Raju Bista Leads Delegation to Meet West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari, Raises Key Issues of Hills, Terai and Dooars
Raju Bista Leads Delegation to Meet West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari, Raises Key Issues of Hills, Terai and Dooars
Darjeeling MP Raju Bista on Thursday led a delegation comprising elected MLAs from Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong, along with leaders of the alliance party, to meet West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
During the meeting, the delegation discussed several long-pending issues concerning the Darjeeling Hills, Terai and Dooars regions and sought the Chief Minister’s guidance for ensuring peace, development and protection of people’s rights in the region.
One of the major issues highlighted during the meeting was the condition and rights of tea garden and cinchona garden workers. According to Bista, the Deputy Chairman of the Tea Board of India is expected to visit Darjeeling next week to initiate discussions and necessary steps regarding the matter.
The delegation also raised concerns regarding the rights of people residing in forest villages and those living on DI Fund land. Alongside this, emphasis was laid on improving healthcare infrastructure, quality education, access to safe drinking water, and better road connectivity so that remote villages in the hills, Terai and Dooars are not left isolated.
Disaster preparedness and mitigation measures were also discussed, particularly in light of recurring landslides and floods affecting the region. It was informed that the Secretary of the Disaster Management Department has been directed to visit the region and hold detailed discussions on the issue.
The delegation further stressed the need for inclusive and accelerated development across the region while raising allegations of corruption in the GTA and several local bodies. Issues related to alleged irregularities in schemes such as Har Ghar Jal, AMRUT, Teacher Recruitment, TET, PMGSY and PMAY were also brought before the Chief Minister.
According to Bista, the Chief Minister assured the delegation that a Special Audit of the GTA and municipalities in the hills would be undertaken.
The Chief Minister also reportedly referred to the Interlocutor appointed by the Central Government for political dialogue and reiterated that peace, development and protection of people’s rights remain among the government’s priorities.
The meeting was attended by West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal, Principal Secretary of GTA, District Magistrates of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, along with other senior government officials.
Raju Bista expressed confidence that under the Chief Minister’s leadership and guidance, justice and development for the people of Darjeeling Hills, Terai and Dooars would be ensured.
