Lets forget past and work together for development, says Mamata in Darjeeling
Kalimpong, May 29: Citing the unprecedented violence, agitation and a prolonged shutdown in the northern West Bengal hills last year over the demands for separate state of Gorkhaland, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday urged locals to forget the past and "work together like a family" for the betterment of the people.
Claiming that the 104-day long complete shutdown in the hills of Darjeeling from mid-June to September last year had critically impacted the development and economy of the region, she said the state government and the local administrative boards like Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) have to work hand in hand to recover the lost ground.
"Whatever has happened, has happened. I want to forget that. I want that if there was any mistake from my part, we can work towards rectifying that mistake. It is important to work for the betterment of people with an honest heart to bring about the 'Acche Din' (better days)," Banerjee said at a public meeting in Darjeeling district's hill town Kalimpong.
"I want the hills to make progress. If some leaders call strike for six to eight months in the hills, the people here suffer immensely. Unemployment goes up and the developmental projects of the government come to a halt...Whichever board does better work, I will help them more. I will help the GTA too. Let's stay together like a family and work together for the betterment of hills," she said.
Congratulating the Darjeeling hills for the tourist inflow this year, the Chief Minister encouraged more numbers of tourist sectors, home stays and industries in the region. She also pointed out that special stress should be given on agriculture, horticulture and food processing.
However, the Trinamool Congress supremo asked the local developmental boards to spend the government aid properly and maintain a clean financial record.
"We gave Rs 3,804.17 crore to the previous GTA board. After the new board was formed, we have handed them Rs 705.58 crore for doing the work. Total Rs 4,509.75 crore has been given. We want the GTA and all the other boards to properly utilise the money and keep their financial records clean," Banerjee said.
She also said the state government wants to build an educational hub in Darjeeling and the process of building a state university in Mongpu under Kurseong sub-division has started.
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Chikkamagaluru: A man allegedly impersonating an IAS officer managed to gain the confidence of officials and staff at the district hospital in Chikkamagaluru, attending meetings and public events before his identity came under suspicion.
According to a report by Deccan Herald, the accused, identified as Mithun, introduced himself as the Commissioner of the National Health Mission (NHM) and district in-charge for Chikkamagaluru. He also claimed to be a native of Chikkaballekere village in Kadur taluk.
Believing his claims, District Surgeon Dr Chandrashekar reportedly introduced Mithun to other officials. Photographs of Mithun attending meetings at the district hospital and being felicitated by religious leaders at a Basava Tatva Peetha programme have since circulated widely on social media.
Dr Chandrashekar said he had trusted Mithun based on his conduct and presentation. He said he initially believed that Mithun was an IAS officer from a rural background who had cleared the examination through hard work, and only later realised that he was allegedly an impostor.
The incident has also triggered allegations from the Lisa Foundation, which has sought action against Dr Chandrashekar. The organisation claimed that Mithun was introduced to medical shop owners through him and alleged that Mithun had promised a ₹1.80 crore contract for supplying medicines to Primary Health Centres in the district. The foundation has demanded suspension of the District Surgeon and a detailed inquiry.
Chikkamagaluru Medical College Dean Dr Ravi said Mithun was not known to him and had not conducted any official meetings. He said he had seen Mithun once in the District Surgeon’s room and was told that he was a probationary IAS officer, but had doubts about his identity.
Following the incident, BJP workers staged a protest in the city, accusing the administration of negligence and demanding action against the District Surgeon for introducing the alleged fake officer.
Meanwhile, a case has been registered at the Amruthahalli Police Station in Bengaluru based on a complaint filed by medical shop owner S G Satish. The complaint states that Mithun was introduced through Dr Chandrashekar and that ₹36 lakh was allegedly paid as a bribe in his presence, along with an additional ₹5 lakh transferred to Mithun’s bank account.
Dr Chandrashekar said he has appeared before the police to give his statement as his name figures in the complaint. He also claimed that Mithun had cheated him and said he would file a separate complaint with the Chikkamagaluru police.
