At tripartite meet,GJM demands speedy formation of GTA

The GJM also asked the Centre to immediately release Rs 93 crore as aid for development projects in Darjeeling.

Giri said: “We have asked for speedy implementation of the GTA. We are not being able to start development work until the GTA is formed. Today we asked the Centre to release Rs 93 crore immediately for projects in Darjeeling. We have also submitted the project proposal to the Centre. This fund will come from the Rs 200 crore central aid that was declared in the agreement earlier.”

He added: “We have also requested the central government to arrange for election,and the election must take place in Darjeeling and Terai and Dooars regions simultaneously. The central government representatives told us that the GTA is expected to be implemented by January 15. The GTA bill has been sent for inter-ministerial comment by the MHA. Then it will be sent for presidential assent.”

The GJM team has also asked the Centre to form a committee to review the cases slapped on GJM leaders and workers during the Gorkhaland movement. “The review committee will be formed soon under the state home secretary. We have also asked to expedite the process of the high power committee,which was formed to determine the territory of the GTA. We want the election to be held in the GTA area as soon as possible and for that,area determination is needed,” Giri said.

The GJM team also spoke about the right to the reserve forest area in Darjeeling,but the central government representatives referred the issue to the state government,said Giri.

The youth wing of the GJM has already launched a fresh agitation programme in the hills protesting the delay in implementing the GTA agreement. GJM president Bimal Gurung also mentioned during a rally last week that the delay might cause resentment among the hill people.