Now, Mirik becomes a sub-division

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday formally declared Mirik as a new sub- division of the Darjeeling district assured its all round development The CM also promised to fulfill the long standing demand of land documents for the people residing or conducting business around the famous Mirik lake.

The West Bengal cabinet had given its nod for the creation of the Kalimpong district and Mirik sub division on December 18, 2015. Mirik, earlier part of the Kurseong subdivision has an area of 119.30 sq km with a population of 46,374 as per the 2011 census.

"Since Independence people of Mirik have been travelling for hours to Kurseong or Darjeeling for administrative work. Now we have brought the administration to your very doorstep with the formation of the sub division" the chief minister said.

A gazette notification dated March 25 declared Mirik as a sub division comprising of existing areas under the jurisdiction of the Mirik police station. Ashwini Kumar Roy took charge as the sub divisional officer and Partha Pratim Roy as the sub divisional police officer of Mirik.

The CM sought cooperation from the people of Mirik. "If you support us we will ensure all round development of Mirik. We can do a lot of things here" she said. The CM announced that a land survey would be conducted in Mirik soon.

"We will conduct a survey so that people residing or running business establishments around the lake can get holding numbers, pattas or lease documents. This has been a long standing demand of the people of Mirik," Banerjee said.

The CM lamented that Mirik had been neglected. Without naming any political outfit the CM pointed out: "More than 30 years have passed yet there is no development in Mirik. Mirik Lake which is the centre of attraction is in a deplorable state. The GTA has not been able to render the tourist cottages functional in Mirik. There is no place to stay. Drinking water and sewage is in a pathetic state. Only during elections they raise political slogans and after elections are over they disappear."

Banerjee said that she had brought along Gautam Deb to chalk out plans for tourism projects in Mirik. "There are so many tea gardens here. There is a lot of scope for tea tourism in this area" she said.

"I want development, peace and employment in the Hills. Individuals as well as self help groups can approach us if they want to do something in information technology, horticulture, floriculture, agriculture and food processing sectors. We will extend all help" assured the CM.

The CM laid foundation stones and inaugurated a slew of projects from the Aley Ground in Mirik, 52 km from Darjeeling town. She inaugurated a fair price diagnostic MRI at Darjeeling District Hospital. This project under the department of Health and Family Welfare, has been completed at a cost of Rs. 10.28 crore.

"Till now there were no MRI facilities in the Hills. We have done it for the benefit of the Hill populace" she said.

Banerjee announced that in May municipal elections would be held in the Hills. In July the term of the GTA will expire following which GTA elections will also be held. "I have limited scope of work as the Municipalities and the GTA are not under us. The GTA and Municipalities should have done a lot more. The state government had extended all support to the Municipalities and GTA. However, we hope that the new boards that take over after the elections will work for the benefit of the Hill people," Banerjee said.