Panchayat Minister Dilip Ghosh Calls for Review of GTA Functioning Amitava Banerjee

Amitava Banerjee, MP, June 15, 2026, Darjeeling: Amid a spate of resignations from Gram Panchayats and Panchayat Samities, Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Dilip Ghosh visited Darjeeling over the weekend, and before leaving on Sunday, he expressed concern over the functioning of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), alleging widespread corruption in the Hills.

He told media persons that the government would investigate all “irregularities” and review the functioning of the semi-autonomous hill body after completing the necessary inquiries.

Ghosh arrived at a time when the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), the party in power in the GTA and in the majority of the Panchayat Samities, are confronting the challenge of resignations.

Many Gram Panchayat and Panchayat Samity members have tendered their resignations.

Political observers opine that these members would mostly cross over to the BJP, enabling the saffron brigade to maintain sway over the Panchayat Raj in the Hills, thereby strengthening its organisation.

“With the spate of resignations, Panchayat members and Pradhans not attending offices and with many having fled, the department is facing problems. Common people are suffering owing to this. Despite Rs 1,700 crore being sanctioned, of which around Rs 700 crore for the NREGA scheme, Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (G-RAM-G) scheme, work is slow,” added Ghosh.

The minister admitted that though the Panchayat system is in place in the Hills, there is a lack of infrastructure.

“We will lay stress on infrastructure development of the panchayats across the Hills. Vacancies will be filled up,” assured Ghosh.

Ghosh stated that the Hills depended largely on tourism and with the tourist rush, traffic jams were becoming a major problem.

“New tourist spots need to be developed. Planning has to be focused on,” added the minister.

While in North Bengal, the minister attended an administrative review meeting in Siliguri; inaugurated two Darjeeling Himalayan Railway film festivals in Siliguri and Kurseong; attended a handicraft fair of SHGs; and attended a programme at Siliguri Institute of Technology (SIT).

Courtesy & source- Millennium Post