To pay or not to pay...

DARJEELING, Nov. 27: Surprise awaited Darjeeling residents today in the shape of a notice signed by the Sub Divisional Engineer (technical) in the BSNL office announcing that its payment department would remain open for residents to pay outstanding telephone bills up to 6 December from today.

The unexpected part is that notice came without a formal declaration of the GJMM, which had been opposing all revenues in a non-tax payment drive since April. Although, many made a beeline to grab the opportunity, a dilemma still prevailed over whether or not to pay the bills without the GJMM's affirmation. “Three installments amounting to Rs 5,000 is due but I am still not sure whether to pay or not,” said a woman subscriber outside the BSNL office.

Others even claimed to have received calls from the telephone department informing them to pay their dues. “I received a call from them last night and came over to confirm,” a shopkeeper said.

However, the GJMM was quick to step in saying that no telephone bills should be paid until the tripartite talks. “Nobody should pay telephone bills from tomorrow till the tripartite talks,” party general secretary Mr Roshan Giri announced at a press conference in the evening.

Though the party allowed the people to pay their electricity bills for the months of October, November and December no such relaxation was on the Telecom Department. The BSNL had even disconnected some broadband connections recently and restored those on payment of dues.