GTA would demand immediate transfer to depts to it

DARJEELING(WB): The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) representatives would demand immediate transfer of departments/establishments to the GTA during the meeting with West Bengal Chief Secretary Sanjay Mitra.

Senior Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leader, Jyoti Rai today said they (GTA) would seek clarifications from the state government regarding the transfer of control of some establishments like schools, health centres and panchayat bodies located in 18 mouzas which had been transferred to the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) when the tripartite agreement involving Centre, state government and GNLF was signed in 1988.

"It is surprising that these establishments are yet to be transferred though the GTA elections held last year covered these mouzas. These must be transferred to the GTA immediately," Rai said, adding that these are still being controlled by the Siliguri administration and Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad.

He also said the GTA Chief Executive Bimal Gurung, would not attend the meeting with the chief secretary on April 30.

"We, a group of GTA representatives, would attend the meeting. Gurung would visit Kolkata later," he said.

Rai said the state government has not yet transferred 29 out of 58 departments as mentioned in the GTA pact.