No development work, villagers blame govt

HT, 9 Sep 2016, Kolkata: The Kalimpong division of West Bengal Forest Development Corporation Limited (WBFDCL) has come under attack from the Himalayan Forest Villagers’ Organisation (HFVO) for failing to carry out development work in the villages adjoining the forests for which the Centre had sanctioned Rs 4.5 crore long time back.

The HFVO suspects that there has been some kind of a scam and has demanded that the chief minister initiate an inquiry. If that doesn’t happen, the villagers’ body will close down all the properties of the WBFDCL in Kalimpong subdivision from October.

Babit Gurung, the convener of HFVO’s Kalimpong sub-divisional committee, claimed on Thursday that despite receiving Rs 4.5 crore in 2008-2009 under the tribal subplan scheme of the Union tribal affairs ministry, the WBFDCL’s Kalimpong division has failed to carry out the requisite works. Though the rest of the state and the Darjeeling district has carried out the development work long back and spent the money they got, a large portion of the Rs 4.5 crore is lying unutilised in Kalimpong forest division.

“We gave numerous deputations to the officials concerned demanding that development work be carried out and even filled out applications to seek information through the RTI Act but did not get any response,” Gurung said. This led them to believe that there has been some kind of a scam and they are requesting the chief minister to initiate an inquiry.

“We will wait till the end of September for the development work to be started. Or else, we will shut down all the properties, including resorts and tourist lodges, of the WBFDCL in Kalimpong sub-division,” added Gurung.

Gurung also said, “Samir Gazmer, the divisional manager of WBFDCL, Kalimpong division, gives lame excuses every time we enquire about the status of the fund or ask why there has been a delay in implementing the development work in the forest villages.”

When contacted, Gazmer rubbished the allegations of a scam and said that the money is lying with the department and there is no question of its misuse or transfer of funds.