Indian Gorkhas: 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

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

1:32 PM

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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.

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

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

Via EOI

Didi attains Tamang Development and Cultural Board Annual Convention

10:28 PM

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The Tamang Development and Cultural Board celebrated its first Annual Convention today in Darjeeling. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee was horned as the chief guest of the event. The banner of the event read "TD&CB and the entire Tamang community of the hills Welcome our hon'bel chief minister Miss Mamata Banerjee"

Tamang Development and Cultural Board Annual Convention

Later Mamata Banerjee on a social media wrote:

"The lovely Tamang people of the hills had invited me to be present in the Annual Convention today in Darjeeling.

The convention celebrated the first anniversary of Tamang Development and Cultural Board, which our Government had set up in January last year. The New Year celebration ‘Lochaar’ was also held.
I was very happy to watch the brightly attired little children and young brothers and sisters performing an excellent colourful cultural programme including the famous traditional Tamang dance, "Dumphoo".
We are assisting the Tamang Board with various development and cultural activities including housing for their people.
It is our earnest endeavour that all the people of the hills prosper and be happy.
My best wishes to all of them. I really love my Darjeeling brothers and sisters.
We are always with them and will be with them."

The Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee handed over a cheque worth Rs 5 crores to Tamang Development and Cultural Board (TDCB) Chairman Sanjay Moktan in a program organized at Lebong stadium.

Ms. Banerjee was attending the Foundation Day celebrations of TDCB, which was announced in January last year, an started functioning from June 2014.

Speaking at the occasion Ms. Banerjee said, "Last year we had given 5 crores, we are giving another 5 crores, use it for developing the community... in a transparent manner.. help the poor people in your community."

The proverbial 'Development Board' chickens have come home to roost and can open up a Pandora's box full of political quicksands that can gobble up TMC whole.

Now the Sara Bharat Matua Mahasangha - one of the most well organized minority community organizations in Bengal is now demanding the formation of a 'Development Board' for the socioeconomic development of the community in Bengal.

Will Bengal be able to afford "Development Boards" for all of them?

Lack of transparency in Tamang Development and Cultural Board

10:45 AM

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Tamang Youth Association

Darjeeling, Oct. 16: A member of the Tamang Development and Cultural Board’s general council has alleged lack of transparency in the functioning of chairperson Sanjay Moktan, whose appointment was announced by Mamata Banerjee at a public meeting here.

Today, general council member Sanyog Tamang, called a news conference at his house here and said they did not know that a fixed deposit account had been opened in a bank in the name of the board. He alleged that some members of Tamang community were collecting subscriptions in the name of the board.

“Since the formation of the board, the chairperson, Sanjay Moktan is working in a non-transparent manner. Not a single meeting of the general council of the TDCB has been called till date. The general council members do not know who proposed and decided to open a bank account for the board,” said Sanyog , the son of ABGL leader Madan Tamang who was murdered here in 2010. “I have heard from reliable sources that the board has made a fixed deposit of Rs 5 crore for a period of three months. The general council has not been informed about the decision,” Sanyog said.

Mamata Banerjee had announced the Tamang Development and Cultural Board earlier this year at a public meeting and she had said Moktan would be its chairperson.

The board was formed on July 16, 2014 and it has been granted Rs 5 crore to build houses for community members.

“We have heard that the board has already started distributing houses but the general council is not aware of the development. We have also heard that the board has employed 10 staff members but we are not aware where the office is located,” Sanyog said.

He also alleged that Rs 200 was being collected by a section of people from the community from each person to avail himself of the facilities. “The board is for all the members of the Tamang community. Why should anyone pay subscription for its facilities?”

Sanyog added that Moktan was using a car with a nameplate of the Tamang board for personal use. “He is moving around in a vehicle carrying a nameplate of the board. It is being used for school duty (for family members) and shopping,” said the member.

The general council of the board has 14 members (apart from three ex-officio members) and Sanyog said at least seven of them were not happy with chairperson Moktan. “In the coming days, we will decide our course of action.”

The board also has a 10-member executive committee of which Sanyog is not a member.

Moktan refuted all allegations. “The decision to open a bank account and start the process of identifying houses to be built were taken by the executive council which held a meeting on September 26.”

