Teacher-In-Charge were elected arbitrarily during the BGPM/TMC era, with many underqualified individuals being given charge of the school. This verdict opens room for senior teachers to reclaim their rightful place

The Calcutta High Court has directed the District Inspector of Schools, Darjeeling to appoint Dr. Anita Lama as Teacher-in-Charge of Relling Higher Secondary School. The appointment will replace the present Teacher-in-Charge, who was made in charge in 2024. The order was passed by Justice Suvra Ghosh at the Circuit Bench at Jalpaiguri in WPA No. 2254 of 2026.

The court ordered that the exercise be completed within four weeks from the date the order is communicated.

The decision was given, after a hard-fought case by advocates Anand Bhandari, Urgen Lama and Mayank Bhandari on behalf of Dr. Anita Lama.

Background of the case

Dr. Lama was appointed as a Casual Junior High School Teacher at Kainjaley High School on 2 June 2000 on a contractual basis. She subsequently served at Relling Higher Secondary School from 2012, where her service was regularised with effect from June 6, 2012.

After the Headmaster of the school retired, another individual supposed to be close to the then party in power TMC and BGPM was made Teacher-in-Charge in 2024, in contravention of the rules. He had been in service for only seven years at that time. He was appointed in 2017.

Dr. Lama moved the High Court seeking appointment as Teacher In Charge (TIC) in his place. She had all the requisite qualifications including completion of 12 years of service by 2024. She also holds a post graduate degree and has completed B.Ed.

In her favour, her counsels referred to two documents.

The first is a letter dated 6 October 2020 from the District Inspector of Schools, Secondary Education, Kalimpong. It was sent to the Headmasters of all High and Higher Secondary Schools in the district. It sets out the criteria for appointing a Teacher-in-Charge. A panel of three teachers is to be recommended. For a Higher Secondary School, they must have a post graduate degree and B.Ed, and at least 10 years of service. The panel is to reach the District Inspector of Schools one month before the existing Teacher-in-Charge retires.

The second is a letter dated 4 July 2014 from the Executive Director, Education Department, GTA, Darjeeling, to the District Inspector of Schools. It lays down three parameters:

1. If there is an Assistant Headmaster or Headmistress, that person should be given charge as Teacher-in-Charge.
2. If there is none, the senior most teacher with the required qualification should be given charge.
3. If neither is available, any teacher with the required qualification and ten years of service should be considered.

Though the counsel for the GTA told the court that the private respondent was appointed temporarily on the recommendation of the Managing Committee of the school, the court questioned the decision of the Managing Committee itself. The current TIC was not represented before the court, even though he had been served.

The court noted that both letters clearly require a minimum of 10 years of service. For a Higher Secondary School, they also require a post graduate degree and B.Ed.

The court recorded that it was not in dispute that Dr. Lama meets both criteria. While the current Teacher-in-Charge did not have the required ten years when he was appointed in 2024. The court also noted that, as informed, the current TIC is drawing salary in the Honours graduate scale, and not the Post-Graduate Scale.

On this basis, the court held that Dr. Lama is entitled to be appointed in place of the current TIC, who does not meet the criteria. The court directed the District Inspector of Schools, to take the necessary steps and complete the formality within the next four weeks.

This verdict opens room for senior teachers in all schools across the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration and the rest of the state, who were sidelined to make room for TMC/BGPM appointees, to reclaim their rightful place.

FULL ORDER

The post TEACHER-IN-CHARGE IN RELLING H.S SCHOOL TO BE REPLACED: Calcutta High Court directs appointment of Dr. Anita Lama as the New Teacher-in-Charge appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

For fifteen years, Roshni Rai has worked quietly and tirelessly to build a culture of running in the hills. At a time when very few believed that a runner from this region could stand on an international podium, she came with the vision of sending Gorkha runners to Olympics.

What began as a personal passion for running grew, through her years of effort, into a movement that has given the Darjeeling-Sikkim region some of its finest marathon and trail running talent. Today as running events and running clubs have mushroomed throughout the region, credit must go to Team Run With Roshni for planting these seeds of transformation.

The win by Bir Bahadur Rai is proof that her hard work is bringing real results, and it will not be the last such moment. We congratulate her, and we thank her, for everything she has given to our region and its runners.

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At the Foundation Day celebrations, Dr. G.S. Yonzon, Padma Shree Awardee, graced the occasion as Chief Guest, lending further weight to a celebration that brought together runners, well wishers and guests from across the region.

Mr. Roland Subba, Secretary of the Kalimpong Ultra Marathon Organizing Committee, delivered the welcome address.

Runners who were supported by the Foundation for the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2026 shared their experiences from the race, each one a reminder of how far the Foundation’s support has taken local runners.

A special felicitation was held for Mr. Bikash Bhujel and Mr. Puran Rai, both alumni of SUMI School, Kalimpong, and winners of several local marathons across the Darjeeling-Sikkim region. They were felicitated by their former teacher, Mr. Ganesh Dahal, and the Foundation spoke with pride of having supported both runners in the early stages of their careers, careers that have gone on to bring great credit to the region.

The event also featured speeches from Mr. Amar Subba, known as the Marathon Man of Sikkim, Mr. Ramesh Tamang, Mrs. Mamata Rai, Chief Advisor to the Foundation, Mr. Mingma Sherpa, Founder of Rimbick Fresh, and celebrity runner Mr. Premius Bhutia, each speaking of the Foundation’s role in shaping a generation of runners from these hills.

The Foundation extended its thanks to all the route volunteers who supported the Kalimpong Ultramarathon, run from Pedong to Kuwapani, without whom such events would not be possible.

