Kurseong (WB), Jun 17 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday said his government has prepared a comprehensive roadmap for the development of the state’s northern region and assured people in the hills that the benefits of all Central schemes would reach them smoothly.
The CM also warned of action against corruption in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), a statutory autonomous administrative body constituted for the governance and development of the Darjeeling region, and announced that recruitment of teachers and police personnel in the hills would begin within the next few months.
Addressing a public welfare camp here during his first visit to the hills after assuming office as chief minister, he said, “We are committed to the development of the hills. A comprehensive roadmap for the development of North Bengal has already been prepared.” The state government is committed to ensuring transparency in appointments and would not tolerate irregularities, Adhikari said at the programme, in which he was accorded a grand welcome.
Referring to alleged irregularities in teacher recruitment through the GTA, he invoked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s slogan: “Na khaunga, na khane dunga” (I will neither indulge in corruption nor allow others to do so).
“All instances of corruption will be investigated. Nobody will be spared,” the chief minister said, reiterating his government’s commitment to probing alleged recruitment irregularities in the hill body.
Adhikari said large-scale recruitment in the police force and teaching positions would be undertaken soon.
“Within the next few months, there will be major recruitment in the police department. Teachers will also be recruited, and the entire process will be conducted transparently,” he said.
Launching a sharp attack on the previous Trinamool Congress government, Adhikari alleged that appointments were not carried out properly during its tenure.
“The former chief minister used to visit the hills only as a tourist. I have not come here as a tourist; I have come here to work,” he said.
Adhikari also assured the residents that all benefits of the double-engine government and Central welfare schemes would reach the people of the hills.
“Everything will be implemented gradually. The Centre and the state government will work together on this. You can remain assured,” Adhikari said.
The CM also asserted that transparency would be maintained in government appointments and recruitment. “There will be no corruption in recruitment anymore,” he told the gathering.
Speaking at the programme, he outlined a series of development initiatives for the Darjeeling hills, including the establishment of a medical college in Kalimpong, fresh police recruitment and expansion of sports infrastructure, during his first visit to Kurseong after assuming office.
“Recruitment to the police force would begin within a month, with 33 per cent of the posts reserved for women,” Adhikari said.
He also said work under the VB-G RAM G scheme would begin in panchayat areas from July 1, providing 125 days of employment.
The Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Grameen) Act, or VB-G RAM G, replaced the MGNREGA enacted by the UPA government in 2005.
The Bengal CM said his government was committed to inclusive development and would work to strengthen infrastructure, employment opportunities and public services across north Bengal.
Adhikari said that a Central scheme meant for the welfare of tea garden workers had not been implemented by the previous government.
“Although the Prime Minister launched the PM Tea Workers’ Scheme in 2021, it was not implemented because of corruption in the previous regime,” he claimed.
The chief minister said development projects worth Rs 334 crore for 25 closed tea gardens would be launched shortly.
He added that the chairman of the Tea Board had been entrusted with overseeing infrastructure development in tea garden areas.
“There was nothing except extortion and cut money during the previous government’s tenure. This government will not tolerate extortion or cut money. There has been corruption in the GTA. It will not happen under this government,” he said.
The meeting was attended by several ministers, including North Bengal Development Minister Nishith Pramanik, and MPs and MLAs from the region.
Leaders from several regional parties were also present, including Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president Bimal Gurung and general secretary Roshan Giri, GNLF president Mann Ghising, and BJP Darjeeling district president Sanjib Lama. PTI SCH NSD NN
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