Social Media Resignations Have ‘No Official Status’: Raju Bista; GTA Reviews DPRs Worth Rs 200 Crore

Amitava Banerjee, MP, July 15, 2026, Siliguri : Darjeeling: Commenting on the spate of resignations by Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Sabhasads, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista said there is an official procedure for tendering resignations before the government can act on them.

“Resignations tendered on social media have no meaning,” Bista said.

Referring to the future of the GTA, he added that the government would act in accordance with the law and that any decision would be announced by the Chief Minister’s Office.

He also stated that Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) worth around Rs 200 crore prepared by the GTA had been scrapped.

Bista on Tuesday attended a GTA meeting at the mini secretariat, Uttarkanya, in Siliguri. The meeting was also attended by Vishal Lama, Minister of State for Home and Hill Affairs, Government of West Bengal, along with GTA officials.

Speaking to mediapersons after the meeting, Bista said, “If we had followed Mamata Banerjee’s style of functioning, the GTA would have been scrapped by now. However, we believe in democracy. Since the GTA is an elected mini-government, the state government will examine all the facts and figures before acting in accordance with the law. However, I have already informed the government that the people do not want the GTA.”

The MP also levelled allegations of widespread corruption in the GTA.

“The GTA did not prepare DPRs to benefit the public. The DPRs were prepared to benefit contractors and leaders. At today’s meeting, we decided to scrap all the previous DPRs worth around Rs 200 crore. These DPRs would in no way benefit the public,” Bista said.

He further added that inquiries were underway at both the local and GTA department levels.

“There are around 50 projects, each with funding of over Rs 1 crore. Local-level audits and inspections are underway. However, the government will decide whether there will be a CBI, ED or CAG audit,” Bista said.

He also alleged widespread corruption in the past, particularly in the utilisation of disaster management funds.

“The GTA now has a budget of Rs 360 crore. The North Bengal Development Department is ready to provide an additional Rs 250 crore. Other departments are also prepared to fund GTA projects under the 15th Finance Commission. The Hills should not be deprived in any way. They should receive all the benefits available elsewhere in the state and the country,” Bista added.

The meeting reviewed the GTA’s preparedness for the monsoon and landslides, as well as its functioning over the past two months.

Courtesy & source- Millennium Post