Kalimpong declared as the 21st district of West Bengal by Mamata Banerjee

7:52 AM

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Politics

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday declared Kalimpong in the Darjeeling hills as the 21st district of the state. So far, Kalimpong used to be a sub-division under the Darjeeling district. Mamata, who is on a three day tour to north Bengal made the announcement while addressing the locals at the Lepcha Board Foundation Day Programme in Kalimpong.

Mamata also promised the allotment of six core rupees for the construction of proper infrastructure of the newly declared district. "Kalimpong will become a new district. We have allotted Rs 6 crore for building infrastructure here," she said on Thursday adding that tourism must flourish in the hills.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banejee wears a traditional headgear at the 5th founation day function of Lepcha Development and Cultural Board at Kalimpoog in Darjeeling

Addressing the people of the hills, Mamata said, "I want to work for the development of Darjeeling Hills. I am proud of the young generation here. If the hills do not progress, Bengal cannot progress."

In December last year Banerjee had announced that Kalimpong will be turned into a new district for ease of administration. However, many see it as a way to snub the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) which has been leading a campaign demanding separate Gorkhaland state.

Mamata's announcement comes as a victory for the newly formed Jan Andolan Party (JAP) whose leader Harka Bahadur Chhetri have been lobbying hard to make Kalimpong a separate district after quitting the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha in September.

Mamata Banerjee showers sops on Kalimpong, Bimal Gurung says it’s ‘land of Gorkhaland lovers’
With Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday announcing a slew of development measures in Kalimpong — which will soon be carved into a separate district — her one-time political ally Bimal Gurung of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) claimed that the hill town was the “land of Gorkhaland lovers”.

Speaking at the foundation day programme of the Lepcha Board, Mamata said: “The Lepcha Board has already built three thousands of homes for the poor. The various development boards must promote cultural activities and make Darjeeling clean and green. We want Darjeeling to prosper and become the best. Kalimpong will become a new district. We have allotted Rs 6 crore for building infrastructure.” Mamata is currently on a three-day trip to the hills concluding on Friday.

Ahead of addressing a rally in Kalimpong, Mamata met several local leaders, including those from the Lepcha, Tamang, Newa, Bhujal, Khas, Kami, Damai, Saki, Vishwakarma and Gurung communities. She was also accorded the status of ‘Kingchuk Dermit’ — the highest award of the Lepcha community, said Trinamool leaders.

Gurung calls meet to counter Mamata - Morcha seeks to score over Trinamul chief in Kalimpong
Bimal Gurung has decided to hold a public meeting of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha's women wing in Kalimpong on Sunday, a day after Mamata Banerjee leaves the hill town, purportedly to show that Kalimpong is "a land of Gorkhaland lovers".

The chief minister reached Kalimpong today and will attend a programme of the Lepcha development board tomorrow, followed by another one of the Tamang development board the day after. She is scheduled to leave Kalimpong on Saturday.

In a written statement today, the Morcha president said Mamata was frequenting the hills, particularly Kalimpong, to "suppress the Gorkhaland voice" with the help of "some vested people who are trying to divide the Gorkha community into pieces" by forming development boards.

Gurung went on to say: "In reality, Kalimpong is a land of Gorkhaland lovers. However, some people with vested interests are belittling Kalimpong. The person who is dividing the Gorkha community is being felicitated as the chief minister who wants good of the Gorkhas."

He called on "Gorkhaland lovers" to look into the issue with all seriousness and asked them to give a befitting reply. "The issue of Gorkhaland cannot be suppressed by temporary benefits. To spread this message to Gorkhas across India, the Gorkha Janmukti Nari Morcha has decided to organise a meeting at Delo on September 25," Gurung said.

"The Nari Morcha members from Kalimpong should attend the meeting to demonstrate to chief minister Mamata Banerjee and anti-Gorkhaland forces the support for Gorkhaland," he added.

Delo is 5km from Kalimpong.

Even though Gurung had yesterday said the Morcha would win any election even if it was held now, his statement today, according to observers, suggests that he feels that the impact of Mamata's three-day visit has to be countered immediately.

Many hope Mamata will make some announcements with regard to the creation of Kalimpong district during her stay there. However, a senior Nabanna official said: "Creation of a new district involves a lot of paper work. But no file regarding creation of Kalimpong has moved yet."

According to sources, the personnel and administrative reforms department would first prepare the proposal and send it to the finance department before seeking clearance from the cabinet. "But nothing of that sort has happened," said a source.

Various web sources

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Development boards inject identity politics into Hills political cauldron

1:42 PM

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West Bengal

Darjeeling/Kalimpong: The creation of Hill boards for the uplift of ethnic communities—Lepchas, Tamangs, Sherpas, Bhutias, Mangars and Rais—has added a new dimension to the effervescent politics in the Hills.

Though the GJM, which runs the GTA, views the boards as an attempt to fracture its support base in the Hills, fuelling identity politics, the move seems to have won Mamata Banerjee many admirers for championing the cause of the marginalized. “What is wrong if the Hills people who have been deprived of benefit for years get something? The indigenous communities saw refugees receive facilities but they never got anything. Though it led to some disquiet, it did not trigger a clash. Now, the state is finally giving what was long overdue. It will definitely have political implications, both in short and long term,” said writer Nanda Hakim.

The announcement of the Lepcha board in August 2011 opened the floodgates with similar development boards being set up for the Tamangs, Sherpas, Bhutias, Mangars and Rais, who account for nearly 10 lakh people in the Hills and elsewhere. Two more boards are in the line, for Limbus and Newars. All these boards receive funds from the state for the development of facilities for the communities.

Lyang Song Tamsang, chairman of West Bengal Mayel Lyang Lepcha Development Board that has received Rs 86 crore in 2013-2015, says they received a bigger boost in the past three years than in the earlier 60. “The funds have helped build 3,000 homes for poor Lepcha families, and 40 Lepcha night-schools are now housed in pucca buildings. We will convert the remaining 20 into pucca structures and add another 20 night schools by next year,” said Tamsang.

