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Bengal

Darjeeling feels left out in Union Budget, says GJM's Binay faction

Darjeeling: Darjeeling failed to get a piece of the general Budget pie, despite heavy expectations. The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (Binay Tamang faction) has pulled up the BJP government for skipping out tea and tourism industry, the economic backbone of this region.

"Raju Bishta, the newly elected MP from the Darjeeling constituency had assured all round development of this region in his election manifesto. He even won with a huge margin of 4 lakh. However, there is nothing for this a region in general and Darjeeling in particular. The record margin victory failed to pay off," stated Anit Thapa, General Secretary, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha.

Thapa stated that a few days ago, Bishta had announced that Darjeeling would get a Central University, but there was no such mention.

"The government has decided to develop 17

world class tourism points. Darjeeling has failed to make it to the list also. With election over their commitment to this place is gone also," alleged Thapa.

"However, this is nothing new. In the past also the BJP has time and again failed to live up to its commitments," he added.

It is sheer betrayal, feels the GJM. "Yet again they have betrayed Darjeeling. When they can't even ensure development, will they be able to carve out Gorkhaland?" questioned Thapa.

Even the tea industry feels let down.

"The government's decision to levy 2% TDS on cash withdrawal exceeding Rs 1 crore annually will come as a

major letdown for the tea industry. There are many tea gardens where more than a crore has to be disbursed in the way of wages," said Sumanta Guhathakurta, president, DBITA.

Ram Avatar Sharma, president of the Dooars Chapter of the Tea Association of India, said: "The government should have brought tea under Ministry of agriculture from the present ministry of commerce and industries. The Union government should give more impetus and help in the export of tea."

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