CM announces Rs 354 crore for disaster management in Hills

PRASHANT ACHARYA

SILIGURI,: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday announced a major financial package of Rs 354 crore for disaster management and related works in the Darjeeling and Kalimpong hills, directing the Disaster Management Department to release the sanctioned amount to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).

Adhikari was scheduled to travel to Kalimpong by helicopter, but poor weather and low visibility prevented the aircraft from landing in the hills. After circling over the area for some time, the helicopter returned to Siliguri.

The Chief Minister subsequently addressed the people of Kalimpong virtually from Uttarkanya in Siliguri and participated in an interactive session. His administrative meeting at Uttarkanya continued as scheduled.

Rs 354 crore sanctioned for disaster management

During the virtual programme, Adhikari directed Disaster Management Principal Secretary Rajesh Sinha to take necessary steps for releasing the Rs 354 crore to the GTA.

The fund will be utilised for disaster management, preparedness and related infrastructure works in the hills, particularly amid recurring landslides, flash floods and other weather-related incidents.

Urging residents of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Mirik and Kurseong to remain alert, Adhikari said the administration would strengthen its disaster-response mechanism in view of the situation in neighbouring Nepal and the possibility of further natural disasters.

Referring to the devastating Teesta flood experience, he said all necessary agencies, including NDRF, SDRF, the Army and Arjun Bahini, would be kept prepared for emergency response.

‘No one involved in GTA corruption will be spared’

A major part of the Chief Minister's address focused on allegations of corruption and irregularities in the GTA.

Adhikari warned that those found involved in corruption would not be spared, saying that an inspection into alleged irregularities in the GTA had already begun.

A committee headed by Justice Biswajit Basu has been constituted to examine the allegations, while IPS officer K. Jayaraman is also associated with the process.

The Chief Minister further said allegations concerning the Lepcha Development Board and Tamang Development Board would also be examined and appropriate action would be taken against anyone found guilty.

GTA to function under administrator

The Chief Minister said development activities in the hills would continue under newly appointed GTA Administrator Smrutiranjan Mohanty, following the resignation of several elected GTA members.

Mohanty, he said, would consult elected public representatives before undertaking development projects in Darjeeling and Kalimpong. Those GTA members who have not resigned would also be consulted on development-related matters.

Kalimpong medical college and hospital announced

In another major announcement, Adhikari said a medical college and hospital would be established in Kalimpong.

The Chief Minister said he would visit Kalimpong on October 6, when the foundation stone for the proposed medical college and hospital would be laid.

He added that the GTA's allocation had been increased to almost double its previous level, reflecting the government's focus on development in the hills.

Rs 1.5 lakh assistance for 73 landslide-hit families

Adhikari also announced Rs 1.5 lakh financial assistance each for 73 families who were rendered homeless in the October 4, 2025 landslide.

The assistance has been sanctioned to help the affected families rebuild their homes.

Gorkhaland agitation families to get assistance and jobs

Addressing long-pending issues connected with the Gorkhaland movement, Adhikari said the State Cabinet would take a decision to provide government jobs and financial assistance to families of people who died during the Gorkhaland agitation.

He also said cases registered against such people would be withdrawn.

On the demand for a permanent political solution for the hills, Adhikari referred to the recent meeting held by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Siliguri and said the issue would be resolved.

Annapurna Yojana instalment on September 17

The Chief Minister announced that another instalment under the Annapurna Yojana would be deposited on September 17, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday.

He said newly eligible beneficiaries from Kalimpong would also be included and asked MP Raju Bista and MLA Bharat Chettri to ensure that no eligible person was left out. He also highlighted old-age pensions, health insurance and the PM Surya Ghar scheme, directing officials and public representatives to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive the benefits.

Adhikari said education and employment would remain key priorities for the people of the hills.

He also indicated that recruitment would be undertaken with 30 per cent reservation for women, particularly in the Eastern Frontier Rifles.

More North Bengal visits planned

The Chief Minister said he would continue visiting North Bengal during August, September and October, with possible visits to Cooch Behar and Jaldapara. He is also scheduled to attend a programme connected with the release of a tigress at Buxa Tiger Reserve on October 2, before travelling to Darjeeling and Kalimpong.

Despite being unable to physically reach Kalimpong on Tuesday due to adverse weather, Adhikari used the virtual platform to make a series of significant announcements covering disaster management, hill development, GTA administration, corruption allegations, healthcare, employment and welfare schemes.