Chief Minister gives more funds for North Bengal

Siliguri, Jun 25 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Buddadeb Bhattacharjee today announced a budgetory funds of Rs 42 crore for North Bengal Development Authority (NBDA) for 2006-07, an increase of Rs 20 crore from last fiscal.

This was declared by the chief minister after his meeting with 19 members of NBDA at Circuit house here this morning.

The members are represented all six districts of North Bengal.

Mr Bhattacharjee said the enhance fund was aimed at to improve infrastructral facilities in the region.

NBDA was launched on March 4, 2001 for augmenting development in the rural areas of north Bengal.

However, the opposition parties here alleged that the NBDA has failed to live up with the people's expectation.

Congress leader D P Roy said the paltry allotment of fund for NBDA was an example of ''sheer negligence'' on the part of the Wrtiers' Buildings towards North Bengal. He pointed out that the state was earning Rs 9,500 crore annually from revenue itself and Central granted Rs 10,500 crore for the state, north Bengal, being a major part of West Bengal, was getting only Rs 42 crore.

He, however, appreciated the state government for increasing the budget for this year.

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