Don’t fool people in the name of parja-patta: Bista warns GTA

DARJEELING,: Darjeeling MP and BJP spokesperson Raju Bista today said that BJP would welcome any assurance on ‘parja-patta’ while adding that people should not be fooled this time.

Speaking to reporters during his visit to Mahakal Mandir here on Shivratri, Bista said, “The issue of parja-patta is the second most important demand after Gorkhaland. We welcome whatever assurances have been given on the issue but if the GTA is fooling the people in the name of parja-patta, we will not allow that.”

The GTA chief executive has been maintaining that parja-patta will be handed over soon with land survey already underway in some tea gardens.

“It is being said that only five decimals of land will be given in place of acres of ancestral land they have. This is a conspiracy of the GTA and the TMC but they will not be successful. There is information that they will be given that amount of land as ‘refugee patta’ like beggars which they do not want. I will protest if it happens. The people cannot be removed from their land forcefully as the BJP is standing with them,” he said, adding that they should have rights to sell it later or even take out loans against it.

The Darjeeling MP also stressed on the need for a three-tier panchayat system in the hills instead of the existing two-tier system while also maintaining that even if a two-tier pachayat election is held, they would contest.

“If the entire West Bengal is having a three-tier panchayat election, then why should this place have a two-tier panchayat election? The panchayat is a State subject and they must take the decision. The Centre is also pushing the matter,” said Bista.

“If the GTA and TMC are thinking that we will not participate in a two-tier panchayat election, then they should not remain in that misconception. We will contest it and the BJP will emerge victorious. For the panchayat, central funds will come, and we will bypass the State government and directly carry our development activities,” he added.