Darjeeling BJP MP Raju Bista on Monday raised the dual demands of a permanent political solution (PPS) for the hills and conferment of Scheduled Tribe status to 11 hill communities as he spoke in the Lok Sabha on Monday.
“I request the central government to fulfil the aspirations of the people of our region by providing a permanent political solution to them under the Indian Constitution. I also request the inclusion of 11 Gorkha sub-tribes in the list of Scheduled Tribes of the country,” said Bista, the two-time MP from Darjeeling.
Bista's remarks come shortly after two prominent political forces in the hills — the Anit Thapa-led Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) and the GNLF (a BJP ally) — have set deadlines for the BJP to meet these two longstanding demands.
While the BGPM has threatened to revive its movement on both issues if the Centre doesn't arrive at a decision within the monsoon session of Parliament (which ends on August 12), the GNLF has set a deadline of April 5, 2025.
“Rohingyas and Bangladeshis are infiltrating in north Bengal and setting up homes. This has to be stopped or else there will be a demographic change in the region. The central government has to take appropriate steps to protect the region, which is also geographically important,” said the MP.
In his speech, Bista was also critical of the Trinamool Congress government on the allocation of funds for north Bengal.
“The state earns revenue from the region, from its tea, tourism, and trade. But only a miniscule portion of the state's budget is allotted for north Bengal,” he said.
The MP also sought a financial package for the rehabilitation of victims of the flash flood that occurred in the Teesta in October last year and the landslides.
“The Centre should consider proposals to set up a central university in Darjeeling, an AIIMS in north Bengal, and an international-level stadium in Siliguri. Also, there should be an alternative highway to Darjeeling and funds should be allocated for the ring road project planned in Siliguri,” said Bista.
