Gorkha development

The first meeting of the authority in progress in Alipurduar on Thursday. Picture by Anirban Choudhury

TT,Alipurduar: Members of the development authority formed for Gorkhas in the foothills held their first meeting at Dooars Kanya, the district collectorate here, on Thursday.

They decided to take up infrastructure development in the Gorkha-dominated areas of Siliguri subdivision and the Dooars and initiate steps to help youths and students of the community.

"We will carry out various community development works for the holistic development of the Gorkha community. On one hand, the board will coordinate with various state departments for introducing job-oriented training for the skill development of unemployed Gorkha youths. On the other hand, infrastructure like community halls, will be taken up," said Mohan Sharma, the chairman of the West Bengal Siliguri Terai Dooars Development Authority (Gorkha Community).

At the meeting, it has also been decided that some draft proposals will be prepared and placed at the next meeting of the authority in Nagrakata on September 15.

Sharma said the board would also extend help to the poor but meritorious Gorkha students so that they could pursue higher studies. Also, artists would be provided with musical instruments for conservation and promotion of the Gorkha culture and heritage, he said.

"We also have plans to raise buildings on important cities and towns, where accommodations would be provided at cheaper costs for the Gorkha people who need to visit these places on different errand," said Sharma.

The authority that has been constituted by the government to meet the demand of the Gorkhas in the foothills - particularly after the state formed as many as 15 development boards for the hill communities - has already been provided with a fund of Rs 5 crore.