Development of Hill Areas a top priority for Bangla Govt

Developmental measures aimed at benefiting the people in the Hill areas and Dooars have culminated in significant socio-economic improvement of the people residing in these areas.
The overall impact of such activities has resulted in the building up of a peaceful and calm atmosphere in the region.

The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Act, 2011 was notified in 2012. Thirty-five departments of the State Government have notified the setting up of their offices under GTA.

Here are some of the achievements of the Hill Affairs Department:

A. Allocation of more than Rs 4,035 crore for the Hills

B. Creation of district of Kalimpong and subdivision of Mirik

C. Formation of 15 Development Boards for the indigenous communities of the Hills and disbursal of various developmental activities including preservation and promotion of their ancient culture and traditions

D. Development of road infrastructure in the Hill areas has been a priority:

Renovations of NH-55 between Tindharia and Paglajhora and NH-10 between Sevoke and Sikkim border which were badly damaged due to landslides taken up

Construction of AH-2 and AH-48 underway; they will improve connectivity of Bengal with Sikkim, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan

E. Considerable thrust given to Tourism sector of Hill areas:

Eight cottages constructed in Kalimpong within the premises of Morgan House Tourist Lodge

Two Cultural Tourism Centres being developed at Kalimpong-I and Sukhiapokhri blocks for focusing on Lepcha culture and heritage

One hundred-bedded Youth Hostel under construction in Kalimpong

Development of several new tourist destinations undertaken

Four executive-class buses for foreign tourists as well as four small vehicles for local sightseeing introduced

Eco-friendly tourist lodge being developed at Tiger Hill in Darjeeling

Siliguri Royal Tiger Safari started, which is first tiger safari in Bangla

F. Thrust given on education:

Model schools established in Sukna, Mongarjung and RKSP in Darjeeling district

Two degree colleges established in Pedong and Gorubathan

One ITI and one polytechnic college being built in Kalimpong; another ITI completed in Gorubathan

In Kurseong, Dow Hill is being developed as an Education Hub. The Himalayan Centre of Presidency University is also being established at the same place.

G. Due priority given to health sector in Hill areas:

One HDU set up In Kalimpong

Eight SNSUs set up in the district of Darjeeling

Two CCUs established in Siliguri and Darjeeling

Four fair price medicine shops established in Darjeeling, Siliguri, Kurseong and Naxalbari

Medical college being set up in Kurseong

Hundred-bedded ESI Hospital being established in Siliguri

Four health sub-centres are ready to be commissioned.

H. Government proposes to lay emphasis on:

Eco-tourism and village tourism

Setting up of new health centres

Agriculture and horticulture

Skill development schemes in the areas of hospitality

Security Services (unarmed)

Handloom and handicrafts

I. Himal-Terai-Dooars Sports Festival being held to encourage the youth of the region to participate in sports and games activities

J. Hill Area Development Committee constituted to supervise development works in the Hill areas of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts.

Today is National Library Day. Over the last seven years, the public library infrastructure in Bangla has undergone a sea-change.

The Directorate of Library Services of the State Government has been doing a lot to spread the light of knowledge to students across Bangla. Under the Trinamool Congress Government, the directorate has started several new services and programmes.

Significant achievements:

Public Library Day: Public Library Day in West Bengal for the year 2013-2014 observed in a befitting manner for the first time

Public awareness of Kanyashree: Public libraries raising awareness on iconic State Government projects like Kanyashree

Encouraging women: ‘Women’s Corners’ designated in many government and government-sponsored libraries to increase access to women readers including neo-literates, particularly in areas dominated by minorities and other marginalised segments of population

‘Read Your Own Book’ section: New initiative taken to open ‘Read Your Own Book’ section in State Central Library, where anybody with little or no space to read at home may come to the library with their own books

Improving infrastructure for backward castes: Emphasis being given on improvement of infrastructural facilities in the SC, ST, OBC and minority-concentrated areas, and the Hill Areas of Darjeeling district

Increase in funds for needy regions: Quantum leap in fund released for needy regions – Rs 3 crore for more than 125 public libraries in the Jangalmahal region, Rs 5 crore for more than 135 libraries in the Hill Areas of Darjeeling district, more than Rs 13 crore for libraries situated in the SC and ST-dominated areas

Study centres: Steps taken for opening of study centres in seven government public libraries for availing the study materials of Netaji Subhas Open University and of various competitive examinations; career guidance programmes held

Information centres: Information centres set up in several district, town and sub-divisional libraries

Plan to improve libraries: Long-term planning initiated to improve library services of the State; final report submitted to government recommending the short-term, mid-term and long-term measures that need to be taken up

Computer connection: More than 400 libraries given computers with internet connection for the benefit of the readers

Salary through account transfer on first day of month: Now salaries of all employees of all government-sponsored public libraries disbursed on the first day of every month directly in the individual employee’s name through public sector banks

Tag: Hill Areas

Development of Hill Areas a top priority for Bangla Govt

Here are some of the achievements of the Hill Affairs Department:

Massive improvement in public library infrastructure in Bangla