Bista hits back at Didi Hill meeting

SNS, DARJEELING, 26 OCTOBER 21:  Darjeeling's MP MP Raju Bista today criticized Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over what he called was lack of seriousness on the part of the West Bengal government in addressing issues concerning the Darjeeling hills, Terai the Dooars, and the rest of North Bengal.

"Honble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ji underplayed the extent of damage and devastation facing our legion. She claimed that "there has been some rain and some damages, but it didn't rain as much in North Bengal as in South Bengal," implying that the problems faced by the people in North Bengal are of lesser extent than the problems faced by the people in South Bengal," Mr Bista said in a note.

"I did a quick search and found that between 14th Sept to 20th Oct, Darjeeling Kalimpong region received 1198 mm rain, whereas the districts of Kolkata got 235 mm, and Howrah 361, the figures are similar for the rest of South Bengal, so I am not certain how or why she claimed the extent of problems faced by the people in North are of lesser extent," Mr Bista added.

According to Mr Bista, Miss Banerjee gave a "long lecture" on the need for keeping Darjeeling green and ecofriendly, but that when someone raised the issue of short - age of drinking water in the region, her suggestion was "set up drinking water plants."

"She even said, "heck, set up 10 drinking water plants." I am not sure if the Honble Chief Minister realizes this, but plastic bottles are one of the main sources of pollution facing our region, and no, setting up bottled water plant is not a solution to the acute drinking water problems facing our region. Instead, she should be inquiring into the status of Rs 204 crores sent by the Central Government for the hills, for the setting up of drinking water pipelines under the AMRUT Mission, and ensuring proper utilisation of that fund," Mr Bista said.

"She told some eager for development individual to 'acquire land from the tea gardens for setting up industries, I have even developed policy to support that.' But then a few moments later straight out denied Parja Patta rights for tea garden workers by saying, "pura land patta de dega toh hum business kaise ka rega udhar? If I give away the land patta, how will we conduct business there?" he added.

According to him, while Miss Banerjee further claimed that she was willing to grant a 'Permanent Political Solution within Bengal,' but that she also said that she will conduct elections to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration as soon as the Voters' List was updated.

"I am sure, everyone present in that room has been left confused, as her cluelessness and lack of sincerity towards our region was apparent for all to see," Mr Bista said.

He added that all Miss Banerjee's answers hinted towards lack of democracy in the region and that lack of Panchayat, lack of recruitment into vacant posts etc were dismissed with "we will look into it after GTA elections."