but also a political moment, with the GTA Sabha, opposition parties, and local leaders coming together in an effort to provide relief, rebuild the community, and restore the region's stability. The next few days will be critical in determining the scope of government involvement and the speed at which the rehabilitation efforts are carried out.