HM Correspondent
Kalimpong, Mar 7:

Kalimpong MLA and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) spokespersons Dr. Harka Bahadur Chettri Saturday outrightly objected the state budget that was tabled in the Assembly recently. Hurriedly calling a press conference here today Chettri argued that the budget that was presented showed government apathy towards the hill region as it had no mention of various developmental projects that was announced earlier.
Chettri relented that while the North Bengal development department was allotted Rs 450 crore, there the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) was only allotted Rs. 178 crore.
“I have raised the issue in the Assembly,” said Chettri. “The government apathy is clear and visible. Instead of mentioning GTA, the government has allotted funds mentioning hill affairs when at a time GTA is a body which came into existence after signing a pact. I have raised this issue as well and will do so in the future,” he added.
Chettri further blushed that despite the chief minister Mamata Bannerjee announcing a state university and a medical college in the hills, both however had nomention in the budget. “The works have not been started for both the announcements.
The government had also announced new colleges in Pedong and Gorubathan for which I thanked the Govrnment ,” he said.
The MLA has also pointed out on the use of Nepali language in the Public Service Commission examination for Nepali speaking candidates. “Nepali is a recognized language and the government must give opportunities to the Nepali speaking candidates to appear in Nepali,” he added.
Chettri informed that the government earned maximum revenue from the tourism sector this year but failed to deliver anything concrete for the queen of the hills which is a frontline tourism destination in Bengal. “If the government wants developmentof the hills, it has to fully concentrate in the overall development of the hills and its people,” he said