Raju Bista proposes ‘bottom up’ approach for development of Kalimpong

EOI, KALIMPONG, JUNE 29, 2023 : Addressing a panchayat election rally at Sinderbong Fatak in Kalimpong on Thursday, BJP M.P. of Darjeeling Raju Bista said BJP and its allies would ensure a “bottom-up approach” to the development of Kalimpong district; developing the villages, village infrastructure, roads, connectivity, schools, healthcare and economy. 

Gram Panchayat and Panchayat Samiti Candidates of the BJP and of its  alliance partners under the United Gorkha Alliance in the three gram panchayats of Sinderbong, Dungra and Bong were present in the meeting. A hub of agriculture, floriculture, horticulture, dairy, spices and even coffee, the Kalimpong region carried immense potential for becoming economically self-sufficient and prosperous, said Bista addressing the gathering.

However, faulty governance policies practiced by those in power, the lack of infrastructure development in the rural regions, and the lack of initiatives to revive the rural economy has kept Kalimpong behind. 

“We will create a corruption free, commission free, and 'ghotala free' system of governance, which will be transparent and accessible for all,” Bista said. 

“In the recent days, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Chairman Anit Thapa is claiming that the Centre has not even given a single nail for the development of our region. If that is the case, I want to ask him, who does he think is providing the funds for the projects for which he goes around cutting the ribbons? 

Does he not know that the funds for the construction of roads through Gramin Sadak Yojana, construction of homes through Gramin Aawas Yojana, provisioning of drinking water through 'Har Ghar Jal' Yojana, upgrading of Schools through Sarva Siksha Abhiyaan, upgrading of hospitals through the Rural Health Mission, almost every development scheme currently being run through the GTA is being funded by the Centre? 

The fact of the matter is that, it is the West Bengal government that has not spent even a single penny of its own fund for the development of Darjeeling region, Bista said.