Bengal dismisses GJM municipality resolution

Ahead of the tripartite talks between the state government, the Centre and the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) on the GJM's demand for a separate Gorkhaland, the state government on Wednesday turned down a resolution adopted by the chairpersons of the three municipalities of Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong for running the administration of these municipalities. All the three municipalities are run by the GJM, which stalled elections of these civic bodies slated for June 16. In fact, not a single nomination could be filed because of the GJM's opposition. As the term of the three municipalities ended on July 31, the state government appointed the SDOs of the three sub-divisions as administrators of the municipalities. The chairpersons of the municipalities were also made part of the Board.

However, on August 1 the chairpersons of the three civic bodies — Pemba Tshering of Darjeeling, Norden Lama of Kalimpong, Krishna Limbo of Kueseong — adopted a resolution saying that the administration of the three civic bodies would continue to be run by the chairmen-in-council. They even issued cheques for payment of staff's salaries and for meeting other expenses.

The resolution reached the state government headquarters at Writers' Buildings on August 3. Notices were sent to the banks concerned not to honour any of the cheques.

"The move initiated by the three municipalities is unconstitutional and contrary to the Municipal Act. Any such move is unacceptable to us. The banks have been told not to clear the cheques," said a state government official. Amar Lama, a senior leader of the GJM, said they had not yet received any communication from the state government.

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