Lot of developmental works in North Bengal: Biman Bose

Kolkata, May 5 (UNI) Rejecting Opposition's allegations, the CPI(M) today claimed that major developmental works had been done in the North Bengal district during their almost three decade long rule.

The Congress, the Trinamool Congress and the BJP were continuously voicing discontent in their election campaigns about the development of North Bengal, CPI(M) state secretary Biman Bose told mediapersons, adding that ''they are not aware of the developmental works done by the Left Front in this region.'' He noted that the number of state primary schools in the state were 40,273 and 7,293 were in North Bengal in 1977, which worbed out to 17.9 per cent. In 2004-05, the total number was 50,420, of which 9,584 were in North Bengal, working out 19 per cent.

He also said the literacy rate of the state in 1991 was 57.70 and 44.40 in North Bengal while in 2001 the state the rate was 69.22 per cent, with 61.18 per cent in North Bengal.

Among the 307 colleges in the state, North Bengal alone accounts for 58, 61 per cent of the total.

While expenditure for each person in urban areas of North Bengal is Rs 120.50, it is Rs 70.10 in the whole state, he added.

Mr Bose informed that there were no cold storages in Cooch Behar during the Congress regime, but now it stands at 10. There are al together 25 cold storages in Jalpaiguri district now, while there was onle one during the Congress rule.

He lashed out at the Opposition for 'misguiding' the people and said the people of the state would give a befitting reply.

He also informed that a protest meeting would be organised here tomorrow condemning the recent happenings in Vadodra.

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