Anatomy of Ambition by Upendra examines how in trying to cling on-to power in a body nobody wants – GTA, Ajoy Edwards is coming across as power-hungry and doing himself a great dis-service.

In May of 2022, when the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) elections were declared, people in Darjeeling region saw it as West Bengal government’s attempt at legitimizing the illegitimate regime they had foisted upon the people. There was a near unanimous agreement that any such election should be boycotted.

The Gorkhaland andolan of 2017, and how it was subverted using “traitors” from among our own people, had left a lot of ill-will against the Trinamool Congress led West Bengal government.

Former Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leaders like Binoy Tamang, Anit Thapa, Sanchabir Subba along with the former Darjeeling MLA Amar Rai, Kurseong MLA Rohit Sharma and a few others took control of GJM in the absence of Bimal Gurung. But they were regard as GJM 2 by the people in general.

From 2017 to 2022, the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal ran the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration using proxies in the form of “Board of Administrators (BoA)”. Binoy Tamang was appointed as the BoA Chairman, with Anit Thapa as the BoA Deputy Chairman. Amar Rai, Sanchabir Subba, Anu Pradhan and J Khatoon were handed responsibilities of various departments on 2nd of Nov, 2017.

The defeat of TMC-GJM2 “Bhumiputra” candidate Amar Rai in the 2019 general elections,brought to fore the rifts in the GJM-2 camp. Further, the defeat of Binoy Tamang in 2019 MLA bye-elections and his unceremonious removal as the head of GJM-2 and GTA Board of Administrators Chairman in April of 2019 helped Anit Thapa consolidate his control over GJM-2.

With Anit finally in complete control, he played smart and gave up on the GJM2 label. He then started a new political outfit the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) or as they were popularly referred to as “Tantrik-Morcha” on 9th of Sept, 2021.

Once Anit was on a firm footing, TMC government in West Bengal started preparing grounds for conducting GTA elections.

That is when Ajoy Edwards announced the launch of his new political party, all the way from Ladakh. He made good on his words and launched “Hamro Party” on 25th of Nov, 2021.

By December 2024 Kurseong MLA Rohit Sharma and Binoy Tamang were both shown the door by Anit, and they ended up joining TMC on 24th of Dec, 2021.

There was a near unanimous agreement among all all political parties with some history in Darjeeling, that the GTA elections should be boycotted. Other than the newly formed Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), which for all intent and purpose was viewed as TMC Team-B. Further legitimacy to the farcical GTA election was given by Edward’s Hamro Party, which contested the elections.

In the absence of any credible opposition, as expected BGPM won majority and Hamro Party also won some seats.

From a purely political perspective, had Hamro Party not contested the 2022 GTA elections, it would have automatically de-legitimized the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, and perhaps compelled the TMC government to negotiate actual autonomy with the hill people. With Edwards and his merry men contesting the elections, they provided credibility to the GTA elections, that was majorly rigged by Kolkata.

Now in 2026, Anit Thapa has resigned as GTA Chairman, along with some of his party Sabhasads. What is interesting to note is that neither Edwards or any of Hamro Party (which incidentally does not exist today) sabhasads have bothered to resign from the GTA Sabha. There is a very good chance that Edwards may end up becoming the GTA Chairman, thus fulfilling his long-held ambition of running the GTA (else why bother contesting an election everyone else had boycotted?).

Despite IGJF’s holier-than-though claims of them wanting to retain GTA Sabha to check on GTA corruption, the fact of the matter is that increased GTA budget allows whoever controls GTA to be in control of the political future of Darjeeling region.

All claims to contrary, there are strong indications that Edwards hopes it’s him in control of the GTA purse, and possibly the future of Darjeeling. Others may not see it, but a pattern definitely emerges.

We all remember the infamous episode, when the GNLF sent an e-mail to Mamata Banerjee calling for talks at the height of 2017 Gorkhaland Andolan. Recently a GNLF leader Sandeep Limbu highlighted that the email was in all likelihood sent from an address associated with Edward’s.

Glenary’s was the first major business establishment to defy 2017 Andolan strike and open their doors for business, at a time when entire Darjeeling was shut down, united in demanding Gorkhaland.

I have always admired Ajoy Da, and personally I respect him deeply. What I fear is that in trying to cling on-to power in a body nobody wants – GTA, he is coming across as power-hungry, and doing himself a great dis-service. If I was him, I would have been the first to call for resignation from GTA, and put pressure on BJP Government, both in the state and the center to form Gorkhaland state or UT.

Ambition, masked in the form of altruism is one of the greatest evils. Public toilets have been sold in Darjeeling by individuals portraying the “humble to earth” persona. Edwards’ ambition could be harmful for the greater Gorkha cause.

All should ponder. Most of all he.

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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.

When Justice Exposes Failure explores the ongoing GTA Teachers’ Recruitment Case and examines it indepth.

The judgment passed by the Calcutta High Court, ordering the cancellation of 313 teachers’ appointments passed in 2019 for the GTA schools, has stirred up debate around the issue that had otherwise remained silent for months. Honourable Justice Biswajit Basu in his order stated, “……..this Court holds that the appointment of 313 voluntary teachers in the name of regularisation, whose particulars have been disclosed in the supplementary affidavit filed by GTA on April 29, 2025 is illegal, accordingly, the impugned letter bearing no. 254-SE/S/4A-1B/15(PT-III) dated March 08, 2019 whereby and whereunder the engagements of 313 voluntary teachers were regularized by the Principle Secretary, School Education Department, Government of West Bengal is set aside and quashed.”

