गोर्खाल्याण्डको आन्दोलन शुरू - क्रामाकपाले गर्यो कार्यक्रमहरूको घोषणा
मनोज वोगटी, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ, 27 जुलाई। 
गोर्खाल्याण्ड राज्य प्राप्तिको आन्दोलन अघि बढाउँदै गोर्खा राष्ट्रिय मुक्ति मोर्चाले 1950 को नेपाल भारत सन्धी जलाउन जनतालाई कालेबुङको मेलाग्राउण्डमा भेला गरेको थियो। तर गोरामुमोको कार्यक्रम र आन्दोलन विथोल्न बङ्गाल सरकारले राखेका सीआरपीले अन्धधुन्ध गोली चलायो। धेरै आन्दोलनारीहरू गोर्खाल्याण्डको निम्ति त्यहीँ ढले। त्यो दिन थियो 27 जुलाई 1986। गोरामुमो प्रमुख सुवास घिसिङले सोही दिनलाई शहीद दिवस घोषणा गरेपछि अहिले सबै दल, सङ्घ सङ्गठनहरूले यही दिन शहीद दिवस पालन गर्दै आइरहेको छ। आज यसपल्टको शहीद दिवस गोर्खाल्याण्ड पाएको खुशीमा होइन, गोर्खाल्याण्ड माग्नेलाई जीटीए थमाएर गोर्खाल्याण्डको आवाजलाई फेरि राज्य र केन्द्र सरकारले गोर्खा जनमुक्ति मोर्चा लगाएर दबाएको विरोधमा क्रामाकपाले भिन्नै तरिकाले पालन गर्यो। दोस्रोपल्ट पनि शहीदहरूसमेतले धोका पाएको भन्दै रामकृष्ण रङ्गमञ्च अघि स्थापित गरिएको साङ्केतिक शहीदबेदी अघि दीयो बाल्दै क्रामाकपाले उप्रान्त गोर्खाल्याण्डको आन्दोलन कटिबद्धरूपले अघि बढाउने संकल्प गर्यो। गोर्खाल्याण्डको निम्ति रगत दिने शहीदहरूको स्मरण गर्दै क्रामाकपाले रक्तदान शिविर आयोजना गर्दै क्रामाकपा क्याडरहरूले विरामीहरूको निम्ति दिएको रगत गोर्खाल्याण्ड आन्दोलनको निम्ति रहेको कटिबद्धताको संकेत बताउँदै क्रामाकपा महासचिव तारामणि राईले भने, सुवास घिसिङले गोर्खाल्याण्डको मुद्दालाई दोगापापसित साट्यो अनि विमल गुरूङले जीटीएसित। दुवै पल्ट जनताले गोर्खाल्याण्डको निम्ति दुवै दललाई साथ दियो तर जनताले दुवैपल्ट यी दलहरूबाट धोका पायो। जनतालाई बटुलेपछि राज्य र केन्द्रमा आत्म समर्पण गर्दै साथमा रहेकै जनताको छुट्टैराज्यको आकांक्षामाथि कुठराघात गर्ने काम गर्यो।
आज आएर मोर्चाले जीटीएसित गोर्खाल्याण्ड साटेपछि अनि आन्दोलन गर्न नसक्ने स्थितिमा पुगेपको छ। मोर्चाको हात बॉंधिएको छ। अब जनताको सोही आकांक्षा पुरा गर्न क्रामाकपा कटिबद्धरूपले अघि बढ्ने छ। तिनले अझ भने, जब गोजमुमोले आन्दोलन गरेको थियो तब क्रामाकपाले समर्थन गरेको थियो। तर मोर्चाको राजनैतिक उद्देश्य अरूथोक नै रहेको थाहा पाएपछि क्रामाकपाले मोर्चाबाट साथ छुटायो। क्रामाकपाले मोर्चालाई जसरी साथ दिएको थियो त्यसरी नै अब मोर्चाले क्रामाकपालाई साथ देओस्। साथ दिँदैन भने बाधा पनि नदेओस्। तिनलेकार्यक्रम तीनचरणले हुने बताउँदै भने,सीपीआईएम लिबरेशनसित मिलेर दिल्लीको जन्तरमन्तरमा 10 देखि 12 अगस्तसम्म क्रामाकपाले गोर्खाल्याण्डको निम्ति जन्तरमन्तरमा धर्ना दिनेछ। यसको निम्ति आन्दोलनकारीहरू तयार छन्। यसपछि 20 अगस्त भाषा दिवसको दिनदेखि बलिदान दिवस 25 अगस्तसम्म पहाड़का विभिन्न क्षेत्रबाट गोर्खाल्याण्डको निम्ति सिलगढ़ीसम्मको पद्यात्रा हुनेछ। त्यसपछि लगत्तै कोलकाता र दिल्लीमा राष्ट्रिय संगोष्टी, अन्तरक्रिया हुनेछ। यो पहिलो चरणको आन्दोलन हुनेछ। त्यसपछि आन्दोलनले तीब्रता लिनेछ। आज क्रामाकपा क्याडरहरूले सय बोतल भन्दा धेर रगत कालेबुङ अस्पताललाई दिनेछन्। राईले भने, तोकिएको सय बोतल रहेकोभन्दा धेरै रक्त धिने कार्यकर्ताहरू उपस्थित छन्। उनीहरूको यो उत्साहले आन्दोलनको मार्ग तय गर्नमा शक्ति प्रदान गरेको छ। राई अनुसार गोरामुमो सरकार प्रायोजित दल र घिसिङ नेता थिए। यसकारण जनतालाई थकाएर दागोपाप थापे। तिनको बर्चस्व काम नलाग्ने भएपछि फेरि सरकारले विमल गुरूङ अनि गोजमुमोलाई तयार पार्यो अनि जनतालाई थकाएपछि जीटीए थाप्यो। क्रामाकपाको आन्दोलनकोरूपरेखा पारम्परिक हुने छैन। क्रामाकपा विकासको विरोधमा नरहेको भएपनि आन्दोलनकारी नै आन्दोलन छोड़ेर पैसा र चौकीतिर जानु मुद्दाको निम्ति हानिकारक मात्र होइन बाधक पनि ठानिएको बताउँदै राईले अझ भने, गोर्खाल्याण्ड भएपचि विकास स्वत हुने अनि बिजुली मात्र बेचे मनग्गे पुग्ने बताउँदै आर्थिक सम्भाव्यताको पक्षमा प्रस्तावित क्षेत्र सबल रहेकोले सोझै राज्यप्राप्तिको लड़ाईमा नै दल सरोकृत हुने बताए।
CPRM takes over Gorkhaland call
Deep Gazmer, TNN, Jul 28, 2011,DARJEELING: The Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists (CPRM) has taken over the agitation for a separate Gorkhaland state from the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), with the latter on Wednesday asking the people to cooperate with the new West Bengal and start paying the bills and taxes it had boycotted as part of its protest so far.