Lepchas learn their language as well as math and English from British and Amercian teachers at these schools. The money has also initiated a stream beautification project. As most Lepcha families live in remote hamlets, adjacent to streams and dependent on agriculture, the project is aimed at providing them with a source of clean water to drink and irrigate their crops.

“The state tried to fulfil a long-standing demand for introducing Lepcha language in primary schools and appointed para-teachers but the GTA went to court, saying it was an interference. Those para-teachers now teach the language at the night schools,” said Tamsang, hinting at the underlying friction caused by the boards.

The West Bengal Bhutia Development Board is yet to run into any hurdle. But board chairman Palden D Bhutia, a former Darjeeling Municipality chief (1999-2004), remains wary. They have spent Rs 10 crore on 500 homes for needy Bhutia families. But the money has also created envy. “The amount that the boards are getting isn’t magic. Even earlier, development funds came but no one knows where it disappeared. Now that it is coming directly to the community, the opportunity to siphon off has ceased,” he said.

Political observers say Bhutias, Lepchas, Tamangs and Sherpas will be favourably disposed towards Mamata. While the communities may not vote directly for Trinamool, a good section could vote for Harka Bahadur Chhetri’s Jan Andolan Party (JAP), which has Mamata’s backing.
“It will be good to receive the support of various communities,” said the JAP candidate from Kalimpong, which houses several board offices.

But Nepali Sahitya Sammelan member S K Giri questioned the future: “Owing to Mamata’s interest, the boards have been set up like para clubs. If the government changes, what will happen to the board that have no constitutional legality?”

Tamsang said board officials have requested the state to make the boards statutory and incorporate them in Government Act instead of Societies Act.



Via TOI

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Hill development boards to support the Trinamul Congress in Assembly polls

8:27 AM

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Trinamool Congress

Darjeeling, April 8: The chairmen of six development boards of different communities in the hills today said they wanted members of their communities to support the Trinamul Congress in Assembly polls as a token of gratitude for the formation of the bodies.

The heads of six development boards formed by the Mamata Banerjee government were present at the first-of-its-kind meeting at the Gorkha Dukha Niwarak Sammelan Hall today. The meeting was addressed by the chairmen of Tamang, Sherpa, Bhutia, Mangar, Limbu and Rai development boards.

The chairman of the Lepcha development board, however, was absent from the meeting "as the representatives of the community were busy with preparations for their own meeting".

Sanjay Moktan, the chairman of the Tamang Development and Cultural Board, said: "The state government has helped us in our development and we have, therefore, decided to help that political party."

Asked if that political party was the Trinamul Congress, Moktan said: "Obviously. If the leadership of that party is supporting us, we, too, need to back them. However, we cannot tell all our community members to vote for a particular party. We believe that it is our responsibility to support that party which is helping us."

The chairmen of the 7 hill development boards at the meeting.Picture by Suman Tamang

The seven communities, including the Sherpas, for which the boards have been formed, make up more than 35 percent of the hill population.

Observers, however, believe every member of a particular community is not expected to follow the chairman's line of thought. "Moreover, there are also rival organisations within the communities which are not too enthused about the development boards," said an observer.

Moktan said the meeting had also been called to end the "oppression" being perpetuated by a political party. "The meeting has also been called to seek freedom from the oppression that is being perpetuated by a political party. We believe the party is not allowing us to develop our language and culture."

Although Moktan did not take the name of the political party, it was clear that he was referring to the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha.

Asked about the oppression, Moktan said: "When a member of the Tamang community was killed in broad daylight here, we could not even protest."

The killing was in reference to the murder of Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League leader, Madan Tamang, in May, 2010.

Palden Bhutia, the chairman of the Bhutia Development Board, said: "All we want to say is that we need to feed the cow that provides milk to us."

Bhutia said the meeting had been organised not by the development boards but by organisations representing the six communities.

Nima Wangdi Sherpa, the chairman of the West Bengal Sherpa Development Board, said: "Apart from the chairmen of the six development boards, representatives of the Darjeeling Indigenous Schedule Caste Welfare Association and the Bhujel community were also present. The two communities are demanding development boards and we would extend support to them."

With regard to the absence of the chairman of the Lepcha development board, Sherpa said: "As the representatives of the community were busy with preparations for their own meeting, they could not attend today's meeting."


Telegraph

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Kolkata HC accepted PIL against Hill Development Boards

8:16 AM

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Tamang Development and Cultural Board

Darjeeling, Feb. 25: Calcutta High Court has accepted an apolitical organisation's PIL seeking the dissolution of development boards for different communities in the hills, saying they discriminated against citizens based on caste and creed and no yardstick was followed in the formation of the bodies.

Mamata Banerjee had announced boards for five communities, but the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha had alleged that the chief minister was adopting a "divide and rule policy" in the hills by doing this.

The PIL was filed by Pravin Gurung, the general secretary of the Darjeeling Tarai Dooars Gorkhali Adhiwashi Welfare Society.

Speaking over phone from Calcutta, Anand Bhandari, the lawyer for the petitioner, said: "The divisional bench consisting of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice Arijit Banerjee is hearing the PIL and has directed the state government to file an affidavit-in-opposition in three weeks. The next hearing will take place after four weeks."

The order to the government to file the affidavit was passed by the division bench on February 19.

The court refused to pass an interim order stopping the distribution of funds to the development boards as demanded by the petitioner.

State law minister Chandima Bhattacharya declined comment on the PIL. She said: "The matter is sub-judice. I cannot make any comment on the issue. But I can say what the chief minister is trying to do is for the welfare of Limbu and Rai communities."

Pravin Gurung today said: "We believe the state government has discriminated against many communities. While some communities are getting benefits, others are being deprived of them. Moreover, the yardstick to grant a development board and funds too is not clear."

Citing some examples, he said: "For instance, as per the 2011 census, literacy rate of the Bhutia and Limbu communities is 81.1 per cent and 87.8 per cent, respectively. However, the literacy rate of Lodha and Savar tribes is 45.5 per cent and 40.6 per cent, respectively. Although boards have been formed for Bhutias and Limbus, there is no such body for communities which are educationally backward."

