Mungpoo News

Sharda Subba Rai, who was the Darjeeling Trinamul candidate

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha today brought out a rally to press for the inclusion of 11 communities in the Scheduled Tribe list but Trinamul quickly alleged that the Morcha, along with the BJP, was playing with the sentiments of hill people.

The prompt response of Trinamul suggests the tribal-status issue, along with granting of land rights for tea garden and cinchona plantations inhabitants, is likely to take centre stage for some time now.

The rally, organised by the Yuva Morcha, started from the Darjeeling Motor Stand and culminated at a street corner meeting at Chowrasta in Darjeeling today.

Priyabardhan Rai, the Yuva Morcha general secretary, said: "We demand that the 11 communities must be granted tribal status as early as possible. We are planning to hold similar rallies in other parts of the hills soon."

But within two hours of the rally, Sharda Subba Rai, who was the Darjeeling Trinamul candidate in the recently concluded Assembly election and a senior party leader, called a news conference and slammed the Morcha and the BJP.

"On May 25, the Union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its approval for introduction of two bills in Parliament to modify the list of Scheduled Tribes in five states - Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Tripura - and identification of new communities in the Union Territory of Puducherry," Sharda Subba said.

Two communities from Assam, five from Chattisgarh, two from Jharkhand, two from Tamil Nadu and one each from Tripura and Puducherry have been identified, the Trinamul leader said.

"The Morcha is an ally of the BJP but there was not a mention of a single community from the hills. This clearly proves that both the Morcha and the BJP are not sincere about the demand and are only using it as an election plan as municipal polls are due this year and GTA elections next year," Sharda Subba said.

"While the people are being asked to come out to participate in rallies, serious work is not being done by the leaders of both the parties," she said.

On April 2, when the model code of conduct was already in place in Bengal, the ministry of tribal affairs had issued an order constituting a committee to examine and recommend on the demand of granting tribal status to various Gorkha communities "living in Sikkim and other Gorkha dominated states and areas."

Roopak Chaudhuri, deputy secretary, Union ministry for tribal affairs, in the order had stated: "It has been decided to constitute a committee headed by Shri Ashok Pal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, to examine and recommend regarding granting of Scheduled Tribe Status to eleven communities, namely Bhujel, Gurung, Mangar, Newar, Jogi, Khas, Rai, Sunwar, Thami, Yakkha (Dewan) and Dhimal living in Sikkim and other Gorkha-dominated states and areas."

The committee is to submit its recommendation on the matter to the ministry of tribal affairs within three months.

D.K. Pradhan, convener of the Morcha's Study Forum, said: "She has got confused with the two developments. She needs to understand the issue properly and we appeal that an issue of this importance should not be politicised. We will issue a detailed reaction after going through her statement tomorrow."(TT)

Scheduled Tribe status to 11 darjeeling hill communities

Fresh from their victories in the just concluded state Assembly election, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and the hill Trinamool Congress has embarked on a war of words over the issue of granting Scheduled Tribe status to the 11 communities of the hills.

The hill TMC organised a victory celebration and a public meeting in Darjeeling where its leaders accused the GJM of hoodwinking the people over the issue by claiming Prime Minister Narendra Modi had endorsed its demand. Sardha Subba, the Darjeeling TMC candidate for the Assembly election and the hill Trinamool Mahila Congress president, said that according to a Press Information Bureau report released on Thursday, the Union Cabinet chaired by Modi on May 25 approved of the introduction of two Bills relating to the issue of granting tribal status to various communities in five states. According to the PBI report, the Cabinet has given ex-post facto approval to the amendments in the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order of 1950 to modify the list of Scheduled Tribes in the state of Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu and Tripura and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
“The GJM claims the matter has been taken up by the PM himself and it is in the implementation stages. But the PBI report clearly shows that even though five states and a Union territory are mentioned, the demand from Darjeeling has been left out. This shows the GJM is playing with the sentiments of the people and fooling them for political interests,” said Subba today in the public meeting. The Prime Minister, campaigning in May for north Bengal BJP candidates in Siliguri, said the process of granting tribal status to the 11 communities had already been initiated and that a committee already been formed to look into the matter. The GJM wants the 11 communities to be brought under the ST list.
The communities from the hills are Bhujel, Gurung, Mangar, Newar, Jogi, Khas, Rai, Sunwar, Thami and Yakha Dewan, and the Dhimal from the Dooars. Meanwhile, the GJM disagreed saying the Union Cabinet’s approval to place two Bills for the five states as reported by the PBI and its demand were in different stages. “She (Subba) is not aware of this. Committees were formed in 2013 for the five states and the UT, and based on the recommendations of those states, relevant Bills have been placed before the Cabinet. However, in our case, a committee was formed only this year, hence it did not find mention,” countered Binay Tamang, the GJM assistant secretary.
All the same, he expressed happiness that the Cabinet had approved the introduction of two Bills for amendment, saying this would set a precedent. “When the Bills get amended, they will become the basis to facilitate the Centre to take up our case,” Tamang said. The GJM leader furnished an order issued on April 2 by deputy secretary of the Union tribal ministry Roopak Chaudhuri to the chief secretaries of all states, excluding Haryana and Punjab. The order states the tribal ministry has decided to constitute a committee headed by Ashok Pai, joint secretary, Union ministry of tribal affairs, to examine and recommend granting of ST status to 11 communities living in Sikkim and other Gorkha dominated states and areas.
As per the order, the committee will have to consult with the Sikkim government and the states with significant Gorkha populations and submit its report to the tribal affairs ministry within three months. (EOIC)

Water pumped out by borewell dug by Mark Lyngdoh in Kalimpong's Hill Top

The GTA's move to overcome water crisis in the hills by digging borewells has met with opposition from environmentalists who say machines shouldn't drill the fragile land without a proper study.

