September 1, 2014
We want to develop North Bengal as a trade hub: WB CM at Siliguri
West Bengal Chief Minister Ms MamataBanerjee has begun her 3-day tour of North Bengal today. She inaugurated the pension directorate branch at Uttarkanya during a public meeting at Siliguri Circus Maidan.
The CM also inaugurated and laid thefoundation stone for a series of development projects for the region,comprising Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and adjoining districts, from the venue.
After attending the programme, Ms Banerjee left for Kalimpong where she will stay until 3 September. She is scheduled toleave for Kolkata on 4 September.
Notably, the branch pension directoratewill start functioning at Uttarkanyafrom tomorrow and it will clear pension papers for retired primary and secondaryteachers in north Bengal.
A tide of development
The Chief Minister also introduced more than40 buses at will play across north Bengal, including six rocket services underthe North Bengal State Transport Corporation. Permits for 1000 non-refusal taxis were also issued
Ms Banerjee also declared eightproposed internal road projects under the Siliguri Municipal Corporation area. Shealso inaugurated the renovated Dinabandhu Mancha in Siliguri. A total of Rs3.77 crore was spent for its face-lift.
The CM laid the foundation stone forthe Siliguri Gate to be built near Uttarayan,one of the three such gates proposed for Siliguri town. To develop health infrastructure,she introduced the CT scan service in the Siliguri district hospital andinaugurated two fair price medicine shops at Naxalbari and Malbazar.
Distribution of government services
The CM also distributed land deeds (patta) to poor people in urban and ruralareas, bicycles for poor students, house building assistance under Geetanjali scheme and other forms ofassistance.
Ms Banerjee also inaugurated thevertically extended building of the Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy GovernmentCollege at Matigara in Siliguri and other projects.
Highlights of the Chief Minister's speech:
- We have issued permits for 1000 non-refusaltaxis today for the region today.
- We have taken up a project worth Rs 600crore to develop a express highway in this region.
- We will take steps to set up a passportoffice in Siliguri.
- We will issue permits for 27 buses forDarjeeling.
- We are trying our best to overhaul thetransport sector in North Bengal.
- Boosting transport will boost trade in theregion.
- You all know an airport-town is coming upat Andal. We have decided to start flight services between Coochbehar, Durgapurand Kolkata.
- We want to develop North Bengal as anindustrial belt.
- Earlier, people of North Bengal had to goto Kolkata to collect pension. Now, a pension directorate has been set up here.
- When I was the Rail Minister I sanctionedseveral trains for North Bengal.
- Even Hollywood is coming to Bengal to shootfilms now. A film-city is coming up at North Bengal.
- We are creating infrastructure now. Thiswill bring in more business for North Bengal in the future.
- We are setting hubs 500 Karma Tirthamarketing hubs that will generate jobs for 5 lakh people.
- Development must be inclusive. I will nevercommit any action that will harm the people.
- A safari park is coming up at Sukna. Workhas already begun.
- I convey my greetings for Durga Puja andEid in advance to you all. We must maintain communal harmony in Bengal.
- We have to work with the people. We have towork for the people. We have to work for all.