A week after signing the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) agreement, GJM president Bimal Gurung asked the people on Wednesday to pay their bills and taxes from next month. Since April 2008, the Hills people had not been paying their electricity and telephone bills and the motor vehicles taxes as dictated by the GJM. It was part of the latter's non-cooperation movement against the then CPM-led state government.
"From next month, you can pay your electricity and telephone bills, land rent and motor vehicles taxes as we are lifting the non-cooperation movement against the state government," Gurung said, addressing a gathering on the occasion of Sahid Diwas (martyrs' day) in Darjeeling. The GJM leader also allayed the growing apprehensions among people about the long-pending dues that have accumulated. "I will talk to the government about the pending dues, which will be settled. You should not worry about that," he said.
To observe the day, the CPRM in Kalimpong organized a blood donation camp in the Town Hall, where they announced the beginning of an agitation for a separate state in the Hills. "The blood donation camp is symbolic. Hundreds gave their lives for Gorkhaland. We must show our respect to and appreciation for their sacrifice," said J B Rai, the CPRM vice-president. "The GJM has betrayed the people and wasted the martyrs' sacrifice. We will not let their blood go in vain and start an agitation for Gorkhaland," Rai added.
CPRM will stage a dharna at Jantar Mantar in Delhi from August 10 to 12 followed by a padyatra from Darjeeling to Siliguri from August 20 to 25. The party has also planned to organize seminars to garner support and make people aware of the need for a separate state.
In Darjeeling, hundreds braved the rain to attend the Sahid Diwas programme organized by GJM in Chowrastha. Schools and offices of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) remained closed for the day. Gurung also highlighted the development plans for Darjeeling and said he was keen on starting work at the earliest.
"The next six months are very important. Plenty of development work is needed in the Hills. We will not wait till the formation of the GTA, but start work with funds coming to the DGHC," said Gurung. "We have several plans and may have to bulldoze several existing structures to make way for new ones. But we will provide adequate compensation. To start with, work will begin on an indoor stadium, parking lots and a taxi stand."
GJM felicitated the families of the 1,200 people who died during the 1986 agitation as well as the six who died during GJM's three-year agitation. In the morning, Gurung paid homage to the martyrs of both the agitations at the Sahid Bedi in Chowrastha and promised jobs to one family member of the deceased.
Pay tax from Aug 1, not dues: Morcha -Gurung lists hill growth projects
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| Bimal Gurung pays homage to “martyrs” at Chowrasta in Darjeeling on Wednesday. Picture by Suman Tamang |
But the Morcha chief made it clear the hills should not pay the outstanding electricity or any other tax dues incurred during the agitation phase.
Gurung also revealed his plans for the development of the Darjeeling hills under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, indicating that funds for the projects would not be a problem.
The Morcha leader, while addressing the “martyr’s day” programme at the Darjeeling Gymkhana Club today, said: “I appeal to people to start paying all forms of taxes like electricity and telephone bills and land and motor vehicle taxes from August 1. Do not pay taxes that you have incurred during the agitation period as we will work out a solution with the government.”
The hills had stopped paying their taxes since April 1, 2008, after the Morcha’s call for non-co-operation against the state government for Gorkhaland. Sources said the outstanding electricity dues from the three hill sub-divisions had touched the Rs 72 crore mark.