Asked about the Rs 5 crore fixed deposit in the name of the board, Moktan said: “We cannot disclose certain decisions taken by the executive council. The onus to prove the allegations lies with the person who raised the allegation.”

Moktan said the government had not yet given him an official vehicle. “We do not have an office at the moment and we have written to the government for staff members. We are operating from an office of the Tamang Youth Association (a community-based social organisation). The board was registered a month ago and we are in the initial stage.”

Moktan also denied the allegation of people collecting subscription and said the board has decided to call a meeting on October 22. Sanyog said the meeting was being called as Moktan had got to know that others were dissatisfied.

Source: Telegraph

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

4:55 PM

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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

Tamang Development and Cultural Board announced by Mamata Banerjee

2:17 PM

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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

GJM MLA Slams Mamata's Divide and Rule Policy

10:12 AM

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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.

Darjeeling Development Boards hindrance to Gorkhaland

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

Mamata Banerjee -GTA, Darjeeling municipality and state govt should work together

10:12 PM

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Mamata Banerjee at Chowrasta today said Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), Darjeeling municipality and state government should work together for the overall development of the hills which was neglected in the past.

Mamata Banerjee at Chowrasta today

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee officially announced the formation of Tamang Development Board.

Bengal government had written to the Centre for granting schedule tribe status to 11 Darjeeling hill communities

Mamata Banerjee wants peace to prevail for unhindered hills development. Without making a direct reference to the GJM which wants a separate state, she called for maintaining peace in the Darjeeling hills.

Darjeeling package" by Mamata Banerjee announced today at Chowrasta

• Mamata Banerjee officially announced the formation of Tamang Board.
• Her government initiates for granting schedule tribe status to 11 Darjeeling hill communities
• Announced a project of Safari Park over an area of 261 acres at a cost of Rs 255 crore at Sukhna, Siliguri.
• Mamata Banerjee commissions unfinished drinking water project.
• A university in Darjeeling and

• An IT hub.

DARJEELING: On a visit to Darjeeling, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today in an apparent message to Gorkha Janamukti Morcha said that it should allow unhindered development of the hills by maintaining peace.

"Politics should not be a barrier for carrying out development. The government wants to usher in development. Darjeeling was neglected in the past. I want to bring in development.

Mamata Banerjee honouring Bhanu Bhakta in
Chowrasta Darjeeling

"If the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, Darjeeling municipality and the state government work together, it would be good for the people in the region," Banerjee said.

She was addressing a gathering at Mall in Darjeeling town after inaugurating a slew of projects including a Safari park at Sukhna near Siliguri and Balasan water project from where drinking water would be supplied to Darjeeling.

The Safari park is a project taken up by the state forest department, which will come up over an area of 261 acres at at a cost of Rs 255 crore, she said.

She said that Darjeeling was facing water scarcity and the drinking water project would mitigate the suffering of the people.

Banerjee said her government had written to the Centre for granting schedule tribe status to 11 Darjeeling hill communities. She also officially announced the formation of Tamang board.

"I feel happy when I see my brothers and sisters in the Hills smiling. I want you to maintain peace in the hills. The more tourists come here, the better will be your economy. I want to promote the culture of the hills. I want your cooperation. I have come to the Hills 40 times. I will keep coming back," she said

She assured the gathering that the drinking water problem in Kurseong would also be sorted out as work for a pipelined water project had been taken up.

In her wish list for the hills, the Chief Minister said she wants a university in Darjeeling and an IT hub to come up.

Source: PTI

Tamang Development and Cultural Board constituted

8:58 AM

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Kalimpong, 15 July 2014: Government of West Bengal has finally constituted Tamang Development and Cultural Board.

Mamata Banerjee with representatives of Tamang Youth association

In a government circular issued today the formation of the Board is declared. It is also published in the Kolkata Gazette on 16th July 2014. The government memo stated that ‘Tamang Development and Cultural Board’ is constituted vide resolution No. 33-TDD/6S-80/13(Pt.-l) dated 27th June, 2014 of Tribal Development department.

