'Centre delaying Jalpaiguri circuit bench inauguration'

Jalpaiguri: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused the Centre of inordinately delaying the inauguration of Calcutta High Court's Jalpaiguri circuit bench.

The Chief Minister also said that though the circuit bench was ready for formal inauguration, "politics" of the Central government was causing a major delay.

Addressing a large gathering at Kanchenjunga Stadium here at the inauguration of the Uttarbanga Utsav on Monday evening, she maintained that the state government has given land to set up the circuit bench and it is ready for functioning. "But the Centre is doing politics unnecessarily and is not giving clearance. We have given land and even the inauguration of the Bench has been finalised. But because of the Centre's delay, the Bench cannot start functioning," she said.

Without naming any political party she said a conspiracy was being hatched to create disturbance in Darjeeling. "But there is peace in Darjeeling now and there are smiles all around," she added.

"I keep coming to north Bengal once in every two to three months because I love the place and for all-round development, a close connection between south and north Bengal is a must."

Banerjee said there is a proposal to set up a Hindi university. An education hub is also coming up in Kurseong. "We have recognised Kantapuri and Rajbanshi languages along with Urdu, Punjabi and Santhali," she added.

Banerjee said since the 'Ma, Mati, Manush' government took over, all-round development has taken place in north Bengal. She also added that once the construction of the flyover is complete, it will take only 45 minutes to Bhorer Alo, formerly known as Gajoldoba, from Bagdogra Airport. Bhorer Alo is coming up as a major tourism hub in north Bengal.

The Chief Minister further stated that connectivity will increase once the construction of the airports at Malda, Balurghat and Cooch Behar is complete.

"There is traffic congestion in Siliguri and once the flyovers are ready, the jams will be a matter of the past," she said.

Banerjee felicitated 100 meritorious students of North Bengal and gave them Rs 10,000 each. She handed over Banga Ratna award worth Rs 1 lakh to eight eminent persons, one from each district in North Bengal. They are Soumitra Roy, vocalist from Malda, Parimal Rai, writer and educationist from Alipurduar and Sushanta Guha, journalist from Cooch Behar, Major (Retired) K P Malla, social worker from Darjeeling, Paritosh Pal, sculptor from North Dinajpur and Amit Sarkar, educationist from South Dinajpur, archeologist Sukumar Sarkar from Jalpaiguri, Swapna Barman, athlete who won gold at 2018 Asian Games and Ajit Barman, social activist were honoured with the award.