Other taxes, sources said, is also likely to touch the Rs 10 crore mark.
Gurung said “he could not even wait for six months” to start development work in the hills. “I do not have time. Until the GTA is formed, I have asked the state government to provide funds to the present DGHC so that we can start development projects. We have already started conducting surveys and work will start soon,” said Gurung.
The hill leader said his immediate priority would be to ease traffic congestion in town and focus on higher education. “We will have a centralised meat market on the first floor of the motor stand while the ground floor will be used for parking. The new motor stand will be made three-storied. We will make parking facilities at Kakjhora, Red Cross area and near the Darjeeling Government College. We are looking at making indoor stadiums and sports academies in areas near Mount Hermon and the Darjeeling Government High School ground. The food supplies offices, police offices and quarters will also be dismantled to create more parking spaces and business establishments,” said Gurung.
The Morcha leader said “he would bulldoze” through with his projects and would ensure that contractors worked properly. “I will have to bulldoze through with the projects. In some places we have to dismantle properties too and people must agree to it. We will relocate them,” said Gurung.
The Morcha chief said experts from outside the town would be brought in for constructions. “Locals contractors who do not work properly will be immediately blacklisted,” said Gurung.
The Morcha leader said he had asked for Rs 50 lakh each from the Darjeeling MPLAD (MP’s local area development) fund for Indra Bahadur Rai College in Gorubathan and for an yet-to-be named college in Pedong.
“I laid the foundation of the Gorubathan college yesterday and I have already donated Rs 20 lakh from contributions received from my party workers. The rest of the money will come from the MPLAD funds,” said Gurung.
The Morcha president also said the DGHC should immediately release Rs 3 crore each for Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong subdivisions. “Beautifying Mirik lake is also a priority. We need Rs 3 crore for each of the three hill subdivisions to start at least one major projects in all these places,” said Gurung.
Amitava Banerjee, HT, Darjeeling:Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) President Bimal Gurung while making a public address indicated a waver of the electricity and other state government tax arrears. He however stated that the hills would pay the State taxes and electricity bills from August 1, 2011. Addressing a large gathering on the occasion of Martyr’s Day commemorations at the Gymkhana Club, Darjeeling, Gurung stated “We thank all who cooperated with us to make our non cooperation movement a success. Even if we are hanged we will not pay our arrears. The GJM will take responsibility for this. However from August 1, we have to pay the electricity charges and State taxes. After August 1 we wont be liable for your non payment. We have asked you to pay.”
The GJM spearheading an agitation for a separate state for the Gorkhas had given a call for a non cooperation movement in 2008. They had asked all hill residents to abstain from paying electricity, telephone bills along with State Government taxes since April 2008.
At present the electricity arrears stand to the tune of Rs. 70 Crores; Sales Tax, Vat along with penalty at around Rs. 22 Crores; Land Tax Rs. 3 Crores and Vehicular Tax at Rs. 7 Crores approximately.
Gurung also talked of a major makeover in the Hills. “We will change the face of Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong and Mirik in the next 2 years. However the first six months (transition phase) is very important. Either there will be an unimaginable spurt of development or there will be bloodshed” said Gurung.
Gurung was implying at the widespread resent that his makeover plans could cause. “The towns are in utter chaos. We will have to bring order. All have to cooperate to transform the Hills into Switzerland. Many illegal shops, hawkers would be removed. We will compensate them adequately” stated Gurung.
The plans include parking lots at Red Cross, Meat market, DRC Godown, DSP Office area and PWD area below Darjeeling Government College. There will be hi tech parking facilities where parking charges will have to be paid.
“We will try to make the town as traffic free as possible so that the tourists and local residents alike can move about freely. ” stated Gurung.
Gurung talked of utilizing DGHC funds till the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) is formed. Immediately Rs. 3 Crore each has to be sanctioned for Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong. We will start the beautification work at Mirik lake immediately” stated Gurung.
The GJM President announced that a master plan has already been drawn up by a famous architect from Delhi. “We will sincerely work to transform Darjeeling into Switzerland but the Government has to ensure steady flow of funds.” remarked Gurung.
“We will also build shopping malls and markets. Renowned Contarctors will be brought in from Kolkata and Delhi. We want good work. We will not tolerate below standard construction which we have been witnessing in the past in Hills where local contractors after paying a lot of bribes indulge in low quality work” alleged Gurung.
While Gurung in Darjeeling town was talking of a probable “bloodshed” in the next six months, the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist (CPRM) had organized a blood donation camp in Kalimpong. “This blood donation camp in symbolic. With this donation of blood we are heralding in our agitation from Gorkhaland rejecting the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration” stated CPRM Spokesperson Govind Chettri.
Jobs promised for martyr kin
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| A CPRM supporter at the blood camp in Kalimpong on Wednesday. Picture by Chinlop Fudong Lepcha |
Observing the “martyr’s day” across the hills today, the Morcha alleged that the families of 1,200 people who had lost their lives during the strife had been ill-treated by the previous political dispensation.
