Rava tribe seeks board to protect culture...delegation meets DM of Jalpaiguri

TT, Jalpaiguri: Representatives of the Rava tribal community have demanded a development board for the socio-economic development of its members in north Bengal.

The Mamata Banerjee government had formed over 15 different development boards for different communities for their socio-economic development.

Around 35,000 Ravas reside in the districts of Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar.

In 2011, they had formed an advisory committee to work for the community.

"We are one of the backward tribes in north Bengal. It is necessary to have a separate development board for our community to conserve our cultural heritage, language and ethnic practices. We also want the state to announce separate reservations for the community in education and jobs," said Amal Rava, the secretary of the committee.

On Wednesday, a delegation of Ravas met Shilpa Gourisaria, the district magistrate of Jalpaiguri, and submitted a memorandum addressed to chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

"The chief minister has recognised the demand for development boards made by different communities in north Bengal, both in the hills and the plains. We hope she will also consider our case also," said Kshirod Chanda Rava, a member of the advisory committee.

"During the Left rule, we had demanded such a board but it was never met," he said.

The district magistrate said she had a detail discussion with the delegation.

"They have demanded a separate development board. We have forwarded their memorandum to the chief minister's office," said Gourisaria.