CM Suvendu Adhikari could not visit Kalimpong on Tuesday after bad weather prevented his helicopter from landing at the helipad there, forcing it to return to Siliguri
Siliguri : In the wake of the recent tragedy in neighbouring Nepal and a series of landslides in the region, CM Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday announced a Rs 254-crore package for disaster management and monsoon preparedness in Darjeeling and Kalimpong, while asserting that development work in the Hills must continue until a permanent political solution (PPS) was reached. Adhikari announced assistance for 73 families affected by Teesta floods, saying each family would receive Rs 3 lakh for house construction. He said he would visit Darjeeling on Oct 6 for a meeting with Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and visit Kalimpong on his way back. The CM said he would visit north Bengal, including Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri, on Rhino Day, Sept 22. State govt will construct 8,325 new houses in Kalimpong under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, covering landless people as well as those who have land but do not have a house, the CM said. On the tea sector, Adhikari expressed concern over the condition of closed and sick tea gardens in the Hills and Terai and said Pradhan Mantri Tea Shramik Yojana 2021 would be introduced on the Assam model. Adhikari said 2.18 lakh residents of Kalimpong would receive Ayushman Bharat health cards, adding that govt will also recruit 1,000 police personnel in the Hills, including 300 posts reserved for women. The CM directed the district magistrate to accept Form 6 applications from those affected and resolve the matter within three months. The meeting also featured a virtual felicitation of Padma Shri awardees, eminent educationists and freedom fighters from Kalimpong. (With inputs from Nisha Chettri in Kalimpong) Govt announces 20% Puja bonus for tea workers Pinak Priya Bhattacharya State govt has announced a 20% Puja bonus for tea workers across the tea belts of Bengal, including Dooars, Terai and Darjeeling Hills. There are 303 tea gardens in Bengal, which have a combined workforce of around 3,00,000 people. TMC govt had similarly announced a 20% Puja bonus last year, though many gardens are yet to clear that money to their workers.
Adhikari could not be physically present in Kalimpong on Tuesday due to bad weather and had to make a U-turn to Siliguri. The CM also announced setting up of a new medical college in Kalimpong. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolkata | Silver Rate in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Petrol Price in Kolkata | Diesel Price in Kolkata | CNG Price in Kolkata | LPG Price in Kolkata Stay updated with the latest Kolkata news.
Addressing a virtual conference from north Bengal branch secretariat at Uttarkanya in Siliguri, Adhikari said the recent disasters underscored the need for greater preparedness and precaution, particularly in the hill districts and Teesta basin. “I will visit Kalimpong and lay its foundation stone,” he said. “I am sanctioning Rs 254 crore to Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) for disaster management to tackle flood and landslide situations in the Hills, including the recent landslide in Mirik,” he said. The CM said now that GTA was placed under administrative control with GTA principal secretary Smritiranjan Mohanty as administrator, development in Darjeeling should continue while efforts towards a PPS were pursued. “The state has earmarked Rs 320 crore for tea garden infrastructure,” he added.
As part of the package, specialised rescue teams, including Arjun Bahini, will be deployed in Teesta basin. “Union home minister Amit Shah had come and held discussions with stakeholders concerning Darjeeling Hills. GTA should work for people in the Hills,” he added. Darjeeling MP Raju Bista raised the issue of people whose names have been excluded from the electoral rolls during SIR. Download the TOI App.