“I do not think that all of you have got jobs even in the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council. I request you to submit your bio-data to our party offices in the next two-four days and we will see that at least one member of the family gets a proper job,” said Morcha president Bimal Gurung while felicitating the martyrs’ family members at the Darjeeling Gymkhana Club.
Gurung hinted that the party would scrutinise the families of the present DGHC workers and would check if it was possible to give employment to the martyrs’ kin in the council.
“Many families with political affiliation (read GNLF) have bagged jobs for around six members each. This happened when many of the 1,200 martyrs’ families do not have any job. Injustice has been meted out to them and this has to be rectified,” said Gurung.
Even though the Morcha has signed an agreement for the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), the hill leader told the gathering that one should always respect the “wishes of the martyrs”. “We must never forget that their wish is for a separate state of Gorkhaland and their souls will not rest until then. We will not forget the contributions made by your family members.”
About the families of six Morcha supporters who had died since the party started its agitation in 2007, Gurung said they had already been given Rs 3 lakh each. “We will also provide them with government jobs and licence for an LPG cylinder agency. The family members will also get jobs in the GTA,” said Gurung.
While Gurung iterated his commitment to Gorkhaland, the CPRM lambasted the Morcha for having let the martyrs’ contribution go to waste by agreeing to the GTA.
The CPRM organised a blood donation camp in Kalimpong today to observe the martyrs’ day. “The blood camp is a symbolic move to remind the people that the martyr’s blood has gone to waste by signing the GTA agreement. Our party will fulfill the martyrs’ dreams and respect their sacrifice,” said J.B. Rai, the vice-president of the the CPRM.
‘Martyr’s day’ is observed by all political parties in the hills to commemorate the firing in Kalimpong on this day in 1986.
SNS, DARJEELING JULY 27: The Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) president, Mr Bimal Gurung, today announced all the families who had lost their loved ones in the Gorkhaland agitation since the eighties will be provided with government jobs under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).
The GJMM observed martyrs’ day today at Darjeeling, Mr Gurung gave blankets the 230 families who had come to Gymkhana Club to observe the martyrs’ day,
Morcha has been observing 27 July as martyrs’ day since the past three years. Mr Gurung today assured the families of Mr Vicky Lama, Miss Bimla Rai and Miss Nita Khawas who had lost their life in the Sibchu firing early this year and 1,200 other families who had lost their loved once in the Gorkhaland agitation that each familiy will get a jobs.
“After the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration(GTA) is implemented here after six months, I request the family of the deceased to furnish the death certificates of their loved ones, and I will ensure that the family gets a government job under the GTA,” announced the president of GJMM today at Gymkhana Club.
The family members of the martyrs had come from the places like the Dooars and the Terai region and different parts of Darjeeling today. The GJMM has already provided a compensation of Rs 3 lakh to the GJMM supporters who had lost their life in the agitation for a separate state of Gorkhaland. The GJMM president also paid homage to the victims of the Gorkhaland agitation in the memorial at Chowrasta, general secretay Mr Roshan Giri, Darjeeling MLA, Mr Trilok Dewan, along with other Morcha leaders were also present.
Mr Gurung today requested the people in the hills to revamp the hills and fulfill Miss Mamata Banerjee's vision of converting the Darjeeling hills into Switzerland. Days after the renowned architect, Mr PR Mehta from New Delhi, surveyed different parts of the hills, along with the district magistrate of Darjeeling district Mr MK Gandhi and the Morcha general secretary Mr Roshan Giri, the president of the GJMM asked all the people to collaborate in beautifying and refurbishing the “Queen of the hills”.
Mr Gurung asked the people of the hills to resume their tax payment from 1 August, indicating that the taxes that had not been paid in the last two years have been waved.
