RSP for formation of Unnayan Parishad

MALDA, 27 JULY: Following in the footsteps of the Pashchimanchal Unnayan Parishad’s formation in south Bengal, the Revolutionary Socialist party (RSP), Malda unit, has demanded the formation of Barind Unnayan Parishad, comprising backward blocks like Old Malda, Gazole, Habibpur, and Bamongola in Malda and Tapan block in South Dinajpur.

Yesterday, the district leaders of the RSP, including the district secretary, Mr Goutam Gupta, submitted a 17-point charter of demands highlighting Barind Unnayan Parishad to the finance minister Dr Asim Dasgupta and pointing out the problems faced by local people living in the Barind belt. The Malda Left Front chairman, Mr Jiban Moitra, also the CPI-M district secretary, submitted a 45-point charter of demands for the development of the district, including areas belonging to the Barind belt.

The LF, however, did not demand the formation of Barind Unnayan Parishad. “We have made demands concerning the development of the people of the Barind belt. We demand improvements in the system of irrigation and drinking water and electricity supply. Also, we call for an end to road problems and farmers’ problems along the border due to the the BSF's atrocities. But we did not demand the formation of Barind Unnayan Parishad. We have drafted our charter of demands after discussion with the district leaders of the LF. There was no discussion about the Parishad,” said Mr Moitra.

“We have been struggling for the development of people in the Barind belt, demanding the formation of Barind Unnayan Parishad for many years. If the government can form Pashchimanchal Unnayan Parishad for the development of people in those areas, we can demand a board for the development of people,” said RSP district secretary Mr Goutam Gupta.

“We did not discuss the matter in the LF meeting because the demand is our own. We took the opportunity to submit our charter of demands to the group of cabinet ministers as well as the finance minister so that they can inform the government about the plight of the people living in the Barind belt,” he added. ;SNS