Member of Parliament from Darjeeling, Shri Raju Bista, has made a strong appeal to the Ministry of Defence to reconsider the proposed relocation of the 163 Military Field Hospital located in Lebong, Darjeeling. In addition, he has requested that the academic concession currently granted to Gorkha youth in regular Army recruitment be extended to applicants for the Territorial Army (TA) as well.
In a statement shared via social media earlier today, Bista informed that he met with Hon’ble Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan to raise these concerns. During the meeting, Bista highlighted the strategic and emotional importance of the 163 Military Field Hospital to the people of the Darjeeling hills.
“The Darjeeling region has historically contributed a large number of soldiers to the Indian Army, with over 20,000 ex-servicemen currently residing in the hills,” Bista noted. “The 163 Military Hospital is not just a critical healthcare facility, it is a symbol of the enduring trust and deep-rooted connection between the Indian Army and the Gorkha community.”
There has been widespread concern in the region over the proposed shifting of the hospital, with many seeing it as a move that could weaken longstanding military-civil ties. The facility has been serving not only active-duty personnel and ex-servicemen but also their families, making its presence vital to the region.
In addition to the issue of the hospital, Bista also drew attention to a disparity in recruitment standards. He pointed out that while the Ministry of Defence had previously exempted Gorkha applicants from the 33% minimum academic marks requirement in regular Army recruitment drives, this concession does not currently extend to the Territorial Army.
He urged the Defence Ministry to rectify this inconsistency, arguing that many Gorkha youth aspire to join the TA but are currently disadvantaged due to the academic criteria. “Given the socio-economic background of many aspiring recruits and the legacy of military service in the hills, it is only fair that the same concession be extended to TA applicants,” he said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and CDS General Anil Chauhan—who himself hails from the 11 Gorkha Rifles—assured Bista that both matters would be given due consideration. They committed to reviewing the proposals in detail and taking steps to ensure that the needs of soldiers and their families are not overlooked.
Bista’s intervention has been welcomed by veterans and defence personnel in the region, with many lauding his efforts to protect critical infrastructure and promote equitable opportunities for the youth of the hills.
The 163 Military Field Hospital, established decades ago, remains one of the most respected military institutions in the Darjeeling hills, serving as both a healthcare provider and a symbol of the region’s proud martial heritage.