When the first board was formed for the Lepchas by Mamata, it was said that the boards would be apolitical cultural entities. But Morcha president Bimal Gurung had said development boards should be formed for all communities in the hills rather for a few of them. Gurung, as the GTA chief executive, also announced development boards for 19 communities in the hills. So far, development boards have been formed for Lepchas, Tamangs, Sherpas, Bhutia and Mangars. The chief minister has announced development boards for the Limbus and Rais as well, but they have not been formed. While Mangars and Rais are among Other Backward Classes (OBC), the rest of the communities that have been granted or promised boards are Schedule Tribes.

Pravin Gurung said it was strange that communities whose population was dwindling were not granted development boards. "As per the 2011 census, the Tamangs population was 1,46,203, and a board was formed for them. But the population of Mru and Khond communities is only 196 and 660, respectively and still, no development body was offered to them," he said.

"The Indian Constitution does not have provisions to provide preferential treatment to certain sections even among the STs. In Bengal, there are more than 40 communities which have been classified as STs but development boards have not been formed for all of them. Boards haven't been announced for other OBC sections and it is against the provisions of equality that is enshrined in the Constitution. There should be no discrimination based on caste and creed," said Gurung.

The petitioner has demanded that a single development board covering all tribal communities in the state be formed. "For this, all development boards must be dissolved. Or else, development boards must be formed for all communities in the state," he said.

Telegraph

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‎Bengal‬ Sanctions Land for ‪Lepcha‬ Bhavan in New Town, ‪Kolkata‬

10:12 AM

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West Bengal

‪Grid-connected solar panels will be installed on the roof for compound illumination of the state-of-the-art green building. The state urban development department is selecting a reputable architectue firm to come up with the design for the sixth-storied structure. The required built-up space of the building will be at least 12,000 square feet.

NKDA officials said that New Town is being developed as a green smart city and the aim is to have a unique landmark building in the township like the proposed Lepcha Bhavan.

"The aim is to construct an eco-friendly building that will reflect the Lepcha culture. It will be built, bringing together natural resources and modern technology," an NKDA official said.

‎Bengal‬ Sanctions 7.47 Cottah Land for ‪Lepcha‬ Bhavan in New Town, ‪Kolkata‬

During a visit in Kalimpong, Mamata Banerjee had said the Lepcha Board was working for the development of their housing, education, livelihood, sanitation, tourism and preservation and propagation of their culture.

[Via: TNN, File Pic]

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Mamata Banerjee announced Mangar Development Board

12:14 PM

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Mangar Development Board

Writes Rajeev Ravidas

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee today went back on her word and announced a development board for Mangars, the first non-tribal Gorkha community from the hills to be given such a cultural platform.

The Lepchas, Tamangs, Sherpas and Bhutias, who have development boards, are all tribals.

"The Mangars want a development board, so do the Rais and the Limbus. I have given it to the Mangars," she said at an event organised by the Lepcha Development Board at the Mela Grounds in Kalimpong. Immediately after her announcement, the members of the Mangar community in the crowd of over 10,000 consisting mostly of the Lepchas started dancing.

"This has opened the doors of opportunity for the members of our community. We will forever be grateful to the chief minister for giving us this board," said Navin Thapa, the secretary of the Nava Mangar Association.

Mangar community celebrating in traditional attire in Kalimpong following the announcement of
'Mangar Development Board' by CM Mamata Banerjee in Kalimpong 

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha is against the chief minister's decision to form the development boards and Bimal Gurung has said this was an effort to divide the people of the hills.

Morcha general secretary Roshan Giri said: "This is part of her divide-and-rule policy. If her intentions are sincere, she ought to make boards for all Gorkha communities."

The chief minister went back her word of not forming any more boards, which she had said in Darjeeling on August 25. Her change of heart, it appears, has come about because of the enthusiastic response she received from the beneficiary communities of the earlier tribal bodies during her current visit to the hills.

"I want development to take place in the hills. If we indulge only in politics, the people will suffer," she said while lauding the Lepcha board for delivering on development.

In an oblique reference to the Morcha, she said the politics of agitation will not bring any good. "Don't agitate, it will hurt Darjeeling.... If you want to talk, the doors are always open. What is needed is not speeches, but development," she said in a mix of Hindi and broken Nepali.

Yesterday, at another event in Kalimpong, people had clapped when Mamata had said she would not let go of the hills, reiterating her stand that she was against the bifurcation of Bengal.

Today, the chief minister also announced some sops for the Lepchas and other communities. The significant among them was the hike in the annual budget of the Lepcha board from Rs 30 crore to Rs 35 crore and construction of a building in Calcutta for Lepchas visiting the state capital and another one for the people of the hills visiting Siliguri.

Source Telegraph

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Mamata Banerjee not ready to give up the Darjeeling hills

6:58 PM

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Tamang Development Board

Claps for Mamata in Kalimpong - Won't give up hills, says CM

Writes Rajeev Ravidas

Kalimpong, Sept. 15: Mamata Banerjee, while announcing funds for three hill communities, today told a crowd of several thousands that she "is not ready to give up the Darjeeling hills", but it did not elicit protests.

Some in the crowd of nearly 10,000 at Kalimpong's Ronaldshay Park clapped. Back in January 2013, when Mamata had said Darjeeling "is a part of us" at a rally on Chowrasta, hill people had jeered and held up Gorkhaland placards. Soon after, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha had restarted a statehood movement.

Yesterday, several hill tribal leaders who had got development bodies for their communities said they were grateful to Mamata. "The chief minister has come forward to help us preserve our culture, language and tradition by forming the Tamang development board. We are grateful to her. I don't see anything sinister in this," said Sanjay Moktan, the chairman of the Tamang development board.

Sanjay Moktan, the chairman of the Tamang Development and Cultural Board,
receives a cheque from Mamata Banerjee in Kalimpong on Tuesday.
Picture by Chinlop Fudong Lepcha

Last week, Gurung had warned hill residents of the state government's effort to divide and rule in the hills. He had appealed for unity.

Although it is tough to tell if Mamata had won the hearts of a section of hill residents by setting up the cultural development boards for them, it is clear that not all tribal community leaders in the hills are convinced by Gurung's arguments.