शहीद दिवस पालन
मनोज बोगटी, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ, 27 जुलाई।
गोर्खा जनमुक्ति मोर्चाले आन्दोलन गोर्खाल्याण्डको गरेर जीटीए थापेपछि पहिलोपल्ट जीटीएमा शहीद दिवस पालन गर्यो। गोरामुमोद्वारा स्थापित 11 माइलको शहीद बेदीमा गोजमुमोले शहीद दिवस पालन गर्यो जहॉं कालेबुङ महकुमा अनि केन्द्रिय समितिका नेतृत्वहरूको उपस्थिति थियो। उनीहरूले शहीदबेदीमा खदामाला गरेपछि विभिन्न सङ्घसंस्थाहरूले पनि खदामाला गर्यो। यसै अवसरमा मोर्चाले सर्वधर्म पूजा पनि सोहीस्थलमा सम्पन्न गर्यो भने 103 जना शहीद परिवारलाई पनि खदा चडाएर सम्मान जनायो। अर्कोतिर 27 जुलाई 1986को दिन कालेबुङमा भएको गोलीकाण्डमा शहीद हुने सावित्री घिसिङको स्मरणमा तीनको परिवार अनि सावित्री घिसिङ संघले शहीद दिवस पालन गर्यो। यसै गरी शहीद रोशन राईको स्मरणमा रोशन राई शालिग निर्माण समितिले पनि शहीद दिवस पालन गरेको थाहा लागेको छ।रोङ्गोमा पनि शहीद दिवस
कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ, 27 जुलाई। 28 न.समष्टीमा पर्ने सुदुर सिन्कोनाबारी रोङ्गोको धापगाउँमा पनि झॉंकी सामाजिक संस्था र गोजमुमो युनिट-3को संयुक्त आयोजनामा झॉंकी पार्कमा शहीद दिवस पालन गरिएको जानकारी अनिल तेलैजाले दिएका छन्। सुरज राई, संजोग राई, बिरन गुरूङ आदिको संयोजकत्वमा सम्पन्न शहीद दिवस कार्यक्रममा पदम बहादुर गुरूङ मुख्य अतिथि रहेका थिए भने मानबीर राईले कार्यक्रमलाई अध्यक्षता गरेका थिए। दार्जीलिङ तराई डुवर्स प्लान्टेशन लेबर युनियनका उपाध्यक्ष सन्तोष खवास, विशिष्ट अतिथि थिए भने मणि शर्मा अनि सुरज राई लगायत सुजना राई, सरोज राई अनि एसपी राईको पनि विशेष उपस्थिति थियो। शहीदवेदीमा माल्यार्पण कार्यक्रम गरेर अतिथिहरूले कार्यक्रमलाई सम्बोधन गरेका थिए। कार्यक्रमलाई सहबीर घले अनि विनय गुरूङले सञ्चालन गरेका थिए।गोजमुमो, केन्द्र अनि राज्यमाझको सम्झौतापछि जेलेपला मार्ग खोलिने सम्भावना प्रबल
मोह्न लामा, कालिमन्युज, दार्जीलिङ, 27 जुलाई | गोर्खा जनमुक्ति मोर्चा, केन्द्र सरकार अनि राज्य सरकारमाझ भएको त्रिपक्षीय सम्झौतापछि सन् १९६२-को भारत-चीन युद्धपछि बन्द भएको जेलेपला व्यवसायिक मार्ग पुन: लगभग ५० वर्षपछि खोलिने सम्भावना बढेर गएको छ| गत १८ जुलाईको दिन पिन्टेल भिलेजमा भएको त्रिपक्षीय वार्तामा यसबारे तीनैपक्ष केन्द्र, राज्य अनि गोजमुमोमाझ सहमति बनिसकेको छ| यसैले सन् १९६२-को भारत-चीनमाझ भएको युद्धपछि बन्द भएको यो मार्ग पुन: खोलिने भएकोले विशेष कालेबुङ क्षेत्रका मानिसहरुमा धेरै उत्साह देखा परिरहेको छ| कालेबुङबाट शुरु भएर पेदोङ, अलगढा, लाभा हुँदै टिस्टाबाट सिक्किमका क्रमश: रिनाक, आरिटार, जुलूक अनि कुपुप आदि स्थान पार गर्दै चीन अधीनस्थ ल्हासा पुग्ने यस जेलेपला व्यवसायिक मार्गलाई विशेष, गोजमुमोले पुन: खोल्ने माग गर्दै आइरहेको थियो, जसलाई गत १८ जुलाईको दिन गोर्खाल्याण्ड क्षेत्रीय प्रशासन (जीटीए)-माथि त्रिपक्षीय सम्झौता हुँदा पनि केन्द्र अनि राज्य सरकारले यसमाथि सहमति जनाइसकेका छन्| यसको ङ्गलस्वरुप लगभग ५० वर्षपछि अब पुन: कालेबुङ इलाकाका व्यवसायको मुख्य केन्द्र बन्ने भएको छ|
समुद्र सतहदेखि लगभग १४३०० फिट माथि पूर्व सिक्किममा अवस्थित यो पासजाने दुइवटा मार्ग रहेका छन्| पहिलो मार्ग कालेबुङबाट रहेको छ भने दोस्रो मार्ग सिक्किमको राजधानी गान्तोकबाट रहेको छ| कालेबुङ मार्ग ल्हासासितको पुरानो व्यापार मार्ग हो| अर्कोतिर जेलेपला नजिकैको नथुला पास भने ६ जुलाई, २००६ देखि शुरु भएर भारत-चीन सीमा व्यापार सञ्चालन भइरहेको छ| अब यो मार्ग खोलिए सिक्किम र दार्जीलिङ दुवै क्षेत्रलाई लाभ पुग्नेछ| यद्यपि यो अन्तरराष्ट्रिय मुद्दा रहेकोले भारत र चीन सरकार सहमत बन्नुपर्ने हुन्छ र यसघरि दुवै देशको सम्बन्धमा व्यापक सुधार आएको कारण अनि नथुला सीमा व्यापारको विगत २००६ देखि सफलतापूर्वक सञ्चालन भएको हुँदा दुवै देशले यो मार्ग पुनः शुरु गर्ने विषयमा सहमति गर्ने सम्भावना प्रबल रहेको देखिन्छ| दार्जीलिङ पहाडी इलाकाका जनताका आर्थिक, सामाजिक, सांस्कृतिक, भाषिकलगायत विभिन्न समस्याहरु शीघ्र समाधान गराउने उद्देश्यले गरिएको यस सम्झौतामा जेलेपला व्यवसायिक मार्गलाई पुन: खोल्ने विषयलाई पनि प्रमुखरूपले सामेल गरिएको छ| यसैले यस मार्गको सञ्चालन पुन: शुरु भए यसले कालेबुङबासी व्यवसायीवर्गको आर्थिक स्थितिलाई बलियो बनाउने निश्चित छ|
