MUKESH SHARMA

Kalimpong, November 29

The former West Bengal panchayat secretary also the veteran member of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) study forum LB Pariyar today said that there should not arise the question of amending the constitution for conducting the zilla panchayat election under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).

Clarifying the same, he said that as per the article 342 (M) of the Indian constitution, everywhere in the country leaving the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC), the election of the zilla panchayat can be done. The DGHC today has no meaning after the coming of the GTA and the question of amending the constitution seems useless he said.

Adding further he said that Siliguri was made sub division council when DGHC was constituted in the Hills. The panchayat areas of the Siliguri will also come when there will be the election of the zilla council. If the elections are conducted taking Siliguri, the Hills will be benefitted he added.