A short video was screened of the Friendly Group Long Run (FGLR) 2011, a 50km run from Lohapul to Pedong undertaken by Roshni Rai and friends, organised by KSA and PYSA on 1st May 2011. It was this one run, fifteen years ago, that sowed the seed for what would grow into the Foundation we all celebrate today. PYSA representative Mr. Pemba (Chumbay) Bhutia was felicitated on the occasion by Roshni Rai’s parents, a moving tribute to where it all began.

The Foundation also launched the 6th edition of its official newsletter, Hamro Chinhari (Our Identity), priced at ₹150.

Special guests at the event included Ms. Marina Limbu and Dr. Sudha Pradhan, well known bikers from Sikkim.

Mr. Ashoke Tamang, Secretary of the Kalimpong Ultramarathon Organizing Committee, proposed the vote of thanks.

The Foundation closed the evening by thanking all the guests who travelled from Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Lava and Siliguri to be part of the celebration at Damsang Banquet Hall, Pedong. Fifteen years on, and with a fresh podium finish to celebrate, Run With Roshni Foundation stands as proof of what one person’s dedication, and a whole community’s support, can build for the runners of the hills.

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We reached out to the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH), Darjeeling, to understand what is happening. He told us this is a normal seasonal flu type fever, nothing unusual for this time of year. When we asked whether the Department had conducted any autopsy to determine the exact virus or cause behind these deaths, he did not answer. We also asked if the Health Department has tracked these fever related deaths and how many have died due to similar symptoms, he did not answer that as well.

However, the CMOH said that such outbreaks are common with changing weather, and that the infection is not widespread, only confined to specific clusters. He claimed that the health department is monitoring the spread and taking samples from Matigara and Mirik, which showed no spike in cases. However, he did not provide us any documentary proof of his claim. Also this does not match what we are seeing on the ground. Deaths have been reported from different parts of the Darjeeling-Kalimpong region, not from one single cluster.

In Ghoom, a young man named Karma, only 37 years old, complained of fever. By the time he reached the hospital, he was already in critical condition, and could not be saved. In Lebong, Meena Sharma, a pioneering woman footballer who had represented the country internationally in the 1970s and 80s, died of similar fever. These are only two of the cases we are sharing here, due to paucity of space. However, many more such deaths have been reported across the hills, and in none of these cases has the health department conducted a postmortem to identify the actual virus responsible.

The Gag Order

We also note that government employees, including doctors and officers under the West Bengal Health Department, are bound by a circular issued by the Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal, dated 19th May 2026, that places strict restrictions on any government employee sharing information with the press or speaking publicly about matters that could be seen as critical of government policy.

This may explain why officials on the ground are cautious about speaking openly, even when the public urgently needs information. But a circular meant to manage press relations should not come in the way of public health communication during a possible outbreak.

IMA Advisory

On 26th August, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) issued a public health advisory on Seasonal Influenza A (H1N1), also known as Swine Flu. The advisory notes that India is witnessing a seasonal surge in H1N1 cases during the monsoon period, with over 1,770 laboratory confirmed cases in Delhi alone, along with cases in Maharashtra, Karnataka and West Bengal.

It lists the common symptoms as high grade fever with chills, persistent dry cough and sore throat, severe muscle aches, headache, a runny or congested nose, and in some cases nausea, vomiting or loose stools.

It also lists warning signs that call for immediate emergency care, including difficulty breathing, chest pain, bluish discolouration of lips or fingers, coughing up blood, confusion or seizures, and persistent vomiting.

Given the pattern of these deaths, sudden high fever, severe muscle aches, rapid deterioration, and no recovery, this raises an important question. Could Swine Flu be behind what we are seeing in Darjeeling? The IMA advisory is clear that most H1N1 infections are mild and treatable, and that there is no cause for panic. But that reassurance depends on cases being tracked, tested and confirmed, which is exactly what does not appear to be happening here.

We appeal to the Ministry of Health, Government of India, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and the West Bengal Health Department to step in with greater monitoring of this situation. We ask that post mortems be conducted to identify the actual cause of these deaths, and that a clear advisory on preventive steps, including the warning signs that need emergency care, be issued directly to the general public, not just to hospitals and frontline workers.

Lives are being lost, and the people of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Siliguri have a right to know what they are up against. We do not have the answer. But the people of this region deserve to know. They deserve a health department that investigates rather than reassures without evidence.

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Siliguri Corridor, flanked by Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh has emerged as the most important national security concern for India. Dr. Vimal Khawas calls for the establishment of Siliguri Corridor Integrated Management Authority (SCIMA) for its holistic management.

The Siliguri Corridor, a small piece of land in northern West Bengal, measuring roughly 60 kilometres in length and 20 kilometres in width and covering an approximate area of 1,200 square kilometres remains one of India’s most consequential geographical features. Popularly known as the “Chicken’s Neck,” this narrow passage serves as the sole continuous overland link between the eight northeastern states and the rest of the country. Its strategic location, historical formation, geopolitical sensitivities, and growing economic and environmental weight together make it far more than a transit zone. It is a national artery whose integrity underpins territorial cohesion, regional influence, and sustainable development in eastern India.

The Corridor’s present shape emerged from successive historical processes. The Partition of 1947 left only a thin land bridge after the creation of East Pakistan. Internal boundary adjustments under the Transfer of Territories Act of 1956 actually refined its contours by transferring territory from Bihar to West Bengal. The independence of Bangladesh in 1971 closed many alternative routes and elevated the Corridor to the status of an indispensable lifeline. Earlier colonial conflicts and treaties, including the Anglo-Gorkha War, the Duar War, and the treaties of Sugauli and Punakha, had already highlighted the area’s topographic importance. In the decades after Independence, the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship with Nepal reinforced free movement across the northern borders, while restricted transit through Bangladesh solidified the Corridor’s exclusive role in connecting the Northeast to the Indian mainland.