As soon as the order was passed, reactions started flooding from various corners in different directions and intensities. While the GTA Chief pledged his unconditional support towards the affected appointments, stating that it was a fight for truth, justice, and unity, the IGJF founder and president welcomed the decision and called for the immediate constitution of a fair, lawful, and transparent recruitment process.

The Sanyukta Madhyamik Sikshak Sangathan (SMSS), on the other hand, called for an indefinite closure of the Hill Schools in support of the affected appointments. Some members of the BGPM media cell have extended the issue to a greater length by calling it Jasimuddin vs The Hills, trying to portray it as a communal issue rather than a legal one.

This piece is an attempt to dissect the different aspects of the case.

Why now? Is it an Administrative Failure or a Political Disaster?

Many of us are by now aware that the GTA region has not had a proper recruitment process for decades now, and the schools have been getting the teachers through a stop-gap measure of volunteer teachers getting regularised. While DGHC in its time had eventually issued an order for the schools to stop the recruitment of volunteer teachers, it somehow kept continuing later and became the conventional door for entry into the schools as regular teachers.

What is interesting is that though the process has been running through decades and the administrative gap remained as it is, the challenge to any appointment had never reached this far as this time. So, would it be justified to call it an administrative failure? In fact, people in many quarters are calling it a political blunder and a result of massive alleged irregularities in the appointment process that upset and disappointed the people at large.

The allegations point towards the existence of nepotism, favouritism and even bribery involving the appointments that were made. While there are many teachers who were actually working as volunteers at the time for years and actually contributed to the schools and the students, there are allegations that there were people who never even stepped inside the gate of the school getting appointed.

In one such allegation surfacing sometime ago, one of the teachers among the 313, who was allegedly working as a part-time lecturer a local college before he had gotten an appointment, had himself come in front of the media and made a grand display of his certificates and awards to compensate for not having been a volunteer teacher. Besides, there are many such alleged cases where the relatives of some influential people, party favourites and sympathisers, etc., got appointed without serving as a volunteer teacher. It is, in fact, estimated by many that at least around half of the appointments were tainted, if not more than that.

Contrarily, many who had actually worked for years as volunteer teachers across different schools failed to score a spot during the appointments.

The erstwhile District Inspector of Schools, Mr Pran Govinda Sarkar, has also regularly come into the ambit of allegation and suspicion for passing many appointments illegally for reasons best known to him. Allegations also point out that there were people who worked closely with him, some of whose names also appear in the list of the 313. In fact, the High Court, in its order, has also recommended a departmental enquiry against him.

Had the appointments been fairly given, it would not have irked the left-out candidates, some of whom went on to file a case against the recruitment process. That is where the entire legal process had first started and then continued.

The Politics of Victimhood: Is This Really “Jasimuddin vs the Hills”?

In their desperation to garner public sympathy and support, some members of Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) have come out to give a communal colour to this issue by painting it as Jasimuddin vs The Hills. Is it actually so? I would say – Not.

Those who have followed the case since the beginning would know that Jasimuddin was nowhere in the scene when the case had initially started. It was actually a case filed by a bunch of the volunteer teachers who were left out in 2019 when the 313 candidates were given appointments. They later withdrew their case, which most believe might have been because of the pressure they may have been subjected to during the case. It could be fear, threat, persuasion, or any other reason best known to them.

Jasimuddin’s petition was an intervention in the case, which became primary after the former case was withdrawn. Advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya may have chosen a candidate from outside the GTA region to negate the chances of the petitioner backing out due to threats or persuasion. Jasimuddin may not have come to the highlight if the former petitioners had not withdrawn their case. The result, however, may not have been any different in that case either.

Those who have read the judgment would understand that Jasimuddin is nowhere in the central focus of the case. It is entirely about the 313 appointments. Jasimuddin vs The Hills is a coordinated attempt to frame propaganda to stimulate regional and community-based sentiments of the general public in support of the 313 candidates.

Who Truly Suffers and Who Is Responsible?

There is a saying that goes as – the prosperity of one often rests upon the sacrifice of another. The rampant irregularities in the appointment system had to come under scrutiny one day or another. Many of us may see the verdict as a dawn of justice against the corruption and hopelessness that infested the appointment system, and also hope that it brings a proper and transparent system into place. But it is also important for us to realise how the vested interest of a certain group of people has put many other innocent and genuine people’s lives into jeopardy. There are people in the group who have genuinely dedicated their service as volunteers to their respective schools for years without getting any return, some of them for over a decade. These genuine teachers losing their jobs isn’t the sacrifice we deserve to ask from them.

The important question – what are they a victim of? Many would want you to believe that they are the victims of the court order or the petitioners. Nothing could be further away from the truth. They are all the victims of administrative and political failure. They are the victims of the greed and the self-interest of a certain group of people. There is another saying that goes like – “The forest was shrinking, but the trees kept voting for the axe, for the axe was clever and convinced the trees that because his handle was made of wood, he was one of them.”

Protest or Punishment? Rethinking the Closure of Hill Schools

While the Sanyukta Madhyamik Shikshak Sangathan’s (SMSS) outrage is justified, it is clearly directed in the wrong direction. Why should the students and their parents be the ones to bear the burden of the lapse on the side of the authorities? Many teachers themselves are not in favour of shutting the schools but are complying with the call out of compulsion.

The question should instead be asked of the perpetrators of the irregularities. The right to protest cannot come at the cost of a child’s right to education, especially when the fault lies elsewhere.

