Mamata visited hills like a ‘tourist’, paid no heed to development, says Suvendu

Promising the development of the Darjeeling hills by the newly formed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday (June 16, 2026) said that former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had only been a tourist to north Bengal, and paid no heed to its development.

“The former CM used to visit the hills only as a tourist. But I am not here as a tourist. I have come here to deliver what we have promised. We will work here and fulfil the aspirations of the people in the hills,” the incumbent CM said, addressing a rally in Kurseong.

A comprehensive road map for the development of north Bengal has already been prepared, he said. “The Central government allocated over ₹180 crore to the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) for the development of the hills. But it was not even used properly under the previous government. Our ‘double engine’ government is committed to the development of the hills. All welfare and development schemes of the Centre will reach the people of the hills,” Mr. Adhikari said.

Formed in 2012, the GTA is an autonomous governing council that administers the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. Anit Thapa, the president of the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha, which was also an ally of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), is now serving as the chief executive officer of the council. However, Mr. Thapa was not present at Mr. Adhikari’s rally on Tuesday.

Transparency would be maintained in government appointments and recruitment, Mr. Adhikari said. “There will be no corruption in recruitment anymore,” he told the gathering.

All “false cases” filed by the previous government against Gorkha people would be withdrawn, and a ₹330-crore package would be implemented under the ‘PM Cha Samriddhi Yojana’ to revive 25 tea gardens in north Bengal, Mr. Adhikari said.

The CM announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹5 lakh to the families of those who allegedly lost their lives due to police firing or political violence during the previous regime.

The government would also establish a medical college in Kalimpong, with a piece of land already identified for the purpose at Dungra, Mr. Adhikari said, promising to develop healthcare facilities across the Kurseong, Darjeeling, and Kalimpong regions.

Highlighting employment generation and rural development as a priority, Mr. Adhikari said the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G) will be launched from July 1, 2026, providing 125 days of wage employment annually through rural development projects.

He also announced the recruitment of over 1,000 Gorkha youths in the Eastern Frontier Rifles, thus reviving it, and in the West Bengal Police.

West Bengal would closely coordinate with the Central government for rapid implementation of development projects in the region, ensuring the hills received their due share, and the fulfilment of their aspirations, Mr. Adhikari said.