Mukesh Sharma

Kalimpong,15th July

The Panchayat Karmachari Sangathan has started an indefinite strike in 31 gram panchayats of Kalimpong Block I and Algarah Block.The panchayat workers are opposing the transfer of workers from outside the Hills.

Ranvir Tamang,secretary of Panchayat Karmachari Sangathan here along with others today submitted a memorandum to BDO Kalimpong–I Bimalendu Das.

Tamang informed that we are opposing the transfer of employees from outside the GTA area. He informed that the promotional exams have been stopped from August 2010 as a result of which panchayat karmis from outside the area have been asked to fill in the vacancies.He said,“We had earlier submitted a memorandum to the higher authorities; however, no proper action was taken. This has forced us to put our pens down.”


He informed that the pendown strike has already started in 16 gram panchyats of Jorebunglow- Sukhiya in Darjeeling and from yesterday they have started the same in 31 GPs of two blocks. He warned that if their demands are not met they will be forced to take severe measures.As it is the time of monsoon the relief work, ration card distribution and other work are set to be affected as a result of this strike.

Tamang said the higher authorities will be held responsible for the inconvenience caused to general public. There are about 90 panchayat employees in Block I and 55 in Block II. When asked to comment BDOs of two blocks said they have received the memorandum which they will forward to higher authorities.