Dooars Development Authority still remains ambiguous

Pradip Lama, EOI, Kalchini, 19 Oct 2013: Even though the Trinamool Congress-led state government announced several months ago the formation of a Dooars Development Authority for the development of the area, such a body coming into being still remains to be seen. It had also been announced that Kalchini MLA Wilson Champramari, who broke away from the GJM and joined the TMC, would head the Dooars Development Authority. But with the passage of time, residents here are keen to know about the progress of the proposed board.

Reports some time ago said the office of the DDA would be temporarily set up in Malbazar, but now there are talks about the office coming up in Alipurduar. Meanwhile, political observers point out there are Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis and Zilla Parishads to look after development works and the proposed DDA is ambiguous as its policies and targets are still not clear.

Notably, the erstwhile Left Front government had set up the Jaigaon Development Board but it has remained functionless. Dooars residents fear the DDA will also suffer a similar fate, while rival parties allege the announcement of a DDA is the TMC’s policy to increase its support in the region. 

On being asked about the constituents of the DDA, Champramari said he is not aware of the details, adding NBDD minister Gautam Deb would be able to furnish detailed information. The state government has announced a Rs50-crore annual package to the DDA, but it appears the chairman of the board is himself unaware of fund allotments and other related details.