Sub-panels for growth plan in hills

VIVEK CHHETRI, TT, 29 Sep 2018, Darjeeling: The committee formed by the Bengal government to draw up short, mid and long term development plans for the hills on Friday held its first meeting in Darjeeling where a decision was taken to form sub-committees to address area-specific issues.

Amar Rai, the chairperson of the committee, said: "We discussed a broad vision that needs to work for the hills and it has been decided that committee must be inclusive and we need to seek feedback from technical experts and the public to come up with the document." The committee which has been constituted under the home and hill affairs department has to submit its report by February next year and consists of 45 members.

"It is a big committee and I have asked the Kalimpong and Kurseong MLAs to form separate sub-committees to look into area-specific issues. We also request the public to submit written suggestions to members of the committee," said Rai, who laid stress on a bottom-up approach to formalise the document.

The committee has decided on "not just focusing on solving existing problems" but looking at "how the hills need to be developed say 20 years down the line".

Issues like satellite township or urban spaces, where all government offices will be shifted, are ideas that the committee has started mulling. "Our document has to work on all issues, including tourism, infrastructure, culture, promotion of sports, issues of tea garden and forest etc," said Rai.

The committee also wants to compile a land bank before it starts work.

"Having knowledge of available land is important before we start planning," said Rai.