December 28, 2012
Chief Minister addresses rally at Nagrakata, district status for Alipurduar shortly
West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee reached Jalpaiguri on Friday evening who is on a three-day tour to North Bengal.
The Chief Minister addressed a public gathering at Nagrakata in Jalpaiguri. Reiterating her stand she said, `Our government is under tremendous financial constraints and we are find to meet both ends as you all know that the central government is taking away all the earrings towards the repayment of loan and debt made by the CPI(M). Inspite of that I have come to you with a bouquet of projects and schemes`. She gave away scholarships and presented bicycles to students in the region. `I am committed towards the development of North Bengal`, added the Chief Minister. She laid the foundation stone of a Gramin Haat which will give employment to nearly 2000 people at Alipurduar. This will also give the artisans to sell and exhibit their artifacts. Apart from that there will be three small scale handicraft clusters under the National Fiber Mission which will open employment opportunity for the poor family of the artisans residing in Nagrakata, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar 2, Rajganj, Matiali and Dhupguri areras.
She expressed her concern for those working in the private tea estates and said, `Those who work in the government tea estates is in a better condition compared to those who work in private tea estates and I am concern for them. We have taken some steps to make their lives a little comfortable. We have lands in and around these tea estates and have decided to give `patta` to nearly 8,000 labours who can stay on these lands`, said the Chief Minister. However she maintained that it will take some time as there are many formalities to be completed before finally the lands can be given to them.
The Chief Minister announced that there were plans to give Alipurduar district status as this would speed up the work and help in development. `I had told you of this long back but we had to wait for the clearance from the High Court. I am happy to tell you that we have received the permission and we will soon start the process which will take some time`, said the Chief Minister who also slammed the Left Front for doing nothing during the last 35-long years and virtually ruining the development in the State.
The Chief Minister announced that the Government has taken the decision to set up a mini Writers` in North Bengal, `I love to come to North Bengal and when I visit North Bengal that place will serve as my office. This will help the Government to speed up the development process in the Hills, said the Chief Minister.
Speaking on this occasion she said, `I am fully aware of the poor condition of National Highway roads. I have requested the Prime Minister to look into the poor condition of National Highway and asked him to take immediate steps to speed up the maintenance process`. She said that this area is also the border area of our neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bhuta, Sikkim and comes under the Central government. The Chief Minister gave scholarships to students from minority community and girl students. She also presented patta and announced a series of projects like Kisan Credit Card, Samajik Mukti Card, Patta, Nijo Bhumi Nijo Griho scheme for the poor people in the area. She also announced a Hindi College at Banarhat.
The Chief Minister stressed on the need to develop tourism in North Bengal as there was immense scope for tourism.
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