Adhikari promises development push for Hills, warns corrupt GTA officials of action

REZA PRADHAN

DARJEELING,: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, during his visit to Kurseong on Tuesday, warned that those involved in corruption in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) would face imprisonment.

On his maiden visit to the Hills after being sworn in as Chief Minister, Adhikari attended two programmes and spoke about various development initiatives planned under different government schemes.

Addressing a gathering at Monteviot Ground in Kurseong, the Chief Minister asked the crowd whether they wanted an inquiry into alleged corruption in the GTA and the arrest of those responsible.

When the crowd responded in agreement, he said, “This government will work for your benefit and interest. We will do what is good for you and will not spare anyone. I will neither take bribes nor allow anyone to take them, and those who have indulged in corruption will be sent to jail by the BJP.”

After arriving in Kurseong, Adhikari first attended a public meeting at Monteviot Ground and later an official programme of the Jan Kalyan Shivir (JKS) at Goethals Memorial School Ground.

The JKS, a single-window outreach programme showcasing 54 government schemes, began on Tuesday and will continue till June 17.

During the public meeting, the Chief Minister outlined several development plans for the Hills.

“The double-engine government will work for the development of the Hills, which have been a friend of the BJP since 2009. This government will work to fulfil your hopes and trust. It has not been many days since we formed the government, and planning is required first. We must identify immediate and long-term priorities and build a strategic roadmap, a process that has already begun,” he said.

While announcing various development initiatives, Adhikari urged people to take advantage of government welfare schemes. He highlighted the Annapurna Yojana and Ayushman Bharat schemes and announced the launch of the Viksit Bharat G-Ram-G project in panchayat areas from July 1, which, he said, would guarantee 125 days of paid work annually.

He also said that meritorious students would benefit from the Vivekananda Merit Scholarship Yojana.

According to the Chief Minister, projects worth around Rs 330 crore would be undertaken for workers of closed tea gardens under the Pradhan Mantri Cha Shramik Protsahan Yojana. He noted that 25 tea gardens in the Terai, Dooars and Hills remain closed, including 12 in the Hills.

“Employment opportunities for educated youth will be provided through Yuva Saathi, but the process will be transparent. The alleged teacher recruitment scam seen in the GTA will not be repeated by this government,” he said.

He added that around 1,000 people would be recruited into the EFR and police forces in the coming months, with 30 per cent reservation for women in government jobs.

“We want to gradually improve infrastructure in the Hills, particularly in health and education. While private institutions are available, people have to bear the cost. We want to strengthen government institutions through the PM-SHRI scheme, under which schools in the Hills will have smart classrooms,” Adhikari said.

He also spoke about implementing the Khelo India scheme in the Hills and developing sports infrastructure, including stadiums and playgrounds.

The Chief Minister further mentioned plans for a medical college in Kalimpong and the upgradation of the Kurseong hospital. He also announced that cases filed during past agitations by the previous state government would be withdrawn.

“The police under the rule of Mamata Banerjee committed atrocities against the people here. False cases were filed against Gorkhas, and the BJP government will withdraw them,” he claimed.

He further announced that one member from each family that lost a relative during past agitations would be provided employment, along with financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

During the Jan Kalyan Shivir programme held at Goethals Memorial School Ground, the Chief Minister distributed welfare benefits, including Ayushman Bharat cards and Annapurna Yojana certificates, to beneficiaries. Forest title deeds, certificates and cheques under various government schemes were also distributed.