THE NEWLY ELECTED GTA MEMBERS SWORN-IN AT DARJEELING TODAY
PIB, KalimNews, Darjeeling 4th August 2012: A new chapter began in the history of Darjeeling hills in West Bengal with the swearing-in of newly elected members of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) at an impressive ceremony held in Darjeeling today. The Governor of West Bengal M K Narayanan, administered the oath of office to the Chief Executive of GTA, Bimal Gurung following which the Principal Home Secretary, Basu Deb Banerjee took oath of office of the other members.
Addressing the swearing-in ceremony, the Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde expressed hope that the newly elected members will work hard to fulfill the hope and aspiration of the people of Darjeeling hills particularly of the weaker section. He said the Centre would release Rs 200 crore each year for the next three years to the GTA for over all development of the hills and assured that fund will not be a constrain, if the new administrative body can show result in the years to come. He also said that the centre will provide relaxation in height and chest measurement for new recruits from the hills in police force.
The West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee in her address assured the GTA that the state government will provide all help and assistance in maintaining peace and ensuring over all development of the hills. She also urged the Union Home Minister to provide all assistance from the Centre in the development of the hills. CM Banerjee announced that West Bengal government will set up a new university in the hills in next two to three years and also set up ITI and Polytechnic institutes to address the problem of unemployment. She asked the new GTA Chief Gurung to provide employment to at least one member of the family who lost their lives during the agitation.
The newly elected Chief Executive of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Bimal Gurung expressed his gratitude to the Centre and State government in resolving the crisis and assured that the new administrative body will work hard to fulfill the hopes and aspiration of the people. He also sought the continuous help both from the Centre and State Government so that development works can be taken up smoothly.
In his welcome address, the Chief Secretary of West Bengal, Samar Ghosh said the efforts made by the state government in resolving the political crisis in Darjeeling hills with the signing of the tripartite agreement on July 18th last year came to a logical conclusion today with the swearing-in of the newly elected members of GTA. He reminded the newly elected members of the innumerous responsibilities that fell on them in full filling the hope and expectations of the people. He assured that state government will remain solidly behind the GTA in ensuring peace stability and development of the Darjeeling hills.
The swearing-in ceremony weas also attended by the Union Railway Minister, Mukul Roy, Darjeeling Lok Sabha MP Jaswant Singh, North Bengal Development Minister, Gautam Dev, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Sunil Chandra Tirkey, Union Home Secretary R K Singh and other dignitaries besides a large number people of three hill subdivisions.
The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has replaced the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council which was formed in 1988 and administered Darjeeling hills for 23 years. The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has been formed following an memorandum of tripartite agreement signed on 18th July, 2011 at Pintel village near Siliguri in the presence of former Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leaders. A bill for the creation of GTA was passed in West Bengal assembly on 2nd September, 2011. Following the assent given by the President of India on 7th March, 2012 the West Bengal government issued a gazette notification for the GTA Act on 14th March, 2012 paving way for holding GTA election on 29th of July, 2012. (Photos (PIB Gangtok)
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