The Joys of the Sandakphu Trek

Kanchenjunga and Singalila Ridge as seen from Sandakphu. Photo by Anirban Biswas

Trekking into Sandakphu starts off from an altitude of 1, 524 metres (5,000 ft) and gradually climbs up through forests of rhododendron, giant magnolias, spruce and other trees of sub-alpine region and not to mention, more than 600 varieties of orchids – the largest to be found in one geographical area in the world. For flora worshippers, the months of April and May are the best time of the year for the trek while for those who have an insatiable thirst for a view of the mountains, the best months are in autumn. The view from Sandakphu is unsurpassed by any other view anywhere. Where else can be seen 180 degrees of snowcapped mountains which includes Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, Kumbhakarna, Kanchenjunga, Chomolhari in one single stretch of snows – an ethereal beauty. It is easy to understand why people leave hearth and home, traveling, some times, thousands of miles to walk through ripples of terraced fields of maize, rice, millet and barley, leaving the last traces of civilization far behind.

Trekking in Darjeeling Hills and Sikkim

The Singalila Ridge

Plenty of trekking routes have been opened in the Darjeeling Hills and Sikkim to savour the breathtaking beauty of the Eastern Himalayas. In Darjeeling Hills, the summit of the trekking adventure culminates at Sandakphu – a summit at an altitude of 3, 658 metres (12, 000 ft) on the famous Singalila ridge. It is fit to make mention of a visionary and dream eyed Jesuit Rev. Fr. MacDonald, who pioneered trekking as an organized holiday and sport in Darjeeling Hills and Sikkim where multitude of trekkers now cluster for its joys. Trekkers have virtually, to just take themselves upon the mountains – the equipment, food etc, is shipped upon the climb site by the porters. In Darjeeling trekkers who are too old and don’t have the time to walk seven hours a day for the allotted time of five to ten days, can always trek upon Sandakphu by jeep or Land Rover. The journey is memorable and tests both the mettle of the driver and the intensity of the vehicle. The trek into the Darjeeling Hills can be undertaken by any casual walker.

Govind Thapa (featherweight) category amongst 8 Assam boxers shortlisted for National Boxing Championships

Guwahati, June 6: Eight Assam boxers were shortlisted after a daylong trial yesterday and will feature in the state team set to participate in the six-day National Youth Boxing Championships to be held at Nagpur from June 17 to 22.

The boxers’ participation will help boost their chances of making it to the national squad for the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi. The secretary of the Assam Amateur Boxing Association, Hemanta Kumar Kalita, today said the team would leave for Nagpur on June 12 from Guwahati. Five of them are trainees of the Sports Authority of India centres in Guwahati and Kokrajhar.

“The meet, organised under the aegis of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation, will be used to select the probables for the national team to take part in the Commonwealth Games. Though all the boys are talented, we have great expectations from at least two of them. It is a big opportunity for the boys to make a mark. They will undergo a week’s conditioning camp before leaving for Nagpur,” he said.

Kalita said the association has also selected six girls who will participate in the All-India Women’s Invitational Championship to be held at Vishakapatnam from June 18.

NC proposes Koirala’s name to for Nepal’s first President

NEPAL-KOIRALA (INTERNATIONAL,GENERAL)
Created on : 06/07/2008 03:19 PM (PRI)
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By Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, June 7 (PTI) The Nepali Congress today proposed the name of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala for Nepal’s first President after the Maoists renounced their claim over the post amid the ongoing hard bargaining over government formation in the country.

“As Koirala led the country to this point, successfully handling the People’s Movement of 2006, completing the Constituent Assembly elections as well as bringing the Maoists to the political mainstream, he deserves the post of the president,” Nepali Congress general secretary Rambaran Yadav told reporters here.

However, the octogenarian India-born has been opposed by the Maoists who are set to lead the next government amid concerns over his age and health.

Koirala is too frail for the post due to his deteriorating health conditions, said chairman of Madhesi People’s Rights Forum Upendra Yadav told reporters.

Republic of Nepal

By Siddhi B. Ranjitkar

Peacefully declaring Nepal a federal democratic republic, Nepalis have overcome the greatest hurdle that had stood against inclusive development, and demonstrated the world how the people could tear down the so-called mighty authoritarian regime peacefully. This could be the example for all people to engage in a peaceful manner for gaining the fundamental rights and ending the injustice in the society rather than attempting to do so violently disregarding the loss of so precious human lives and properties. People engaged in violence for justice need to take the example of Nepal for ending the injustice peacefully.

