GJM submits memorandum seeking enquiry into GTA irregularities

REZA PRADHAN

Darjeeling, : Alleging large-scale corruption in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) on Thursday submitted a memorandum to the GTA authorities demanding a high-level enquiry into the matter.

The Morcha had earlier announced a gherao of Lalkothi over the alleged corruption but later suspended the programme.

“There is rampant corruption in the GTA in various sectors ranging from education to water schemes and chana dal schemes among others. Crores of rupees were received from the government for implementation of these projects, but nothing was done and the money was siphoned off. We submitted a memorandum today to the GTA secretary in the absence of the principal secretary, demanding an enquiry into the matter,” said GJM general secretary Roshan Giri.

In the memorandum, the Morcha alleged massive irregularities and corruption in the education sector, including illegitimate and backdoor appointments of teachers and questionable conduct of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) examinations held by the GTA. The party claimed that various charges were collected from candidates, but the legality, authorisation and transparency of the examination process remained questionable.

The memorandum also referred to the proposed Darjeeling Hill University project at Mungpoo, alleging that despite an allocation of around Rs 33 crore, there has been no visible progress in the project.

The Morcha further alleged corruption in the PMAY and housing schemes, claiming that beneficiaries were selected on the basis of political favouritism and that illegal monetary demands were made from some beneficiaries.

Allegations were also levelled regarding irregularities in the AMRUT and Har Ghar Jal projects, with the Morcha claiming that many areas continue to face acute water shortages despite the schemes. It also accused the Food and Supply Department of corruption and diversion of ration supplies, alleging that fair price shop operators were depriving beneficiaries of portions of their entitled ration every month.

The memorandum additionally mentioned an alleged “Bharat Brand” chana dal distribution scam involving discrepancies amounting to nearly Rs 300 crore.

“We will come here again after a week to see what progress has been made regarding the demands we have placed. We want action to be taken against all the corruption that has taken place,” Giri added.

Among its demands, the Morcha called for a fair, transparent and independent enquiry into all allegations, including a high-level investigation into recruitment irregularities, financial transactions, developmental funds and implementation of welfare schemes under the GTA.

The party also demanded that the concerned departments produce complete financial records, audit reports, recruitment documents, tender files and utilisation certificates related to the schemes and projects in question.

Further, the Morcha sought criminal and departmental proceedings against all persons found involved in the alleged irregularities.