Kolkata, 08 September (H.S.) : The West Bengal government has appointed an administrator to the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) following the resignation of Anit Thapa as its Chief Executive after the change of government in the state.

IAS officer Smritiranjan Mohanty has been appointed as the administrator of the GTA. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the decision on Tuesday while virtually attending a government programme in Kalimpong.

The Chief Minister also announced an allocation of Rs 250 crore for disaster management and development activities in the hills. He said 73 families affected by landslides in the hills in 2025 would be provided compensation of Rs 3 lakh each.

Adverse weather conditions prevented the Chief Minister from travelling to Kalimpong on Tuesday. He returned to Uttar Kanya in Siliguri and joined the programme virtually from there.

During the programme, Adhikari announced that tea workers would receive a 20 per cent Puja bonus this year. He also said the state government would take steps to reopen closed tea gardens in the region.

The Chief Minister said women in Kalimpong who are eligible for Rs 3,000 under the Annapurna scheme but have not yet received the assistance would also be provided the benefit. He said around 15,000 women in Kalimpong had already received payments under the scheme and assured that all other eligible beneficiaries would be covered.

Adhikari also announced that arrangements would be made to provide Ayushman Bharat cards to residents of Kalimpong. Those who are not eligible for the central health scheme would be brought under the state government's Chief Minister's Health Insurance Scheme, he said.

The Chief Minister said resolving the long-standing problems of the hills remained a priority for the government and directed administrative officials to begin work immediately.

He also issued a strong warning over what he described as “institutional corruption” in the GTA. Adhikari alleged irregularities in teacher recruitment and drinking water-related projects, besides the misappropriation of government funds. He said FIRs would be registered against those involved and that the accused would be arrested.

The Chief Minister had earlier levelled allegations of corruption in the GTA following the change of government in the state. Anit Thapa subsequently resigned from the post of GTA Chief Executive.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh