PR Das Munsi in Cooch Behar

 

COOCH BEHAR, Dec. 8: Union information and broadcasting and parliamentary affairs minister Mr Priya Ranjan Das Munsi declared that north Bengal will get its actual dominance in the eleventh plan. In the meeting of National Development Council that is to be held on 19th of this month notification will be issued for all out development of north Bengal. He asked all to unite to work for making a prosperous north Bengal. Gun battle or violence will bring no good to this region, he opined.

 

Mr Das Munsi admitted that north Bengal was deprived of its actual share in economic opportunity during sixth to tenth plan period. In the eleventh plan emphasis will be given on health, electricity, industrial infrastructure and rural development in this region. Education is to get high priority, he added. The situation is going to change very quickly, he promised.

 

On behalf of UPA government the minister announced that the resumption of much awaited air service from Cooch Behar Airport would commence after the Gujarat election.

 

The Union minister hoped that the UPA government might complete its full tenure and implement all promised works. In the next budget additional plans of works will be included.

 

Mr Das Munsi came to Cooch Behar to attend the closing ceremony of 195-year-old Raas Mela and also to inaugurate a programme for distribution of Identity Cards among the primary members of Youth Congress of Cooch Behar district.

 

At Cooch Behar Circuit House the minister told reporters that in the next plan they will implement the dreams of late north Bengal leaders – Kamal Guha and Biren Moitra – by improving the socio-economic situation of north Bengal.

 

Referring the Nandigram issue he said the CPI-M never was interested in development of this state. It was interested in developing their party only. They made Nandigram as a laboratory of applied chemistry. Though he is the chief minister Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee have had to bow down to his party and obey leaders like Mr Binay Konar and Lakshan Seth. Praising the role of intellectuals on Nandigram issue the minister said the intellectuals of Bengal never allowed them to be dominated by any political party.

 

Replying a question over the demand for extending tax free zone status for north Bengal, the Union minister said he holds the same opinion with the state chief minister over the issue. Mentioning that tax free zone demand is rising in several places in the country he said it will be hard for the Centre to maintain the proposed TFZs. North Bengal is the gateway of northeast region and so emphasis will be given to improve all infrastructures of this region including air service.

 

Mr Das Munsi declared that north Bengal is going to become the most attractive hub to the entrepreneurs for investment by 2020. Nathula corridor and four-lane expressway are to make it possible.

 

The much talked Tista irrigation project will no more be a state project, it is going to turn into a National project soon, he assured. []