Statesman News Service
KALIMPONG, June 13.—Citing it as yet another instance of step-motherly attitude of the state government, the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) has opted for an indefinite strike at the Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidlaya(UBKV) following “illegal” appointments for vacant posts at the UBKV, earlier this year.
Condemning all appointments at this institution, former executive councilor and GNLF leader, Mr Prakash Dahal alleged that the Hills people have been discriminated against repeatedly.
“Despite directives by the state government that hill people be be given preference for appointments at the UBKV, all the vacant posts for scientists have been filled by outsiders”, Mr Dahal said.
“Neither hill people nor the locals of the area have been preferred for posts at UBKV”, he said.
According to Mr Dahal, only CPI-M candidates were engaged for vacant posts of group (c)
and (d) staffs.
“Prof BC Saha, who is the chief project scientist of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, is responsible for all such appointments. We will correspond with the vice-chancellor of UBKV and place an immediate demand for his transfer and also of those appointed”, Mr Dahal said.
Besides stalling work at all the three sub-stations of Kalimpong, Dalapchand and Pedong ,offices are also to be gheraoed by the cadres of GNLF.
However, Prof BC Saha refuted all the allegations. “All appointments have been made in a fair manner. Besides, if the GNLF wants to inquire about it, they are most welcome”, Prof Saha said.
According to officials of the KVK, three vacancies were there for “training associates”. “Very few locals had applied for training associates.
However, locals have been appointed in all the three vacant posts for field technicians (group-c) and two field workers (group d). All of them have gone through written and oral tests”, he confirmed.