Mamata, speaking in Hindi, told the crowd: "I am ready to ruin my life for the hills, but I will not give up the hills. I will not let the hills break away."

Tamangs, Bhutias and Sherpas were at the event organised by the Tamang Development and Culture Board. The crowd, which included many from among the non-tribal Mangars, greeted her remark with applause.

In Darjeeling, Binay Tamang, assistant secretary of the Morcha, reminded all that the GTA agreement, signed by Mamata's government and the Centre, "clearly mentions that the Gorkhaland demand has not been dropped and we can raise it whenever we want to".

Tamang repeated what Gurung has earlier said: "We will raise the issue with the Centre as Bengal cannot give us statehood."

The Morcha perceives the NDA government at the Centre to be more receptive to the Gorkhaland demand, although nowhere in the general election manifesto had the NDA mentioned that it would support the creation of a separate Gorkhaland state.

Morcha chief Bimal Gurung yesterday announced a renewed agitation for Gorkhaland, irked by the alleged interference of the state government in the functioning of the GTA.

The Tamangs today organised the programme to mark the first anniversary of their development board.

The board gave Mamata the title of Narsang Dolma or the goddess of light.

The Lepchas, the first to be given a development board by Mamata in 2013, had given Mamata the title of bestower of good fortune.

The chief minister said she was committed to working for the development of the hills. In return, she said, she sought nothing other than the love and affection of the people. "Till the time I live, I will continue visiting the hills," she said.

Tamang, the Morcha assistant secretary, said in Darjeeling that the chief minister need bother about development in the hills. "All she needs to do is to transfer all the 57 subjects to the GTA and ensure that there is no dual administration in the hills. If this is done, development will take place in the hills," he said.

The chief minister also announced funds for the Tamang, Bhutia and Lepcha boards. The funds, ranging from Rs 3.75 crore to Rs 10 crore, will be used to construct houses and toilets for poor residents among the three tribes. She indicated that she would also announce something for the Mangars at a programme of the Lepchas she is scheduled to attend at the Mela Ground in Kalimpong tomorrow.

The Mangars, too, have been demanding a development board for themselves, but Mamata during her last visit to Darjeeling in August had said no more such bodies would be formed.

ABGL vice-president Pratap Khati, who attended the programme at the invitation of the Tamang board, said what he witnessed at the programme was a superficial division of the Gorkhas brought about by the vision-less leadership of Gurung.

Source Telegraph

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Mamata Banerjee to lay foundation stone for Dowhill Educational Hub and Presidency University

1:32 PM

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Tamang Development Board

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will lay the foundation stone for the Dowhill Educational Hub and Himalayan Centre of Presidency University in Kurseong on September 14. The next day, she will attend a programme organised by the Tamang Development Board in Dr. Graham’s Homes, Kalimpong. On September 16, Banerjee will attend a programme hosted by the Lepcha Development Board at the Kalimpong Mela Ground.

She will head back to Kolkata on September 17. No meetings have been fixed with the GTA or GJM leaders during her stay in the hills. GJM president Bimal Gurung today said he would be in Delhi on September 14 and return only on September 17. He said he had personal work in the national capital but would try to meet the prime minister.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee in Kurseong - a file photo

Via EOI

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Lepcha Para Teachers Lift 109 Day Old Agitation – Claim Victory

9:45 AM

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West Bengal Tribal Development Board (WBTDB)

Lifting their 109 day old agitation, the Lepcha Para teachers whose appointment is still under judicial adjudication yesterday claimed victory.

Lepcha Para Teachers on protest

The West Bengal government had appointed Lepcha language Para teachers on April 15, 2015. However Bengal government had done so without any consultation with the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, GTA had in turn filed a court case citing the fact that primary education was a transferred subject under the GTA Accord, and thus the appointment be called null and void.
After the filing of the court case, the Hon’ble Kolkata High Court had put a stay on the appointment of the Para teachers, until a judgement was reached in the case.

Thus it took many by surprise when the agitating teacher appointees started to burst crackers and claimed victory. The reason for their joy it turned out was a letter written by West Bengal State School Education Department Secretary Mr. A Roy to Darjeeling District Magistrate.

The letter reads that the Mayel Lyang Lepcha Development Board (MYLDB) which comes under the West Bengal Tribal Development Board (WBTDB) has requested that the agitating 46 teachers be included in Lepcha Medium schools currently being run by MYLDB. The Chief Secretary of WBTDB and Additional Joint Secretary of the Home Department have issued “No Objection,” thus the District Magistrate may allow the appointment of these teachers in Lepcha Medium School and Night Schools as Para teachers.

Speaking to the press, Mr. Peter Lepcha a representative of the agitating teachers said, “till our case is resolved this is a temporary settlement on our behalf, and we are very happy, as our salary is being accrued since August 1st… we are most thankful to the State Government for making this temporary arrangement until there is final decision on our appointment from the court…”

He further stated that, “this is a victory of our agitation, and even though schools under MYLDB might be unrecognized, at least we are happy that there will be some reduction in unemployment in the hills.”

They have lifted their agitation.

Via - TheDC

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HC asks for affidavit on Lepcha teachers appointment in Darjeeling

2:11 PM

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West Bengal

Kolkata, 21 April, 2015: The Calcutta High Court today directed the West Bengal government to file an affidavit on the steps regarding appointment of Lepcha teachers in Darjeeling district and asked it why it was having frequent conflicts with GTA.

Lepcha parateachers of 46 schools in hunger 

strike in Kalimpong - darpan pic

After hearing of the matter, Justice Tapabrata Chakroborti asked the state government to submit why it was having frequent confrontations with the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) over various issues.

The court asked the state to file an affidavit within three weeks and fixed the matter for hearing after five weeks.

Last June, the state issued a notification and asked the Darjeeling district magistrate to start the selection process of appointing Lepcha parateachers in 46 schools.

Subsequently GTA spokesperson Roshan Giri told the district magistrate not to proceed with the notification as according to the GTA Act 2011, appointment of teachers in Darjeeling district remained within its ambit.

However, the process continued and in August 2014 the appointment process was completed.
Subsequently GTA counsel Ayanabho Raha filed a case in the high court and sought an interim stay which the court refused to grant. PTI

Via : DC

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Supreme Court threat for Lepcha language implementation in schools

10:40 AM

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West Bengal

"Will go to Supreme Court if Lepcha language not implemented" - Yusuf Simick

A political wit had once quipped that, 'Politics has so many twist and turns that it if someone has motion sickness, it is advisable for them to stay out of politics.' One need not look too far away, a look at political scenario in Darjeeling hills, and one would totally agree with the wit.

Lepchas Threaten Litigation if Lepcha Language is Not Implemented in Schools

Unsurprisingly after about a year of bonhomie, the Lepcha leaders are now threatening to knock the doors of Hon'ble Supreme Court, as they are claiming that despite the assurances from Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee - on whom they had conferred the title of "Kinchum Darmit - Bhagyabidhata" a year ago -
Bengal has not done anything to practically implement the teaching of Lepcha/Rong language in the schools.

Celebrating the 283rd birth anniversary of the last Lepcha King Panu Gyaboo Achuk lepcha leaders like Mayel Lyang Lepcha Development board President Laysang Tamsang, Tamang Development Board President Sanjay Moktan, MLDB VP Yusuf Simick among others.

Speaking at the occassion Yusuf Simick said, "even we want unity in the hills, but unity cannot be imposed on us, we want to retain our identity when we join are tied in the unity."

Blaming the government for not fulfilling its promise, Mr. Simick said, "even though the government order has been issued for the past 6 months it is yet to be implemented, the local administrative disposition (GTA) should allow for the order to be implemented... if the Lepcha language is not started teaching, then we will knock on the doors of Supreme Court"

He further said that, "to be able to study in ones own mother tongue is a constitutional right... and that is why we not only support such rights for the Lepchas, but also for the Rai, Limbu, Tamang, Gurung, Bhujel, Newar and all other linguistic groups... even their languages need to be protected and all the festivals of all the communities must be celebrated with equal frevor" he said.

Source: DC

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Mamata Banerjee at Lepcha Development Board's 3rd Foundation Day

4:55 PM

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tribal news

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today attended the 3rd Foundation Day ceremony of the Mayel-Lyang Lepcha Development Board at Dr. Graham’s Homes Ground in Kalimpong. The chief minister announced a slew of new projects as well as additional funds for projects announced earlier. Appreciating the work done by the MLDB, she presented the board president, Lyangsong Tamsang, with a cheque of Rs10 crore as additional funds for the projects the board is currently working on. Banerjee also presented another cheque of Rs2.5 crore to Tamsang for the construction of an MLDB administrative building, while she presented Rs5 crore to the Tamang Cultural Development Board.

CM Mamata Banerjee at the MLDB's 3rd Foundation
 Day Ceremony in Kalimpong on Wednesday.

Banerjee said the state government will provide employment opportunities for educated unemployed youths of the Lepcha community as para-teachers at 46 different schools in the hills. Apart from that, she also announced the launch of 28 new government buses for the public in the hills. These buses will operate under the North Bengal State Transport Corporation and cater to the public of all the three sub-divisions of the hills. Other developmental announcements made by the chief minister included construction of shopping complexes  in Kalimpong, Kurseong and Gorubathan as part of the government’s initiative of rural economic development; ecotourism development at Tinchulay, Takdah, Pokharitar and Chimni under Darjeeling and Kurseong forest divisions; and 10 new check posts at Pulungdung, Todey and Jaldhaka under the Border Area Development Scheme. She also announced new provisions under the state government’s Kanyashree Scheme.

Further, the chief minister informed the state government will provide Rs11 crore for the development of solid waste management in Kalimpong. She further informed the TMC government will also start four new hydro-power projects in the hills. The four projects, slated to be developed at Rammam in Darjeeling and Teesta in Kalimpong, will be constructed at a total cost of Rs 3,300 crore.

Praising the work executed by the MLDS in such a short span of time, Banerjee said, “There are people who need work, but do not know how to find it. But the MLDB has done it and everyone should learn about work ethics from this board. Efficient usage of funds provided by the state government is also a commendable achievement.”

She also provided cheques to various beneficiaries working under a number of state government sanctioned schemes, including the Kanyashree Scheme, Farmer Credit Card Scheme, Meter Taxi Scheme, Minority Welfare Scheme and Lepcha Women’s Welfare Scheme. Lauding the completion of 1,000 Lepcha houses before the estimated time and the progress of the construction of an additional 1,000 such houses, Banerjee assured sanction of funds for 1,000 more Lepcha houses after the current lot gets completed. Further, the chief minister also assured the MLDA of providing land and funds for the construction of a Lepcha Cultural Heritage Centre, which was proposed by the board earlier.

The chief minister further directed DM Punit Yadav to form a steering committee for the beautification and conservation of the numerous rivulets and streams that flow through the Darjeeling hills. She said water from such sources can be purified for various usages under the MGNREGA programme. “This will also provide the people of rural areas an opportunity to earn extra income through the 100-day work scheme,” she added.

Further, the chief minister assured of speedy work on the development of the chief minister’s office in Darjeeling along with rural tourism development in Labhraysap and Lolaygaon areas and improvement in government hospital services. “Earlier you used to travel to Kolkata to meet the chief minister, but now I will bring Kolkata here. Until this body remains, I will always visit the Darjeeling hills. The hills call me and I have developed a special relationship with the Kanchenjunga,” she stated. Claiming her dream is to make the hills developed, prosperous and self-sufficient, Banerjee said, “Darjeeling is for the people, by the people, of the people.”

The third foundation day of the MLDB was also attended by NBDD minister Gautam Deb, Siliguri MLA Dr. Rudranath Bhattarai, chief secretary Sanjay Mitra, home secretary Basudev Banerjee, community development secretary SK Tathay, GTA principal secretary Gautam Ghosh, MLDP chairman Lyangsong Tamsang and TCDB chairman Sanjay Moktan along with other top bureaucrats and police officials. Other guests included representatives of various communities demanding tribal status from the state government.