On May 27, 2008, newly elected members of the Constituent Assembly (CA) took the oath of office at the International convention Center (ICC). The second senior most member of the CA Kul Bahadur Gurung chaired the oath-taking session. Incumbent Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala was the senior most member of the CA but he could not chair the ceremony because of his executive status. Different ethnic-group members dressed in their ethnic costumes and wearing their respective ornaments not only embellished the oath-taking ceremony but also showed the integration of all of ethnic Nepalis into a single Nepal.

On May 28, 2007, the first sitting of the CA was scheduled for 11:00 A.M. but held only at 9:00 P.M., 10 hours later because of the negotiations going on among the leaders of the major political parties at the official residence of the Prime Minister at Baluwatar, Kathmandu. However, the actual business of the CA session started at 11:00 P.M. only, because of the need for photocopying the agenda for distributing to the CA members. It was a shame on the CA session managers that they could not manage the photocopies of the agenda on time and even took two hours to make about six hundred copies of the agenda. The senior most CA member Kul Bahadur Gurung chaired the first CA session.

After the opening of the CA session, the Chairman requested the CA members to stand in silence for two minutes to pay tribute to the martyrs that sacrificed their precious lives for making Nepal a federal democratic republic. Then, the Chairman read out the congratulatory letter sent by the Indian House Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee. Then, he asked Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala for submitting his proposal for declaring Nepal a federal democratic republic.

Prime Minister Koirala seemed to be weak and unwell. A medical doctor accompanied him in case the Prime Minister needed medical help and care. Prime Minister Koirala even did not take the salute made ready for honoring the Head of State at the entrance to the ICC. He spoke for a few minutes and then ask Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Ram Chandra Poudel to read out his short speech; then, Minster for Home Krishna Prasad Sitaula to present the proposal for declaring Nepal a federal democratic republic ending the 240-year old Shah monarchy to the CA on his behalf pursuant to the Article 159 of the Interim Constitution of Nepal of 2007.

Today’s Beacon Online Exclusive Wallpaper

Sunrise over Kanchenjunga as seen from Darjeeling

Photo by Krivtsov

Trinamul Shut Down ineffective in the Hills!

Photo: Himalaya Darpan

Impasse will end Monday: Prachanda

KATHMANDU: Maoist chairman Prachanda today said the current political deadlock would come to an end by Monday, as his party had adopted maximum flexibility for consensus. [Inset: Prachanda. Source - Durdesh.net]

“Political deadlock since the CA polls is less complicated than the previous ones. All the political complications will be sorted out by Monday,” Prachanda said, addressing a function organised by the All Nepal Women’s Association (Revolutionary) to honour the 191 women CA members at Baneshwor.

He said the CPN-Maoist, which sacrificed the lives of thousands of its cadres for the establishment of republic and which is the largest party in the CA, must show flexibility to find an amicable solution to the protracted political deadlock. He was referring to yesterday’s party decision to give up its claims on presidential post.

Nepali Prime Minister’s Secret Compromise with Ex-King

By Mohan Nepal

Post Vs Political Decency

Nepal’s Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has not resigned even after the Nepalis gave Maoists a mandate through the 10 April constituent assembly poll for heading the next government. A dispute as to who to head the next government is still going on among the three major parties, i.e., the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), the United Marxist-Leninist and the Nepali Congress. [Inset: Koirala. Photo by Prakash Mathema]

As the Maoists are seeking the prime ministerial position to lead the next government, the other parties disagree to accept the Maoist leadership. But the Maoists argue strongly that the people mandated them to lead the peace process to a logical end through a new government under their leadership and vision. This has been the crux of the debate.

Although the White House and New Delhi have appreciated the historical constituent assembly poll and welcomed its outcome, they have hesitation regarding the Maoist leadership in the government, signaling to cooperate with other pro-Western forces against the winning Maoists. The Nepalis this time did not mandate the other traditional parties whom the United States of America and India especially favor.

Teesta Stage V reservoir protection wall collapse again in Dikchu

DIKCHU, June 05: The Teesta rose again last night, slicing away more portions of the protection wall of the dam reservoir of the Teesta Stage V here. Around 50 ft towards the left bank of the reservoir wall of the Teesta Stage V power project below Dikchu New Market at the boundary of Phodong Gompa collapsed again last night. [Inset: Dikchu Google Earth View]

This is the second time that the protection wall lining the reservoir has given away in less than a week. A major portion of the wall was washed away on June 1 following incessant rains and sudden rise in the level of the Teesta waters. The Area MLA, Rakdong Tintek, Norjang Lepcha today visited the spot where he met the people of Dikchu area.