The region’s hydrology has itself been profoundly shaped by natural upheavals. A major avulsion of the Teesta River in 1787, triggered by catastrophic monsoon flooding, permanently altered its course. Previously flowing southward through channels such as the Punarbhaba, Atrai and Karatoya toward the Ganges, the river shifted southeast to join the Brahmaputra and fundamentally reshaped the alluvial landscape of the Corridor and its surrounding plains. This historical instability continues to define the area’s vulnerability. The devastating floods of October 1968 caused by intense cloudbursts and prolonged rainfall over the Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya triggered hundreds of landslides, washed away critical bridges including the Anderson Bridge on the Teesta severed road and rail links between Siliguri and the hills and claimed hundreds of lives while inundating large parts of the North Bengal plains. More recently, the glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) of 3-4 October 2023 from South Lhonak Lake in Sikkim sent a massive surge of water and sediment cascading hundreds of kilometres down the Teesta destroyed the Teesta-III hydropower dam, damaged infrastructure across Sikkim and downstream districts of West Bengal near the Corridor, and extended impacts into Bangladesh. These events clearly highlight that the Corridor’s narrow geography is not only a product of political cartography but also of a dynamic and often violent fluvial and climatic regime.

Wedged between Nepal and Bhutan to the north and Bangladesh to the south, and lying in proximity to China’s Chumbi Valley, the Corridor occupies a uniquely sensitive position. The Mahananda and Teesta rivers add hydrological complexity, while the narrow width means that any sustained disruption, including military, natural, or demographic, could effectively isolate the Northeast. This geography has long rendered the Corridor both indispensable for the movement of people, goods, and armed forces and inherently vulnerable to external pressure or internal instability. Geopolitically, the passage sits at the confluence of multiple interests. It is the primary land gateway through which India advances connectivity and influence toward Southeast Asia. At the same time, its open borders with three neighbouring countries create persistent challenges of illegal immigration, trafficking, and the movement of hostile elements. Often reported demographic shifts in the surrounding districts and the Corridor’s nearness to Chinese territory further intensify strategic calculations, making secure control over this strip inseparable from the defence of the Northeast and the stability of India’s eastern frontier.

Besides its geopolitical and strategic significance, the Corridor also holds tremendous geo-economic and geo-environmental importance that demands equal attention. It functions as a key route for the trade and transportation of goods between mainland India and the northeastern states, as well as with neighbouring countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Improved road, rail, and logistics networks through Siliguri have transformed the region into a commercial hub that sustains economic activity across the Northeast. The Corridor likewise plays a crucial role in promoting tourism to the northeastern states, destinations celebrated for their rich biodiversity, scenic beauty, and cultural heritage. By enabling easier access for visitors, it supports local livelihoods and strengthens the broader case for regional integration and investment.

This unique geographical piece of land is simultaneously an ecological hotspot harbouring diverse flora and fauna. It serves as a crucial elephant corridor, facilitating the seasonal movement of these animals between India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Dense forests and extensive tea gardens provide habitat for numerous species, contributing substantially to the region’s biodiversity. Yet increasing human activity including urban expansion, infrastructure projects, and intensified agriculture, poses a significant threat to this ecological balance. The Corridor’s vulnerability to climate-induced natural disasters, illustrated so starkly by the 1787 Teesta avulsion, the 1968 floods, and the 2023 GLOF, further exacerbates the environmental challenges facing the region. Any long-term strategy for the Corridor must therefore reconcile security and connectivity needs with the preservation of its fragile ecosystems and the management of recurrent fluvial hazards.

Against this layered backdrop of history, strategy, economy, and ecology, Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statements during his recent visit to Siliguri have brought focused attention to the practical requirements of safeguarding the Corridor. He described the Siliguri Corridor as one of the most sensitive and critical zones in the country, connecting eight northeastern states to the rest of India and therefore is vital for national security. Shah directed security and administrative agencies to take strict action to stop illegal immigration. He advised authorities to keep the land free of illegal encroachments. He further instructed agencies to expand their local footprint by establishing more official institutions in the region. On the operational side, he highlighted plans for a triangular security grid built around three new military garrisons at Dhubri in Assam, Kishanganj in Bihar, and Chopra in West Bengal. These bases are intended to strengthen surveillance, presence, and response capacity around the Chicken’s Neck. Complementing this structure, Shah pushed for an integrated defence model that brings together local community intelligence, the civil administration, state police, and central military forces. He also called on local leadership to strengthen civil defence units, home guards, NCC cadets, and Sainik schools in North Bengal and recognised that durable security rests on both professional forces and an engaged civilian foundation.

While these directives correctly identify the urgency of hardening physical control and improving inter-agency coordination, they largely remain incomplete if treated solely as a security-centric package. An implementable policy complement would be the formal establishment of a Siliguri Corridor Integrated Management Authority (SCIMA), a statutory body under the Ministry of Home Affairs with representation from the Ministries of Defence, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Development of North Eastern Region, as well as the governments of West Bengal, Assam, and Bihar. Critically, the very idea of the Siliguri Corridor remains rather vague in official discourse. Its precise spatial limits have never been formally delineated beyond approximate descriptions of length and width. SCIMA’s first mandate must therefore be a scientifically grounded cadastral and geospatial exercise to define the Corridor’s exact boundaries, incorporating hydrological, ecological, and infrastructural criteria rather than relying on informal cartographic conventions. Parallel to this, the Authority should commission a rigorous, transparent demographic study of the delineated zone. Recent comments by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma which have highlighted substantial demographic shifts and suggested that significant portions of the Corridor and its adjoining areas are now inhabited by populations of Bangladeshi origin, emphasis the necessity of evidence-based examination rather than rhetorical assertion.

