CM's dole for Hills... development boards for the Limbu and Khambu-Rai community

EOI, Darjeeling 22 Jan 2016: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said development boards for the Limbu and Khambu-Rai community would be formed soon and also laid the foundation for 10 new projects in a programme in Darjeeling. After announcing boards for the Lepcha, Sherpa, Tamang, Bhutia and Mangar communities last year, the chief minister had said no more boards would be formed. But today, the CM in a programme of the Sherpa Development Board and the Himal Terai Dooars Sports Festival at North Point School ground, she announced of considering forming more boards. “We will form boards for the Limbu and Khambu-Rai communities soon as they have requested. I have also received requests from some minority groups which will be considered later,” Banerjee said.

Apparently, the chief minister expressed satisfaction with the work being done by the Lepcha, Sherpa, Tamang and Bhutia boards. “The Lepcha board has done good work for its people. I want other communities develop to too. I have given funds for various works to be undertaken,” Banerjee said. The chief minister handed over a cheque of Rs5 crore to the Mangar Board and Rs3.75 crore and Rs1.15 crore respectively to the Tamang Board. The

Lepcha and Sherpa boards were handed Rs2.5 crore and Rs5 crore, respectively. “Till now I have provided Rs131 crores to the five development boards in the hills for various works like housing projects and keeping Darjeeling clean and green. They have worked properly and I hope they will do better,” she said. Banerjee today also inaugurated 25 home stays at Takdah, eight cottages at Morgan House Tourist Lodge and a Madrasa Education Community Hall in Kalimpong. She also laid the foundation stone for the construction of a library cum reading room at five places at Mirik Block, 11 home stays project at Tinchuley, construction of an OPD building at Sukhaypokhri block, drinking water supply project at Mirik block, ManeyBhanjyang and Sandakhpu and repair work of Mela ground in Kalimpong.

“Of the sporting activities that was there held in the Himal Terrai Dooars Sports Festival including tae-kwondo, marathon, football and archery, about 412 clubs had participated and each club will receive Rs25,000 and Rs1,500 to each individual participant along with a jersey. I had promised last year that I would try and help the Sherpa community and today I gave 10 of them Rs1 lakh each,” Banerjee announced. This apart, the chief minister also announced Rs2.5 crore for the Lepcha Youth Hostel that will come up in Kalimpong, Rs1 crore each to Victoria and Dowhill School at Kurseong, Rs30 crore for the 100 days work and Rs11 crore for the Solid Waste management programme among the vast development initiatives taken up by the state government in the hills.