The affected people of Dikchu has strongly criticised the NHPC, alleging that the company had not yet installed the halogen lights in dangerous areas near the reservoir where they were supposed to install the next day after the meeting with the SDM following the June 1 incident. “We want safety for our lives and properties and not compensation,” the affected people told the MLA.

Aritar plays host to State level World Environment Day celebrations

By NIRMAL MANGAR

ARITAR, June 05: The State level World Environment Day was observed today here at the Chungthang Gaddi in East Sikkim with a massive plantation drive by the students and the local people.  Organized by the State Forest, Environment and Wildlife Department in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the programme was attended by the Area MLA KB Chamling as the chief guest along with the presence of the Zilla Adakshya (East) Bimal Diwedi, officials from the concerned department and WWF. [Photo: Left - Aritar Lake. HB Archives]

While addressing the gathering, Mr. Chamling, who is also the chief whip of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) party, said that the people of Sikkim still lacked interest and sensitivity towards protecting their environment.  The Area MLA also urged the people for more afforestation adding, “Environmental issues are major and crucial issues that need to be addressed by the people all over the world.”

‘The initiative of the State Government in starting the State Green Mission for the first time in the country itself speaks volume about the steps towards biodiversity conservation in this tiny Himalayan State,” he said. Expressing concern over the extinction of some flora and fauna in the State, the MLA also stressed on the need for the conservation of rare and endangered species and also informed that Pangulakha under Regu constituency was a haven of rare species of herbal and medicinal plants and wild faunas such as the Mithun. [Photo Left: Chamling handing over gifts and certificates to winners]

The Conservator of Forest (Land Use), C Lachungpa said, “Global warming has led to massive melting of the glaciers which can possibly invite natural disasters. Students and teachers can also play a pivotal role in imparting the message of environment conservation, he said.

India, China discuss boundary row, agree to maintain peace

GANGTOK, June 5: India and China are understood to have discussed the latest row over Sikkim during talks between their Foreign Ministers in Beijing today. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is on a four-day official visit to China, met his counterpart Yang Jiechi and discussed issues of mutual concern.
According to news reports, the two sides agreed to use existing mechanisms whenever necessary to maintain peace and tranquillity along the border.

Both India and China agreed not to change the situation and use existing mechanisms whenever necessary to maintain peace and tranquillity along the border, Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon was quoted as saying in news reports. “Both sides covered all major issues in bilateral relations in a constructive, positive and forward-looking manner. The minister was very satisfied with both the content and the nature of the talks and the outcome on all these issues.” He said there was a clear determination on both sides to carry forward the bilateral relationship.

A news report quoting sources said the Sikkim issue was also discussed with China insisting that the two sides had different perceptions and the matter should be sorted out through dialogue. On the border issue, there was consensus on finding a mutually acceptable solution to the problem through talks at the level of Special Representatives (SRs).

Longing for a green canopy

The loss of an increasing number of wild fauna and major factors contributing to depleting wildlife habitat are due to the lack of proper administration by forest officials, not to forget hazardous methods of conservation. Swaati Chaudhury elaborates

Several of the environmental problems we face today or future generations could face arise from the production and consumption of energy. Local pollution, acid rain and global warming are some of the important environmental impacts of energy production and consumption. Thus, we are in a dilemma — on one hand we need to augment the energy supply and on the other we need to protect the environment and rationalise the consumption of natural resources. [Inset: East Calcutta Wetlands]

In contemporary times, when our ecosystem has become vulnerable, there is a crying need to save the environment. Once again, environmentalists from across the world geared up to mark World Environment Day on 5 June. This year, the theme focused on climate change. WWF-India, West Bengal Chapter, observed the event at the Indian Museum in Kolkata. Inaugurated by state environment minister Sailen Sarkar, there was a puppet show to depict conservation norms in the forests.

