Centre promises GTA Rs 200 crores

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The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) took over the reins of the hills on Saturday and amidst promises of total support from both Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde and chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

A visibly elated Mr Shinde promised Rs 200 crores to the newly-formed Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), which was sworn in at a glittering ceremony at the Mall in Darjeeling.

The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha president will head the GTA. Governor M.K. Naranayan administered the oath of office to Mr Gurung as the chief executive of GTA, while state home secretary Basudev Banerjee administered the oath to the rest of the 44 members.

Mr Shinde promised Rs 200 crores to the GTA annually. “We are giving Rs 200 crores to GTA from the Centre and if it performs well the Central government will provide more funds for development of hills,” he said. At the same time, he reminded Mr Gurung and his associates of the tough challenge they had before them.

Lauding the role of chief minister Mamata Banerjee in the formation of the GTA, Mr Shinde said she had taken the crucial decision on it along with the Centre. “Now that you have got the GTA you have a huge responsibility. You have to run it well and give good governance. You have to focus on development of roads, promotion of tourism, removal of poverty,” he added.

Accepting Mr Gurung’s request Mr Shinde agreed to relax the measurements of height and chest for the recruitment of constables in the hills, Describing the swearing-in event as a “Vijay Diwas” Mr Shinde gave full credit for the GTA to Ms Banerjee.

“The happiness which I can see on your faces makes me happy. After my return I will inform Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Mrs Sonia Gandhi how happy the people of Darjeeling are. And for this I will congratulate Mamata didi,” he added.

Describing it as “historic day” Ms Banerjee also showered largesses on the GTA. Advising Mr Gurung to perform well, Ms Banerjee said: “You start your work. I can assure you that for development you will receive funds even before asking for them.”

She announced that the state government would set up a university in the hills besides three ITIs and two polytechnics, a Sainik school and a hospital.

She said the process of recruiting local youths in the police force had already been begun and urged Mr Gurung to provide jobs to the families of those who died during the agitation in the hills.

Among those who attended the programme were railway minister Mukul Roy and Darjeeling MP Jaswant Singh.