Mamata Banerjee starts to prepare Development Roadmaps
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today assured leaders in the Hills that she would find a “permanent solution” for the region, which has seen several agitations over statehood demands, and urged them to prepare a roadmap, keeping local interests in mind, and submit it to the government, which would then carry out further work on it.
Mamata Banerjee promised to do whatever it takes to usher in development in the Hills.
Panchayat elections in the Hills were last held in 2000, on which she said that panchayat elections in the region and polls to Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA), would be held once the voters’ list are updated.
Mamata Banerjee said during an administrative meeting in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts, “You (the leaders in north Bengal) have seen so much of politics over the years. Now, let’s come and play the game of development politics. You give me an opportunity; I assure you that I will get a permanent solution for Darjeeling. I do not say anything for the sake of it. We have kept all the promises that we made”.
She also requested Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leader Anit Thapa, to submit the plan they prepare by the first week of December.She also said, “By keeping Darjeeling in Bengal, I am ready to help you all in every possible way so that your children get good jobs. There is much scope in this region. But after every 10 years, one movement washes away every development effort and people (tourists) stop coming here”.
She assured that her government would do its best to address the needs of locals.