Beyond the Verdict: Restoring Trust Through Reform and Accountability

The judgment must not be treated as the end of the matter, but rather as an urgent call for systemic reform. If the administration and political leadership fail to act decisively now, the same cycle of injustice and irregularity will inevitably repeat itself. Immediate measures must be taken to constitute a statutory, independent, and region-specific recruitment authority for the GTA school system, entrusted with conducting fair, transparent, and merit-based appointments.

All existing vacancies must be filled through a lawful recruitment process that ensures equal opportunity for all eligible candidates, particularly those who have genuinely served as volunteer teachers for years. Clear eligibility criteria, publicly notified procedures, third-party oversight, and time-bound recruitment schedules are essential to restore faith in the system.

Equally important is the need for political integrity and accountability. Leaders who preside over such flawed systems cannot escape responsibility by appealing to emotion, identity, or solidarity after the damage is done. Silence during irregularities and outrage after judicial intervention is not leadership. The people deserve answers – who enabled this system, who benefited from it, and why corrective steps were never taken earlier.

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In their memorandum to the Chief Minister, the members of WBCUPA has alleged that arrears of ROPA 2019 and of Career Advancement Schemes and other promotions, amounting to more than Rupees Six Crore, are due to the teachers and other staff members across hill colleges in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts.

As GTA is responsible for the administration of the colleges within its jurisdiction, the memorandum has highlighted GTA’s failure to release the arrears: “The GTA on their part claims that they receive a consolidated budget from which they can only pay the salary and are in no position to release the arrears.”

It is interesting to note that while the teachers in the colleges in the plains have already received their ROPA and other arrears, their counterparts in the hill colleges have struggled to trace and claim their share of arrears and other benefits.

A teacher from Sonada College, speaking on condition of anonymity, claims, “Our arrears are pending since a long long time, some since more than a decade. However, so far no one knows about our arrears. We have written to concerned authorities but to no avail. The GTA claims it has not received arrears from the state government, while those in Bikash Bhawan (headquarter of college education in Bengal) say they released our money long back. At the end we are the losers.”

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Therefore, it is not surprising that people across India and South East Asia flock here to get the best of primary and secondary/higher secondary education. These schools have long history and old legacy with the oldest school among them coming up as early as in 1844 in the form of Loreto Convent School, Darjeeling.

However, the modern schools for the commoners came only half a century later in the form of Darjeeling Govt High School. The seeds for educational revolution for commoners was started by one of the teachers of Darjeeling Govt. High School – Dr Parasmani Pradhan.

In this write-up, we focus on Education , and the Govt and govt sponsored Educational Institutions in Darjeeling Hills under GTA within the framework of GTA Act 2012 signed among GJM, Bengal Govt and Union Govt, along with the MoU signed on 18th July 2011 while GTA Act coming into play on 14th March 2012.

As per the GTA Act, many departments were being transferred with certain level of autonomy where Govt of West Bengal couldn’t unilaterally take decisions. Education was one of the transferred Dept. We will use sections and subsections of GTA Act in autonomy granted to GTA Sabha and jurisdiction.

Education as Transferred Subject

Under the section 26 of Chapter II of GTA Act, with subtitle “Matter to be under the control and administration of GTA”, the autonomy is expressed as, Subject to the provisions of this act and any other laws for the time being in force and any general or special direction of Govt , GTA shall have administrative, financial and executive powers in the region in the relation to following dept.

Therefore, education is a transferred matter. The subsections 26(V), 26(VI) and 26(VII) are related to educational institutions transferred to the GTA jurisdictions. They are as follows.

• 26(V): School Education including primary education, secondary education, higher secondary education (including vocational training): Physical Education; Government Schools.
• 26(VI): College Education including Agricultural and Technical Colleges, Local Management of Government sponsored Colleges; Mass Education and Physical Education; Engineering, Medical, Management, and Information Technology with Government and Government sponsored colleges for which wings /cells shall have to be created by the GTA for the area under its jurisdiction;
• 26(VII): Adult Education and Library Services;

Mode Of Appointments Of Staffs, Officers and Teachers

Subsections 54(1), 54(2) and 54(3)of chapter IV of GTA Act are related to the mode of appointment under subtitle “Officers and Staffs of the GTA.”
Therefore, I advice Mr Principal Secretary of GTA , IAS to kindly read the the aforesaid subsections of GTA Act while recruiting academician in educational institutions in GTA and value the Act signed among three parties viz. Central govt, West Bengal govt and GJM.(undivided)
Subsections 54(1) and subsection 54(2) says any recruitment to the tune of Group D, Group C and Group B must be made through “Subordinate Service Selection Board” to be set up for this very purpose in consultations with Govt of WB.

Therefore, this definitely means that Recruitment notice must be given in a local NEPALI DAILY clearly mentioning

1. No of posts,
2. Category (unreserved, OBC, SC, ST, PH).

Even short term vacancies like maternity leave vacancy, Deputation for B. Ed are to be advertised, whereas permanent post is definitely to be advertised. The Posts like guard, peon, clerks, job assistant, lab technicians, technical assistants, primary Teacher, trained graduate teacher, etc fall in this category.

Subsections 54(3) says recruitment to Group A can be done in consultations with State PSC.

Group A comprises Post Graduate Trained Teacher, Headmasters, Lecturers in polytechnic colleges and other technical College, general degree colleges , doctors, veterinary doctors, etc.

