Nisha Chhetri

Kalimpong November 18, 2014:

 The members of Basil International Company along with the members of the study forum have decided to protest for the negligence of their money along with the members of other companies. Today the members including few senior agents snaked the town silently supporting the people of Kolkotta who are fasting for a cause.
After the silent rally the coordinator of Basil study forum, Sebastian Pradhan said, ‘besides BASIL, we want the members of other companies to take part and protest unanimously.’ Believing that the strength leads to the positive outcome, the people of AXIX, Rose Valley, Prayag, Gulshan, etc., also want to merge with Basil and stand united for the same cause. Pradhan also said that the figure of the lump sum amount of every company should be shown to the higher authorities.
It was known that the missing hard disc spoilt the flow of agitation many times. Explaining the present situation of the company, the president of the study forum, Sushma Pradhan informed the Medias that the SDO once forwarded the demand of the people to the D.M but the question of figures and records were unanswerable there. However a rough sketch of record was available with the area manager which states that the company (basil) owes 43 cores in Kalimpong sub-division.
Protesting about their held money Sebastian Pradhan with little assurance said that they might organize people’s assembly in December and might also call the M.P S.S Ahluwalia and include the MLA H.B Chettri in the meeting. ‘We elect people with the hope of getting some benefit or help in need, if they are not available to spread a helping hand, we have no reason to vote for anyone.’ Said Pradhan.
Sushil Gurung, a team leader of Aspen project India limited, which started in Darjeeling five years ago (and slowly entered Kalimpong) and closed down in August 2013, also informed that the company stills owe 7 cores. Aspen served as a provider for services like tea and plantation, Real estate etc. However people want the police administration and the relevant government departments of Kalimpong to pressurize the higher authorities for the public benefit by returning their invested money.