New Delhi, 12th February: Darjeeling BJP MP Raju Bista called for a permanent political solution to the problem of Darjeeling, Terai and Dooars, in the Lok Sabha today. He further highlighted the deprivation and discrimination faced by the people of the said regions.
MP Bista began his speech by speaking on the glorious history of Darjeeling as the first place to be electrified in India, a popular tourist destination, and an international education hub, emphasizing how Darjeeling at one point in time, was the pride of the nation.
Taking a jibe at the ruling TMC government, Bista alleged that due to the continued neglect of the West Bengal government, the people of the Darjeeling region are suffering. He informed the house that Panchayat elections have not been held in the hill regions of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts since 2001.
The MP stated that, due to the absence of proper governance, the educational system in the region is now in shambles, the health care system is collapsing and infrastructure in both rural and urban settlements are past the critical threshold limits.
Highlighting that all this has happened due to the lack of political settlement, MP Raju Bista urged the Union Government to hasten the process for finding permanent political solution under the Constitution of India to the long-pending demands of the people from Darjeeling Hills, Terai and Dooars.