The Darjeeling district magistrate deputed a hydrogeologist under the state government to submit a report on three borewells dug by individuals in the Kalimpong municipality area. The hydrogeologist said the bore-wells had been dug without permission from appropriate authorities.

The GTA had already identified 10 places to dig borewells and set in motion the administrative process for it.

Mark Lyngdoh, a young entrepreneur, is believed to be the first person to dig a borewell in the hills. He successfully dug the borewell in the Hill Top locality in Kalimpong a couple of months back and over 6,000 litres of water could be pumped out a day.

Samden Dukpa, executive director, public health engineering department, GTA, had said the borewell dug by Lyngdoh should be the first in the hills. "I am not aware of the existence of any other borewell in the hills," said Dukpa.

One had never tried a bore-well before in the hills because of the terrain where water is hard to be found below the surface.

After Lyngdoh, two more individuals dug borewells in Kalimpong which is located around 4,200ft.

Dukpa today said world renowned hydrogeologist Dr. Ritesh Arya had identified 10 locations in the hills for digging borewells.

"In February, we had engaged Dr Arya to carry out a preliminary survey on the feasibility of drilling borewells in the hills. Dr Arya has the experience of digging such wells successfully in high-altitude places like Ladakh, Leh, Shimla and Dharamsala. The (GTA) chief executive (Bimal Gurung) himself is very keen on the project. We intend to carry out pilot projects to drill borewells at 10 different sites in Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong and tenders will be floated soon," he said.

Environmentalists and the general public, especially in Kalimpong, however, raised questions on drilling the fragile hills to extract water. The public's concern has found resonance with the district administration as well.

Wing Commander (retd) Praful Rao, the president of Save The Hills, a Kalimpong-based NGO, said: "A proper survey needs to conducted before the mountains are drilled. The impact of drilling the fragile mountains needs to be studied, the type of aquifers beneath the surface needs to be understood, the quality of water needs to be tested and the amount of water that can be extracted needs to be carefully analysed before such an adventure can be allowed."

He went on: "The water scarcity in the hills is more about mismanagement and drilling should be the last resort. There are also enough research materials that show that drilling of fragile mountains is not among the best options. There were instances when digging of deep wells had dried up springs in the mountain areas."

Asked about the issue, Anurag Srivastava, the Darjeeling district magistrate, said he had asked Soumit Chatterjee, a hydrogeologist in the state water investigation department, to submit a report on the borewells in Kalimpong.

Chatterjee who visited Kalimpong yesterday, said the borewells had been dug without permission.

"All borewells dug in the hills are illegal. Permission has to be obtained from the district level ground water resources development authority and the state level ground water resources development authority for digging borewells under the West Bengal Groundwater Resources (Management, Control and Regulation) Act, 2005."

The hydrogeologist said the district level authority would grant permission to extract water till 50 cubic meters per hour. "Beyond the 50 cubic meter mark, permission has to be sought from the state authority," he said.

The official is expected to submit his report to the district magistrate soon. "We were not aware that drilling was taking place in the hills. Apart from merely looking into administrative technicalities, one has to take into account what the impact would be on a young mountain like the Himalayas if thousands of deep wells are dug," said Chatterjee.

Zion Lepcha, the vice-chairman of Kalimpong municipality, said: "After concerns were raised by a section of the society, we have informally asked those who have dug borewells to stop extracting water until we get experts to carry out a scientific study of our area."

A GTA official, who didn't want to be named, said the hill body was not aware of the rules restricting the digging of borewells.

Another GTA official said it was to be found out if the two authorities referred to by Chatterjee had jurisdiction over the hills.(TT)

आज विश्व पर्यावरण दिवस (Environment Day) को अवसरमा मङपू एकता फाउन्डेशनबाट सुबास राई, गोजमुमो मङपू शाखा श्रमिक संघबाट पावेल प्रधान, नालीडांडा सृजना कल्याण समितिबाट अनुप राई र भारतीय सेनाबाट सुक्र तामांग आदिको सहभागितामा मङपू बस स्ट्याण्ड (Mungpoo Bus Stand) परिसरमा चालिसवटा फलवृक्ष एभोगाडाको बिरुवा रोपन गरियो | एभोगाडा एक बिरल प्रजातिको फल वृक्ष हो जसले प्रोटिन युक्त फल दिने गर्छ |

यो वृक्ष रोपन कार्य गरिनुको उदेश्य कुनै प्रतिस्पर्दा अथवा चर्चामा आउन नरहेर पर्यावरण संरक्षणको निम्ति एक कदम हो साथै आउँदो सन्तानले यस प्रकारको दुर्लभ फलवृक्ष देखोस र जानोस यसको महत्व भन्ने रहेको बताएको छ | आज लगाइएको फलवृक्षको सुरक्षा र संरक्षणको निम्ति स्थानीय छिमेकीहरु, बस स्ट्याण्डका कर्मचारीहरु साथै सौगात हाट कमिटिको कर्तब्य रहने जानकारी दिइएको छ |

