6 days ago
Ajoy Edwards Seeks Probe Into Alleged Darjeeling Hills Corruption
Ajoy Edwards says there may have been corruption in several projects in the Darjeeling hills.
He gave the chief minister a list of 11 issues.
These issues include hiring teachers, using disaster money, building roads and providing water.
Edwards was especially concerned about water projects.
He said more than ₹2,000 crore had been approved for these projects.
He and his colleagues said very few of the sites they visited seemed to be working properly.
The chief minister reportedly asked officials to look into the complaints.
Edwards said his campaign for honest government would continue alongside the demand for Gorkhaland.
IGJF leader Ajoy Edwards presented 11 alleged corruption and irregularity cases to chief minister Suvendu Adhikari.
The allegations involve GTA recruitment, municipal properties, disaster funds, housing, roads, buildings and water projects.
Edwards said more than ₹2,000 crore was sanctioned through Jal Jeevan Mission and AMRUT for hill water projects.
He claimed fewer than 5% of inspected water-project sites appeared partially or fully successful.
Adhikari reportedly directed GTA and other officials to take necessary action, with further discussions expected in Siliguri in September.
- Who
- Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front leader Ajoy Edwards raised the allegations with chief minister Suvendu Adhikari; home secretary Sanghamitra Ghosh also attended.
- What
- Edwards presented 11 alleged cases of corruption and irregularities in the Darjeeling hills and sought investigations and action.
- Where
- The meeting was held at Nabanna and concerned the Darjeeling hills, including Darjeeling and Kurseong municipalities.
- When
- The meeting took place on Monday; further discussions were expected during Adhikari’s visit to Siliguri in the first week of September.
- Why
- Edwards said accountability was necessary for effective governance and that political solutions, including Gorkhaland, would mean little without addressing corruption.
Edwards’s Allegations
Reported Government Response
Water-project implementation
Edwards’s Allegations
Edwards alleged poor planning, substandard construction, incomplete work and possible corruption in projects funded through the Jal Jeevan Mission and AMRUT.
Reported Government Response
The article does not provide a detailed response from officials or the accused, but says the chief minister directed officials to take necessary action.
Political priorities
Edwards’s Allegations
Edwards argued that the demand for Gorkhaland should be accompanied by accountability, honest governance and an account of public money.
Reported Government Response
The reported government position was to pursue the issues through the GTA principal secretary and other concerned officials, with further discussions planned.
Key facts
- Allegations presented
- 11 instances involving alleged corruption and irregularities
- Main bodies mentioned
- Gorkhaland Territorial Administration and Darjeeling municipality
- Water-project funding
- More than ₹2,000 crore was reportedly sanctioned under the Jal Jeevan Mission and AMRUT schemes
- Edwards’s site-visit claim
- Fewer than 5% of inspected water-project sites appeared partially or fully successful
- Meeting location
- Nabanna
- Government response
- The GTA principal secretary and other concerned officials were reportedly directed to take necessary action
- Further discussion
- The issues were expected to be discussed in Siliguri in the first week of September
Quotes
Ajoy Edwards
Chief convener of the Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front and elected GTA Sabha member
“I firmly believe any political solution achieved for our people will be meaningless to the common citizen unless corruption is brought to an end”
telegraphindia.com
“Our struggle is not only to achieve Gorkhaland as a territory; it is also for our dignity, honest governance and a better future for our people.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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