It is commonplace knowledge that the recruitment to these posts are made through proper advertisement in WBOSC websites clearly visible to naked eyes and don’t need Trinetra (3rdEye)

MoU and Regularisation of Adhoc teachers and contractual workers

As per MoU signed among three parties in 18th July 2011, the ad-hoc teachers and other contractual workers were to be absorbed who have completed ten years’ of continued service. Accordingly they were absorbed. Clearly neither MoU nor GTA Act 2012 mentions “Volunteer Teachers”.

Those contractual workers who have completed 10 years service with appointment prior to signing on MoU are yet to get absorbed deserve permanency as per GTA MoU.

Deficiency of GTA and Devaluing Interference Of GTA by West Bengal Govt

1. Transfer of Govt Schools: As education is transferred matter, the Govt schools like Darjeeling Govt High School, Saedeswari High School, Kalimpong Boys High School, Dow Hill Girls’ School, Victoria Boys, etc were not transferred in true spirit by Govt of WB. Moreover, GTA was never consulted in recruitment of teaching ,non teaching and Principals in these schools.
   [In recruitment process of Principal of Victoria Boys School recently, many senior teachers from GTA region with enough qualification applied for Principal post but only one person among the short listed candidates for interview of principal was from GTA Region. Are we at GTA that incompetent?. Surely, GTA would have influenced to incorporate more candidates to be called for interview in School transferred to its own jurisdiction].
2. Transfer of Polytechnic colleges and Other Technical Institutions:
   The mode of recruitment of Lecturers in polytechnic colleges is directly through PSC examination and they don’t consult GTA Sabha in recruitment process whereas Polytechnic and technical institution is transferred subject. The worst sufferers are just school passed children from vernacular schools who find it difficult to cope up with the non Nepali speaker Teachers and some don’t speak English too.
3. General Degree College: The general Degree colleges are the most visible places where GoWB doesn’t at all consultant GTA Sabha. Whereas General Degree College effect vast majority of Nepali Medium School Students passing out and coming to study at general Degree colleges, the non Nepali speaker Teachers will further make college course quite difficult. As such case if transfers in mid session becomes regular which affects students. Had WB govt consulted GTA Sabha or GTA Sabha acted with concerns for students such difficulty wouldn’t have arised.

GTA body must ensure that the local candidates having minimum educational qualifications fit enough be given priority with regard to the appointment as teachers in Govt abd govt sponsored educational institutions like Schools, Polytechnic colleges and other technical colleges and general degree colleges.

In addition, the GTA body must ensure that any recruitment to the institution in GTA must be specifically mentioned whether it’s PSC, SSC or CSC boards of recruitment. For example, a post in Geography in Darjeeling Govt College must be mentioned as Asst Prof in Darjeeling Govt College to value GTA agreement.

Why No Volunteer Teachers? Yes to GTA Teacher Recruitment Board!

1. Not in spirit with Constitution: The Preamble to the Indian Constitution itself says “Equality of Status and of opportunity.” This means that every eligible candidate in GTA Area have right to apply for specified posts and that should be given equal job opportunity. Volunteer teachers being regularised would violate this provision.
2. Meaning of Volunteer Teachers: Volunteer teachers means those teachers who have voluntarily decided to render his services to any random school without a prior condition of regularisation.
3. Volunteer Teachers dont fit Subject Specification nor 100 point Ruster: Volunteer teachers by name itself means using as stop gap fillers. Therefore, neither School Managing committee nor DI Office look into their academic specifications and maintain 100 point ruster necessitated in govt institutions. Therefore, categories like Unreserved, OBC, SC,ST etc are not valued.
4. Opening Pandoras Box In Rest of Bengal: There are thousands of para teachers in the rest of Bengal who are put in a salary slab with one time appointment sometime in 2006-07 with provision of continued service of 60 years, salary slab and scope of salary every 3 years as well as post termination of that teacher on service switch. However, such para teachers don’t affect the normal or additional vacancies in schools. Regularisation of volunteer teachers would require para teachers to be regularised too.
5. Hill SSC blocked by erstwhile DGHC revoked: When Hill SSC was first implemented in DGHC in 1999 , the erstwhile Chairman Subhash Ghising blocked by citing linguistic minority provision in Rules and Regulations of SSC . However, the teachers who passed 1999 Hill SSC challenged the decision in Calcutta High Court and were able overturn the decision of Subash Ghising in 2007-2008. Therefore, this may have way for Hill SSC.
6. Ethics and Moralities: Teachers ,unlike characters portrayed in Bollywood movies as geeks, are often role models for young kids whom they look upon to shape themselves. As such teacher must have self-esteem, pride, and good character to be a perfect role model. This makes indispensable to have teachers coming through proper examination followed by interview.
7. Let us End Dalal Culture: The volunteer teachers inevitable have to request political leaders and parties for regularisation. As this is being as dalal in such a Noble profession would further detail the Morales of the students who follow them. So, let’s us end dalal culture.
8. Please Stop the Rant of हाम्रै मुन्छेले त काम पायो के को खसखस? It’s often heard cry from commoners whose sons and daughters are working as volunteer teachers. However, closer examinations reveal that even under GTA Teacher recruitment board it requires one to be resident of GTA to be eligible for applying teaching job in GTA region. So, even with advertisement coming up in spirit of equal opportunity, it’s our own people getting job with provision of Nepali as one of the subjects in 10th standard as is case for recruitment in Bengali School in the schools of West Bengal.

Conclusions and Suggestions:

The following can be done in accordance with GTA Act 2012, MoU and present volunteer teachers.

