311 Hill residents receive Pattas from state govt

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, during her visit to Kalimpong, had announced on Tuesday that land documents will be given to the landless under the Nijo Bhumi Nijo Griho scheme of the state government.

Aroop Biswas, minister in-charge of Public Works, Youth Services and Sports department, handed over the land right documents at Hanuman Jhora on National Highway 10, around 30 km from Kalimpong.

"There are many leaders in the country who have only given speeches. There is only one leader in India who lives up to her commitment. She is Mamata Banerjee. She had committed to upgrade Kalimpong into a full-fledged district, peace and development in the Hills, a new university and an education hub. She has lived up to all her commitments," stated the minister.

He stated that Mamata Banerjee is ready to lay down her life, if required for the Hills.

"For peace and development in the Hills, our leader Mamata Banerjee is ready to take any step. Our job is to work together to bring her dreams to life," stated Biswas.

He stated that many political parties have come to the Hills, including many MPs, who had promised many things but can be seen nowhere now. "They had given hundreds of assurances but not a single one has been translated into reality. Our Chief Minister has already identified 4 stress areas, including drinking water, sewage, solid waste management and roads. She has directed the state government, municipalities, GTA and development boards to work together, to resolve all issues in these areas in the next two years. Let us all work together," Biswas said.

Though 311 beneficiaries were handed over the land documents, there were assurances to complete the handing over of the documents to all eligible persons in the Hills within the end of this year.

"CM Mamata Banerjee has asked me to convey this message. She has assured that handing over of land right documents to all eligible persons in Darjeeling and Kalimpong will be completed by the end of this year," stated GTA chief Binay Tamang.

Tamang asked the Hills to abstain from politicising everything and instead work for the benefit of the masses.

"There are many, who mislead people for their own vested interests. Everything should not be politicised. This is the main reason why the Hills are backward. Let us all rise above petty politics for the betterment of the Hills," said Tamang.

There was an air of jubilation as the long standing demand of the masses was transformed into reality.

"We had been living in a plot for generations but used to face severe problems as we did not have land documents. Mamata Banerjee has given us the best gift. We have our own address now," stated Babita Rai of Riyang Forest Village.