It is not only environmentalists but common masses too have long dreamed of having a pollution-free environment where forests and wetlands would be taken care of with teeming wildlife populations. And one wonders when the long wait will finally be over. The jungles of North Bengal form an enriched biodiversity zone but in today’s climes, a declining rhino population, political unrest in the entire zone and incidences of elephants being hit by speeding trains in their migratory corridors are some of the glaring issues that confront us. In the face of industrial resurgence, land acquisition has become a grave issue, feels Dr Subir K Ghosh, member, Commission for Ecosystem Management, International Union for Conservation of Nature. “Any kind of industrial activity can wreak havoc in the Sundarbans. The locals are least concerned about preserving the forest ecosystem. Efforts are on to set up a tourism development centre in the area that will hamper the forest biodiversity. Industrialisation has an impact on our environment. Another disturbing environmental site is the East Calcutta Wetlands that has been declared a Ramsar Heritage Site but is poorly maintained. In the tea gardens of the Dooars, huge amounts of pesticides are used that have a damaging effect on the floral biodiversity.” He also expresses doubt about the future of the Sundarbans that has a dwindling population of tigers — of around 154.

‘Rehabilitation of Kawakhali land losers

SILIGURI, June 6: SJDA chairman and the state urban development minister, Mr Asok Bhattacharya today said that the land losers at the proposed new township site at Kawakhali in Siliguri would be handed over the promised rehabilitation plots within a month.  Talking to the reporters in Siliguri today, the minister added that the SJDA has enlisted about 400 families, who would be given possession of the rehabilitation plots varying between two, three and five cottas corresponding to the size of lands, which has been acquired from them.

Mr Bhattacharya also announced that as promised earlier, the SJDA would arrange for soft loan of Rs 80,000 for each of the land loser family living below the poverty line towards construction of house on the rehabilitation plots.  “Let me make it clear that the SJDA has no intention to deceive the land losers and every single provision of the promised rehabilitation package would implemented,” the minister said.

Cooch Behar party hunger-stir enters second day

COOCH BEHAR, June 6: The indefinite hunger strike of the Greater Cooch Behar Democratic Party (GCDP) entered its second day on Friday. The GCDP started the hunger strike at Shahid Baag in Cooch Behar from Thursday. They adopted the hunger strike plan to highlight their demand for unconditional release of the fifty-six prisoners under trial including Mr Bangshi Badan Barman. GCDP president Mr Ashutosh Barma said, “We will not lift the hunger strike till receiving of any specific assurance from the government over our demand.”

When contacted, the district magistrate Mr Rajesh Kumar Sinha said he sent an officer yesterday to talk with the agitators and request them to withdraw the hunger strike, but that yielded no result. “I have my limitations to meet their demand”, he said. He, however, said that arrangements were made to extend medical help to the hunger strikers. A medical team examined them yesterday and it is kept ready for them to extend medical aid if asked for, the DM said.On the other hand, Mr Barma said an officer visited them and asked them to lift the hunger strike. He said nothing about our demand. “We are in no mood to go away empty handed”, he said. The DM should talk with higher authorities over the demand, Mr Barma urged.

Near-total shutdown save in Hills

SILIGURI, June 6: The Trinamul Congress sponsored bandh in protest against the hike in fuel prices was marked with hostilities in north Bengal today. While the bandh supporters allegedly broke a few windowpanes of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation office, two persons including a trader were injured at Islampur, North Dinajpur in an alleged clash with the bandh supporters. Three Trinamul supporters were arrested in connection with the incident.

Trouble erupted at Mathabhanga in Cooch behar too when the bandh supporters tried to resist the SDO, Mr Anindya Kar, from entering his office. The SDO allegedly slapped a Trinamul Congress supporter and the police had to lathi charge to disperse the picketers. Three persons including a policeman were injured in the incident. The Trinamul Congress has decided to demonstrate at the Mathabhanga SDO office on Tuesday to protest against the police action.

Trinamul Congress supporters also resisted the district judge from entering the court at Cooch Behar. In addition to government offices, banks, schools and colleges, the picketers also compelled the Congress-run Cooch Behar Municipality to keep its office closed. The main entrance of the district magistrate’s office was also found closed. Fifteen bandh supporters were arrested in Cooch Behar today.

Dilip Singh, an unlikely hero

By Bappaditya Paul

SILIGURI, June 6: Mr Dilip Singh of Shilpa Samity Para in Jalpaiguri town is a public hero now! This 34-year old bachelor is the one, who led the stranded Darjeeling Mail passengers in stopping their co-passenger, the state urban development minister Mr Asok Bhattacharya from taking up an alternative road journey up to Siliguri from Kishanganj (Bihar) during the Left sponsored 12-hour West Bengal bandh on Thursday.