1. Volunteers teachers be placed on the status of para Teachers with pay band , with provision of continued service until 60 years and subsequent terminal benefits and post termination on switching jobs.
2. The New GTA Teacher Recruitment Board be constituted with experts and people of untarnished image. Here, rules and regulations be framed. All eligible candidates can apply and so do volunteer teachers from GTA region.
3. Recruitment of Technical and General Degree College be locally prioritised: As per GTA act and MoU, there’s provision for GTA to actively participate in recruitment process. Therefore, the GTA Sabha must prioritise local recruitment in Higher education colleges, both general degree and technical colleges.
4. Frame Own Syllabus In GTA: GTA Sabha must be able to frame it’s own primary and High School curriculum because Darjeeling Hills is education hub of Northeastern India. As such commoners deserve best of education. Whereas present WBBSE, WBCHSE curriculum are designed based on whole of Bengal whose majority of population live in villages whereas Darjeeling has literary rate almost 100%. As such our kids deserves better education.

[Although Author is a diehard supporter of Gorkhaland , he is of opinion that any institution within proposed Gorkhaland statehood region must function democratically within framework of Acts passed by respective govt.]

Writes: Nahakul Chettri

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We don’t have elected Panchayat, we don’t have elected Municipality (in Darjeeling), and even though no one wants GTA – we don’t even have elected members running it.

This is the current state of democracy in our region.

People casually talk about “fascism’ and “nazism” in the national or international context – but we have conveniently refused to open our eyes to look around and see what’s happening in our own backyard.

We have stalwarts, who can write poems and prose decrying violence in “Syria”, but no one is concerned with the same in “Singmari”. We are quick to decry police brutality in “Hong Kong“, but no one is speaking about similar brutalities in “Hermontage”, “Hatighisa”, or “Hemtabad”.

We are quick to paint our Facebook profile pics black in solidarity with the “Black Lives Matter“, but what about “Gorkha lives”? the lives of thousands of those whose families are still unable to come back home, suffering from administrative atrocities right in front of your eyes, do they matter?

What’s happening in “New York” concerns us more than what happens in “Nol Dara” or “Namsu”. We are very aware of “Susant Singh Rajput”, but no one has bothered to find out how the family members of Mangal Singh Rajput are managing to survive today.

We proudly flaunt our rebellious-self by donning a “Che” t-shirt, those with means may even have his poster pinned on their walls, but don’t ask us about “Chattrey Subba“, the original rebel – ko po? naam ta suneko jasto lagcha – we mutter.

We speak of the proletariat and bourgeoisie; quote “Foucault, Marx, Trotsky and Xiaoping’; talk about the upcoming revolution on “Facebook and Instagram”, while conveniently forgetting the brutalities and atrocities our people have had to face under the repressive communists, not so long ago.

We are quick to carry posters in support of freedom of speech and expression, we are the first to upload videos showing how Freedom is being curtailed in rest of the world. But we had no compunction in celebrating with internal glee, when a political party known for its democratic credentials threatened a local columnist and old parents – “thikai paaryo teslai“, “saroi batthey thyo ramro bha“, “khojekai ho tesle dinu partyo ajhai kamti po bha” – is how we showered our smug collective sanctimonious solidarity with the political party concerned.

In “Wai Wai” we trust – that’s the state of journalism in our hills.
In “Syria” we outrage – that’s the state of writers, poets, intelligentsia in our hills.
In “Social-media revolution” we believe – that’s the state of activism in our hills.
In “Finding political relevance for ourselves” we strive for – that’s the state of academia in our hills.
In “Silence” we dwell – that’s the state of rebellion in our hills

We will vocally decry those who we believe are worthy of our self-righteous scorn, but don’t bother us to speak out against the tyrannical state and the current state of affairs.

Because at the end of the day, we are practical people, and we know the moment we outrage against the system, we will have to face consequences.

That’s why, no one is to be blamed

The post CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS – No one is to be blamed appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

“But collective thinking is usually short-lived. We’re fickle, stupid beings with poor memories and a great gift for self-destruction.” ― Suzanne Collins, Mockingjay

The proposed 7^th of August meeting, called by union Home Ministry to “review the issues related to Gorkhaland Territorial Administration” has got the political temperatures soaring in the Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars. While some see this as an attempt by the Bharatiya Janata Party to gain some political mileage prior to the upcoming 2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections, others see it as an attempt to impose or reintroduce Gorkhaland Territorial Administration once again. Some are blaming Bimal Gurung, some BJP, some Raju Bista and some have even gone to the extent of seeing a conspiracy in the recent visit to Delhi by GNLF chief Mann Ghising and the timing of this announcement by the Union Home Ministry.

All arguments are valid, and invalid at the same time.

Valid, mostly because it relates to every individual’s freedom of speech, which I hold sacrosanct, and invalid because most of what is going around is pure speculation and nothing else. So here’s my two bit on the issue and what I think the letter was meant to be and what it will not be.

Amit Shah – the overlooked

Among the many Home Ministers of present and past, Amit Shah stands among one of the most powerful and influential. Although it’s too early to judge his tenure, but many in the national political arena have started to equate his term so far with that of the great Sardar Ballabh Bhai Patel, and with good reasons. The decisiveness with which Modi 2.0 has moved forward on various issues concerning our nation for long, almost makes it appear that Amit Shah is in a hurry.  Repealing of Article 370, introducing Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), introduction of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019 banning triple talaq, resolution to Bodoland issue and many minor and major bills introduced by the government in the past one year, all have trademark Amit Shah seal in them.

What I feel is that, anyone taking this invitation lightly, should study how abrogation of Article 370 to bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories of J&K and Ladhak actually happened.

