DARJEELING, : The development boards of different communities in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) area will be reconstituted, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced Tuesday.
A monitoring cell, led by GTA chief Anit Thapa, will be established to oversee these boards.
The announcement was made by Mamata after a meeting with GTA executive members and board representatives at Richmond Hill. Currently, there are 16 development boards in the GTA area.
Addressing the press after the meeting, Mamata shared that suggestions have been sought from GTA chief executive Anit Thapa and the development boards to guide the reconstitution process. “We have asked for suggestions from the GTA chief executive and the development boards and accordingly we will reconstitute the boards in one to one and half months until which they will function as it is,” the Chief Minister stated. “A policy decision has also been made for the boards of forming a monitoring cell for things like audit and consultation. It will be headed by GTA chief executive Anit Thapa as chairman and Mirik Municipality chief L.B. Rai as vice chairman. The Darjeeling and Kalimpong DM will also be part of this cell," she added.
Mamata also shared plans to establish four skill centers in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Mirik and Kurseong. These centers aim to harness local youth talent, create employment opportunities and support local communities. The GTA will collaborate with the state Skill Development department to finalize these plans.
Additionally, the Chief Minister announced a State government initiative in partnership with private enterprises to build multi-functional facilities 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 Group to sell their products," said Banerjee, adding that they also discussed the issue of ‘parcha patta’ for tea garden workers.
GTA chief Anit Thapa shared that the meeting covered the development of a parking lot in Darjeeling, alternative roads and the issuance of land titles for tea gardens. He added that for the issue of transfer of departments, the GTA will form will form a committee.
“We proposed a parking facility for Darjeeling and the Chief Minister has assured us that she will consider it. Since 2017, we have been working with the State government to bring peace and development to the hills, and we will continue this partnership,” said Thapa. “The Chief Minister is committed to the people of the hills, and though they may not vote for her, she continues to work tirelessly for their well-being.”
The Tamang Development Board also saw a change in leadership. Thapa said Gopal Lama was appointed as the new chairman.
Earlier in the day, Mamata took a long walk through the upper parts of Darjeeling, engaging with locals and handing out chocolates to children. Starting from Richmond Hill around 11 am, she strolled from Robertson Road to Gandhi Road, returned to Clubside and continued up Nehru Road to Chowrasta. She stopped at Golden Tips for tea before heading back to Richmond Hill via Mall Road.
Mamata is scheduled to inaugurate SARAS Mela tomorrow at Chowrasta.