As a result, the CPI-M minister, had to spend over seven hours in the stranded train, swallowing the bitter bandh pill that the ruling Marxists often thrust upon the public.  Dilip was later arrested by the police on his arrival at New Jalpaiguri yesterday afternoon, but only to release on PR bond late in the night following an all round pressure.

Since then, Dilip is being flooded with numerous calls, congratulating him for instigating the ‘much needed protest against the Marxist minister’s selfish manoeuvre’. Interestingly, with the every passing minute, the number of such calls is on the rise.  “Among the hundreds who have hailed me through calls include, Congress MLA Mrs Deepa Dasmunshi, poet Mr Mridul Dasgupta, Kolkata based activist Mr Prasun Bhowmick and the activists of the Association for the Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR),” Mr Singh informed.

DGHC mixes GJMM rally demand

SILIGURI, June 6: The Darjeeling district administration has hardened its stand against the Gorkha Jan Mutki Morcha’s intended rally at Naxalbari. The GJMM has launched a hunger strike agitation at several places in the Siliguri sub-division demanding permission for the rally. The Jalpaiguri divisional commissioner and officiating Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council administrator Mr Beharilal Meena today categorically stated that the district administration was not considering the GJMM demand on the issue.

“We are open for dialogue with the GJMM leadership only on development issues, not about the rally demand,” he said.  Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, North Bengal, Mr Kundanlal Tamta said that the police might seek additional force from the state to tackle the situation arising out of the indefinite fast programme of the hill-based outfit. Mr Meena said that as far as the Naxalbari rally issue was concerned, it was for the state administration to decide.

Plot for land-losers by July

Siliguri, June 6: The Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA) will hand over by July 400 plots to displaced landowners of Kawakhali in the first phase of relocation, urban development minister Asok Bhattacharya said today. There are over 850 such landowners in the area.

The SJDA chairman also announced a rehabilitation package for displaced families of Chandmoni Tea Estate.

“There are disputes over some plots in Kawakhali because of a few unregistered landowners and claimants. The SJDA officials will organise a meeting with members of the Kawakhali Porajhar Bhumi Raksha Committee on June 11 here to discuss the issue,” said Bhattacharya.

The committee, on the other hand, said it would not budge from its earlier stand. “We have already said the SJDA will have to provide adequate compensation to all the land losers of Kawakhali,” said Yugalkishor Sarkar, the vice-president, after a meeting with the minister.

On Chandmoni, Bhattacharya said there were 200 permanent and 100 casual workers of the garden. “We have planned to resettle them by providing 2.5-3 cottahs to each family as well as constructing a house for each of them on SJDA land.”

Trinamul does its bit to cripple life

Bandh supporters stop a vehicle at Champasari More in Siliguri on Friday. Picture by Kundan Yolmo

June 6: Normal life in north Bengal was affected for the second day running today in response to the 12-hour bandh called by the Trinamul Congress to protest against fuel price hike. The Left Front had called a bandh yesterday over the same issue.

For the first time in 32 years, an Opposition-sponsored bandh was successful in Toofanganj, a CPM stronghold in Cooch Behar. All shops and establishments were closed, and vehicles were off the roads.

Several government offices were, however, open today in north Bengal, leading to trouble in Islampur when Trinamul supporters ransacked the premises of the water resources department after the staff had turned up for work.

According to police, the bandh supporters forced their way into the office and asked the employees to leave. They then broke computers and furniture and dispersed when the police arrived a little later. Five persons were arrested. Other Trinamul workers then started an agitation at the police station, demanding the release of the arrested persons.

Instant auction put off

Siliguri Tea Auction Centre

Siliguri, June 6: The Tea Board of India has asked Siliguri Tea Auction Centre to put on hold the implementation of the instant-auction system, after having given the go-ahead less than a fortnight ago.

Siliguri Tea Auction Committee (Stac) wanted to give the new system a trial run from June 10. Almost 74,500kg of tea (2,435 packages) worth Rs 70,000 has already been stocked in warehouses with sampling and cataloguing done.

Earlier, the Tea Board had said it gave the go-ahead to Stac because none of the stakeholders had objected to the proposal. But today, H.M. Dwibedi, the consultant to the Tea Board, said some brokers and producers’ associations (Indian Tea Association and Tea Association of India) in Calcutta expressed their reservations about the new system.