The end result is apparent to many, but it took years of planning and patience for the Union Government to pull this through. I’d advise those interested to look into some aspects of it – despite being their ideological opposite, why did BJP formed an alliance with PDP in J&K? What was the significance of the then Governor of J&K state giving his accent to the application of the 103^rd Constitutional Amendment 2019 to J&K, and how it eventually turned out, was just a platform to enable the Governor to later agree on behalf of the people of J&K to the abrogation of Article 370.

In India today, no one plays the long game better than Amit Shah.

So an invitation form the Home Ministry, no matter how insignificant it may seem, should not be taken very lightly.

The Beginning of the End

I think, I must have been in class 12 when someone gifted me a t-shit, which read, “everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.” Same is the case with most of our politicians who apparently want “Gorkhaland”. Today, GJM, GNLF, GTA2 administrators and everyone and sundry are claiming that “we will not accept any invitation for talks to GTA, we will only attend talks for Gorkhaland”. Well it’s like saying, what my t-shirt said, “I want to go to heaven, but I don’t want to die”.

After a hard fought andolan of 4-years from 2007 to 2011, finally the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Agreement was signed between the Center, WB Govt and GJM representatives. The invitation, specifically to GJM is clearly for the resumption of the dialogue from where the center had left it in 2011. The File Number at the top of the letter, F.NO. 12013/01/2011-SR is a dead giveaway. In probability the invitation wasn’t sent to other political parties, as they were not a part of the GTA Agreement. I don’t think it had anything to do with the recent GJM representatives meeting the Home Minister or the GNLF representatives meeting the top echelons of BJP leadership.

The review of GTA would undoubtedly reveal how ineffective, corrupt and useless this semi-autonomous body has been. It would also reveal, how this body has totally and completely failed to fulfill the aspirations of the people from our region. After due review, chances were the Center being one of the signatories would call for GTA’s dissolution, as it has failed in all fronts, thus naturally paving a way for the talks to Permanent Political Solution.

But no, no one wants to attend this meeting.

So the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration performance, effectiveness and finances won’t be reviewed, at least for now. Our politicians all seem eager to reach the destination, but without starting the journey.

Basic Talks

I guess, our politicians should owe up to their mistakes, and admit that what they have sought with the center the fabled “tripartite talks” will have to begin from the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration agreement of 2011. This is because that is what had been signed upon, so for the Center GTA will continue to remain the starting point for any future discussions, as long as it’s tripartite in nature. West Bengal government is in no mood to attend any talks what so ever, regarding Darjeeling and involving Centre. So asking for “tripartite talks” itself is wrong.

What our politicians should have instead demanded for is “bipartite talks” – simple and straight forward. Talks between Centre and the Gorkha representatives concerning the demand for Gorkhaland state, or Permanent Political Solution for Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars.

Article 3 of our Constitution, makes the Central Government the sole authority over division and realigning of state. More often than not, state governments will always oppose division of the existing state, because it will divide the resources and the power sphere of the state and its politicians. There is a reason why the Doordarshan shut down broadcast of Parliamentary proceedings on the day voting for Telangana state was to take place. Most leaders from Andhra Pradesh were opposed to the formation of Telangana state. But that did not stop Indian National Congress from going ahead with the bifurcation of the state, despite stiff resistance from majority of the AP Congress leaders.

Similarly for Gorkhaland too, the decision has to be taken by the Center, so I don’t see any point in demanding “tripartite talks,” as WB State will never agree or consent to any parallel administrative set up be it a new State, UT or some other arrangement for our region. The demand should be for “Bipartite talks” and Center should be compelled to take a decisive action, in the greater interest of nation building.

Bureaucratic Gaffe

Politicians, even if they are of Amit Shah’s stature do rely on bureaucrats for information, ideas and processes. This time around, whoever sent that GTA Review letter seems to have ignored the previous communications in this regard.

Responding to an RTI query on why the Govt of India was not conducting a “tripartite meeting” to resolve the Gorkhaland impasse, on the 9^th August, 2018 itself one Mr. Krishna Kumar, Deputy Secretary of CS Division under the Home Ministry had responded,

 “… the Govt of West Bengal vide letter dated 10.11.2017 replied that the GTA was one of the prime agencies for development and infrastructure work in the hill areas. The members of the earlier elected body had resigne in the month of July. The State Government as an interim measure reactivated this body by nominating some members. In absence of elected members in the GTA, the Govt of West Bengal is of the view that it is neither desirable nor even appropriate to hold tripartite talks at this stage. The proposal may be kept in abeyance for the time being,”

So, had the current JS Union Home Ministry done his research proper, s/he would have come to know that review meeting of GTA was not possible, as it did not have any elected members, and they should have informed the Home Minister prior to sending out the invitation.

So for me, the letter that was sent out was just another example of bureaucratic laziness, they should have done their homework proper.

They didn’t.

What Next?

Well, I don’t know about others, but this incident has given me hope. It has exemplified that the Centre is willing to talk over and discuss issues relating to Darjeeling.

You may disagree with me, but dig this, those who see this invitation as a BJP manoeuvre for political reasons alone haven’t thought it through. Because let’s accept it, as far as West Bengal politics is concerned, we are political not as significant as we like to believe. In a house of 294 MLAs, Gorkhas can influence 16 seats from Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars, that’s indeed a lot, but not as much as losing those other 278 seats where anti-Gorkhaland sentiments are strong. Truth be told, BJP is set to gain much more if they turn a blind eye and deaf ears to the plight of Gorkhas in Bengal. But the fact they haven’t done so, tells a story in itself.

