Gurung seeks Centre and Bengal's help to run GTA
Darjeeling, Aug 4 (UNI)
Gorkhaland Territorial Administration's (GTA)chief executive Bimal Gurung today sought support from the Centre and West Bengal government to run the autonomous body successfully.
"We struggled for 44 months to have this and now we seek support from the Union and the Bengal government to make it successful in the years to come," Mr Gurung, also the president of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, said.
"We have many things to be settled like unemployment, bad road condition, which have been neglected for the past 24 years under the CPI(M)," Mr Gurung, who was a close lieutenant of GNLF chief Subash Ghisingh and later revolted for his alleged failure to run the DGHC, said.
He also urged the people to co-operate with the GTA to make it successful, saying "You have supported us during the struggle and now you co-operate with us for all-round development of the hills." Referring to the issue of unemployment among the youth, he said even his party's frontal organisation - Gorkhaland Personnel's 5000 men need employment.
Addressing in front of Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Mr Gurung said they need their support to carry out the aspiration of the hill people.
Besides, Bimal Gurung being elevated as the chief executive of the GTA, Bhupendra (Pradeep) Pradhan and Lopsang Yolmo were made chairman and vice-chairman of the GTA Sabha.
The Chairman and deputy chairman of the GTA Sabha will conduct the business of the council.
Mr Gurung is expected to nominate 14 executive members of the GTA, including a deputy chief executive.