DARJEELING,: The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Sabha on Thursday
decided to form a committee to take forward the issue of the 59 departments
that are yet to be transferred from the State government.
This was one of
the resolutions adopted by the Sabha in its meeting held at Gorkha Ranga Manch
after a period of almost a year.
The last GTA
Sabha was held on 1st November 2023 making this the fourth such Sabha after the
new board took over.
After the
meeting, GTA Sabha chairman Anjul Chowhan said: “It has been decided unanimously
by the house today that a committee will be formed regarding the transfer of
departments. We believe that they will work for it and a solution will be
brought forward.”
The committee,
which will be formed by the GTA principal secretary and the secretary, will
take up the matter with the West Bengal Hill Affairs department at Kolkata in
the coming days.
Asked about
rumours that the State government is not sanctioning funds to the GTA, the GTA chairman
said, “It is not that funds have been allotted by the state government. They
are giving which is why the GTA is running but there is the question of
remaining funds for which we will send a proposal. We are working together with
the State government.”
Hamro Party GTA
Sabhasad Ajoy Edwards said, “The discussion today was proactive and we took up
the issue that the GTA Sabha should be held every three months in minimum which
the GTA chairman assured us that it will be done.”
“Apart from
that the agenda of the GTA Sabha today did not address the issue of tea gardens
which we proposed, and discussion was held on it. We have come to realize that
the issue of tea gardens is related to the Land and Land Reform department
which is a transferred subject but is yet to be done. In true spirit 59
departments are yet to be transferred. Similarly, when it comes to natural
disasters we can form a department with the Natural Disaster of India but that
is also yet to be transferred,” said Edwards.
