Mamata inaugurates second gate at India-Bhutan border

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the second gate at the Indo- Bhutan border, on Thursday afternoon and announced setting up of an industrial hub at Birpara and Hansimara.

Banerjee said during her visit to Bhutan in 2015, the government requested her to construct a second gate. "This will help strengthen Indo-Bhutan relations and I am proud that Bengal is playing a part in this," she said.

She laid the foundation stone of a state- of -the art bus terminus at an at estimated cost of Rs 7 crore. Jaigaon situated at the Indo-Bhutan border has tremendous business potential. It has a population of 86,000. The state Urban Development department has chalked out an elaborate scheme to develop Jaigaon. A mini township is coming up on a 50-60- acre strip of land in Gopimohun tea estate. The state government got possession of the tea estate after a legal battle. The Public Health Engineering department has chalked out a scheme to provide pure drinking water sourced from the Torsha river. The state government also proposes to set up an economic corridor along the international road connecting India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.

Thousands of workers visit Phuntsholing and its neighbourhood via Jaigaon every day. Once planned development takes place, the entire area will be abuzz with economic activity.

Banerjee said 130- acre land had been identified in Birpara and Hansimara to set up an industrial hub. She requested industry honchos to attend the Siliguri business summit in May where all chambers of commerce had agreed to join to discuss ways and means to promote industrial growth in North Bengal. "None of my predecessors had visited north Bengal so frequently. I love the people and constantly think what steps should be taken to develop the area. Have faith in us and see how improvement takes place," she said.

Chief Minister announced the formation of an SC/ST development board. he reiterated that despite severe financial constraints sustained development had taken place in the state. "We have to pay Rs 40,000 crore to the Centre to clear the loan burden of CPIM government. Despite that we carry out development work. We bring all senior officials including the chief secretary to make plans for the comprehensive development of the area.

She said various schemes taken up by the state government had helped all sections of society. Sikshashree and Kanyashree helped students greatly. "I want our boys and girls to leave a mark in foreign countries. We give them scholarships and every kind of assistance.

The chief minister said under the Sabuj sathi project 35 lakh bicycles were distributed between 2011-16.

Another 35 lakh bicycles would be distributed. "The CPIM had said we would not be able to distribute the cycles. We have proved them wrong. The school children are getting school bags, shoes and even cycles for free and the scholarships will help them make a mark in life."