Residents' suggestion sought for hill revamp ..... Darjeeling survey

Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling : The committee formed by the Bengal government to draw up development plans for the Darjeeling hills has decided seek suggestions from the public instead of solely relying on experts.

For the hills, which have always been used to getting directions from the political leadership on all aspects, the participatory approach seems refreshing.The committee, headed by Darjeeling MLA Amar Singh Rai, has asked hill residents to submit their ideas,with a rough project estimate,within December 31. 

The proposals can also be mailed to avilion2003@yahoo.com and saranmuskan@gmail.com .

“We want to adopt a participatory, decentralised and inclusive approach based on a development paradigm from bottoms up rather than top-down, ” Rai said.

The panel, which was formed on the initiative of chief minister Mamata Banerjee,has to submit its report by March next year. 

The initiative is a first-of-its kind move in the Darjeeling hills as no concrete efforts had been made earlier to come up with a holistic plan for the area's development.

“Till date there has been no effort to come up with a vision document. The initiative taken by chief minister Mamata Banerjee is most welcome for the hills. A lot of planning is needed, ” said a retired state government official.

The initiative could also have an impact on the political discourse in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as it would encourage those who have been alienated to get involved in the development of the hills.

However, mass participation in an initiative that has technical aspects could pose its own problem, experts warned.

"The committee has to do a fine balancing act. For example, one group might stress on the need to have hawkers in the Mall area while another might want them removed altogether. Incorporating all suggestions and making all happy is easier said than done," said a source.

"Once we get the feedback -- we are also seeking suggestions from people who are from Darjeeling but not currently based here -- we will hire technical experts and draw up the final plan," said Rai.

Members of the panel in- clude the three MLAs of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong apart from the chairpersons of all the 16 development boards, the district magistrates and superintendent of police of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts.

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leaders Binay Tamang and Anit Thapa, the chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, respectively, and S.K. Thade, the principal secretary in the backward classes welfare department, have been given advisory roles.


Outlining the broad idea that the committee wants to work on, Rai said: "As in the whole of the Northeast, the issues of development here needs to be linked to the problems of social, political, economic and culturing engineering of our diverse society." Apart from improving basic infrastructure and promotion of new avenues of tourism, the committee wants to aid skill development and encourage local products and sports.