MUKESH SHARMA

Kalimpong, October 5

The team of the Standing Committee of Hills Affairs, Fire Services and Housing Department (HA, FS &HD) under the State Assembly, headed by its Chairman Shital Kumar Sardar today reached Kalimpong. After a few hours of rest at the Circuit House the team visited the only fire station of Kalimpong. The Kalimpong Fire Department officer Sukraj Subba highlighted the issues and grievances being faced by the fire station to the 3 member delegates who was also assisted by the Sub Divisional Officer LN Sherpa.

After the visit, talking to the reporters Chairman Sardar said that the Trinamool Government is very much concerned for the development of the Hills for which the Hill Affairs Department has been directly looked upon by the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. There are few fire stations in the three subdivisions of the Hills which accordingly is very less. After the demand of the 13 new fire stations by the Gorkhaland territorial Administration (GTA), it will now be put forward to the State Fire Minister Javed Khan for the approval he added. He also informed on establishing a Fire Station office between Darjeeling and the Jalpaiguri District in North Bengal, taking into consideration the distance of Kolkata and added that they hold talks soon with the concerned authority on the same. The Kalimpong Fire Station Department also placed their demands of the filling up of the 20 vacant posts and the necessary equipments for fire fighting.

Sardar also said that the condition of the Hills in the past 35 years was on a pathetic condition which is now being better after the coming of the Trinamool Government. The Housing will be brought to a right place and the revenue will be collected. He also announced of constructing of 1800 new houses to the BPL families who have been the victims of the natural calamities.