Showcause notices to Municipality employees

Darjeeling: The Darjeeling municipality has issued showcause notices to four of its employees for taking part in a rally demanding a solution to the perennial water scarcity in town.

Kiran Lama, Sunita Darnal, Bhooto Singh Chhetri and Doma Tamang have been asked to reply within 10 days.

“We served the showcause notice on disciplinary grounds,” said B.M. Limboo, the vice-chairman of the municipality. “How can the employees of a civic body participate in rallies against the municipality? They should know the problems we face (in supplying adequate amount of drinking water).”

The rally was held last Thursday under the banner of the Nagarik Sangraksha Samiti, which its leaders claim, is an apolitical body.

The notice has come as a shock to the four employees. “This (participation in the rally) was for a noble cause. There were other civic employees as well who took part in the rally, but we do not know why only the four of us have been served the notice,” said Lama.

Limboo, however, said the municipality was not targeting anyone in particular. “The participation of these four employees has come to our notice. Action will be taken against the others who took part in the rally once they are identified,” he said.

Samiti leader, Kiran Thakuri, has on his part appealed to all concerned not to target individuals. “The rally was for a common cause as all of us have to face hardship due to lack of water. We also appeal to all the political parties to come and help us,” he said.

Source: The Telegraph