29/05/2026
*Office of Raju Bista*
*Press Release*
*29th of May, 2026*
Today, I lead a delegation comprising of elected MLA's from Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong, and leaders of our Alliance Party to meet with the Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Sh. Suvendu Adhikari ji. We discussed multiple issues concerning our Darjeeling hills, Terai, and Dooars region and sought his guidance for ensuring lasting peace and progress for our region.
We highlighted the long-pending issues concerning the rights and dignity of our tea garden and cinchona garden workers. The Tea Board of India Deputy Chairman will be visiting Darjeeling next week to initiate steps in this regard. We also underlined the need to ensure the rights for the people living in forest villages, and the residents of DI Fund land.
Further we highlighted the urgent need to improve healthcare infrastructure, quality education, provision of safe drinking water to every household, and the need for massive improvement in roads and connectivity so that no village in the hills, Terai or Dooars remains isolated.
We also discussed disaster mitigation and management preparedness, especially in view of the recurring landslides and floods. The Secretary, Department of Disaster Management has been ordered to visit our region and hold a detailed discussions regarding this. We also strongly emphasised the need for accelerated, inclusive development of the entire region, and sought his guidance for fulfilling the aspirations of the people of our region.
Further, we placed before him the urgent need for a thorough investigation into the deep-rooted corruption in the GTA and several other local bodies. Particularly ghotala in Har Ghar Jal, AMRUT, Teacher's Recruitment, Teachers Eligibility Test (TET), PMGSY, PMAY and other such State and Central schemes. The Hon'ble Chief Minister has assured that a Special Audit of GTA and Municipalities in the hills will be undertaken.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister and has given us positive assurances on all issues. He further mentioned the Interlocutor appointed by the Central Government to take forward the dialogue, and said that ensuring peace, development and ascertaining the rights of the people of our region are among his top priorities.
We are confident that under his dynamic and decisive leadership, and guidance, justice for the people of the Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars will be ensured.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary of West Bengal Sh. Manoj Agarwal ji, Principal Secretary GTA, DM Darjeeling, DM Kalimpong, and other senior government officials.
*Raju Bista*
*Member of Parliament, Darjeeling and*
*National Spokesperson, BJP*