Such a study, conducted with due process and independent oversight, would provide the empirical foundation for targeted enforcement against illegal immigration while distinguishing long-settled Indian citizens from recent irregular entrants. SCIMA would further operationalise the triangular grid and multi-agency model by embedding continuous ecological monitoring and disaster-risk assessment linked to land-use regulation. In addition, SCIMA would create a structured community-intelligence interface that institutionalises civil defence, home guards, NCC, and local institutions as permanent partners. Without this institutional layer, the risk remains that kinetic measures will outpace the social and environmental foundations upon which long-term control ultimately depends.

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My son passed his 10th boards.

Not with the kind of marks that make society erupt into performative applause, but with enough to preserve something infinitely more valuable — his confidence, his dignity, and his belief in himself.

And I keep thinking: What if he hadn’t?

Would a few failed papers have suddenly transformed him into a lesser human being? Less intelligent? Less worthy of love, respect, or a future? What a brutal system — one that convinces children their value can be quantified before they have even discovered who they are.

For months, children are stripped of sleep, joy, and peace in the name of “success.” Homes become factories of anxiety. Parents call it discipline; often, it is fear masquerading as ambition.

An exam can measure memory and performance under pressure. It cannot measure character, resilience, compassion, creativity, emotional depth, or the ability to build a meaningful life.

The world is filled with highly accomplished people who are emotionally bankrupt, and equally filled with ordinary students who became extraordinary human beings. So no, I refuse to believe a marksheet determines destiny. Because long after the percentages are forgotten, a child remembers one thing: whether they were loved as a human being or evaluated as a project. And no academic achievement is worth the slow destruction of a child’s spirit.

My best friend wrote this on her social media page after the ICSE Class X results were declared on Thursday, and it stayed with me long after I finished reading. It wasn’t just moving. It was unsettling in the way truth often is. The kind that lingers quietly, refusing to be brushed aside.

As a mother of a child preparing for her Boards next year, I find myself standing at that familiar crossroads of hope and fear. There is the quiet hope that your child will do well, of course, but alongside it runs a steady current of anxiety, tension, and that ever-present “mummy worry” that never quite switches off. It sits with you at your workplace, your home, follows you into thoughts and conversations, and lingers even in moments that are meant to feel light.

Because Board exams in our country are not just academic milestones anymore. They slowly turn into emotional battlegrounds. Not only for children, but for entire families who begin to measure time, mood, and even self-worth around a set of dates on a calendar.

It often feels like walking a tightrope without a safety net. On one side is encouragement, on the other is pressure – and we are constantly trying to strike a balance without even knowing if we are getting it right. And all around us is noise. A relentless, almost celebratory obsession with “top scorers” flooding social media, newspapers, and television screens. Percentages flash like badges of honour. Toppers are interviewed, analysed, glorified. Success is loudly defined, repeatedly reinforced, and narrowly measured.

But in all this noise, there is a silence that feels almost deliberate.

What about those who didn’t top the charts? Those who fell short of expectations—others’ or their own? What about the average student, the one who tried quietly, consistently, but couldn’t translate effort into numbers? When did effort stop being enough?

And beyond them—what about their parents and guardians, who are navigating their own quiet storms of worry, disappointment, guilt, and helplessness? The ones who replay conversations in their heads, wondering if they pushed too hard—or not enough. The ones who must choose their words carefully, because even a casual remark can either steady a child or shatter what little confidence remains.

What about the friends who don’t know whether to celebrate or console? The classrooms that will reopen with invisible lines drawn between “successful” and “not quite there”? The homes where conversations will either grow softer or heavier?

And most importantly, what about these children themselves…standing at a fragile intersection of self-worth and societal validation, trying to make sense of where they stand in a world that seems to reduce them to a number?

Perhaps the real question we need to ask ourselves is this: when did marks become a measure of a child’s worth, rather than just a reflection of a moment in time?

Because long after the percentages fade and the headlines move on, what remains is far more lasting—the confidence we build, or the doubt we quietly plant.

These are the voices we rarely hear.
And maybe, these are the ones we need to listen to the most.

(Sarikah Atreya is a senior journalist and media personality from Sikkim)

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Chana Ghotala, also widely known as “chana dal ghotala” is causing the flutter in the Darjeeling region. There are allegations that nearly 14000 Metric Tonne of Chana/Dal allocated to the GTA has gone missing

We have with us a set of official documents, shared with us by IGJF leaders. We have compiled these documents into a timeline, along with supporting letters and email correspondence.

Together, these indicate a sequence of rapid and potentially irregular administrative actions by the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), Darjeeling, in relation to the requisitioning, processing, allocation and distribution of Chana (Bengal Gram) under the Government of India’s Bharat Dal scheme.

The Bharat Dal initiative aims to supply pulses at subsidized rates through cooperatives like the National Consumer Cooperative Federation of India Ltd. (NCCF) and NAFED to stabilize retail prices and meet dietary needs. However, the GTA’s implementation appears to have involved the swift appointment of an advisor, an immediate large-scale requisition, appointment of a private Kanpur-based firm as “Nodal Agency” without visible tender process, a substantial advance payment by that firm, and subsequent justifications amid apparent objections from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. The advisor, one Sanju Chettri later resigned in April 2025.