यसरी नै पर्यावरण दिवस पालन गर्दै सुनौलो बिहानी कल्याण समिति रङबी विभाग द्वारा पनि वृक्ष रोपन कार्य गरिएको छ | उक्त कार्यमा रङबी विभाग सिन्कोना बगानको ग्याङमेन एमबी रसाइली, गोजमुमो रङबी विभाग शाखा सचिव सुजित तामांग, लेबर युनियन सिन्कोना बगान रङबी शाखा सभापति बालकुमार गुरुङ आदिको पनि बिशेष उपस्थिति साथै सहभागिता रहेको थियो | आजको वृक्ष रोपन कार्यक्रममा विभिन्न उन्नत जातको २०० वटा विरुवाहरु रोपिएको छ भने कार्यक्रममा समितिको सम्पूर्ण पदाधिकारी लगायत सदस्य – सदस्याहरुको सहभागिता रहेको थियो ||

Bimal Gurung today said he would invite Union ministers to inaugurate various projects being completed by the GTA as most of them were funded by the Centre, a remark which is perceived to pre-empt any move by the Mamata Banerjee government to take credit for the schemes in the hills.

Talking to the media after a Gorkha Janmukti Morcha delegation met Bengal governor Keshari Nath Tripathi at Raj Bhavan in Darjeeling today, the GTA chief executive said: "It is through central funds that we have been constructing car parking facilities, Nepali academy, model schools and auditoriums. During my last visit to New Delhi on May 26, I had invited the Union home minister to visit Darjeeling between July 11 and 17 to inaugurate the car parking facilities."

Two car parking lots are being constructed at Singamari and near Darjeeling railway station.

"Since the Centre has funded these projects, we have to invite Union ministers to inaugurate them... we will invite central leaders to launch the projects funded by the Union government," said Gurung.

Observers said Gurung had referred to the central assistance to implement various projects in the hills so that the Trinamul government didn't take credit for the same ahead of the municipal and GTA elections.

"The distribution of rice at Rs 2 per kg to BPL families has helped Trinamul to a great extent in the just-concluded Assembly polls. But the fact is that the state is implementing the scheme with central funds. Gurung seems to be aware of it and doesn't want Mamata to stake claim to the projects," said an observer.

In the Assembly polls, the Morcha's victory margin has come down in the three hill seats compared to the 2011 elections.

While elections to four municipalities in the hills are slated for December, those to the GTA are due next year.

Regarding the relation with the state, Gurung today said: "The Trinamul Congress has formed the new government. We have to create a good atmosphere for the welfare of the people and for development to take place."

Asked if he would meet Mamata during her next visit to Darjeeling, Gurung said: "I will definitely meet her as protocol demands so."

During the times of strained relations between the duo, Gurung didn't meet Mamata during her visits to the hills.

Talking about the Morcha delegation's meeting with the governor, Gurung said: "We took up with him the issue of proper transfer of departments from the state to the GTA, implementation of three-tier pachayats in the hills, granting land rights to tea garden and cinchona plantation inhabitants and giving tribal status to 11 communities."

Later in the day, Gurung attended a meeting organised by the 11 communities seeking the ST status at Gorkha Rangamanch Bhavan here. He urged leaders of the 11 communities to prepare detailed documents on the respective communities.(TT(

India - Nepal journalists to unite for tourism promition

Indian journalists and their counterparts from Nepal have agreed to form a co-ordination committee for promotiing regional tourism as also to put pressure on the governments of the two nations for infrastructure development to attract domestic and international tourists.
This was announced to officials of the Mechi Hill Area Tourism Promotional Development Committee under Nepal's Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation during the interaction programme held at Ilam Bazaar on Sunday evening. The Committee had organised a six-day familiarisation tour where 14 working journalists from Kolkata, Siliguri, Sikkim and Kathmandu interacted with local tourism stakeholders, hoteliers, political leaders and government officials for the promotion of tourism in Sikkim, West Bengal and eastern Nepal.
The 14 journalists toured three hill districts, namely Ilam, Panchthar and Taplejung visiting picturesque tea gardens, historical places, the famous Pathivara Temple and enjoyed cultural shows.
Bidrohi Giri of National News Agency and the president of Nepal Forum of Tourism Journalists appreciated the proposal placed by the Indian journalists for the sharing of accurate information related to tourism and other activities.
He also focused on the cleanliness, behavioral culture with tourists and guests by hotels, drivers, guides and home-stays.
Ajay Roy of Associated Press from Kolkata suggested his Nepalese counterparts to focus on tea tourism to develop eastern Nepal. Rana Bahadur Khadka, president of committee and team coordinator, said the proposal will be forwarded to the Nepal government for the development of tourism.(EOI)