“They were of the opinion that the 2 per cent cash discount given to buyers at instant auctions may go against the sellers,” Dwibedi said. “We have convened a meeting on June 18, in which we will discuss all aspects once again. Till then, we have asked Stac to put its plans on hold.”

From Paris on frog study tour

By ANIRBAN CHOUDHURY

Ohlar (second from left) at a rest house in Chilapata. Picture by Anirban Choudhury

Chilapata (Alipurduar), June 6: A team from National Museum of Natural History in France arrived here today on a tour of the forest where a yet-to-be named species of frog was discovered last year.

The Chilapata forest is home to many amphibians and herpetologist Anne Marie Ohlar, a professor at the Paris institute, had been curious from the time the Zoological Survey of India sent her a sample — only five specimens of the new species had been collected — sometime after July in 2007.

“We cannot name the species yet for its discovery has not come out in any journal,” said 53-year-old Ohlar, who was accompanied by her post-doctoral student Stephane Grosjean.

The new species had been first spotted by Suvodeep Pal, who is now part of Ohlar’s team in Chilapata, 27km from Alipurduar town. In 2006, Pal, a 30-year-old science para-teacher of a high school, had made the forest his home for three months.

“He had then come across the Assam Pointed Frog and Orang Sticky Frog,” said Koushik Deuti, a scientist with ZSI. “These frogs were for the first time spotted in Bengal. Earlier, Orang National Park in Assam was the only other place where they were found.”

Home secy focuses on hill growth – Govt repeats greater autonomy offer. DGHC to convene pay meeting today

Machendra Subba addresses a rally of ad-hoc employees in Kalimpong on Friday. (Chinlop Fudong Lepcha)

Siliguri/Kalimpong, June 6: Bengal home secretary Asok Mohan Chakrabarti today reiterated that the government would not support the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland but instead work for increased autonomy of the hill council in Darjeeling.

The home secretary arrived in Siliguri this morning on his way to Kalimpong to attend a couple of review meetings. “The chief minister had specifically stated the state government’s stand in this regard. There is nothing new to add,” he said.

At a recent meeting with leaders of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha who are spearheading the revival of the Gorkhaland demand in the hills, the chief minister had asked them to focus on greater autonomy for the DGHC instead.

Chakrabarti said issues like regularisation of DGHC contractual employees and better utilisation of council funds would be discussed at the review meetings. He added that he was not scheduled to meet the Morcha leaders during his trip.

DGHC contractual workers later gheraoed Chakrabarti at Kalimpong.

Relay fast for regular job

Chakrabarti (centre) at a review meeting at the circuit house in Kalimpong on Friday. Picture by Chinlop Fudong Lepcha

Kalimpong, June 6: The Janmukti Asthai Karmachari Sangathan has decided to launch a relay hunger strike from tomorrow to demand regularisation of jobs for the 8,000-odd ad-hoc employees of the DGHC.

The hunger strike will continue till June 27. “If our demand is not met by then, we will launch an even bigger agitation,” Machendra Subba, the president of the organisation, said at a rally at Mela Ground here today. The contract of the ad-hoc employees ends on June 30.

Almost around the same time Subba was making the announcement, DGHC administrator B.L Meena told reporters at the circuit house here that the Bengal home secretary, Asok Mohan Chakrabarti, would discuss the issue with representatives of the organisation in Darjeeling tomorrow. “We have submitted a proposal to the government. We will discuss how to proceed with it,” Meena said.

The proposal includes paying basic salary and dearness allowance to ad-hoc employees belonging to Groups A, B and C according to the norms of the Bengal government. For Group D employees, the council wants a daily wage of Rs 128.21. Currently, the ad-hoc workers from Groups B, C and D are paid between Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,000 monthly.

Subba, however, said nothing short of job regularisation would do. “It is the responsibility of the government to secure our future. The state must work out a mechanism to solve our problem,” he told the gathering of about 7,000 contractual employees who had converged here from different parts of the hills.

Bhuan Khanal, a spokesperson for the organisation, said the central committee would meet before going on for talks with the home secretary and senior officials at Lal Kothi, the DGHC headquarters.

A delegation of the Janmukti Secondary Teachers’ Organisation met Morcha president Bimal Gurung in Darjeeling today and urged him to set up a cell to look into the problems of education in the hills. “The president agreed to depute a central committee member to discuss the issue with us,” said Gyalbo Lama, the media and publicity secretary of the teachers’ body. The meeting is scheduled here for June 14. [The Telegraph]