Darjeeling Administration

Darjeeling, often referred as the Queen of Hills, is located in the far north of the Darjeeling district in the state of West Bengal.  The town, consisting of 10.57 Sq KM is administered by Darjeeling Municipality.

However, the town’s urban agglomeration far exceeds its municipal limits. Areas under Puttabong Tea Estate also fall under the agglomeration. At the same time, it is important to note that the municipality is responsible for providing only the civic amenities to the citizens.

In actual practice, the administrative work is carried on by four different administrative agencies and they are as follows:

• Darjeeling Municipality
• Gorkhaland Territorial Administration
• Office of the district Magistrate
  
• Office of the Superintendent of police.
  
  

Darjeeling Administrative Bodies

Below are the branches of Darjeeling Administration:
  

Darjeeling Municipality:

Established in 1850, Darjeeling municipality is said to be one of the first civic bodies in India.  The area under the municipality is divided into thirty-two wards, each of which is represented by an elected councilor.  These thirty-two elected councilors along with a specific number of nominated members form the municipal board. It is to be noted that the nominated members are generally chosen by the state government and in general they are ex-officio members.



The functions of Darjeeling Municipality are regulated by West Bengal Municipal Act, 1993. Accordingly, the Chairman is chosen by the elected councilors from among themselves. The Chairman, thus selected, becomes the executive head of the body and all administrative powers remain under his control. He is assisted by a vice Chairman. The Chairman also nominates a Chairman-In-Council and distributes portfolio among its members. The Vice Chairman takes up his responsibilities in his absence.

Following is the contact details of the Darjeeling Municipality:
Darjeeling Capital Hall First Floor
Laden La Road, Darjeeling - 734101
Phone No - 0354- 2254406
Website: http://www.darjeelingmunicipality.in/

Gorkhaland Territorial Administration:

Gorkhaland Territorial Administration or GTA is a semi-autonomous body for the hilly area of the Darjeeling District. Under the bill passed by West Bengal Legislative Assembly on 2nd September, 2011, GTA enjoys a limited executive as well as financial power. It is not only responsible for administration of the area under its jurisdiction, but it is also empowered to collect taxes and take up welfare measures for the improvement of the inhabitants. Education, health and tourism are the sole responsibility of the GTA. It however, has no legislative power. Their office is located at Lal Kuthi on Zakir Haussain Road.

Office Of The Superintendent Of The Police:

The law and order also lie outside the jurisdiction of the GTA. Instead, it comes under the jurisdiction of the District Police Force. The force, which is headed by a Superintendent of Police, not only take care of the law and order situation in Darjeeling, it also undertake many welfare programs such as helping-out senior citizens, anti-human-trafficking, anti-drugs awareness etc.  It is also to be noted that, Darjeeling Municipal Area has two police stations – one at Darjeeling itself and other at Jorebungalow.

Following is the contact details of the Superintendent of Police
132, Laden La Road
Darjeeling - 734101
Near Meera Complex
Phone No - 0354-2254203
Website:  Click Here

Office Of The Collector And The District Magistrate:

Darjeeling also has a District Magistrate to oversee day to day functioning of the administrative work.  Although most of the administrative duty falls under the jurisdiction of the GTA, the role of the DM is of no less significant. To know more, one can visit their official website. One can also contact the DM at the following address -
Office of the District Magistrate
Kutchery Compound,
Laden La Road,
Darjeeling - 734101
Near State Bank of India
Phone No - 0354-2254233

Jails In Darjeeling:

Darjeeling also has a District Jail. It is located at Chauk Bazar near Lloyd Botanical Gardens. It is actually a small correctional home and can comfortably hold 127 inmates.

Courts in Darjeeling:

There are seven courts in Darjeeling Sadar area. Among them, one is a District Judge’s Court; three are Additional And Sessions Judge’s Courts.  Besides, there is also one Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court, one Civil Judge’s Court and one Judicial Magistrate’s court. For more information, Click Here.

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