Darjeeling Zoo Celebrates World Environment Day

The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNHZP) today celebrated the World Environment Day on the theme “Zero Tolerance to Wildlife Trade”. The programme, which concluded just recently, was participated by 71 students and 13 teachers from Lower Aloobari Primary School, Darjeeling. The students were taken for a zoo visit by Mr. Bhupen Roka, Education Officer and Ph.D scholar of the Park. The students and the teachers were sensitized about the endangered species that PNHZP houses, their status, and how the animals like snow leopard, common leopard, lesser carnivores are being used in wildlife trade and the various efforts the Park is putting in towards its conservation.
The visit was later followed by a painting competition and prize distribution ceremony. Mr. Purna Ghishing, Animal Supervisor, Mr. Siddartha Chettri, Asst. Estate Supervisor and Ms. Upashna Rai, Zoo Biologist participated and attented the programme.
Mr. Pravat Rai stood first, while Mr. Pemsang Tamang bagged second position. In order to encourage the students, educational materials and kits were also distributed to the students and teachers.
The Research and Education Section of the Park have always been organising such environmental related programmes involving local schools, and have been able to work towards conservation issues through such awareness campaigns. The Research cell of the Park have been doing commendable work on the research aspect on endangered species and have always encouraged the local students for research purpose.(TDC)

Tree plantation by Labdah CP Primary School

विश्व पर्यावरण दिवस आइतबार परेको हुँदा लाब्दा सीपी प्राथमिक पाठशाला ( Labdah CP Primary School) ले आज वृक्ष रोपन गर्दै पर्यावरण दिवस पालन गर्यो | पाठशाला शिक्षिका रिता तामांग अनि स्वयसेवक शिक्षक पवन राई अनि सौगन्ध राईको नेतृत्वमा पाठशालाका स – साना अवोध नानीहरुलाई पर्यावरण संरक्षण एवम स्वच्छ पर्यावरणबाट हुने फाइदा बारे जानकारी दिंदै पाठशाला परिसरमा वृक्ष रोपन गरियो | रुख पात मासेर पानीको मुहानहरु सुकेको, पानीको हाहाकार बढेको, पहिरो चलेको कुराहरु अवोध शिशुहरुलाई बताउंदै चारैतिर रुखपात रोपेर हरियाली बनाए हामी कतिपय प्राकृतिक आपदाहरुदेखि बाँच्न सक्छौ, स्वस्छ वातावरण भए हाम्रो शरीरले सफा अक्सिजनयुक्त हावा पाउँछ जसले हामीलाई निरोगी बनाउँछ भन्दै नानीहरुको भाषामा सिकाउंदै उनीहरुको कलिलो दिमागमा पर्यावरण सचेतनाका कुरा अहिलेदेखि नै हालिदिने प्रयास यस पाठशालाका शिक्षक – शिक्षिकाहरुले गरेका छन् | यस बाहेक नानीहरुलाई पर्यावरण सम्बन्धि गीत गाउन सिकाए, नाटकहरु सिकाएका थिए भने आज यो पाठशालाले धेरै वृक्ष रोप्न नसके पनि भोलिका भविष्य यी नानीहरुको दिमागमा पर्यावरण संरक्षणको बिरुवा रोप्न भने सफल भएको बुझिएको छ ||

Bina Gurung wife of Amber pays last tribute to her husband

Amber Gurung, the Nepali legendary singer, musician and the composer of Nepal's National anthem, passed away at the Grande International Hospital, in Dhapasi, in early hours on Tuesday, the hospital confirmed in a statement.

Gurung, 78, had long been suffering from diabetes and Parkinson's disease.

After undergoing a treatment at the Medanta Hospital in New Delhi, Gurung had returned to Nepal on March 30 this year, before being admitted to the Grande Hospital on May 30.

Gurung had composed, along with the National Anthem Sayaun Thunga Fulka Hami, more than a 1,000 songs, including the era-defining numbers Nau Lakhe Tara and Rato Ra Chandra Surya. Gurung was also a lyricist and singer. Born (in 1938) and raised in Darjeeling, India, Gurung also authored three books of lyrics and memoirs--Samaalera Raakha (1969), Akcharkaa Awajharu (2003), and an anthology of essays and memoirs, Kahaa Gae Ti Dinharu(2006).Gurung’s body will be kept at Academy Hall in Kamaladi before being taken to Pashupati Aryaghat for cremation.

