While Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) welcomed chief minister Mamata Banerjee in the Hills on Monday, the party MLA complained in Assembly that the ‘meagre’ budgetary allocation for the region has left Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) handicapped.
“The GTA has taken up many schemes and projects for which there is a huge requirement of funds. But the budgetary allocation that has been made for the hills is very less compared to the proposed work. Such meagre allocation will leave GTA handicapped,” said Mr Rohit Sharma, Kurseong MLA of GJMM during budget discussion.
“I like to draw the attention of finance minister Amit Mitra on the budgetary allocation of Rs 709 crore that has been earmarked for hilly areas. Out of the total allocation, Rs 500 crore is alloted for payment of salary and pension while only Rs 192 crore has been alloted for development purpose.
“ The amount earmarked for development is very less,” said Mr Sharma. According to GJMM MLA, the condition of roads in Darjeeling is very bad and bridges that were damaged due to Aila in 2009 are yet to be reconstructed. “The water supply in Darjeeling area is “erratic” and people have to wait for five to six days for water.
Even after that, the average water supply per home is 30 litres. With PHE department allocating Rs 2866 crore, I’m hopeful that the water supply problem of Darjeeling is looked into,” said Mr Sharma. The MLA further demanded that tea garden workers be given land pattas like agricultural labourers.