Swinging political activity raises eyebrows on development pace

Jitendra Sharma

Kurseong Feb 28: With political activity changing frequently in the hills, eyebrows are being raised whether the basic amenities are managed properly despite having an elected body both in the hill municipalities and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).

A local resident Phoolchand Rai said, “We are diehard supporters of the statehood movement but since we have to earn our bread daily we would like the authorities to carry on the developments on process. The agitation erupting again, I feel that such development works are going at a slow pace”. Rai is of the suggestion that the agitation for Gorkhaland should go parallely along with the functioning of the GTA.

The anti-Morcha parties in the hills incidentally want the GJM to quit the GTA before moving ahead with the statehood demand. The GJM so far has not quit the chair but has threatened to start a ‘Militant stir’ for separate statehood demand triggered by the decision of the union government to take a decision on Telangana soon.

Another resident on condition of anonymity said that developmental works in the hills have totally not stopped but the rate at which it was moving has slowed down. “The hills have seen development works after a gap of five years after the formation of the GTA. The decision to start agitation however has pulled things back which apparently should not be done. The people of the hills have been deprived since a long time. Hence, the developmental pace should go on at a fast speed,” the resident added.

The communist party of Revolutionary Marxist (CPRM) however echoed the views of the residents. “The basic necessities have not been managed properly. The CPRM will soon apprise the concerned authorities soon,” said Govind Chettri, the CPRM spokesperson.

The GJM leadership said that the party has never neglected development work in the hills. “Even during the Gorkhaland agitation development works were carried out in the hills. The party is still focused on development along with the demand for separate state,” said a GJM leader.