Thanking the chief minister for gracing the foundation day ceremony with her presence, Tamsang and Moktan presented her with a citation and a memento. Representatives of various other communities, including the Limboo, Emi Bhutia, Singsa Bhutia, Bhujel, Mangar, Newar, Khamburai, Mukhia, Khas, Hitkari and Bengali also presented the chief minister with traditional gifts.

Source: EOI

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Tamang Development and Cultural Board announced by Mamata Banerjee

2:17 PM

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Tamang Development Council

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday announced the formation of Tamang Development and Cultural Board at a public meeting in Darjeeling’s Chowrasta

Lauding the developmental work done by Lepcha Development Board, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the setting up of Tamang Welfare and Cultural Board in Darjeeling on Thursday. Addressing a public gathering in Darjeeling, she announced an additional Rs. 20-crore grant to Lepcha Development Board and Rs. 10-crore grant to Tamang Development and Cultural Board.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday announced the formation of Tamang Development
 and Cultural Board

The announcement at the first public meeting of the Chief Minister after her party lost the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) alliance is significant. Her attempt to set up Lepcha Development Board was met with criticism by the GJM who had described the development as an attempt to create division among the people of the hills.

She also announced that the son of slain Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League leader Madan Tamang, as one of the member of Tamag Welfare and Cultural Board. The family members of Mr. Tamang have alleged that senior GJM leaders were involved in his murder in broad daylight.

“I want your trust, I want your faith…. I am not doing development for your votes,” the Chief Minister said. Ms. Banerjee also said that she has approached the Centre for conferring tribal status on the 11 communities from the region. “We have written to the new Central government to confer tribal status on 11 communities of the hills,” she said.

During her address delivered in Hindi, she made references to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, the regional autonomous council, which is run by the GJM, and said both the GTA and the State government will help in the development of hills.

“There will be politics but one should not bring politics into development,” the Chief Minister said, adding that she will meet the representatives of the GTA and local MLAs on Friday.

Referring to the Rs. 250-crore safari park-cum-zoo in Sukna near Siliguri, Ms. Banerjee said the upcoming project will play a big role in boosting tourism in the region. She said the 261-acre safari park will house several animals, including tigers, leopards, rhinos, and a variety of reptiles and birds.

On the issue of the closed tea gardens, the Chief Minister said that the Centre should come up with a package. She claimed that her government has decided to pay Rs. 1,500 to the workers of the closed tea gardens and assured that the workers will be provided jobs under the 100-day-work guarantee scheme.

Reacting to the formation of Tamang Board, GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said: “The state government is indulging in divisive politics here. They want to divide the Gorkhas and rule. But they will not be successful.” Incidentally, one of the board members is Sanjog Tamang, son of slain Gorkha League leader Madan Tamang. Madan’s murder case is being investigated by the CBI while several senior Morcha leaders, including Giri, had figured in the FIR as “conspirators”.

The meeting, or the “administrative programme”, was organised by Darjeeling district administration, and both the GJM and its wing GTA had claimed that they “did not receive any official invitation” to attend the programme.

Mamata, however, informed that her officers did go to invite GTA chief executive Bimal Gurung but were told that he was “busy with his birthday celebration programmes”. “(Upon learning) I wished him on his 50th birthday,” the CM said.


Later in the day, a Morcha delegation, led by Giri and MLAs Trilok Dewan and Rohit Sharma, held a meeting with chief secretary Sanjay Mitra where it was decided that a GTA delegation led by chief executive Bimal Gurung will remain present at the administrative review meeting today. Mamata will hold the meeting at 2 pm.

Source: thehindu and mumbaitv

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GJM MLA Slams Mamata's Divide and Rule Policy

10:12 AM

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Tamang Development Board

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leader and Kurseong MLA Rohit Sharma today came down heavily on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s role in what he called “dividing” the Gorkha community by constituting the Tamang Development Board and the Lepcha Development Council. The ethnic groups living in Darjeeling are unitedly known as the Gorkhas. “While dividing the Gorkha community, the unity in diversity, in Darjeeling Hills, she is playing with fire,” Mr Sharma said.

Hill Development Boards hindrance to Gorkhaland

CPI-M leader in the Hills, KB Watter, also criticised the chief minister for her “non-cooperation” in running the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).

The criticisms come the day Miss Banerjee pointed out during her programme in Darjeeling that development in the Hills was not possible without cooperation, while she said politics creates problems in bringing about development.

“She cannot utter such words. The state has extended cooperation for six months after the formation of the GTA. After that she has done politics and there was no cooperation from her end to run the GTA,” Mr Watter said, adding, “She is playing with fire by constituting separate boards for the Lepcha, Tamang and other communities in Darjeeling Hills.”

Also reacting to Miss Banerjee’s statement, Mr Sharma said: “Has the state implemented all the subjects mentioned in the GTA agreement? There are several points in the agreement, which are yet to be implemented. Where are the GTA School Service Commission and the GTA College Service Commission? Is the state cooperating with us in running the GTA properly?”
“Every political party will do politics to remain in power.

Our political views may be different, but the chief minister of the state should come forward in bringing in development in the Hills through the GTA,” Mr Sharma said, adding, “Has the state made any arrangement in the GTA to implement the Kanyashree project?”

About the scheme for girl students in the state, a Darjeeling resident said girls faced technical problems during submission of applications. “There was no proper campaigning of the Kanyashree project in the Hills. Leaflets should have been circulated in the Nepali language,” the girl said.

Notably, Miss Banerjee today expressed dissatisfaction over the poor implementation of the Kanyashree project in the Hills and urged the audience to register names of school-going girls to avail of the facility.

When contacted, GJMM MLA from Kalimpong, Harka Bahadur Chhetri, said: “I am in Kalimpong, I did not attend the CM’s programme, and I will not comment on any subject, including the Kanyashree scheme.”

“I do not have the progress report on the Kanyashree project because the GTA does not invite me in its meetings. Only Darjeeling MLA Trilok Dewan functions there as the GTA advisor. 
The Kurseong MLA has no connection with the GTA officially,” Mr Chhetri said.