Last tribute to Amber Gurung

Amber Gurung Family paying tribute

Courtesy: Kathmandu Post

यहाँको रविन्द्र श्रमिक कल्यांड केन्द्र भवनमा मङपू – लाब्दा समष्टि गोर्खा जनमुक्ति मोर्चा समष्टिका एक्काइसवटा शाखा प्रतिनिधिवर्ग तथा समष्टिका कार्यकारिणी सदस्यवर्गको उपस्थितिमा एउटा महत्वपूर्ण सभा सम्पन्न भयो | समष्टि सभापति उर्गेन शेर्पाको सभापतित्व रहेको सभालाई सचिव रतन लामाले संचालन गरेका थिए | सभामा बर्तमान स्थगित रहेका सिन्कोना बगान श्रमिकहरुको मूलभुत समस्याहरु, पर्जापट्टा, फरेस्ट बस्ति, हाइवे क्षेत्रका मानिसहरुले भोगिरहेको समस्याहरु बारे गहिरो चर्चा गरियो | सिन्कोना बगानका श्रमिकहरुको समस्यालाई सुझाउन अब उसो युनियन मात्र अघि नसरेर पार्टीसित तालमेल राखेर एउटै धारा प्रवाहमा काम गर्ने निधो गरियो भने जम्मा ६८ जना बिशेष अस्थायी श्रमिकवर्गलाई झट्टै स्थायी बनाउने दिशामा जोड दिंदै व्यवस्थापन अनि निर्देशकसंग पार्टी अनि दार्जीलिंग तराई डुवर्स प्लान्टेशन लेबर युनियनका प्रतिनिधिहरुले डेपुटेशन बस्ने पनि सभामा निर्णय लिइएको छ | सभामा हाइवे क्षेत्रको टांगे, सुन्तले, रियाँङ, रम्बी बजार अनि बिरिकका पंचायतको समस्या विषयमा पनि लामो चर्चा गरियो | सभालाई हाइवे क्षेत्रका प्रतिनिधिवर्ग डीबी गुरुङ, राजेन गुरुङ, नर्बु लामा, सुरेन राई दातडुप्लालेयु मङपू जोन सभापति, जनमुक्ति कर्मचारी संगठनका शेखरचन्द्र छेत्री, रङबी शाखा सचिव सुजित तामांग साथै समष्टि कानुनी सल्लाहकार राम पोख्रेल आदिले पनि सम्बोधन गरे | सम्बोधनको क्रममा सभाको प्रमुख अतिथि सभासद रतन कुमार थापाले संगठन दह्रिलो बनाउन सम्पूर्ण शाखा – प्रशाखाहरु निष्ठावान भएर सक्रिय रहनु जरुरी रहेको बताए | सम्पूर्ण श्रमिकहरुको समस्या समाधान गर्न आफू संधै चिन्तित रहेको जनाउंदै अठाह्र जना स्पेसियल लेबरको बारेमा पनि चाडै समाधानको निम्ति पहल गर्ने बताए भने सिन्कोना बगानको कस्तो – कस्तो असम्भव कार्यहरुलाई पार्टी र युनियनले समाधान गर्न सक्षम भएको पनि सभासद थापाले सबैलाई जनाए | सभामा हाइवे क्षेत्रबाट नर्बु लामा अनि मन बहादुर छेत्रीलाई समष्टि समितिमा सामेल गरियो | संगठनमा एकता अनिवार्य रहेको जनाउंदै विभिन्न समस्याहरुलाई लिएर अध्यक्ष बिमल गुरुङसित पनि चाँडै भेट गर्न जाने सभामा जानकारी गराइयो | अन्तमा सभापति उर्गेन शेर्पाले पार्टी अनि युनियनका हरेक प्रतिनिधिहरुले आ – आफ्नो स्तर अनुसारको जिम्मेवारी निष्ठापुर्वक बहन गर्ने सबैलाई जनाएको जानकारी प्रचार प्रसार सचिव बुद्ध कुमार थापाले दिएको छ ||

All-party meeting in Darjeeling for Kalimpong District

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and the Jana Andolan Party, two principal parties in the hills, have suggested the incorporation of additional areas from the Dooars in the proposed Kalimpong district.

The proposals were made at an all-party meeting convened by Darjeeling district magistrate Anurag Srivastava here today to seek feedback on the creation of Kalimpong district and Mirik subdivision. Sipchu, Toribari, Bagracote Pathorjhora, Ellenbari,Chilauna and Samsing - the Dooars areas the Morcha wanted to be in the Kalimpong district - are part of some of the 398 mouzas the party had demanded to be brought under the GTA's jurisdiction.

Roshan Giri, the general secretary of the Morcha, said: "We support the creation of Kalimpong district, a demand we had first raised. We want areas like Sipchu, Toribari, Bagracote Pathorjhora, Ellenbari,Chilauna and Samsing (which are presently in Jalpaiguri district) to be incorporated in the new district. These areas are contiguous to the present Kalimpong subdivision."

Giri said the Morcha wanted three subdivisions and seven blocks in the new district, and three blocks in Mirik subdivision.

Anmole Prasad, a member of the JAP's bureau, said the party had made a written submission on various aspects of the formation of the Kalimpong district. The JAP also wants parts of the Jalpaiguri district to be included in the new district.

"We want the boundaries of the new district to be redrawn so that its two sides have highways and a compact zone is created," said Prasad.

The JAP basically wants areas lying north of NH31 in Jalpaiguri district to be the southern boundary of the Kalimpong district and areas like Kalijhora, Lohapul, Suntalay and Rambi, which are along NH10 and in the Kurseong subdivision, to be the western border.

The JAP wants Kalimpong district to have three subdivisions and 10 blocks. The party demanded at the meeting that four blocks be created to make up the new Mirik subdivision.

"We also seek the formation of a committee comprising stakeholders, NGOs, experts and citizens to monitor and assist the formation of the district and the subdivision. Future meetings should be held at respective locations (Kalimpong and Mirik) to enable detailed discussions and new administrative townships should be created there to de-congest the area," said Prasad.

Representatives of parties like the GNLF, ABGL, CPRM and the Trinamul Congress also attended the meeting.

Srivastava said the parties had been asked to submit the suggestions in writing by tomorrow evening.

"An all-party meeting is usually called before the start of the process to create a new district. We have asked political parties to submit their suggestions in writing by tomorrow evening so that we can go through them and then prepare a report based on administrative feasibility. The report will be submitted to the government as early as possible," said Srivastava.(TT

North Bengal development minister Rabindranath Ghosh today said his department would not take up any development project in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration area unless representatives of the hill body sought its assistance.

Ghosh, who held a meeting with officials of his department at Uttarkanya today, said: "We held a meeting today. Based on the discussions, we have decided that the NBDD will not work in the GTA area. We will work within the territory of the GTA or extend our assistance only after they approach us."

