July 11, 2012
Chief Minister convenes district-review-meeting, addresses a rally at Cooch Behar, expresses her concern over the flash-flood situation
Chief Minister convenes district-review-meeting at Cooch Behar, expresses her concern over the flash-flood situation.
West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee convened a district-review-meeting at Lansdowne Hall in Cooch Behar today morning. This is the first tour of the district after assuming office of the Chief Minister of West Bengal. Ms. Mamata Banerjee reached Cooch Behar late in the night and stayed at the Circuit House. Local people thronged the roads inspite of the incessant rains to have a glimpse of their favourite Didi.
Chief Minister who began her second leg of the district-review-meetings with the visit to Barasat last week and informed her next tour will be North Bengal like – development of roads, administration, education, health and civic related problems. She reached Bagdogra airport on Tuesday morning and left for Jalpaiguri where Ms. Banerjee convened a meeting with the district administration at the Art Complex. Chief Minister discussed various issue Ms. Mamata Banerjee have reiterated over the months that she is concerned over the development of districts, ` I have said before and maintain you cannot run government from Writers` Building rather need to get interactive and visit the districts`, said Ms. Mamata Banerjee at Barasat.
During the meeting at Cooch Behar on Wednesday, the Chief Minister expressed her concern over the flash-flood like situation and asked the district administration to take stock of the situation. Issues like development across the district in perspective of health, education, administration and roads were discussed.
Chief Minister address a huge gathering at the Rajbari Stadium immediately after the meeting, `I have come here to meet you all and am over whelmed to see the turn out here inspite incessant rain. I have really no words to express my gratitude to you all for coming to hear me`, were the opening words of the Chief Minister who expressed her concern over the flash-flood like situation in the region due to rains for over more than 11-hours, `The entire Cooch Behar has turned into a pool of water and I am concerned over the situation. I have already asked district administration to take stock of the situation and take adequate measures`, added Ms. Banerjee.
Chief Minister also flagged off three trains – new intercity express train between New Cooch behar and New Jalpaiguri, an EMU between Bamanhat-New Jalpaiguri-Siliguri, a Satabdi Express between New Jalpaiguri and Howrah. Ms. Banerjee also laid the foundation stone for a university at Cooch Behar and a polytechnic at Mathabhanga. `We don`t have funds, but no use of crying over split milk since we will do our work and I am confident that Cooch Behar will also emerge and make its place among all the districts`, said Chief Minister who presented bicycles to students from minority community.
Chief Minister reiterated her stand on development of poor condition of roads. It may be recalled that yesterday Ms. Banerjee during her meeting with the administrative officials at Jalpaiguri expressed her dissatisfaction over the poor condition of National Highway Road No. 31 and 34 said, `I am concerned and aggrieved over the poor roads. We have called a representative of the National Highway Authority and he will be having a detailed discussion with my Chief Secretary as I want to resolve this issue immediately. We are doing what ever possible in the state and I am myself following the working of this office but here we are bound by protocol. We can do it ourselves but are bound by protocols as this comes under the Central Government`. Chief Minister also gave `patta` to people under `Nijo Griho, Nijo Bhumi` scheme.
Chief Minister assured the people in the region that no body can stop development in Cooch Behar, `No one can stop Bengal`s development by hatching a conspiracy. It`s my challenge`. Ms. Banerjee said that many of the existing hospitals will be upgraded. The government has reviewed the possibilities of industry in the district and plans to set up a jute industrial hub that would require 33 acres land. `I have told my officers to start scouting for land`, said Mamata, adding that the government will sanction Rs 25 crore for the expansion of Cooch Behar airport.
Ms. Mamata Banerjee in her own special style added a personal touch and expressed her gratitude to all for coming to hear her beating the natural calamity, `Please don�t get wet anymore, do not forget to take shower and think that getting drenched is an substitute of bath. Remember that rain water are not good for heath. Don`t forget to have a cup of hot tea`, smiled Ms. Banerjee.
Chief Minister said that she will come again and take stock of the situation, `I have always said what I can follow. I am not someone who says superfluously and I will continue my visits to districts. There was a huge gap between the Writers` Building and these districts, I am sure my districts tours will enable me to bridge this difference`, added Ms. Mamata Banerjee.