The Executive Body of the board comprises of 10 members nominated by the government and they are Sanjay Moktan as Chairperson and Bishnu Tamang, Hemant Ghising, Prem Moktan, Kabita Tamang, Arun Kr. Zimba. Ganga Raj Tamang and Biren Bomzan as members. A government official will be appointed to function as the secretary while Punit Yadav, I.A.S., District Magistrate, Darjeeling will be Ex-officio Member of the Board.

The term of office in respect of Chairperson and other non-official members is for a period of five years from the date of notification and shall automatically expire on completion of five years.

In another circular issued by the Tribal Development Department vide Memo No. STDD-53/14/6S-80/13(Pt.-l) Kolkata, the 16th July, it has stated that the general body of the board is constituted by 17 members. The nominated members are Sanjay Moktan to function as Chairperson while Bishnu Tamang, Prem Moktan, Sanjay Golay, Arun Kr. Zimba, Buddha Moktan, Naren Moktan, Rajendra Yonzone, Sangdup Lama, S.B. Tamang, Suraj Lama, Kamal Ghising, Dawa Moktan, Sanjog Tamang will be members and Prasenjit Deb Barman, Director, C.R.I., Kolkata will be Ex-Officio Member.

SOURCE: KalimNews

After the Tamangs Mamata Refuses to Meet Lepcha Representatives

8:00 PM

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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

SELLOUTS' DON'T REPRESENT TAMANG YOUTHS

8:58 PM

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Tamang Youth Association

These are reactions to the news that Tamang Youth Association has decided to support TMC for 2014 elections.

TYA members seen with Gautam Dev and Mamata Banerjee in Mirik

SANKALP LAMA
I'd would like to first ask. On what basis does TYC claim to represent all the Tamang youths? Have they made any effort to induct college/school students or young professionals from the Tamang community? Going by the definition of a youth association, are they affiliated to any Tamang political or social body? If so, where are the comments of the parent body? If not, what gives a handful of sellouts to claim that they represent an entire community?

A group of sellouts cannot in any way speak over the voice of a majority of determined youths who seek to unite as Gorkhas before Tamangs. It maybe a case of being disappointed by the leaders but more important than that it is a case that needs conscious awakening. Conscious will tell you that the sacrifices made by the people & the cause started by the Gorkhas should not and will not end in petty divisional boards.

It is not hard to see, the policy adopted by Bengal Govt., if this goes on we will witness a full fledged TMC rule for the next 10-15 years thus effectively wiping out any political leverage that we possess. They will have Gorkhas disseminated & dispersed like puppets in their pockets. Sadly, a few group of people are willing to be lured into it. These are the same people that refuse to wear traditional dress for festivals but wear their gowns to welcome a politician who's willing to throw a few pennies.

What is also very unfortunate is the silence of the public figures and activists. It seems we have successfully evolved into a diaspora that would refrain from speaking against anything wrong as long as it doesn't affect us. "The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil but because of the people who don't do anything about it"

BISHAL LAMA
TYA does not represent the entire Tamang community and to project their political inclinations to that of the community's is downright wrong. Govt and media must take note that patronising them and spreading incomplete, half baked news will result in disturbance of communal harmony in the hills.

Write: Sankalp Lama and Bishal Lama

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

Gurung Tamu Youth Association confused over govt nod for Tamang board

10:37 AM

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The Gurung Tamu Youth Association today conducted a meeting to discuss several issues regarding the addition of the Gurung Tamu Community in the Scheduled Tribe category. Chief among the issues discussed was the confusion related to the letter sent by the state government on the formation of a Tamang Development Board.

Gurung Tamu Youth Association confused over govt nod for Tamang board

Kishore Gurung

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, GTYA Press & Publicity secretary Santa Kishore Gurung (Tamu) thanked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for requesting the prime minister to include the Gurung Tamu community in the Scheduled Tribe list. He also congratulated the Tamang Youth Association for getting the approval for a Tamang Development Board.

However, he said the association is confused with a paragraph in the letter sent by the state government on March 1 to the TYA. The letter carries varying guidelines for the new board, but paragraph number 3 reads, “This Board will also carry out the above activities with respect to other communities as may be notified from time to time.”

Gurung said the association has failed to understand who the “other communities” are being referred to are and has requested the state government for a clarification.

