Archive · 8 Sep 2026
West Bengal appoints GTA administrator as hills await fresh polls
West Bengal has chosen Smritiranjan Mohanty to temporarily run the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.
The GTA manages civic and development work in parts of North Bengal.
Its previous leaders resigned in June.
Their resignations happened during political uncertainty and allegations of financial problems.
The government says Mohanty will keep services and development projects running.
He will remain in charge until new GTA elections are held.
A new elected board will then take over.
The government also said legal action could follow if irregularities are confirmed.
West Bengal appointed Smritiranjan Mohanty as administrator of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.
Mohanty will serve until elections are held and a new GTA board is formed.
The appointment followed the resignation of the previous board led by the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha.
The board’s leaders resigned amid political uncertainty and allegations of financial irregularities in the GTA.
The state said the appointment would maintain civic services and development work in the hills.
- Who
- Smritiranjan Mohanty was appointed administrator of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration by the West Bengal government.
- What
- The state appointed a temporary administrator after the previous GTA board resigned.
- When
- The appointment was announced on Tuesday; the previous leadership resigned in June.
- Where
- The GTA oversees civic and development affairs in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong in North Bengal.
- Why
- The appointment was intended to ensure continuity of administrative work and development activities until fresh GTA elections and formation of a new board.
- Administrator
- Smritiranjan Mohanty, the GTA secretary
- Term
- Until elections are held and a new GTA board is constituted
- Previous board
- Led by the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha
- Resignations
- Anit Thapa, Anjul Chowhan and Rajesh Chowhan resigned from GTA leadership roles
- Areas covered
- Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong
- Concerns
- Political uncertainty and allegations of financial irregularities
- Government rationale
- To maintain administrative work, civic services and development activities