Hall seeks info on Hills situation

SNS, SILIGURI. 27 JULY 2017: US Consul General in Kolkata, Craig Hall, today met north Bengal development minister Rabindranath Ghosh at Uttarkanya, the government's north Bengal secretariat, here today.

According to administrative officials, the objective of the US official's visit was to enquire about the "present situation of the region."

Apart from usual information about development and infrastructure, Mr Hall was interested to know about the socio-political development and the ongoing unrest in the Hills and whether the Gorkhaland agitation had any Maoist connections.

Mr Hall also interacted with representatives of select media houses here yesterday.

According to a senior officer, the US Consul General interacted with officials of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).The visiting official explored business prospects in north Bengal and the Northeast region, and also the 'expansion area' of business.

Sources also said that Mr Hall was interested in the tea sector and asked the minister about the workers' unrest over the issue of low payment.

Minister Ghosh said that the US government wants to extend support in developing the existing infrastructure like roads, railways, airports and other sectors.

"We discussed many subjects," the minister said_ Asked to comment, Mr Hall said: "The USA always supports India's efforts.The US wants to develop the economy in this region and it has plans to develop the regional connectivity between the Northeast states and other areas."

"I gathered information today and I will convey it to the authorities concerned in my country. It is an ongoing process now," he added.