TMC leaders to request Centre for extension of tax benefits, subsidies and tax holidays

SNS, Siliguri, 27 October 2013: The Trinamul Congress plans to request the Centre for an extension of tax benefits, subsidies and tax holidays to the Darjeeling Hills similar to what the Northeastern states get. 

The All India Trinamul Congress general secretary, Mr Mukul Roy, discussed the issue with the north Bengal development minister and the Darjeeling District Hill Trinamul Congress (DDHTC) at Sukna forest bungalow yesterday. 

The party wants the Centre to declare special package for the region as in the case of Sikkim and declare the Darjeeling Hills as tax free zone. 

Notably, the chairman of the Parliamentary committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, Mr Sitaram Yechury had recommended inclusion of Darjeeling and adjoining areas in Development of North Easterner Region (DoNER) ministry in February this year. 

“Trinamul Congress MPs, north Bengal development minister Gauatm Deb and DDHTC activists would visit Delhi to put pressure on the Centre demanding special package for the Hills like Sikkim,” said the DDHTC spokesperson, Mr Binny Sharma. “

“We would also demand that Hills should be given all tax benefits like seven Northeastern states. If it happens then the industries would be set here. The issue was discussed in presence of Mukul Roy," Mr Sharma further added. Mr Sharma said the party leadership would decide the date of the visit. 

Mr Deb had earlier said that the state government would place its demand that the Darjeeling Hills should be included in the Northeastern region for more funds through the Ministry of Development of the Northeastern Region (DoNER), before the Centre. 

Mr Sharma said that Mr Roy asked party men to work for the development of the Hills. "Mr Roy asked us to work more for the development of the Hills along with strengthening of the party's base in the Hills,” he said. 

“We would also organise party conferences in three Hill sub-divisions ~ Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong," Mr Sharma also added.