Mamata heads for Darjeeling to improve GJM ties

KOLKATA: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to visit the Hills on May 14 to hold talks with Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leaders and sort out all issues regarding the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA). She also has plans to meet the members of the Lepcha Development Board (LDB) and find out the present state of its functioning. During Mamata's visit to the Hills in March, the GJM leaders had accused her of dictating terms to the GTA and some GJM supporters had even protested against her in a government programme . GJM had also criticized her for forming the development council for the Lepchas against their will. It might be mentioned that after coming to power a tripartite agreement in July 2011 was signed by representatives of the Centre, state government and GJM to bring peace. Right now when the tourism season is setting in, Mamata wants to show the GJM leaders that during peace time tourism can flourish. Officials said that in order to improve the relationship with GJM, she is planning her Hills trip at a time when GNLF is also gaining grounds in some parts of the Hills. 

A tripartite meeting is likely to take place on May 13 in Darjeeling, where the Centre, state and GJM will hold talks for smooth functioning of the GTA. Moreover, the three-tier panchayat which is yet to gain the constitutional status is going to be discussed at the meeting where state home secretary Basudeb Banerjee will also be present. Also, problems related to the functioning of fair-price shops in the subdivisional hospitals of Darjeeling will be discussed. Already there is a demand for a medical college in the hills and that too will be discussed. GJM leaders have also demanded a separate school service commission and college service commission for recruiting Hills people and a recruitment agency for hiring Group B, C and D staff. On Tuesday, GJM leaders led by secretary Roshan Giri met chief secretary Sanjay Mitra and home secretary Basudeb Banerjee at the Writers' Buildings to discuss the progress on the formation of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA). 

After the meeting, Giri said that they held talks on a host of issues, including the cases on some GJM leaders and funds for infrastructure development. "Several GJM workers are still carrying the cases that were charged on them during the agitation and that these cases have to be withdrawn. The chief minister will be informed in detail about the matter. Earlier one time fund of about Rs 575 crore was asked to the state government for developing the infrastructure but the fund is yet to be sanctioned. The matter will be discussed in the review committee meeting to be held soon. A total of 13 mouzas were transferred to GTA but the schools, colleges, primary health centers and many other offices falling in these mouzas are yet to be transferred to GTA. Also, 30 departments are yet to be transfered to GTA and the process should be expedited.