We are committed to overall development in the Hills: Mamata

Kurseong (WB): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that her government was committed to the overall development of the hills and well-being of the people.

"My government is committed to the overall development of the Hills and well-being of my brothers and sisters in the Hills whom I love so much," Banerjee said after laying the foundation stone for an Education Hub and Himalayan Centre of Presidency University at Dow Hill in Kurseong.

Describing the moment as a new dawn in the education sector in Kurseong, Banerjee said, "Centres of learning, skill development and research will come up here attracting students and researchers from all over the country and abroad."

Banerjee said that these institutes in the Hills would come to the aid of those students who have to otherwise visit other places for higher education.

"I have not come to the Hills with any political interest in mind. The state government is determined to set up higher education facilities in the Hills and these two projects of Rs 30 crore is one of them," Banerjee said.

"Subjects like astro-physics, bio-diversity and global warming will be the focal ones at the Presidency University's Himalayan Centre, apart from other regular subjects," she said.

The Chief Minister said the state government's initiative towards higher education facilities would be there apart from the GTA's proposal of a Central University in the Hills.

Banerjee also sanctioned Rs two crore each for infrastructure development of Dow Hills Boys' School and Dow Hills Girls' School and said construction work of two degree colleges at Gorubathan and Pedong, both in the Kalimpong block would be over soon and they would start functioning.

The colourful programme in the Dowhill School Campus was attended by hundreds of students, teachers, education enthusiasts and persons from all walks of life.

The chief minister is likely to attend a programme organised by the Tamang Development Board at Dr Graham?s Homes, Kalimpong, tomorrow.

On September 16, she is likely to attend a programme hosted by the Lepcha Development Board at the Kalimpong Mela Ground. The Chief Minister is scheduled to return to Kolkata on September 17.