Mamata opens 43 projects worth Rs 108.73 cr, including 438 houses under Cha Sundari

MP, 24 Jan 2025, Alipurduar: Around 30,000 beneficiaries received benefits from a government welfare scheme distribution programme, attended by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday. 

During the event, Chief Minister Banerjee inaugurated 43 projects worth Rs 108.73 crore, including 438 houses under the Cha Sundari project in Dheklapara, Mujnai, and Lankapara tea gardens, administrative buildings for the Alipurduar Zilla Parishad and multiple health centres. 

She also laid the foundation stone for 12 projects worth Rs 17.8 crore. On the occasion of the 128th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee participated in the government service distribution ceremony at the Subhashini Tea Garden ground in Kalchini. 

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister criticised the Central government for its alleged neglect of North Bengal, particularly regarding the reopening of closed tea gardens. “We have reopened 59 tea gardens in North Bengal, including 25 in Jalpaiguri, 15 in Alipurduar, and 17 in Darjeeling. 

The Centre has not reopened a single tea garden,” she stated. She also announced a new initiative to provide land titles to tea garden workers, along with financial assistance of Rs 1.2 lakh for building homes instead of Cha Sundari. 

Under the Banglar Bari project, Banerjee emphasised that 12 lakh beneficiaries have received the first instalment for house construction, with the remaining funds to be disbursed by December. 

An additional 16 lakh beneficiaries will receive funds starting December, with the second instalment scheduled for June next year. “No one will be left out. Even if the central government does not provide funds, we will ensure financial support for house construction,” she affirmed. 

The Chief Minister also addressed concerns raised by women from Jaigaon regarding eviction notices. She instructed officials to explore alternative solutions, stating: “Our government is not in favour of forced evictions.” 

Highlighting ongoing development in North Bengal, Banerjee mentioned the Rs. 1.64 lakh crore has already been invested by the state government in the region. Under the Jal Swapna project, drinking water connections have been provided to 2.07 lakh households, with work underway to cover 3.65 lakh homes at an estimated cost of Rs 468 crore. 

She assured that the government would review the Green Tribunal’s restrictions on homestays in Buxa Tiger Reserve. The Chief Minister had arrived at the venue at 11:30 am on Thursday and engaged with the audience before the official proceedings began. 

She visited a handicraft stall managed by a self-help group, interacted with tribal dance artists, and spoke to student beneficiaries of government schemes like Kanyashree, Sabujsathi, and Medhashree. Responding to the enthusiasm of the students, she climbed a barricade to shake hands with them. 

The program commenced at 12:15 pm with the blowing of conches to mark Netaji’s birth anniversary, followed by the garlanding of his portrait. The Chief Minister concluded the programme at 1:47 pm departing for Kolkata via helicopter from a temporary helipad near the venue. 

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