Chronological Timeline of Key Events

4 March 2024 – Appointment of Advisor

• GTA Notification (Order No. 1/EM/GTA/2024) appoints Sanju Chhetri as Advisor for Land & Land Reform, Agriculture, and Sericulture departments.
• The order is formally issued and signed by the Executive Member, in-charge of Agriculture, Land and Land Reforms and Sericulture, GTA and is widely circulated within GTA, taking immediate effect.

5 March 2024 – Requisition for 47,500 MT Chana (Ref AGRI/Bharat Dal/2023-24/01)

• A letter to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs requests 47,500 MT of Chana under the Bharat Dal scheme. Signed by Sanju Chhetri (on behalf of the Executive Member), the request follows just one day after his appointment.

8 April 2024 – Letter from Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution PS-03001/1/2023-PMC Pt-3 (E-32596)

• Ministry advises the National Consumer Cooperative Federation of India Ltd. (NCCF) may coordinate with GTA for supply of 14,000 MT Chana/Dal under Bharat Dal mechanism.
• Note the proposed allocation has been reduced to 14,000 MT which is significantly lower than requested 47500 MT.

9 July 2024 – Appointment of Private Firm (with no ref number)

• A letter signed by the Advisor Sanju Chettri appoints M/s Jeevshakti Products Pvt Ltd Ltd (CIN U74999UP2018PTC101881) as “Nodal Agency” for lifting, processing, packaging, and distribution.

Notable concerns:

• There’s no evidence of a tender or competitive selection process involved in the apppointment of this firm
• The letter has been issued on limited-circulation letterhead
• There seems to have been a minimal internal dissemination within GTA, but the Executive Member Agri, L&LRs Seri is kept in the loop

4 October 2024 – GTA Justification to Ministry Ref: DoAFW/GTA/07

• In the letter written by Sanju Chettri on GTA letter-head, he defends the arrangement of appointing a private firm, describing the firm as a “Nodal and Implementing Agency” rather than a private vendor.
• It cites lack of infrastructure in GTA, and requests phased release of stock.
• The response appears to follow queries or objections from central authorities.
• Letter claims, “JeevShakti Products Private Limited has made an upfront payment of Rs 2.26 crores on the 17th of September 2024, under UTR: ICICR52024091700423187, to NAFED’s A/c No: 110144034290 in Canara Bank.”

11 April 2025 – Resignation of Advisor

• Sanju Chhetri resigns via email, effective immediately.

Key Issues

1. Appointment and Role of the Advisor

• The documents confirm formal appointment but provide no information on qualifications, selection process, or scope of authority.
• Within one day, the advisor was involved in a major procurement request, raising questions about preparedness and mandate.

2. Unusually Rapid Requisition

• The requisition for 47,500 MT immediately the day after appointment, suggests either prior informal planning or an expedited decision-making process without documented internal consultation.

3. Appointment of Nodal Agency Without Visible Tender

• No records indicate a competitive bidding or tender process for selecting the private firm.
• The limited circulation of the appointment order further raises transparency concerns.

4. Unclear Contractual Terms

• No contract, agreement, or financial terms are included in the available documents.
• Critical details, such as commission, liability, risk-sharing, remain undocumented in the public record.

5. Advance Payment Structure

• The private firm deposited ₹2.25 crore directly with NAFED.
• The rationale, authorization, and proision for this arrangement are not clearly explained.

6. Lack of Outcome Transparency

There is no documentary evidence confirming:

• whether the allocated Chana was actually lifted,
• processed into dal,
• distributed to beneficiaries, or
• deposit to NAFED refunded if unused.

As of April 2026, the final status of the allocation remains unclear.

Outstanding Questions

• The documents establish a consistent sequence of events but also highlight significant gaps in transparency, documentation, and procedural clarity.

The “Daal Ghotala” allegations center on whether public resources and central scheme benefits were handled with due process or channeled through opaque, ad-hoc arrangements.

• possible bypassing of procurement norms,
• concentration of decision-making authority in a single appointed advisor,
• limited institutional oversight, and
• absence of verifiable outcomes for a public welfare scheme

To fully resolve these issues, formal clarification would be required from:

• GTA leadership, including the Chief Executive, Principal Secretary, and Executive Member in-charge of Agriculture, Land and Sericulture
• Sanju Chhetri, the advisor
• M/s Jeevshakti Products Pvt Ltd,
• Relevant central agencies (Ministry of Consumer Affairs, NAFED, NCCF)

Until such disclosures are made, the matter remains one of documented procedural concern rather than conclusively established wrongdoing.

We have reached out to all concerned, we are awaiting their response, and will post the same, as and when they respond.

LIST OF DOCUMENTS WE HAVE TILL NOW

The post “Chana Ghotala”? Irregularities in Gorkhaland Territorial Administration’s Handling of Bharat Dal Scheme (Chana Allocation) appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Interlocutor ToR includes “Addressing Gorkha Aspirations within the constitutional framework.”

Answering to a question raised by the Trinamool Congress MP from Maturapur, Bapi Halder, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityananda Rai has informed the Lok Sabha that the Government of India had “appointed an Interlocutor to hold constructive dialogue with various stakeholders”, as “there was no representation of the Government of West Bengal in two tripartite meetings, and no substantial representation in one meeting”, held on issues related to the Gorkha community.

The Minister said the “Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) was formed following a tripartite agreement in 2011 between the Government of India, the Government of Bengal and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha. In July 2017, all elected members of the GTA resigned. In view of the absence of elected members in the GTA and repeated requests for dialogue by Gorkha leaders, the Home Ministry convened three tripartite meetings on October 7, 2020, October 12, 2021, and April 3, 2025.

