Mukesh Sharma

Kalimpong,6th Aug

Parvatiya Apang Kalyan Sangathan (PAKS) has raised the demand for separate development board for the differently-abled people of Darjeeling hills.A meeting was held at the office of the Sangathan here today wherein the decision was made to prepare a framework for demanding development board in the interest of the differently-abled.

Speaking to the media after the meeting concluded, president of the PAKS, Mr Chotelal Prasad said that the sangathan will meet the Block Development Officer (BDO), Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) and concerned authorities from 17-25 August.

Mr Prasad informed that the PAKS had already submitted a memorandum to chief minister Mamata Banerjee through Jana Andolan Party (JAP) president Harka Bahadur Chhetri.The sangathan will again submit the memorandum to concerned government officials on 17 August.

Mr Prasad informed that PAKS,which was formed in 1996 with 130 members hailing from all part of the hills now,has a strength of more than eight thousand member.

“Our aim and mission is to put our best endeavor for the overall upliftment of the differently-abled in the region.

“We made many attempts to the erstwhile government and political parties for assistance but our efforts were in vain.Many of us are street dwellers, beggars and homeless who are unable to do physical work,” he added, saying they have no source of income, so are totally dependent on the mercy of others.