स्मरण गराइन्छ, जेलेपला व्यवसायिक मार्ग१८७१-देखि शुरु भए पनि सन् १९०४-मा कर्नल यङ्ग हस्बेन्डले यसै मार्ग भएर कालेबुङदेखि तिब्बतसम्मको यात्रा गरेपछि मात्रै विशेष कालेबुङ इलाका व्यवसायले वृहत रुप लिन थालेको थियो| तर सन् १९६२-को भारत-चीन युद्ध यस मार्गको निम्ति पनि अभिशापनै बन्यो| यसपछि यस मार्गलाई पुन: सञ्चालन गर्न कालेबुङ च्याम्बर अङ्ग् कमर्स आदिले धेरै माग उठाए पनि अनि सरकारसमक्ष ज्ञापन चढाउने कार्यहरु गरे पनि यसले आजसम्म साकाररुप लिन सकेको छैन| तर गत १८ जुलाईको दिन केन्द्र, राज्य अनि गोजमुमोमाझ भएको त्रिपक्षीय सम्झौताले यसको पुन: खोलिने बाटो पनि प्रशस्त बनेको छ| यसबारे प्राप्त जानकारीअनुसार, यस व्यवसायिक मार्ग भएर भारत र चीनका व्यापारीवर्गले सन् १९६२-सम्म ङ्गिङ, बौद्ध धर्मावलम्बीहरुद्वारा प्रयोग गरिने चीजबीज, भेंडाको ऊन साथै धूप आदिको आयात-निर्यात गर्ने गर्थे| यसैकारण त्यस समय यी सम्पूर्ण चीजबीजको लागि कालेबुङ इलाका महत्वपूर्ण बनेको थियो| कालेबुङ भएर भारत-चीनमाझ गरिने यस व्यवसायिक मार्गलाई पुन: खोल्ने सम्बन्धमा सन् २००४-मा कालेबुङ च्याम्बर अङ्ग् कमर्सले तत्कालीन प्रधानमन्त्री अटलबिहारी बाजपेयीलाई सिक्किम भ्रमणको अवधि एक ज्ञापन दिएको थियो भने दार्जीलिङका पूर्व सांसद दावा नर्बुलाले पनि यसबारे संसदमा आवाज उठाएका थिए| यसरीनै वर्तमान दार्जीलिङका सांसद जसवन्त सिंहले पनि यसबारे सरकारमाथि चाप दिंदै आइरहेका छन्|
यस मार्गका विशेषज्ञहरुले बताएअनुसार, विशेष भारत-चीनमाझ गरिने व्यापार अहिले सिक्किमको नथुलाबाट हुने गरेको छ, तर विशेष ठण्डा महिनाको समय यो मार्ग अधिक समयनै बन्द हुने गरेको छ, तर यदि जेलेपला व्यवसायिक मार्ग पुन: चालु भए ठण्डा महिनामा पनि कुनै बिघ्न-बाधाबिनानै यो मार्ग भएर सहजैसित व्यापार गर्न सकिन्छअनि यो मार्ग व्यवसायीवर्गको लागि अति सहज र ङ्गाइदाजनक प्रमाणित हुनेछ| यसरीनै उनीहरूको भनाइ छ, राष्ट्रियस्तरको व्यवसायको तुलनामा यस्ता स-साना स्थानबाट हुने व्यापारलाई अवहेलना गर्ने गरिएको छ, तर यसलाई अधिक महत्व दिएर पुन: जेलेपला व्यवसायिक मार्ग खोलिए कालेबुङ इलाकाले व्यवसायमा एक महत्वपूर्ण स्थान ओगट्ने निश्चित छ|
Special IG visited Kalimpong
KalimNews: Special IG of Police, N Ramesh Babu visited Kalimpong this evening. He visited the blast site of Kalimpong motorstand. He told the reporters that CID has already visited the site and collected the requisite information and portions of the blast device. Both the police and CID are investigating the matters to reach the culprits and persons involved in the blast.
One killed
TT, Alipurduar: One person was trampled to death and six huts were damaged when an elephant raided Dimdima tea estate on Tuesday night. Foresters said Kario Mahali, 70, came out of her hut when she saw the elephant. The animal chased her for some distance and then trampled her to death. The elephant had entered the garden from the nearby Dalgaon forest.
Girl raped
TT, Alipurduar: A 15-year-old deaf and mute girl was allegedly raped by a youth on Dalgaon Tea Estate on Tuesday. The girl was alone in the house when Rajat Oraon, a resident of the garden, allegedly raped her. Falakata police said Oraon is absconding.