"Earlier, many development projects were executed by the NBDD in the GTA area, including roads and bridges. But unfortunately, as the department took up the task of building three roads in the hills, it had to face a legal suit filed by the GTA over jurisdiction. Considering that, we want to make it clear that the department will not take up any project in the GTA area unless requested by competent representatives of the autonomous body," Ghosh said at a news conference here this evening.

He added that the department would take up development projects where required. "We are well aware of our jurisdiction and will work at all those places in north Bengal where infrastructure development is required. There is no question of ignoring the local bodies," he said.

The assertions of Ghosh, who has replaced Gautam Deb as the north Bengal development minister, are clear indications that the state will continue with its non-compromising stance when it comes to the GTA and bodies like the Siliguri Municipal Corporation run by the Left Front.

"His remarks are likely to give rise to fresh controversies. It is clear that the Trinamul government will not budge from its stance," a political observer said.

Sources said Ghosh would hold a meeting with the district magistrates of all seven districts of north Bengal tomorrow.(TT)

Local artisans felicitated at Darjeeling District Level Handicrafts Fair 2016

Demo Pix

The District Industries Centre under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration today felicitated several artisans at the District Level Handicrafts Fair 2016 in recognition of their efforts at preserving indigenous forms of art and craft in Darjeeling district. Nine elderly artisans were presented with artisan pensions worth Rs 1,000 by Darjeeling municipality chairman Amar Rai, the chief guest.
According to L.P. Bhatia, general manager of the DTA, many aged artisans are benefiting from the pension scheme but only those residing in Darjeeling town could make it to the ceremony today. Artisans and organisations who have done remarkable work in their respective fields were also honoured and presented with certificates and mementos.
The DTA organises a district level handicraft competition every year, and this year’s winners were awarded today. The four winners received prize money of Rs 1,500 each, while the first and second runners-up were awarded with Rs1,000 and Rs500 respectively.
The 10-day District Level Handicrafts Fair 2016, which is being held at Capital Hall, will continue till June 10. Handicrafts from Darjeeling, Kurseong, Mirik, Kalimpong and Siliguri are on display for sale. Bhatia said the fair has garnered almost Rs3 lakh in sales and many artisans have also received fresh orders.
Amar Rai said, “Any community is represented by its artistic capabilities. It delights me that Darjeeling has so much scope for artisans and I believe that as long as the artistic legacy of our community is preserved and popularised, it will benefit us all. However, it saddens me that many youngsters are not very keen on taking it forward.”(EOI)

Amber Gurung, the composer of the Nepal's national anthem, breathed his last in Kathmandu today. He was 78.

Singer Gagan Gurung, a close friend of Amber, said: "I received a call from Kathmandu early this morning about the sad demise of my friend and guru Amber. ... Amber Gurung has been immortalised through his deed." Gurung said Amber was born in Kalimpong and raised here. "Every great singer from Darjeeling was his disciple," he said.

Amber's fame spread after he composed and sang Nepali poet Agam Singh Giri's " Nau lakh tara" (nine lakh stars).

In 1962, he was appointed a director in the state information and cultural department's folk artist section. He left for Nepal in 1969 on the invitation of King Mahendra.

When monarchy was abolished and a new government was formed in Nepal, Amber composed the country's national anthem, " Sayaun thunga phoolka hami" (of a hundred flowers).

Tomorrow, the GTA will hold a memorial service at the Gorkha Rangamanch Bhavan here at 11.30am.(TT)

स्थानीय रोय बंगलो मङपूमा गोपाल रुचालको अध्यक्षतामा एक महतवपूर्ण सभा बस्यो | बिगत १५/०५/२०१६ को दिन गोजमुमो मुख्यालयमा बसेको सभाले “ जनमुक्ति पर्जा पट्टा संघर्ष समिति” ( Janmukti Parja Patta Sangharsha Samity) गठन गरेपछि सिन्कोना बिभाग केन्द्रीय समिति गठन गरिएको जानकारी गराउंदै गगन राई सचिव दातडुप्लालेयु सिन्कोना जोन एवम जनमुक्ति पर्जा पट्टा संघर्ष समिति सिन्कोना बिभाग केन्द्रीय समितिले सभालाई सम्बोधन गर्दै सिन्कोना अनि चियाबारी बासिन्दाहरुको घर – जमीनको पर्जा पट्टा सम्बन्धि मालिकना हकको निम्ति आन्दोलन गर्न पर्ने अव्गात गराए | सभामा जनमुक्ति पर्जा पट्टा संघर्ष समिति सिन्कोना बिभाग केन्द्रीय समिति अध्यक्ष गोपाल रुचालले पनि सम्बोधन गर्दै हामी भारतमा जमीन सितै आएको गोर्खाहरु हौँ, जमीनहिन होइनौ यसैले हामीले बसोबासो गरेको जमीनको मालिकना हक सरकारले दिनुपर्ने बताए | आफ्नो जमीनमा बसोबासो गरिरहेको गोर्खाहरुलाई बिदेशीको लान्छना लगाउने सरकारले अब हामीलाई हाम्रो जमीनको पर्जापट्टा दिनुपर्ने कुरामा जोड दिए | पर्जा प्राप्तिको निम्ति अब आउँदो १३ जूनको दिन सिन्कोना बगानको चौधवटा गन्तीकेन्द्रहरुमा प्रारम्भिक कार्यहरु गर्दै जागरण अभियान थाल्ने सबै कार्यकर्ताहरुलाई आव्हान साथै अपिल गरे |