Source: Statesman News Service

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Asok Bhattacharya fears Gorkhaland in accordance with Article 3 by BJP

9:05 PM

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Politics

Former state urban development minister and senior CPI-M leader Asok Bhattacharya today said his party is apprehending that the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre might divide the state and create a separate state of Gorkhaland in accordance with Article 3 of the Indian Constitution and without taking the consent of the state government. 

Asok Bhattacharya 

“The previous UPA government had bifurcated Andhra Pradesh and created Telangana without the consent of the state government by using Article 3. Since the BJP is in favour of creating smaller states, we are apprehending that it may follow the same trend to create Gorkhaland without taking the opinion of the state government,” Mr Bhattacharya said here. 

Saying that the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) had supported the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls for Gorkhaland, he said: “The party had supported the Bharatiya Janata Party to achieve their separate statehood goal. We demand that both the BJP and the GJMM jointly say in public what their current stand is in this regard.” 

Mr Bhattacharya also slammed the Centre for allegedly ignoring the Darjeeling Hills in the Union budget. 
“No fund was allotted for the Hills in the budget. 

Nothing has been men-tioned of the Hill Area Development Programme. The Centre totally ignored the Hills in the budget,” he said. 
Talking about chief minister Mamata Bannerjee's visit to Darjeeling from 16 July, Mr Bhattacharya took a dig on her possible announcement of the Tamang Development Board. 

“The Lepcha Development Board was set up and no one knows how much funds were given to it and what its 

functions are, and now the chief minister is set to form the Tamang Development Board. We suspect that many other such boards may come up for other communities as well," he said.

Source: The Statesman

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After the Tamangs Mamata Refuses to Meet Lepcha Representatives

8:00 PM

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Tamang Development Council

After snubbing the representatives from the Tamang Youth faction which had declared allegiance to TMC before the elections, by not meeting them at all on Friday. It was the turn of the ILTA representatives to bear the burnt of Mamata's ire.

Lepchas with TMC candidate Bhaichung during LS election campaign

Yesterday a high level delegation of Lepchas had arrived in the morning to meet the West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee at Mongpong. However, they were kept waiting all day, and they eventually had to leave dejected in the evening without getting a chance to meet the Chief Minister.

Speaking to the press the ILTA Youth Wing Secretary Dorjee Lepcha tried to downplay the incidence and said, "we had come to give a courteous visit to the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and after waiting for many hours, we were informed that since she had come to rest she would not be meeting anyone."

However earlier in the day Mamata Banerjee had in fact met local people regarding and discussed some problems and issues the locals were facing.

Political observers in Darjeeling see this as a reminder to everyone associated with TMC in the hills that they are replaceable. Speaking to TheDC a senior political observer from Kalimpong said, "It was bound to be, after all TMC gained much less votes in the hills than they had been told they would gain... and that impression to TMC that they would gain over 2 Lakh vote from the hills were given by the very same leaders from the Lepcha and Tamang communities, whom Mamata refused to meet..."

Clarifying further he said, "No one likes to be lied to, least of all Mamata Banerjee who has a reputation for being straight forward... she does not tolerate fools and liars and some community leaders from the hills were not honest with the CM about how much clout they actually had in their own community... This was bound to be.. I honestly don't blame the CM."

Another political insider said, "In refusing to meet the representatives from those factions of the Lepcha and Tamang youth associations, which had in fact openly supported TMC in the Lok Sabha elections, Mamata is sending a clear signal to everyone in Darjeeling - perform or perish... I will not be surprised if Gautam Deb loses favour with the CM in the coming days, after all he is the in-charge for the hills, and ultimately it will be seen as his failure and not TMCs."

Of the four community groups from the hills which had openly come out in support of TMC candidate Bhaichung Bhutia, representatives from All India Sherpa Buddhist Association section of Limbu community led by ND Subba and Mangar samaj did not seem to try to meet Mamata, else there is a good chance that they may also have been snubbed.

However, there is a distant possibility that perhaps the Chief Minister choose not to meet these two groups as she actually wanted to rest and not discuss politics, or may be she is sick and tired of sycophants and thus has no interest in entertaining them any more.

In a reverse snub of sorts, this time around the GJM leaders did not seek to meet Mamata or pay her a courtesy visit either, which otherwise they would normally do.

Seems like Darjeeling is waiting for interesting times ahead.

[During happier times: File pic of ILTA, TYA and Mangar Samaj representatives at a TMC rally in Kalimpong in support of Bhaichung]

Source: DC facebook

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Bhaichung blessed by Lepcha support

9:58 PM

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TMC

Kalimpong April 10: Expected and speculated in the political circles of the hills, the Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association (ILTA) Thursday extended its support to TMC candidate Bhaichung Bhutia that could put things for the GJM-BJP alliance in jeopardy.

Bhaichung and Mamata Bannerjee

Attended by Lepchas from across the hills, the association today held a public rally to announce its support in presence of North Bengal Development minister Gautam Deb and Bhaichung himself. Though the meeting was organized by the ILTA, with Lepchas wearing TMC cap predicted that the meet was of the TMC itself. The member from the Tamang youth association also attended the meet. 

“We will support the TMC candidate Bhaichung Bhutia as a return gift to the state government for forming the Myang Lyang Lepcha Development Council earlier in September last year,” announced Dorjee T. Lepcha, the president of the association. “It was only after TMC took charge of the state we saw justice coming our way,” he added appealing other communities too to vote for Bhutia. 

The ILTA has been fighting for its rights and wants introduction of Lepcha language in the schools of the hills. The association claims to have 30 percent of the hills population. Interestingly after the formation of the council in September 2013, other communities like the Tamangs has also demanded a similar board to which the state government has given a nod. The Tamangs claim to have over 3 lakh population in the hills. 

Addressing the gathering Dev however said that Bhutia will win by a margin of 5 lakhs. Bhutia who thanked the Lepcha for their support however said that he is up in politics to promote honest politics and vowed to be honest. “The GJM is using public money meant for development during election campaign. There is a lot of work to be done in the hills. The road condition is pathetic, there is perennial shortage of water, education has taken a hit and unemployment is on the rise,” he alleged, promising that he would want to address these issues if elected. 