He said, “if the ‘other communities referred in the said letter are the 11 Gorkha communities demanding tribal status, we would request for some rectifications.”

Gurung explained the inclusion of the 11 communities into the Tamang Development and Cultural Board is likely to create a rift amongst them and the GTYA does not support any move that could divide the Gorkha community.

He suggested that instead of including the 11 communities, the government should form a single 'Gorkha Tribal Development and Cultural Board' to represent all the concerned communities. Another option would be to provide each tribe with its respective board and not bring others under any particular tribe. Gurung also informed the association will soon hold a meeting with representatives of the 11 communities to discuss the issue.

Source:Eoi

Akhil Bharatiya Tamang Bodh Sangh criticised Tamang Youth Association for supporting TMC

10:02 AM

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The central committee of the Akhil Bharatiya Tamang Bodh Sangh has criticised the Tamang Youth Association’s decision to support the Trinamool Congress candidate from Darjeeling constituency for the Lok Sabha election.

Speaking to reporters today, ABTBA general secretary MK Tamang said the decision to support a particular party could affect the very organisational structure and unity among community members. Everyone should be aware of the political situation and individually decide on which party or candidate to support.

Akhil Bharatiya Tamang Bodh Sangh criticised Tamang Youth Association for supporting TMC

Rally for Tamang Development Council

“The decision to support TMC does not include the entire Tamang community’s views and is completely individualistic,” the ABT

The approval by the state cabinet for the formation of a Tamang Development Board has elated members of the Tamang community. The Tamang Youth Association today called a press meet in town following the return of its representatives from Kolkata after meeing with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The TYC leaders expressed happiness and thanked the chief minister for fulfilling their wish.

TYA president Bishnu Golay said, “The matter will now be discussed by the SC/ST department and the board formed once the Lok Sabha elections are over.”

Golay added the TYA will support the TMC in the election. “We are very thankful to the TMC for its support and have decided to support the party in the upcoming election as a goodwill gesture,” he said.

Source- Eoi

Caste politics over Darjeeling LS seat, Trinamul tilt by Tamangs

11:04 AM

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Trinamool Congress

An association of Tamangs, a community that is the largest in number in the hills, has said it will support a Trinamul candidate for the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat.

Since the years of Subash Ghisingh’s influence in the hills in the 1980s, no community outfit has been known to separately declare allegiance to any party other than the one dominant in Darjeeling or backed by it.

Trinamul tilt by Tamangs

Also, the Tamang Youth Association has sounded its support for a party that is not from the hills but is trying hard to get a toehold.

Trinamul has not announced any candidate for the Lok Sabha elections. Trinamul all-India general secretary Mukul Roy recently said that his party would contest all 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

The Tamang Youth Association, which had organised Mamata’s public meeting in Mirik on January 21, is not the only one or the most influential outfit of the community. So, it cannot be said with certainty that Tamangs, who make up approximately 15 per cent of the hill voter percentage, would vote en block for Trinamul.

The reason for the Tamang Youth Association’s support to Trinamul is chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s promise to create a Tamang Development and Cultural Board.

Nazoo Glan, the chief advisor of the association, said: “We had placed our demand for forming a development body for the Tamang community before the chief minister at Kalimpong in September last year. She has almost fulfilled her commitment by passing a resolution at the state cabinet to form a development board for our community.”

He said as the community was “extremely happy that she has kept her promise to our community and in order to express our gratitude, we will support the Trinamul candidate in Darjeeling Parliament seat in the upcoming elections”.

The Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency comprises seven Assembly segments — Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong in the hills and Matigara-Naxalbari, Siliguri, Phansidewa and Chopra in the plains. The constituency has over 14 lakh voters.

The number of voters from the three hill subdivision adds to around 6 lakh. Traditionally, it has been seen that the candidate who got widespread support in the hills ultimately won the seat. Though the plains have more voters than the hills, the vote there is fragmented.

If the Tamang Youth Association is able to influence even a lakh people to vote Trinamul — it claims a membership of around 1.5 lakh — in the hills and some in the plains, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha would have a contest to deal with.

