By Matters India reporter
Darjeeling: West Bengal Chief Minister Miss Mamata Banerjee on September 5 inaugurated the Darjeeling Hill University based at Jogighat in Mungpoo, around 30 km from Darjeeling.
“It is a great thing for the people here. A university was a long pending demand of the people of Darjeeling. They demanded the university from the central government but it did not happen, so the state government has come forward to fulfill their wish,” Banerjee said.
She also announced that an educational hub would soon come up in Kurseong and Kalimpong.
The chief minister was on a three-day trip to the North Bengal hills, but cut short her stay to rush back on the second day, September 5, to assess and help the victims of Behala Flyover disaster in Kolkata which claimed one life and wounded several others.
Banerjee opened the university prior to her air dash to Kolkata. She also addressed a gathering of academicians and hill leaders at The Mall (Chowrastha) Darjeeling at 11 am to celebrate Teacher’s Day.
On the previous day, the chief minister announced the formation of a special committee to explore the scope of development in the Darjeeling hills and stressed the importance to boost the tourism sector in the region, especially tying up housing schemes with home stay facility as an income generating scheme for locals.
“The committee, presided over by Darjeeling MLA Prof Amar Singh Rai, will submit a report to the state government within the next six months,” Banerjee announced.
State Chief Secretary Malay Kumar Dev has formed a special committee with Rai in charge. It will also have two other legislators representing Kalimpong and Kurseong, the chairman of Darjeeling municipality and district magistrates and superintendent of police of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts, Banerjee said.
“The committee will submit a report to the state government within the next six months regarding the scope and areas of development in the Darjeeling hills. It is important to maintain the present situation as well as take necessary steps to boost up the tourism industry here,” she said.
Banerjee also said Gorkha Janamukti Morcha leaders and current GTA chairman Binay Tamang and vice chairman Anit Thapa have been appointed as the chief advisors of the committee.
“In order to bring development to Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Mirik, we need to take up short term, mid-term and long term planning. The committee will look into that and take decisions accordingly,” she said after the meeting.