In a significant political development ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, Kurseong’s ‘rebel’ BJP MLA Bishnu Prasad Sharma joined the Trinamul Congress on Thursday, marking a fresh shift in the political landscape of the Darjeeling hills.
In a significant boost to forest governance and environmental education, the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), an autonomous institution under the central government, is set to establish its second campus in West Bengal, at Kurseong in the Darjeeling hills.
Raising concerns over solid waste management in the Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista questioned the Union government in Parliament during the ongoing session, seeking clarity on fund allocation and utilisation under the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U).
A fresh wave of political expectation has swept through the Darjeeling Hills after the Centre appointed former deputy National Security Adviser and retired IPS officer Pankaj Kumar Singh as the interlocutor for the Darjeeling Hills, Terai, and Dooars region.
A high-level meeting was held in Siliguri on Sunday with leaders and representatives of various tea trade unions from the Darjeeling Hills, Terai, Dooars, and across North Bengal to deliberate on the worsening condition of tea and cinchona plantation workers.
Hundreds of tea workers took to the streets, claiming that the state government's decision reflects collusion with plantation owners.
Significantly, the SSSJC is now demanding that the pay scale for monthly rated staffs and sub-staff through bipartite agreement.
Parties allege Dhankhar in Hills to do politics; BJP MP Raju Bista says incident an insult to Gorkhas.
Mr Adityanath was campaigning for the BJP's Assembly election candidate for Kurseong constituency, BP Bajgain.
Dhankhar comes down heavily on Darjeeling DM and SP for not following protocols during his visits
