Khas devpelopment, cultural board formed

SNS, Kalimpong, 24 March 2017: Amidst fight between two groups to grab power of "The West Bengal Khas Development and Cultural Board" the notification of the formation of the board along with its board members is out. On one hand, 'The Khas Janjati Sangh' and on the other hand the Khas Bhartiya Hitkarti Sammellan' were in a fight for grabbing power in the board in which the Sammelan youth wing has the edge.

The notification bearing no 302 /NBD/7M-35/2016 Dated 23 March 2017 reached all executive and general body members yesterday. Rajen Bhetwal has been made the chair person of the board while Antay Sanyashi has been made the vice chairperson.

The notification reads "The Governor is pleased to constitute 'The West Bengal "Khas Development and Cultural Board' in the Districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong for the overall development of Khas community and with a view to protect the culture, language and traditional practices of the Khas community under the administrative control of the North Bengal Development Department vide notification no, 653/ NBD/7M-35/2016 dated 19th October, 2016 of the department.

The North Bengal Development department will make provision for the fund to the board from the budgetary allocation of the department itself. Rajen Bhetwal, chair-person of the West Bengal Khas Development and Cultural Board today thanked all who helped in the formation of the board. 

He said, "We will work for the upliftment of our Khas which has four sub castes Chhetri, Brahmins, Thakuri, Sanyasi." He informed representatives of many organizations have been included in the board members. "Due to some feud in our tribe the process took a while despite receiving the cheque of 5 crore in January" he said.