Gurung indicates friendship with State if full power bestowed upon GTA

5 crore sanctioned initially for Chinchona Factory

Darjeeling April 3: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) is in no mood to deteriorate its relation with the state government further was evident on Wednesday as the party chief in an indication to build up another good rapport with Mamata said at Mungpoo today that he is not in the mood to deteriorate relation with the state further keeping in mind the developmental programmes for the hills. Gurung said this at the sidelines of an inauguration of Cymbidium Orchid Park and foundation stone laying of the factory of Chinchona Plantation in Mungpoo 35 kms from Darjeeling. “The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) should be given full fledged power. The relation with the state government did not deteriorate because of us. If I want I can worsen the relation further more but in politics there are no permanent enemies. The most important is we want development in the hills which can be achieved only if full power is bestowed upon the GTA,” said Gurung.

Gurung maintained that its deadline of April 9 for the governments to fulfill their demands still exists failing which the party will be forced to start another round of agitation. “We too do not want unrest in the hills and spoil the situation but the government must understand,” added Gurung.

The restructuring of the Chinchona plantation however has been pegged at Rs. 50 crore which has been shut since 1999. During the first phase Gurung said Rs.5 core has been sanctioned for the restructuring. The restructuring of the factory however would enable the government to sell the quinine extracted from it in the international market that is used for manufacturing medicines for Malaria and heart disorders.  

Gurung however warned those eyeing the fund for his own development. “The fund sanctioned should be utilized for the restructuring of the factory. People should not expect make money from this for their own development,” he said.

(with inputs from D.K. Waiba in Mungpoo)