June 4, 2014
We have to be self-reliant and self-dependent: WB CM at Madarihat
West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. MamataBanerjee held a public meeting at Madarihat in Jalpaiguri at 1 pm. This was her first public meeting asChief Minister after the 2014 General Elections.
Hon`ble Chief Minister inaugurated aHealth Centre at Hashimara, the renovated Forest Waiting Station at Gorumara,the temporary campus of Birpara Banarhat Hindi College, the AdministrativeTraining Centre and Minority Women Hostel at Coochbehar Sadar, the Road Developmentproject from Toofanganj Block 1 to Coochbehar Block 2, a bridge over RiverGhargharia at Ramerkuthi in Maruganj and the rural water supply project atMathabhanga Block 2.
She laid the foundation stones of theMalbazar Rural Hat, Dr. B R Ambedkar Residential School, Hindi High School forthe backward community and the Kisan Mandis at seed centres in Birpara,Madarihat, Nagrakata and Dhupguri blocks.
The Chief Minister also handed over certificates and cheques for Kanyashreescheme, homes for economically backward people, fingerlings to fishermen, equipmentsfor Amar Fasal Amar Gola and Amar Fasal Amar Gari projects, powertillers, and cycles for girl students belonging to backward communities amongother things.
Excerpts from the Chief Minister`s speech:
I welcome all who are present here. I amgrateful to all of you for your love and support. You have reposed your faithon us in the Lok Sabha polls.
Bengal boasts of the Hills. Bengal alsopossesses jungles. We have rivers as well as sea beaches. Hindus and Muslimslive here in peace. We have people from various communities living here. We donot discriminate between our brothers and sisters in the Hills.
Terai-Dooars is blessed by Nature. This isa beautiful place. We are proud of North Bengal. I keep coming back to NorthBengal because I love Nature. We need to protect the environment. I salute yourculture and traditions. I love my brothers and sisters here.
The region has a lot of potential fortourism. We are laying stress on home tourism. But whenever we take anyinitiative, some sections with vested interests try to pull us back. We haveall the ingredients to become a top tourist destination. What we need in Bengalis will. Some people must shed their jealousy. We are trying our best toexpedite all the projects and finish development initiatives on time.
In the last three years the Central Governmenttook away major share of our revenue to pay off the debt incurred by the Left.Despite the severe paucity of funds, we are working hard for the people.
We had promised a branch Secretariat forNorth Bengal. We delivered on our promise. Uttarkanya is now functional. We aredeveloping the infrastructure in this area so that tourism is boosted. Theprocess of bifurcation of Jalpaiguri district is over from our side. We areawaiting judicial assent.
The work for setting up a Circuit Bench ofCalcutta HC at Jalpaiguri is going on in full swing. We are setting up new collegesin the region. Your children will now get higher education in North Bengal. We are setting up industrial estate in Falakata. A film city is coming upnear Siliguri.
Three multi super speciality hospitals arecoming up at Jalpaiguri, Falakata and Malbazar. We have set up fair pricemedicine shops where you can get medicines at 60-70% discounts. We have startedNija Griha Nija Bhoomi scheme. No one will be homeless in Bengal.
We have to be self-reliant andself-dependent. This is what our icons like Rabindranath and Swami Vivekanandahave preached. We will live with our heads held high. We will not bow downbefore anyone. We have sent 34 MPs from Bengal to the Parliament. They are thebest team. They will fight for the sake of the State.
We have already brought 8.5 lakh girlsunder Kanyashree scheme. 13 lakh girls have registered. Our target is to reach16 lakh. We will observe 14 August as Kanyashree Dibas. We will conduct registrationdrive across the State.
We have set up 8 universities in just 3years. In 35 years they set up only 1 new university. The Left Front Governmentset up only 3 new colleges in 35 years. We set up 31 new colleges in 3 years.We have set up an IAS training centre. People do not have to go to Delhianymore.
I have conducted the first district-leveladministrative review meeting in North Bengal after the General Elections. Iwill visit other places too. I will come back to North Bengal. I will deliverall the promises made to the people here. Stay safe. Stay healthy.
