Darjeeling News: Smiles & promises mask hills tension

DARJEELING: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced a host of promises and projects for Darjeeling but stuck to her stand that there would not be any divison of Bengal.

In spite of the smiles and the apparent bonhomie between Mamata and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, Bimal Gurung refused the chief minister's repeated requests to take the mike. He sat stonefaced as Mamata asked her to speak. The Morcha chief had publicly announced that he would not say a word until March 27, when his deadline for the tripartite agreement for Gorkhaland Territorial Administration expires.

Kalimpong MLA Harka Bahadur Chhetri took the mike on Gurung's request and heaped praise on Mamata but made it clear that the GJM would relaunch the agitation if the GTA agreement wasn't implemented. The CM, who was delayed by an hour due to inclement weather, got off to a hurried start and announced several packages for the Hills, Terai and Dooars. "We will work together with the GTA for the development of the Hills which has been neglected for more then 34 years," the CM said. "We have drawn up plans to make this region into Switzerland."

"I congratulate Gurungji and his party for keeping the commitment to work together to form the GTA. Come what may, I will ensure that GTA is functional at the earliest ," she said, adding that she had taken up the matter with the Prime Minister. Chhetri reminded the CM that promises were not enough. He raked up old issues like the waiver of electricity and telephone dues, reopening of NH-55 (closed for 18 months) and establishing two colleges in Kalimpong . "It is after 64 years that we have a Bengal chief minister and not a Bengali chief minister. We are her fans and that is the reason why we are taking the liberty to place our grievances and demands ," Chhetri said. Earlier in the day, Mamata inaugurated the Deshbandu Chitarranjan Das museum and a tea boutique and museum in Darjeeling. She also distributed pand pattas. There would be four more passenger ropeways in Kurseong , Kalimpong, Mirik and Darjeeling. The Hills Banerjee would get a special package under the Rs100 crore North Bengal Development scheme, she said. "A master plan is being chalked out to convert the Hills with the adjoining Terai and Dooars regions into Switzerland . Darjeeling is our 'gaurav' . W e will ensure there is development here," said the CM. The government has plans for a Rs 304-crore water supply system in Kalimpong and Rs 155 crore has already been sanctioned for Darjeeling to bring potable water from Balason River, Mamata said. She announced allocation of Rs 14.98 crore worth of stipends for 7,965 SC and ST students and Rs.4.45 crore assistance to 4,952 elderly people. The CM also said that Sandakphu, a popular trekking destination, would be developed.

TOI