Development boards in Darjeeling to be monitored by GTA

EOI, DARJEELING, NOVEMBER 12, 2024 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday announced the reconstitution of the development boards, which would henceforth be monitored by the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration. Following the statehood agitation in 2013, Mamata Banerjee had taken up a number of initiatives to pacify the hill people. A notable initiative was the formation of development boards for various ethnic communities.

After a meeting with members of the GTA and the development boards at Richmond Hill, the Chief Minister said it would take around one and a half months to reconstitute the development boards. "I have asked for suggestions from the GTA Chief Executive and the Chairmen of the development boards. Accordingly, we will reconstitute the Boards in one to one and a half months’ time. Until then they will function as it is," the Chief Minister said.

She also mentioned that a policy decision had been taken to create a cell to monitor the functioning of the boards and also their audit. The cell would be headed by the GTA Chairman, an elected representative of the people. The District Magistrates of Darjeeling and Kalimpong would also be included in the cell. At present, there are 16 development boards.

The Chief Minister said she has asked the hill council body to form four skill development centres in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Mirik, and Kurseong. "The youths here are talented and educated. We want to generate employment opportunities for them. I have asked the GTA to form these skill centres. They will chalk it out with the state Skill Development Department Principal Secretary," she said.

The Chief Minister also announced the decision of the State Government to work with private partnerships to construct a community building in every district. "This building will have a community centre, picture hall, parking centre, and the top floor to house an area for Self-Help Groups to sell their products," Mamata Banerjee said. She also added that the issue of parcha patta for tea garden workers had been discussed.

GTA Chairman Anit Thapa said that they discussed issues like car parking, alternative roads, and pending pattas of tea gardens. He also said that for the issue of the transfer of departments, a committee would be formed and its recommendations would be sent to the State Government.

Addressing newspersons, Thapa said: "We have given a proposal for a parking lot for Darjeeling. She has agreed to consider the proposal. The Chief Minister gives a lot to the people of the hills, which people will understand slowly. We have been working for peace and development in the hills with the State Government from the year 2017 and will continue to do so. She loves the people of the hills, even though the people do not vote for her. If people were to vote for her, imagine what she can do for the people here."

Thapa said Gopal Lama had been announced as the Tamang Development Board Chairman. Before the meeting, the West Bengal Chief Minister was seen taking a long walk in the upper parts of the town on Tuesday, interacting with people along the way in the morning. The Chief Minister will inaugurate the SARAS Mela on Wednesday from Chowrasta.