Subsequently, the Government of India appointed an Interlocutor fromer Dy NSA and IPS Officer Pankaj Kumar Singh to engage with various stakeholders, including representatives of Gorkha organizations, on issues concerning Gorkhas.

The interlocutor’s term is one year. The interlocutor will engage in constructive dialogue with various stakeholders and suggest measures to resolve these issues.

The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the interlocutor are as follows:

(i) To undertake constructive dialogue with various stakeholders including representatives of Gorkha organizations on the issues relating to Gorkhas in Darjeeling Hills, Tarai and Dooars region of West Bengal and suggest measures to resolve issues and roadmap in this regard.

(ii) To hold discussions with other stakeholders in Darjeeling Hills, Tarai and Dooars region of West Bengal in this regard.

(iii) Recommend measures for socio-economic upliftment, cultural recognition, and preservation of cultural heritage of Gorkhas in the region, and addressing their aspirations within the Constitutional framework.

It should be noted that interlocutor former Dy NSA Pankaj Kuma Singh (IPS) has been visiting the Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars region, and has held talks with various representatives here.

The post MHA Makes Interlocutor “Terms of Reference” Public appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Curious we asked who the baker was, and we were pointed to a dynamic young man, Sanjok Gurung originally from Marybong T.E.

We sat down for a short interview with him….

TheDC: How and when did you decide to take up baking as a profession. What inspired you?

Sanjok: The decision to take up baking wasn’t premeditated or planned I was always drawn to the F&B industry and wanted to build something of my own. After BBA and MBA, with internships and industry exposure, I explored different roles, including event management and later HR at Hindustan Coca-Cola.

I moved into banking due to family priorities but felt unfulfilled. I wanted ownership of my work and time. Since my baking turned out well, I began experimenting, learning from scratch, and investing in professional training at IBPA, Delhi.

With family support and growing orders, I took a leap of faith and started Cake Crush in Salbari in 2018 with no Plan B.

TheDC: How difficult was the shift from Banking to Baking?

Sanjok: The transition wasn’t very tough but wasn’t easy either; my better half however was convinced that I would make a much better baker than a banker.

I left behind a stable salary for entrepreneurship, where I handle everything – production, marketing, accounts, and delivery.

But, I am thankful for all the Orders that came in, it made the transition easy. If I hadn’t received so many orders initially when I started it would have been very demotivating and I would have questioned and considered getting back to Banking. I’m grateful for the Clients who have been kind and supportive.

TheDC: Did your family support your decision?

Sanjok: Absolutely. Family support, both emotional and financial is crucial in this field.  Family support decides if any business thrives or dies.

Initially and even now, I consider them my team. The long hours and pressure are intense, but my discipline and consistency helped earn their trust. Today, they’re my biggest support system.

TheDC: When did Cake Crush start? What challenges did you face?

Sanjok: I started Cake Crush in 2018. Early challenges included lack of skilled help, limited suppliers, minimal access to information, and managing inventory and wastage.

I learned through experience, attended fairs, and kept upgrading my knowledge and skills.

TheDC: So what is the most satisfying part of being a baker?

Sanjok: The most satisfying part of Being a baker, is that I have a close, warm bonding with my customers. I’ve been part of their journeys—from engagements to weddings to birthdays. My cakes are part of their milestones.

I also love contributing to the community, training young people and creating products like healthy, local-ingredient-based cookies at Gorkhey Haat.

Baking gives me both happiness and challenges, but I wouldn’t go back to banking.

TheDC: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

Sanjok: My Dream is to get Commissioned for cakes that are celebratory, luxurious, colossal, detailed and demand engineering precision, structural planning, artistic sculpting and culinary ability and are challenging. I also want to make quality cakes accessible at every budget.

I hope to open another outlet, take on more creative projects, and continue building meaningful work in the industry.

TheDC: What advice would you give someone, who wants to follow on your footsteps?

Sanjok: My advice would be, if time, finance permits then, be trained professionally, and work in a professional set up before opening your own venture. The experience is Priceless. Start small, find your niche, and focus on fundamentals.

Keep learning, price your work wisely. More importantly, develop your own style, don’t just copy trends, this is what truly makes us Artists.

Even though every baker’s journey is unique, I am always ready to help you out, if you seek my help.

You can reach out to Sanjok Gurung at: Cake Crush, Panchnai Enclave, Salbari/Shop no.103, or Upper Basement, Citycentre, Siliguri 734009

The post Sanjok Gurung – Baking happiness, one cake at a time appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Nepathya Live in Siliguri marks the band’s debut performance in the city, a moment long anticipated by audiences across North Bengal, Sikkim, and the Eastern Himalayan region – where Nepathya’s songs have circulated for years through recordings, memory, and cultural inheritance, but never before through a Siliguri stage

The concert will be held at Utsodhaara Teesta Township, behind Kawakhali Ground, placing Siliguri – often described as a gateway city – at the center of a rare cross-border cultural convergence.

The event is presented by PVE Network, Club Gravity, and Mainali International Human Resources. PVE Network – owner of the IP Let’s Get Loud India Series, which featured Sajjan Raj Vaidya – is also serving as the curator for the Siliguri project, framing the concert as part of a broader vision for culturally rooted, regionally significant live music platforms in eastern India.

Over the years, Nepathya has distinguished itself as one of the region’s most formidable live acts. The band has performed hundreds of concerts across Nepal, India, Australia, Europe, Japan, and North America, frequently drawing crowds in the tens of thousands. In Nepal, their open-air shows have repeatedly ranked among the largest ticketed live music events staged by a homegrown band, noted for disciplined sound, minimal spectacle, and a strong sense of collective participation.