Vivek Ghatani - Editor Indian Gorkhas

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Limbus community to boycott the Lok Sabha election

10:17 AM

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Live News

The Limbus, who are demanding a development board for their community on the lines of the Lepcha Development Board, has announced their decision of boycotting the Lok Sabha election this time.

Limbus community to  boycott the Lok Sabha election

Speaking over phone from Kalimpong, Yakthung Shong Chumlung president ND Limbu confirmed the decision. He said, "Our association held a meeting on Sunday and it was attended by members from the hills and also from the plains of the Terai and Dooars. Prioritising our demand for a separate development board that has gone unheard so far, we have decided to boycott the LS election this time.”

The Limbu community was granted Scheduled Tribe status in 2003 and has a population of more than 1.5 lakh in the hills alone, while another 10,000 are estimated to be living in the Dooars, Siliguri and Salua.

The YSC chief lamented the fact that in spite of repeated requests and submissions to the state government, nothing concrete had materialized yet.

"We have submitted memorandums to the state government and even personally to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on several occasions. But we have not got any assurance or response till now. With no alternative before us, we have been forced to take the decision to boycott the elections," said Limbu.

The association president maintained that the association had submitted a memorandum with a demand for forming a development board to the chief minister during her visit to Kurseong on October 23 last year.

It is to be noted that the state government issued a notice to the Tamang Youth Association (TYA) on March 1 apprising the association of its approval for setting up a Tamang Development and Cultural Board.

However, confusion has cropped up among other seekers of similar development boards on the state government's letter in para-3, which reads: "…this board will also carry out the above activities in respect of other communities as may be notified from time to time".

Apart from demanding a development council, the Limbu community also wants the Limbu language to be taught across primary school in the hills. The YSC contends a development board would help in preserving and promoting the language, culture, tradition and economic progress of Limbus settled in the country.


Source:EOIC

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PR Pradhan against community based development boards in the hills

10:50 AM

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West Bengal

After the formation of the Lepcha Development Board, the state government has given its nod for a Tamang board as well. The Limboo and Bhutia communities are also pursuing for similar setups. With other communities also seeking tribal status, the entire hills is witnessing community based politics. But if the state government has appeased many by forming development boards, it has also drawn a lot of criticism. 

PR Pradhan.

Educationist and former Zilla Parishad chairman PR Pradhan lashed at the state government’s policy of forming community based development boards. He disapproved the policy of segregating communities citing development and warned doing so will not bring about overall development of the region.

“Development must take place for all. Developing only one of the ten fingers will render the hand useless,” he remarked. Each community must be incorporated in an inclusive development scheme instead of divisive policies.

Pradhan also commented on the policies of the GTA and stressed on the need for building up human resource in the region to ensure “real development”. He urged the GTA to arrange for special reservations in reputed educational institutions across the country for the “Gorkhas of Darjeeling”. If this is done it will be a great achievement for the hills and also give meaning to the development works of the GTA, said the educationist. According to Pradhan, the GTA has taken up the task of establishing colleges, university and super-specialty hospitals, among others, but locals will not get employment in such institutes as they demand highly proficient people. Experts from outside will have to be hired to work in these institutes and this will give no meaning to development, he said.

If locals are to be employed, the GTA must seriously look into providing reservations for hill students at the finest institutes in the country. “If the Gorkhas of Darjeeling get reservation in national institutes of excellence, the GTA can select meritorious students and send them to study there,” Pradhan said, adding, “If this can be done we will have ample human resources in our region after 10 years.”

Source:EOI

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Sherpa join the Development Board Race

9:24 PM

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Live News

The clamour for separate development boards by various communities of the Darjeeling hills is gaining in momentum after chief minister Mamata Banerjee set up the Lepcha Development Board last year.

 Lepcha Development Board 

The Sherpa community today took out a rally in Darjeeling town demanding the formation of a separate development board on the lines of the LDB.

“The Sherpas have a distinct language, culture, attire and food habits, and these set us apart from other communities. We are a minority community and need to be safeguarded and given facilities for our community to develop further,” said Nima Wangdi Sherpa, chief coordinator of the All Sherpa Buddhist Development Council Action Committee (ASBDCAC), which is spearheading the demand.

Hundreds of Sherpa community members participated in the rally carrying placards with the demand and raised slogans.

The chief minister virtually opened up a Pandora’s Box when she formed the LDB in a huff after a tiff with the ruling Gorkha Janmukti Morcha last year. Banerjee’s decision had prompted the GJM to accuse her of dividing the people of the region to gain a foothold in the hills.

In fact, the decision to set up the LDB was among the factors that had triggered off the recent agitation for statehood here. The soured relation between the state government and the GJM was restored after a 44-day agitation by the latter, but the bonhomie could not stem the voices demanding development boards by the various communities here.

After the Lepchas, the Bhutia, Mangar, Rai and other communities have started demanding their respective development boards.

Meanwhile, the ASBDCAC cited factors such as the community’s population and the urgent need for its overall development.

“As a community, our strength is more than 1.40 lakh members in Bengal. Further, we are an underdeveloped people and have little or no representation. Therefore, our demand for a separate development board is legitimate and within our fundamental rights,” said the Sherpa community’s chief coordinator.

However, he skirted questions on whether the proposed Sherpa Development Board should be under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration or the state government.

When the chief minister had announced the LDB, the GJM had opposed its formation outside the purview of the GTA. The Morcha wanted the LDB to be formed within the GTA citing the board’s better functioning. In a bid to frustrate the state government’s plans, the GJM had demanded similar development boards for other communities, but all under the jurisdiction of the GTA.

The ASBDCAC chief coordinator said a Sherpa delegation would meet Banerjee when she visits the hills on January 20.

 “We will try to meet her when she comes here next week and submit a memorandum comprising our demand. We are hopeful of getting a positive response,” said Sherpa.

It may be mentioned here that in the 2011 GTA agreement, the GJM has demanded tribal status for the entire Gorkha community barring the schedule caste community.

Source:EOI

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