GJM sets up relief body for people stranded in Darjeeling hills

Ei Samay | Aug 16, 2017, KOLKATA: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has set up a relief committee which along with 13 prominent NGOs is providing food grains and other relief material to the people of Darjeeling hills during the ongoing indefinite strike.

Till date, food grains have been provided to over 10,000 families. This includes providing of food grains and other material to 6,122 families in the tea gardens, 1,209 families in urban areas and 1,558 families in rural areas. Much of the relief work is being done by the NGOs including Anugyalaya DDSSS, Citizen's Forum, Darjeeling Initiative, Darjeeling Catholic Relief Committee, DLR Prena, DLR Prena-CHAI, Gorkha Dukha Niwarak Samelan, Eurasia Reiyukai, EWSCT, MARG, Mani Trust, Rotary Club Darjeeling, Shanker Foundation DjNP+ Who cares. The GJM is also separately providing food grains and other material to various locations.

The coordination was conceived to avoid duplication as well as providing relief to the most needy through a process of identifying such families that was developed by the 13 NGOs. The coming together of the NGOs also means that logistical costs are reduced in reaching food grains to various locations.

There are two helpline numbers where people who need relief can call and address their needs. These numbers are 9749996632 and 8927387285.

A bank account in the ICICI Bank in Sikkim has also been opened where people can donate money for relief material by transferring whatever amount they want to donate. The details of the transactions in the relief account will be totally transparent and made public as and when required. Money can be transferred to the following account: Name: State Bank of Sikkim, ICICI Bank, Namchi. Account No 306105000031. IFSC Code ICICI0003061

The objective is to channelise the relief work in a systematic manner so that the materials reach the neediest people. We appeal to people to donate money for relief materials. We also appeal that those who want to send relief materials instead of money can contact the committee through the above mentioned numbers so that food grains can reach to the needy in a systematic and organized manner.