According to Bikesh Kayastha, Founder of PVE Network, the decision to bring Nepathya to Siliguri was driven by a belief that audiences in this part of the country have long been underserved when it comes to landmark live performances.

“The idea of bringing Nepathya to Siliguri came from a simple conviction – that people in and around this region deserve to experience a band of this stature live,” Mr. Kayastha said. “This is about extending the live concert experience to the eastern side of the country and raising the benchmark for production and presentation, so the audience here receives the same quality of experience seen elsewhere.”

Early indicators suggest that the Siliguri concert’s appeal extends well beyond the city. Fans from parts of Bhutan and Nepal are expected to attend, while within India, a significant volume of early inquiries has come from Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, and across the Northeast region, reflecting Nepathya’s enduring resonance among urban and diasporic audiences alike.

Following the announcement, Early Bird tickets were released online and have seen rapid uptake, with only a limited number now remaining. Tickets are available via the District by Zomato App and Web.

In an era when live music is increasingly driven by scale and speed, Nepathya’s first appearance in Siliguri stands apart – arriving deliberately, and carrying with it the weight of geography, memory, and shared cultural history.

Event Details:
Event: Nepathya Live in Siliguri
Date: 28 February 2026
Venue: Utsodhaara Teesta Township, behind Kawakhali Ground, Siliguri
Presented By: PVE Network | Club Gravity | Mainali International Human Resources
Tickets: Early Bird tickets [limited availability] on District by Zomato App & Web

Note: For the first time, Nepathya bring their voice to Siliguri and we are honoured to be a part of their journey as a Media Partner.

We have not charged any money from the organisers or the band for the promotion, and are promoting the event as a mark of respect for the legendary Nepathya band.

The post Nepathya Live: For the First Time, Nepathya Bring Their Voice to Siliguri appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?

The Special Intensive Revision is a comprehensive overhaul of the electoral roll, where voter verification is done from scratch. This is different from the regular annual summary revision that accounts for new voters, deaths, and migration. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered this for Bihar, and now it will be implemented in 12 states and UTs, including West Bengal.

Since 1951 to 2004, it has been done 8-times. The last SIR was done in 2002-2004.

विशेष गहन संशोधन (SIR) भनेको के हो?

विशेष गहन संशोधन भनेको मतदाता सूचीको पूर्ण पुनरावलोकन हो, जहाँ मतदाता प्रमाणीकरण शून्यबाट सुरु गरिन्छ। यो वार्षिक सारांश पुनरावलोकनभन्दा फरक हुन्छ, जसमा नयाँ मतदाता थप्ने, मृत्यु भएका व्यक्तिहरू हटाउने, र स्थानान्तरण भएका व्यक्तिहरूको विवरण अद्यावधिक गर्ने गरिन्छ। निर्वाचन आयोग (ECI) ले यो प्रक्रिया बिहारमा सुरु गरेको छ र र अब यो १२ राज्यहरू तथा संघीय क्षेत्रहरूमा लागू गरिनेछ, जसमा पश्चिम बङ्गाल पनि समावेश छ।

सन् १९५१ देखि २००४ सम्म यो ८ पटक गरिएको छ। अन्तिम एसआईआर सन् २००२-२००४ मा गरिएको थियो।

Why is the 2002 Voter List Important?

The 2002 voter list is a significant document. If your name was on the 2002 electoral roll, you are already considered a valid voter in India, and generally, no further proof of citizenship is required by the Election Commission. You would only need to submit the relevant page from the 2002 electoral roll as proof.

२००२ को मतदाता सूची किन महत्वपूर्ण छ?

२००२ को मतदाता सूची एक महत्वपूर्ण दस्तावेज हो। यदि तपाईंको नाम २००२ को मतदाता सूचीमा समावेश छ भने, तपाईंलाई भारतको मान्य मतदाता मानिन्छ र सामान्यतया नागरिकता प्रमाणित गर्न अन्य थप कागजात आवश्यक पर्दैन। तपाईंले २००२ को मतदाता सूचीको सम्बन्धित पृष्ठ मात्र पेश गर्नुपर्छ।

Required Documents Based on Year of Birth:

The required documents may vary based on your date of birth. Here is a likely scenario based on the process in other states:

• Born before January 1, 1987: If your name is in the 2002 electoral roll, a copy of that page is sufficient. Otherwise, you will need to provide one of the specified documents to prove your eligibility.
• Born between January 1, 1987, and January 1, 2002: You will need to provide one of the specified documents for yourself. Additionally, if your father’s or mother’s name is on the 2002 electoral roll, a copy of that page will suffice. Otherwise, one of the specified documents for either parent will be required.
• Born after January 1, 2002: You will need to provide one of the specified documents for yourself. For both parents, if their names are on the 2002 electoral roll, you need to submit a copy of that page. If not, one of the specified documents for each parent will be necessary.

