KalimNews, March 19, 2025: In a significant move towards justice for the victims of the devastating October 2023 Teesta flash flood, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has initiated a comprehensive re-survey of the affected areas. The decision, led by GTA Chief Executive Anit Thapa, comes in response to appeals from displaced families demanding a fair reassessment of damages incurred due to the calamity.
Acting on these concerns, the GTA issued an official directive on March 17, forming a specialized survey committee comprising key administrative representatives. The committee includes 15 GTA officials, the Kalimpong District Magistrate’s office representative, the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Kalimpong-1, members of the Panchayat Samiti, the Upa Pradhan and other members of Teesta Gram Panchayat, as well as a representative from the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). This team has been tasked with expediting the re-evaluation process to ensure transparency and accuracy in assessing the extent of property damage.
GTA issued an order stating that in cancellation of the Order No. 06 Dated. 04/12/2023 and in pursuant to the approval accorded by the competent authority of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, the Committee for re-survey of Teesta Flash Flood is constituted comprising of the following officials and employees for providing all necessary support and assistance: Senora Namchu, Executive Sabha Member, GTA, Mani Kr. Rai, Member, GTA, The District Magistrate, Kalimpong or Representative of District Magistrate, The Block Development Officer, Kalimpong I Development Block, Kabita Khati, Member, Panchayat Samity, Kalimpong Block I, Songmit Lepcha, Upa Pradhan, Teesta Gram Panchayat, Yogita Chettri, Member, Teesta Gram Panchayat, Jyoti Gupta, Member, Teesta Gram Panchayat, The Representative of NHPC Ltd.
The directive, addressed to the Kalimpong District Magistrate, explicitly mandates an immediate survey of homes and infrastructure damaged by the October 4, 2023, flash flood in Teesta and Geilkhola under the Kalimpong-1 Block. The GTA Secretary’s letter underscores the necessity of the survey to establish precise damage valuations, ultimately facilitating just compensation for the affected households. Upon completion of the survey, the committee is required to submit a detailed report, supplemented with essential documentation, to facilitate the next course of action.
The West Bengal Government’s Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare has approved the transfer of eight Anganwadi Centers from the Naxalbari ICDS Project to the Mirik ICDS Project. This strategic move aims to enhance efficiency and service delivery for child welfare programs in the region.
GTA Chief Executive Anit Thapa, through a social media update, elaborated on the development, stating that during his visit to Kolkata in February, he had engaged in key discussions with the West Bengal Chief Secretary regarding administrative matters. One of the primary concerns addressed was the realignment of these Anganwadi Centers to ensure better governance and streamlined service distribution.
Thapa also acknowledged that despite the GTA’s establishment 13 years ago, certain regions originally designated under its jurisdiction had remained administratively neglected due to oversight and lack of vision. He assured that continuous discussions with relevant authorities were now being undertaken to rectify these gaps and guarantee holistic governance and equitable development across all affected areas.
The latest initiatives underscore GTA’s commitment to fostering justice for the displaced and ensuring efficient administration for the broader welfare of the region.
