Sitong, 05th July: Today, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista held a press conference to discuss the upcoming elections and shed light on the pressing issues faced by the Sitong-Shelpu region. Bista emphasized the region’s rich biodiversity, housing some of India’s most beautiful birding spots, rare flora, fauna, butterflies, and medicinal plants.
However, MP Bista in a press release wrote that the deteriorating condition of the roads in the area reflects the misgovernance under the GTA (Gorkhaland Territorial Administration) and the Trinamool-led West Bengal government. Despite being represented by the GTA Chairman Anit Thapa, the local people continue to suffer from acute drinking water scarcity, lack of medical facilities, and recent encroachment on their ancestral lands by the Forest Department, preventing them from growing fruits and vegetables. Bista criticized the GTA Chairman for remaining inactive and neglecting the needs of the people, focusing instead on the construction of a luxury hotel in Jungapana.
Highlighting the BJP’s commitment to development, Bista mentioned the “Har Ghar Jal” scheme, which aims to provide drinking water to every household. In April, he laid the foundation stone for some of these projects and assured expedited implementation. To address the long-standing issue of inadequate roads, the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana will be utilized, while efforts will be made to establish an ESI (Employee’s State Insurance) hospital in the region. The promotion of homestay tourism through initiatives like “Incredible India” and “Vibrant Villages” is also on the agenda.
Bista emphasized that the BJP and its alliance partners will fight for the rights of tea garden workers, cinchona garden workers, forest villagers, and DI Fund landholders, ensuring their right to Parja Patta. He pledged transparent, corruption-free governance and urged voters to support the alliance candidate, promising a stronger future for the community and generations to come.