जन्म मिति अनुसार आवश्यक कागजातहरू:

जन्म मिति अनुसार आवश्यक कागजातहरू फरक पर्न सक्छन्। अन्य राज्यहरूमा लागू प्रक्रियाका आधारमा सम्भावित अवस्था यस्तो हुन सक्छ:

• १ जनवरी १९८७ भन्दा पहिले जन्मिएकाहरू: यदि तपाईंको नाम २००२ को मतदाता सूचीमा छ भने, त्यसको प्रतिलिपि पर्याप्त हुन्छ। नभएमा, तपाईंले निर्दिष्ट कागजातहरू मध्ये कुनै एक पेश गर्नुपर्ने हुन्छ।
• १ जनवरी १९८७ र १ जनवरी २००२ बीच जन्मिएकाहरू: तपाईंले स्वयम्‌का लागि निर्दिष्ट कागजात पेश गर्नुपर्ने हुन्छ। साथै, यदि तपाईंका बुबा वा आमा २००२ को मतदाता सूचीमा छन् भने, त्यसको प्रतिलिपि पर्याप्त हुन्छ। नभएमा, बुबा वा आमामध्ये एकजनाका लागि निर्दिष्ट कागजात पेश गर्नुपर्ने हुन्छ।
• १ जनवरी २००२ पछि जन्मिएकाहरू: तपाईंले स्वयम्‌का लागि निर्दिष्ट कागजात पेश गर्नुपर्ने हुन्छ। साथै, दुबै अभिभावकको नाम २००२ को मतदाता सूचीमा भएमा तिनको प्रतिलिपि पेश गर्नुपर्ने हुन्छ। यदि छैन भने, दुबै अभिभावकका लागि निर्दिष्ट कागजात आवश्यक पर्छ।

What is the Enumeration Form?

Every person aged 18 and above who wishes to be included in the voter list must fill out an enumeration form. This form will be provided by the Booth Level Officer (BLO) or can be filled out online through the NVSP (National Voter Service Portal).

गणना फारम (Enumeration Form) के हो?

१८ वर्ष वा सोभन्दा बढी उमेर भएका हरेक व्यक्तिले मतदाता सूचीमा नाम समावेश गराउन गणना फारम भर्नुपर्छ। यो फारम बुथ तहका अधिकृत (BLO) मार्फत दिइनेछ वा राष्ट्रिय मतदाता सेवा पोर्टल (NVSP) बाट अनलाइन भर्न सकिनेछ।

Common Concerns and Solutions:

• Change in EPIC Number: If your EPIC (Elector’s Photo Identity Card) number has changed since 2002, there is no need to worry. The Election Commission can link your old and new numbers.
• Spelling or Date of Birth Errors: Minor errors in the 2002 electoral roll are generally not a cause for concern, especially if your current EPIC has the correct information. For significant errors, you can use one of the alternative documents with the correct details.
• Address Change (especially for women after marriage): Even if your address has changed, if your name was on the 2002 electoral roll, you are still considered a valid voter. You just need to provide the relevant page from the 2002 list.
• Applying from outside the state: The enumeration form can be filled out online through the NVSP portal once the process officially begins in West Bengal.
• Documents and photos can also be uploaded online.

सामान्य चिन्ता र समाधानहरू:

• EPIC नम्बर परिवर्तन भएको छ भने:
  यदि २००२ यताका वर्षहरूमा तपाईंको मतदाता परिचय पत्र (EPIC) नम्बर परिवर्तन भएको छ भने चिन्ता लिनुपर्ने आवश्यक छैन। निर्वाचन आयोगले पुरानो र नयाँ नम्बरलाई आपसमा जोड्न सक्छ।
• नामको हिज्जे वा जन्म मिति त्रुटि:
  २००२ को सूचीमा साना गल्तीहरू सामान्यतया ठूलो समस्या मानिँदैन, विशेष गरी तपाईंको हालको EPIC कार्डमा सही विवरण छ भने। तर यदि गम्भीर त्रुटि छ भने, तपाईंले सही विवरण भएको वैकल्पिक कागजात प्रयोग गर्न सक्नुहुन्छ।
• ठेगाना परिवर्तन (विशेष गरी विवाहपछिको महिलाहरूका लागि):
  यदि तपाईंको ठेगाना परिवर्तन भएको भए पनि, तपाईंको नाम २००२ को मतदाता सूचीमा समावेश छ भने, तपाईं अझै मान्य मतदाता मानिनुहुन्छ। तपाईंले त्यसको प्रतिलिपि मात्र पेश गर्नुपर्छ।
• अन्य राज्यबाट आवेदन दिने:
  पश्चिम बंगालमा प्रक्रिया सुरु भएपछि गणना फारम NVSP पोर्टलमा अनलाइन भर्न सकिनेछ। आवश्यक कागजातहरू र फोटोहरू पनि अनलाइन अपलोड गर्न सकिनेछ।

2002 VOTERS LIST – To download, click on the link below

Those from Darjeeling can check 2002 list here: DARJEELING

Those from Kalimpong can check 2002 list here: KALIMPONG

Those from Kurseong can check 2002 list here: KURSEONG

Those from Siliguri can check 2002 list here: SILIGURI

Those from Phansidewa can check 2002 list here: PHANSIDEWA

Those from Mal can check 2002 list here: MAL BAZAR

Those from Kalchini can check 2002 list here: KALCHINI

Those from Madarihat can check 2002 list here: MADARIHAT

Those from Nagrakata can check 2002 list here: NAGRAKATA

Those from Kumargram can check 2002 list here: KUMARGRAM

Those from Alipurduar can check 2002 list here: ALIPURDUAR

Those from Falakata can check their 2002 list here: FALAKATA

Those from Dhupguri can check their 2002 list here: DHUPGURI

Those from Nagrakata can check their 2002 list here: NAGRAKATA

Those from Mainaguri can check their 2002 list here: MAINAGURI

Those from Kranti can check their 2002 list here: KRANTI

Those from Jalpaiguri can check their 2002 list here: JALPAIGURI

Those from Rajganj can check their 2002 list here: RAJGANJ

Those from Chopra can check their 2002 list here: CHOPRA

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