Strike off, tea embargo stays
TT, Siliguri, July 27: The Progressive Tea Workers’ Union has called off tomorrow’s general strike but will continue to stall the despatch of tea, a decision that planters said would further hit exports that is already down because of excessive pesticide content.
The planters also said if the agitation was not withdrawn immediately, there would be a serious deficiency in working capitals in the gardens and the workforce would have to bear the ultimate brunt as the management would be unable to pay wages.
The PTWU leaders, after a meeting at Lakkhipara in the Dooars today, said the general strike had been withdrawn keeping in mind the inconvenience that it was likely to cause people. “We will, however, continue to stop the despatch of tea and demonstrate in front of the garden gates till a decision is reached,” said Shukra Munda, the PTWU chairman.
Business worth Rs 20 crore is being hit everyday since the PTWU, the dominant union in the nearly 208 gardens of the Dooars and Terai, started enforcing an embargo on the despatch of tea from yesterday. The union has been demanding a daily wage of Rs 250 for workers. The current wage in the plains gardens is Rs 67.
Baijnath Naik today resigned from the post of the general secretary of the PTWU, alleging that workers’ welfare was no longer the focus of the union. “The priority is on other issues,” he said. Naik, however, did not elaborate what the “other issues” were.
“If the decision to stop movement of tea from gardens is not withdrawn immediately, there would be a severe deficiency in working capital,” said Prabir Bhattacharya, secretary of the Dooars Branch of Indian Tea Association.
The DBITA is the largest association of tea planters in the country. “Regular cash inflow is necessary for each business establishment and the tea industry is no exception. We make and sell tea and earn money to make payments. Now if the movement of tea is stopped, it would not be possible for us to pay wages to workers over weeks by taking loans from banks at an interest rate of 12 per cent or so,” he added.
Bhattacharya said when the government had already scheduled a meeting, “an agitation that economically affects the sector was unjustified”.
The labour department has called a meeting on August 4 to resolve the wage hike issue.
Tea exporters based in Siliguri also said a prolonged labour crisis in the tea industry would create a negative repurcussion among international buyers of CTC brew.
“In the current years, exports are already lower than last year, particularly because of the presence of pesticides beyond the MRL (maximum residue limit),” an exporter based in Siliguri. “Our main buyers of CTC teas are Russia, Egypt and some European countries. Many of them have scaled down orders or have even returned consignments because of pesticide presence beyond MRL.”
Buyers in these countries, exporters said, are sensitive to the workforce engaged in the sector. “In case they find that workers in the Indian tea industry are agitating for wages, it creates a negative idea. In that case, they might turn to other countries like Kenya and Sri Lanka,” an exporter said.
Leaders of other trade unions were also critical of the PTWU’s decision to stop the despatch of tea. Chitta Dey, the convener of the Coordination Committee of Tea Plantation Workers — an apex body of trade unions — said the agitation was affecting the collective bargaining power. “Acts like this one by a single trade union is affecting the workers’ movement and weakening our collective bargaining power,” Dey said.
Cong request to Mamata
SANJAY K. JHA, TT, New Delhi, July 27: The Congress high command has asked chief minister Mamata Banerjee not to give any government assignment to its leaders without the party’s approval.
Sources revealed that the high command directed Bengal Congress president Pradeep Bhattacharya to write a letter to the Trinamul Congress chief with this request. The resignation of Pranab Mukherjee’s son Abhijit as the chairman of the West Bengal Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation followed this missive.
Sources here confirmed that Abhijit had been appointed without consultations with the party leadership.
The Congress had initially chosen to ignore the appointment as it involved Pranab Mukherjee’s son. But the party toughened the stand after PCC spokesperson Sukhendu Sekhar Roy switched sides and was given a Rajya Sabha ticket by Trinamul. Mamata’s decision not to invite the Congress to the July 21 rally acted as another irritant.
The sources said Sonia Gandhi agreed to convey a stern message to Mamata only after these episodes. “The high command was very particular about avoiding any conflict for the first few months. But this sensitivity was not appreciated by the other side. The conflict could now escalate as the situation on the ground is worsening. Reports from districts suggest Trinamul is out to gobble up the Congress,” a leader told The Telegraph.
Many state leaders had disapproved of Mamata’s attempts to keep Pranab in good humour while often snubbing the party as a whole. The state leaders had pointed out to the central leadership that Sukhendu was once close to Pranab.
The Congress felt that the party should decide who should get government assignments and it should not be left to the chief minister or individuals in the Congress. “There has to be a criterion. Is the Prime Minister free to decide who would be a minister in the central government from the Trinamul quota? How can Mamata usurp this right and decide on behalf of the Congress?” a Bengal leader asked.
The sources said Abhijit resigned only after it dawned on him that the high command had not appreciated his appointment.
One killed
TT, Alipurduar: One person was trampled to death and six huts were damaged when an elephant raided Dimdima tea estate on Tuesday night. Foresters said Kario Mahali, 70, came out of her hut when she saw the elephant. The animal chased her for some distance and then trampled her to death. The elephant had entered the garden from the nearby Dalgaon forest.