सभामा क्षेत्रीय सभासद रतन कुमार थापाले पनि सम्बोधन गर्दै सिन्कोना, चियाबारी र बन बस्तिबासीहरुको निम्ति पर्जा पट्टा सरकारले दिनुपर्ने बताउंदै जनमुक्ति पर्जा पट्टा संघर्ष समितिको अबको हरेक कार्यहरुमा पार्टी, सबै भातृ संगठनहरु अनि सम्पूर्ण जनसाधारण अघि आउन पर्ने बताए |

सभामा कालेबुंग बगोजमुमो ब्रान्च कमिटिका उपाध्यक्ष्य दिपेन शेर्पा, मङपू लाब्दा समष्टि सभापति उर्गेन शेर्पा, सचिव रतन लामा, दातडुप्लालेयु मङपू जोन सभापति सुरेन राई, सचिव किशन बुडाथोकी, ४५ नम्बर समष्टि सचिव एवम पर्जा पट्टा संघर्ष समिति उपाध्यक्ष सन्तोस खवास अनि दातडुप्लालेयु केन्द्रीय समिति सचिव कैलाश शर्माले पनि आफ्नो बक्तब्य दिएका थिए ||

The Janmukti Insecure Secondary Teachers’ Organisation (JISTO) today held a press conference to draw attention on the deprivation of rights volunteer teachers in government schools are facing.

Formed in 2009, the JISTO comprises volunteer teachers from secondary and higher secondary schools. There are 129 secondary and higher secondary schools in Darjeeling district and according to figures from 2013, almost 528 vacancies for permanent teaching positions were available then. This number has only increased since, and the JISTO has been agitating for permanent positions for the last nine years but to no avail. Some volunteer workers have devoted almost 18 years of service, and still have not been granted permanent status.

In two memorandums submitted to the Headmaster Association of Darjeeling and to the Darjeeling MLA, Amar Rai, JISTO coordinator Amrit Gurung said, “We have devoted our valuable time and efforts to the education sector and our services can be each year when new batches of students pass out. Many of us have moved beyond our youthful years, but we are still being forced to agitate for our rights. What sort of a situation is this??

“The educated people of the hills are receiving a wrong message upon witnessing the helpless condition of the voluntary teachers. Due to non-receipt of adequate provisions from the state government and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, the teachers are not making any progress. We cannot overlook the fact that if things are not mended in time, the students of the hills will face a bleak future.”

The GJM’s poll manifesto ahead of the Vidhan Sabha elections included a clause to make JISTO members permanent. The organisation seeks support from the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and hopes their prolonged agitation reaches a favourable conclusion soon.(EOI)

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has replaced the opaque walls at the rear and front ends of two first class coaches with glasses so that travellers can see the more than century-old steam engine pull the train.

Narendra Mohan, the area officer of DHR, said the refit compartments were being used for toy trains running between Darjeeling and Ghoom since May.

He said two more coaches were also being given glasses at either ends and they would be put to use in two weeks.

"Tourists around the world come to Darjeeling to take a ride on the Unesco World Heritage railway. In order to make their ride more enjoyable and fulfilling, we have renovated two first class coaches and added glass windows at the rear and front ends. Prior to this, the coaches had opaque walls and the passengers in each of them could not see what was happening in the other coaches. But now they can easily do so," said Mohan.

The new feature has been introduced mainly to enable travellers to see how the steam engine functions. "They will now be able to see the driver operating the engine and the fireman feeding coal into the furnace," said Mohan.

"Earlier passengers could see these sights only when the train negotiated a bend. But now, they can see it anytime without having to leave their seats and rush to the windows. These coaches will be exclusively used in steam-driven joy rides between Darjeeling and Ghoom. Apart from the view in front, the tourists will also get to see the scenery behind through the glass," he added.

The coaches were renovated at Tindharia workshop - the locomotive and carriage workshop of the toy train - and the Siliguri loco shed.

While two of the coaches have already been put into use since the beginning of May, the remaining two will be in service within next fortnight.

The DHR official said the size of side glass windows of the four coaches had been made bigger so that tourists got a full view of the sceneries.(TT)

Mukesh Sharma: The Life of Sikkim and Kalimpong Sevoke-Gangtok (NH-31A) now formally known as National Highway (NH-10) is finally taken over by PWD West Bengal . The stretch from Coronation Bridge to Rangpo (W.B) which connects Gangtok and Sikkim with rest of the country is very important for Sikkim and Kalimpong. It is also important from tourism point of view as it links favorite tourist destinations like Gangtok, Changu lake, Nathula Pass, Rumtek monastery and others.
It is important to note NH-10 was given to Border Roads Organisation from CPWD during Jan 1969 after extensive damages occurred to the road formations due to 1968 floods. Since then NH-10 has been successfully maintained by BRO 87 RCC (Project Swastik/764 BRTF) which is the first responder to any call. Last year unprecedented rain of June month triggered Swetijhora slide which paralysed whole Sikkim as well as Kalimpong for 5 days. BRO had opened it in a record time besides providing humanitarian service to all stranded passengers. Also unexpected Andherikhola slide of 14 Jan 2016 cannot be forgotten where BRO men with the help of locals saved 05 lives including one lady and two children. BRO has been a household name which has a motto of “Creates, Connects and Cares” informed Major R K Joshi OC 87 RCC

