Durga Kharel likely to be Next GTA Chief

Darjeeling Times

KOLKATA: Mr Durga Kharel, a nominated member in the GTA Sabha belonging to the TMC, will be appointed as the GTA's interim chief executive on Tuesday if Col (retired) Mr Ramesh Allay, the GTA's deputy chief executive, does not take charge by Monday. Col Allay is a GJMM leader, close to party chief Bimal Gurung. Mr Kharel, a lawyer, is one of the five nominated members in the GTA. The state government today faxed a letter to the “next responsible man” in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration to take over by Monday; the post of chief executive is lying vacant ever since Mr Bimal Gurung resigned on 30 July.  Kharel is a senior lawyer of Darjeeling and TMC's legal advisor. He with his brother is popularly known as Badri Durga Kharel and are singers as well as musicians.