I believe, the Union Home Ministry will do well to rescind this invite for official level talks to discuss and review GTA related issue. Rather, they should focus on calling for Political Dialogue with the proponents of Gorkahland statehood, and work towards finding a Permanent Political Solution – be it a new state of Gorkhaland or a Union Territory.

Political talks will give certain degree of immunity to those who are currently underground, and will also help in bring about the much needed honesty and sincerity in dealing with the perennial political problems. afflicting our region.

Rest Follows.

The post Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Review Meeting – A Political Masterstroke or a Bureaucratic Gaffe? appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Malda has emerged as a leader in its fight against COVID-19.

On 7th of May, 2020 the Principal Secretary Health held a Video Conference with DM, CMOH, and Health officials of all medical colleges and districts to discuss online registration of COVID-19 testing reports as per the ICMR guidelines.

Highly placed sources who attended the meeting have informed us, “All those involved with testing of COVID-19 cases are required to register their details online, also all test reports need to be uploaded online. This hadn’t happened earlier, gradually that’s changing.”

The source further said, “During the meeting it emerged that many districts have not been able to update the data online, numerous tests were carried out in a faulty matter, proper testing protocols were not followed, and in some cases the testing kits were damaged by the time they arrived at actual testing Centres. This has caused delay in actual reporting of the cases. But gradually all these kinks will be smoothened out.”

“Surprisingly Malda has emerged as one of the most progressive districts that has implemented strict COVID-19 testing protocols,” said the source.

Explaining about how Malda has done it, our Source said, “Once returnees reach at the Bus stand or Railway stand, a team from District Administration comprising of Health and Civil volunteers issue them mask, and data entry follows. The swab test collection is done there itself, and only after that they are sent to respective quarantine centres.”

“Doing so has saved us time and efforts” the source added.

Speaking about how the hills should prepare for those who will be returning home, the source who is a senior health official said, “GTA should follow same procedure as testing lab in North Bengal is situated in Siliguri only. This way, anyone who enter Siliguri can be tested there itself. There won’t be a need to transport collected swab from the hills to the plains, and result will come back quicker. All they need is to arrange team for data entry which they are doing, and swab collectors designated for Darjeeling and Kalimpong to be based out of Siliguri itself,” said the source.

The health official also warned, ‘GTA will do well not permit people to enter the hills just based on thermal scanning. People can take paracetamol and hide their symptoms. They should encourage testing in Siliguri itself, as soon as the bus or train arrive.”

The post In its Fight Against COVID19, One District in West Bengal has Emerged as a Leader – Malda appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Therein, we had written.

“We are all well aware of the tragic accident of 2011 in Bijanbari, where the bridge collapse had caused the death of over 32 people. Similar fate awaits the people in Lodhoma. The bridge which connects Lodhoma to rest of Darjeeling is on the verge of collapsing, and if immediate actions are not taken, then very soon the bridge can collapse.”

Following this, on June 29^th, 2015 the then GTA Sabhasad from Rimbick-Lodhoma samesty Prakash Gurung had clarified that Rs 7.99 crores  for a new steel bridge had been sanctioned, and we had reported the same, mentioning,

“Yesterday GTA Sabhasad from Rimbick-Lodhoma Samesty Prakash Gurung said, “a new steel bridge has been already been sanctioned at the cost of Rs 7,990,9638 [Seven crores, Ninety-nine Lakhs, Nine thousand, Six hundred and Thirty eight rupees]”

He added, “the steel components are currently being assembled at Salugarah on war-footing and as soon as the rain eases up a little we will hopefully be able to assemble the bridge and install the same.”

Despite all this, no work had begun, and in September 2015 the bridge had started to collapse. On Sept 18, 2015 we had reported,

“Our worst fears were realized yesterday when the bridge started to break apart.

According to the sources, the bridge started to crack up when a truck laden with good was trying to cross over. Thankfully the truck could stop in time, and was later rescued from the cracking bridge with the help of local villagers.”

It took four long years, but we are very happy to report that the new Lodhoma Steel-frame Bridge is about to be completed and opened for public use.

The bridge is looking good.

We THANK all the powers that be, who did their jobs well and made it possible for this bridge to be completed.

The post Lodhoma Bridge Finally Nears Completion appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Among the many comments we received, there was a well meaning but highly misplaced comment by Asst. Prof. Parjanya Sen, himself an educator and an academic associated with Sonada Degree college. Without properly understanding the context, he went onto accuse TheDC team of “vendetta politics,” which we as a portal take high objection to.

But we felt that his misplaced comment stymied from his lack of understanding of the situation. Same may be the case with some of our other readers.

Hence we are doing this short Q and A, in the Dummies Guide to GTA format, which we hope, will help you understand what is it we are trying to achieve here.

Q: What is the fuss about these new appointments?

A: Due to the West Bengal Govt not conducting SSC for hill schools for the past 15 years, most schools in the hills were devoid of proper teachers. Acute shortage in teachers lead many school management to hire/recruit volunteers to teach in these schools for a pittance. They were not given any government facilities, not even a decent salary, but these teachers persisted and taught.

These new appointments have been accorded to these very hard working teachers who have volunteered as teachers in various schools across the hills for pittance, some for over a decade. Had these volunteer teachers not been there, most of our schools would have shut down.

Q. But why would the hills need separate SSC?

A. Point 22 of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration agreement (2011) clearly states, “The State Government will set-up a separate School Service Commission, College Service Commission; open an office of the Regional Pension and Provident Directorate; and set up an office for Registration of land, building etc., marriage, society etc. in the GTA area, subject to extant rules and regulations.”