गत बुद्धबार यहाँको टीएमसी कार्यलयमा टीएमसी मङपू जोन सभापति केएस छेत्रीको सभापतित्वमा एउटा सभा बस्यो | यही सभाबाट बिगतका दार्जीलिंग सिन्कोना प्लान्टेशन वकर्स युनियन समस्टी कमिटि (Darjeeling Cinchona Workers Union Samsty Committee) मङपू जोन बिघटन गरि नयाँ समष्टि कमिटि गठन गरिएको छ | नयाँ ढाँचामा अस्तित्वमा आएको युनियनमा सभापति संजय थापा, कार्यकारिणी सभापति बुद्ध लामा, उपसभापति प्रकाश राई,महा सचिव आशिषदिप राई, सह सचिव एमोश थापा, दिव्या गुरुङ, सुबास छेत्री, कोषाध्यक्ष रेजिना गुरुङ, लेखापरिक्षक पवन बल, केएस छेत्री रहेका छन् | सभाले नयाँ कमिटि अस्तित्वमा ल्याउँदै सिन्कोना बगानको कार्य प्रणाली, कार्य संस्कार, योजना आदि माथि गम्भीर बहस गर्दै अब उसो सिन्कोना कार्य प्रणाली, संस्कार, योजनाहरु परिभार्जन गर्ने दिशामा लाग्ने निर्णय लिएको छ | यस चर्चामा सिन्कोना बगान भित्र भइरहेको वैकल्पिक खेतीहरु माथि पनि चर्चा गरियो जस अनुरुप अब उसो अनावश्यक खेती माथि ध्यान नदिएर लाभदायक खेती माथि टीएमसी ट्रेड युनियनले पहल गर्ने भएको छ ||

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha today said it had no issues working with the state government, a day after North Bengal Development Department minister Rabindranath Ghosh assured his department would not interfere in the independent functioning of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.
Ghosh, who has succeeded Gautam Deb as the NBDD minister, on Wednesday held a meeting with department officials at Uttarkanya following which he said his department would not undertake any development work in the GTA area unless assistance was sought by the hill body.
All this while, the GJM had been accusing the state government of unnecessary interference in the functioning of the GTA and infringement on its autonomy.
In fact, the once cordial relationship between the two had ebbed to its lowest although signs of revival are being noticed of late.
The GJM leadership today took a soft approach in response to the NBDD minister’s remarks. “We welcome the NBDD minister saying the state government would not interfere in GTA matters. This means the territorial jurisdiction of the GTA is being respected. And this is good as controversies will not be created unnecessarily. We are ready to work in tandem with the state government for the greater benefit of the people,” said Roshan Giri, the GJM general secretary and GTA Sabhasad.
In 2014, the GJM-run GTA had filed a petition in the high court against the NBDD for floating tenders and building three roads in the hills under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund scheme without its consent. The GTA’s contention was that doing so violated the GTA Act.
GJM president Bimal Gurung had earlier asserted he would not meet chief minister Mamata Banerjee or hold talks with the state government. But he has backtracked on that stance since, when he went to Kolkata last month to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the new state government on the invitation of the chief minister.
After his party's victory in the Assembly election, Gurung issued a statement congratulating the TMC chief and her party for regaining power. He even said he was ready to work with the state government to usher development in the hills. Meanwhile, Giri said the appointment of Gautam Deb as the tourism department minister was a positive step. “He headed the NBDD and is well aware of the region and its needs. We want the tourism minister to endorse projects the GTA prepares and pursue them with the state government. This will help boost the tourism potential of the hills,” said the GJM general secretary.
But Sardha Subba, senior leader of the hill TMC unit, termed the GJM’s revised stand as a betrayal of the people. “The GJM won the election by advocating for a separate state and terming the TMC as an anti-hill party. But now they are willing to work with the very state government they seemed dead against. The people must understand the GJM is betraying them once again,” she alleged. (EOIC)

TMC leader calls Morcha bluff on ST demand

TMC, GJM starts war of words over ST status demand

Proper study needed to dig borewells over water crisis in hills

मङपूमा पर्यावरण दिवसको अवसरमा वृक्ष रोपन

Gurung to invite Union ministers to inaugurate completed projects by GTA

India - Nepal journalists to unite for tourism promition

Darjeeling Zoo Celebrates World Environment Day

लाब्दा सीपी द्वारा वृक्ष रोपन

Amber Gurung Nepali legendary musician passed away

गोजमुमो मङपू लाब्दा समष्टि स्तरको सभा

Morcha - JAP demands inclusion of Dooars areas in Kalimpong district

Ghosh rider to work in hills

Local artisans felicitated at Darjeeling District Level Handicrafts Fair 2016

Amber Gurung - Nepal's national anthem composer breathed his last

जनमुक्ति पर्जा पट्टा संघर्ष समिति सिन्कोना बिभागको सभा

Janmukti Insecure Secondary Teachers’ Organisation continues fight for rights

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway get glass walls for engine view

National Highway (NH-10) handed over to PWD West Bengal

टीएमसी पार्टी ट्रेड युनियन पुणर्गठन

GJM to work with state government following minister Rabindranath Ghosh's assurance