The Tamang community has around 2.2 lakh people in the hills and another 2 lakh in the Dooars, which makes the community 30 per cent of the over 14 lakh voting population in the seven segments.

The Morcha has been guarded in its reaction to the Tamang association’s decision. Its general secretary Roshan Giri said the party “would wait and watch”.

That the Tamangs have found favour with the Trinamul-led dispensation became clear in one of the steps taken by the state government yesterday.

The government said that the proposed Tamang Development and Cultural board would be asked to look after the interests of nine other hill communities, some of which have sought welfare boards like that of the Tamangs’.

The move has upset the other communities, which perceive the state government’s indifference towards them.

Today, when Mukul Roy was asked about the Tamang association’s support he said he did not know about the matter.

Another senior Trinamul leader, asked about the Tamang board being given the responsibility of the other communities, said: “The Tamang community is leaning towards us. They are happy that a development board has been set up for them. So what is the harm in giving them some more responsibility so they can feel a part of this government?”

However, the Tamangs are not the only hill community that Mamata has wooed. The state government has agreed to recommend to the Centre to give tribal status to 10 hill communities.

A member of a hill community who was present at a Calcutta meeting on Saturday with Mamata, said the chief minister did not seek their support for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections for having recommended their community for ST status.

“No politics was discussed. She only expressed her desire to visit Darjeeling after the Lok Sabha elections,” the representative said.

A source in the hills said: “This time, the hill votes are getting divided and this is definitely a cause of concern for the Morcha.”

Of the over 4.97 lakh votes polled by Morcha backed candidate, Jaswant Singh in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Singh had got 4,11,739 votes in the hills.

“If Trinamul can manage to get around 1 lakh votes from the three hill sub-divisions it can give a good fight to a hill (Morcha) candidate,” said the source.

Source: Telegraph

Tamang Development Board approved by the State Cabinet

10:31 AM

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The state cabinet has reportedly approved the formation of Tamang Development Board, a development board for the Tamang community in the Darjeeling hills. A team comprising 14 members led by Nazoo Glan of the Tamang Youth Association today met with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Naavana House in the afternoon.

Tamang Development Board approved by the State Cabinet

They interacted for half an hour during which the chief minister was presented with the approval documents given by the Cabinet to the association. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the Mangar, Rai, Sunwar, Newar, Bhujel, Thami, Jogi, Khas, Yakha Dewan and Dhimal communities who requested Banerjee for Scheduled Tribe status. (PR)

Source- Eoi

14 member of delegates under the leadership of Tamang Youth Association (TYA) headed by Nazoo Glan met the hon`ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Naavana House at 3 p.m today. Cordial discussion took place for half an hour between the delegates and hon`ble chief minister Mamata Banerjee and also disclosed and handed over the paper of cabinet approval to Tamang Youth Association(TYA).

Simultaneously, the other communities of Darjeeling hills were present in the meeting - namely-: Mangar, Rai, Sunwar, Newar, Bhujel, Thami, Jogi, Khas, Yakha, Dewan, and Dhimal, demanding the ST status, also handed over the cabinet approval and recommendation for the ST status of the tribes of the Darjeeling hills.

Akhil Bharatiya Tamang Bodh election

12:19 PM

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Mirik- Elections to the Akhil Bharatiya Tamang Bodh’s central committee was held at the Donang Tsholing monastery in Gurung Busty, Siliguri. Voting for the president and general secretary of the organisation was held in the presence of chief election officers such as BC Tamang, Huensang Titung, PK Gomden, Nima Lahmu Lopchen and Ram Moktan.

Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee with a Tamang community
leader during the 1st Tamang Community National Convention at Mirik.

Votes were cast by 64 association members out of a total of 91. KM Titung was elected president with 36 votes, while Ram Tamang got 14 and YD Lama 13 votes. MK Yonjon from Kurseong was elected general secretary with 40 votes while Naresh Moktan, also from Kurseong, secured 23 votes.

They have been elected for a period of three years. Newly elected general secretary Yonjon stressed the committee will work towards strengthening the organisation. He said a uniform strategy will be applied in all the branches and sub-branches of the organisation.

Source:EOI

Tamangs development and cultural board announced by CM

11:06 AM

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