This is further augmented by the fact that, under Powers and Functions of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration in GTA Act of 2011, Section 25 (v) School Education including primary education, secondary education, higher education (including vocational training); Physical Education; Government Schools” confers the running and recruitment into these schools on GTA.

But even after 8 years of GTA formation, the Govt of West Bengal has not formed SSC or CSC bodies for the hills. Because of which, both the hill schools and colleges are suffering.

Q: So the volunteer teachers do deserve to get permanency?

A: Absolutely, these teachers have worked very hard, for almost no money for a long time, and over the course of time them have acquired experience and teaching abilities. They do deserve to be absorbed as permanent teachers.

Q: That means those landing the jobs are our own people, why is DC and Khabar Magazine having a problem?

A: Neither TheDC, nor Khabar Magazine have any problem with the absorption of volunteer teachers as permanent teachers.

Q. Then why are you objecting to these recruitment? why are you indulging in “vendetta politics”?

A: No we are not. We are not a political party to indulge in such. We are merely doing our duty as the fourth pillar of our democracy to get people to talk about the alleged irregularities in these permanent appointments.

Teachers are the foundation on which the future of our children, and thus the society and nation stands. A teacher who is not capable to teach can ruin the future of the children he teaches, and that in turn will jeopardize the future of our community and country. We are therefore doing our duty towards our community, and asking people to point out the anomalies in these teacher’s appointments.

Just as how you wouldn’t want untrained or inexperienced doctors to treat your child, or untrained driver to drive your car, we cannot give the future of your society and country to untrained teachers. It’s as simple as that.

Q: But is it ethical to upload the list of who got appointed?

A: Of course its ethical to publish the list of appointment, because these are not top-secret nuclear codes or sex tapes of individuals. Its the list of Government appointed teachers. People have a right to know who is going to teach their kids. Under normal circumstances, such lists would be posted online by the recruiting agency and concerned department for the whole world to see.

It would have been unethical, had we not posted this list of who got appointed, despite having it in our hands.

Q: So if I finally get it correct, you are not saying all of these appointments are wrong?

A: Yes, thank you for growing some brains finally. We are not objecting to each and every name in that list.

Q: So what are you objecting to?

A: We are not objecting to anything. We are merely attempting to highlight the anomalies and objections raised by our readers, who have repeatedly informed us that there have been massive illegalities in appointing some of these teachers.

Q: What do you mean by illegalities?

A: People are alleging that there are a fraction of people who have been appointed as permanent teacher. They are illegally shown as having worked as volunteer teachers before, but actually they haven’t. In permitting their appointment the school management committee, headmaster/headmistress or teacher-in-charge and appointing authorities are indulging in fraud against those deserving candidates who actually worked as a volunteer teacher.

Most of these people against whom there are allegations either have powerful connection, or have bribed their way into the list. We are merely attempting to highlight such allegations, in the hopes the government authorities will take a note, and prevent such illegal appointments.

Q: Ok, so let me get this straight. What you guys are doing is objecting to those who haven’t volunteered as teachers, but are yet given permanent post, after showing them as volunteer teachers?

A: Yes, thank you for understanding. That is precisely what we are attempting to do

Q: How are you collecting the data?

A: We are crowd sourcing the objections, for which we have started an online datasheet, in which our readers can go and fill the details of the candidates they have objection to. They just need to fill these details

• Name of the School
• Name of the Appointee
• Original Sl No in the Appointment list we shared
• Reasons for controversy

All the data uploaded here are completely anonymous. Once this datasheet is developed, we will be looking at the reasons stated, and try and verify those. So far we have had about 40 submissions, out of the total 313 appointments made in High Schools and Higher Secondary Schools. Which roughly stands at about 12% of the appointments against which people have raised their objections.

Some objections are very precise and can be easily verified, by anyone desiring to do so.

Q: Can you give us an example?

A: Take for instance Ms. Seema Thakuri, she has been appointed to Nagari Farm High School [Sl No 82 in the list].

One of our readers has commented on the – reason for controversy section… “She is from Nagri, Her appointment year is 2008 in the list, while she worked continuously as Science Teacher at Ruhiyah School, Jorebonglow till 2017-18..”

Now this is an allegation, so what we can do is pass this cross check with Ruhiyyah School Jorebunglow, and see if she was employed there or not at the alleged dates. Talk to the students, and their parents if she taught there or not. Talk to her and the school authorities, and inquire about the objections raised against her name. Seek proof for the same.

Or you can take the case of Lopmudra Ghosh, she has been appointed to Judhabir High School, Gorubathan [Sl No: 211 in the list].

One of our readers has commented on the – reason for controversy section, “No one knows in Gorubathan. There is allegation of bribery against the school authorities for including her name.”

We will try and ascertain facts made against these allegations.

Q: All that is fine, but why are you bothered? what’s your interest?

A: Because, to us Darjeeling and its future matters. Our interest is to see that people with power and money and influence do not get a priority at the expense of deserving candidates, many of whom have been deprived to accommodate these 12% side entrants.

Q: Ok, sounds like your objectives are fine, but what happens after you report?

A: That is for our people, elected representatives, and the government to decide. Our duty as news portals are to bring to light the truth, which is our fundamental duty. We hope good people like you will then take it up with the authorities, or court and see that injustice is not allowed to persist.

Q: How can I help you guys?

A: By going to this link, and filling in the details about any illegal appointment you are aware of.

Visit here to fill details: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fApLsOc0zgfSH7DKovbWFfLM5-gIpBetdFCObk4PVCY/edit?usp=sharing

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