After a tripartite meeting held here today with representatives of the state and the Central Government, GJM general secretary and a GTA Sabha executive member Roshan Giri told reporters that they want the three-tier Panchayati Raj system to be introduced in the Hills.
"We were told by the Central team that the Attorney General will review our demand," Giri said, adding that the GJM also wants the reserve forest areas of Darjeeling be transfered under GTA's control.
He said a Central team comprising officials of the Union Home Ministry and the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests would soon visit Darjeeling to review this demand.
"We want all cases against them be withdrawn and they should be released from prison. The state government has assured us of expediting the matter," Giri said.
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In the education sector, they have sought establishment of a Central University as well as a National Institute of Technology (NIT) in the Hills for which land has already been identified by the GTA.
For the construction of an administrative building of the GTA and allied infrastructure, they have sought Rs 553 crore from the government, Giri said.
After describing the tripartite meeting as cordial and fruitful, the GTA delegation met Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
State Home Secretary Basudeb Banerjee said a team from industry bodies CII and Assocham would review GTA's demand for special subsidy to draw investment.
Giri said they have got Rs 165 crore out of Rs 200 crore of central funds promised to them earlier.
"Now development work will be expedited with these funds," he said.