GANGTOK, : Darjeeling MP Raju Bista was part of a delegation which met Union
Tribal Affairs minister Jual Oram at New Delhi on Friday regarding the tribal
status demand of the 11 left-out Gorkha communities of Darjeeling.
Bista
was accompanied by GJM president Bimal Gurung, 11-Gorkha Jaati Mahasangh
president MS Rai, GJM general secretary Roshan Giri and Govind Pradhan.
“During
this meeting, we submitted detailed ethnographic data, and other relevant
reports and figures in support of the re-inclusion of 11 left-out Gorkha
subtribes of Darjeeling as Scheduled Tribes. We requested the minister to
expedite the process,” said the Darjeeling MP.
Bista
said the Union minister has long been a strong ally of the Gorkha community and
expressed deep sympathy for the cause.
“He
acknowledged that the official process for the inclusion of these tribes into
the ST category is lengthy and complex but assured us that he is doing
everything in his power to accelerate the matter. He reassured us that the
Ministry of Tribal Affairs is committed to moving forward as swiftly as
possible,” shared Bista.
Later
on the day, the Darjeeling MP called on President Draupadi Murmu.
“I
brought to her notice pertinent issues concerning our region and people, and
sought her guidance towards addressing them.I also took the opportunity of
inviting her to Darjeeling; she has said that she will consider my request,”
said Bista.