Girl raped
TT, Alipurduar: A 15-year-old deaf and mute girl was allegedly raped by a youth on Dalgaon Tea Estate on Tuesday. The girl was alone in the house when Rajat Oraon, a resident of the garden, allegedly raped her. Falakata police said Oraon is absconding.
Strike off, tea embargo stays
TT, Siliguri, July 27: The Progressive Tea Workers’ Union has called off tomorrow’s general strike but will continue to stall the despatch of tea, a decision that planters said would further hit exports that is already down because of excessive pesticide content.
The planters also said if the agitation was not withdrawn immediately, there would be a serious deficiency in working capitals in the gardens and the workforce would have to bear the ultimate brunt as the management would be unable to pay wages.
The PTWU leaders, after a meeting at Lakkhipara in the Dooars today, said the general strike had been withdrawn keeping in mind the inconvenience that it was likely to cause people. “We will, however, continue to stop the despatch of tea and demonstrate in front of the garden gates till a decision is reached,” said Shukra Munda, the PTWU chairman.
Business worth Rs 20 crore is being hit everyday since the PTWU, the dominant union in the nearly 208 gardens of the Dooars and Terai, started enforcing an embargo on the despatch of tea from yesterday. The union has been demanding a daily wage of Rs 250 for workers. The current wage in the plains gardens is Rs 67.
Baijnath Naik today resigned from the post of the general secretary of the PTWU, alleging that workers’ welfare was no longer the focus of the union. “The priority is on other issues,” he said. Naik, however, did not elaborate what the “other issues” were.
“If the decision to stop movement of tea from gardens is not withdrawn immediately, there would be a severe deficiency in working capital,” said Prabir Bhattacharya, secretary of the Dooars Branch of Indian Tea Association.
The DBITA is the largest association of tea planters in the country. “Regular cash inflow is necessary for each business establishment and the tea industry is no exception. We make and sell tea and earn money to make payments. Now if the movement of tea is stopped, it would not be possible for us to pay wages to workers over weeks by taking loans from banks at an interest rate of 12 per cent or so,” he added.
Bhattacharya said when the government had already scheduled a meeting, “an agitation that economically affects the sector was unjustified”.
The labour department has called a meeting on August 4 to resolve the wage hike issue.
Tea exporters based in Siliguri also said a prolonged labour crisis in the tea industry would create a negative repurcussion among international buyers of CTC brew.
“In the current years, exports are already lower than last year, particularly because of the presence of pesticides beyond the MRL (maximum residue limit),” an exporter based in Siliguri. “Our main buyers of CTC teas are Russia, Egypt and some European countries. Many of them have scaled down orders or have even returned consignments because of pesticide presence beyond MRL.”
Buyers in these countries, exporters said, are sensitive to the workforce engaged in the sector. “In case they find that workers in the Indian tea industry are agitating for wages, it creates a negative idea. In that case, they might turn to other countries like Kenya and Sri Lanka,” an exporter said.
Leaders of other trade unions were also critical of the PTWU’s decision to stop the despatch of tea. Chitta Dey, the convener of the Coordination Committee of Tea Plantation Workers — an apex body of trade unions — said the agitation was affecting the collective bargaining power. “Acts like this one by a single trade union is affecting the workers’ movement and weakening our collective bargaining power,” Dey said.
Cong request to Mamata
SANJAY K. JHA, TT, New Delhi, July 27: The Congress high command has asked chief minister Mamata Banerjee not to give any government assignment to its leaders without the party’s approval.
Sources revealed that the high command directed Bengal Congress president Pradeep Bhattacharya to write a letter to the Trinamul Congress chief with this request. The resignation of Pranab Mukherjee’s son Abhijit as the chairman of the West Bengal Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation followed this missive.
Sources here confirmed that Abhijit had been appointed without consultations with the party leadership.
The Congress had initially chosen to ignore the appointment as it involved Pranab Mukherjee’s son. But the party toughened the stand after PCC spokesperson Sukhendu Sekhar Roy switched sides and was given a Rajya Sabha ticket by Trinamul. Mamata’s decision not to invite the Congress to the July 21 rally acted as another irritant.
The sources said Sonia Gandhi agreed to convey a stern message to Mamata only after these episodes. “The high command was very particular about avoiding any conflict for the first few months. But this sensitivity was not appreciated by the other side. The conflict could now escalate as the situation on the ground is worsening. Reports from districts suggest Trinamul is out to gobble up the Congress,” a leader told The Telegraph.
Many state leaders had disapproved of Mamata’s attempts to keep Pranab in good humour while often snubbing the party as a whole. The state leaders had pointed out to the central leadership that Sukhendu was once close to Pranab.
The Congress felt that the party should decide who should get government assignments and it should not be left to the chief minister or individuals in the Congress. “There has to be a criterion. Is the Prime Minister free to decide who would be a minister in the central government from the Trinamul quota? How can Mamata usurp this right and decide on behalf of the Congress?” a Bengal leader asked.
The sources said Abhijit resigned only after it dawned on him that the high command had not appreciated his appointment.
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