GJM demands 3-tier panchayatraj system in Darjeeling

GJM general secretary Rosan Giri told reporters after a meeting with the chief minister that the introduction of the system required an amendment to the Constitution.

Giri, heading a high-power GJM delegation, delivered a letter from Bimal Gurung, Chief Executive Officer of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, containing the demand.

Giri said, "The state government has already made a move in this direction, while the Centre has asked it to submit a proposal in this regard."

Giri also appealed to the state government to expedite transfer of all departments identified by it to GTA, besides resolving several other pending issues in the hills.

Chief Secretary Sanjay Mitra and Home Secretary Basudeb Banerjee were present during the meeting with the chief minister.

Giri, who also held a meeting with state Home Secretary Basudeb Banerjee yesterday, said that only 26 out of the total 58 departments had been handed over to the GTA.

"The GTA is supposed to receive Rs 200 crore fund from the Centre annually for four years, but has so far received only Rs 89 crore. Payment of the dues should also be expedited," he said.

He said he had also asked the home secretary to withdraw all pending criminal cases against GJM leaders and workers since they started their movement in the hills.

The home secretary, he said, would be in Darjeeling on November 26 to hold meetings with secretaries of different departments, district magistrates, superintendents of police of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri and other bureaucrats.