Edwards meets CM, seeks probe into alleged corruption in GTA & hill municipalities

DARJEELING, : Indian Gorkha Janashakti Front (IGJF) chief convener Ajoy Edwards on Monday met West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in Kolkata and sought an inquiry into alleged corruption and irregularities in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and hill municipalities.

Edwards said he apprised the Chief Minister of several cases raised and filed by the IGJF in its capacity as the opposition in the GTA and Darjeeling Municipality.

“I told him (Adhikari) that I firmly believe any political solution achieved for our people will be meaningless to the common citizen unless corruption is brought to an end. I also conveyed my firm view that the Darjeeling Hills have become one of the most corruption-affected regions in India,” Edwards wrote on Facebook after the meeting.

He alleged that the Darjeeling hills had become one of the most corruption-affected regions in the country and urged the government to ensure transparent and accountable governance.

According to Edwards, the issues raised before the Chief Minister included alleged irregularities in GTA teacher eligibility, recruitment and appointments, procurement of food commodities, including raw masoor, and alleged misuse of disaster relief and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) funds.

He also raised alleged irregularities in the implementation and contracting of works under the Jal Jeevan Mission, unauthorised and irregular permissions for high-rise buildings in Darjeeling and alleged illegal or undervalued leasing of high-value GTA properties.

Other issues included the distribution of assistance following the 2023 Teesta floods, execution of works under the AMRUT scheme, and implementation of Housing for All and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in Darjeeling and Kurseong municipalities, he said.

Edwards also flagged alleged irregularities concerning the leasing, development, construction, alteration and use of municipal properties in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong and Mirik, including issues related to approvals, valuation, tendering and lease conditions.

He further raised concerns over the quality and alleged irregularities in works undertaken under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) across the Darjeeling hills.

Edwards said the Chief Minister had directed the Principal Secretary of the GTA and other concerned officials to take necessary action on the matters raised.

“The Chief Minister has asserted that only through clean, transparent and accountable governance can the Darjeeling Hills achieve holistic development and ensure justice for the poor and marginalised,” Edwards said.

He added that Adhikari would visit Siliguri in September, when further discussions on the issues would be held.