Minister Arjun Singh Outlines Development Plan for Mangpoo

West Bengal Labour and Transport Minister Arjun Singh and Darjeeling MP Raju Bista addressed a public meeting in Mangpoo on Monday. The leaders expressed gratitude to the residents of Mangpoo and surrounding areas for their support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance. Local BJP MLAs and alliance leaders were also present at the Hindusthan Samachar event.

Development Initiatives for North Bengal

During the meeting, Minister Arjun Singh stated that the upcoming 2026 assembly elections mark a new chapter for the hills, Terai, Dooars, and North Bengal. He noted that the government is committed to fulfilling public aspirations and promises. Significant investments are being made in roads, education, healthcare, drinking water, sanitation, tourism, agriculture, and job creation under the leadership mentioned at the event. These initiatives aim to transform the Darjeeling hills into a hub for tourism, higher education, health services, and organic farming.

Focus on Cinchona Garden Workers

Addressing the challenges faced by local workers, the Minister acknowledged that long-term neglect has negatively impacted the Cinchona Gardens and local infrastructure. Arjun Singh reiterated his commitment to reviving the Cinchona plantation by improving wages, health facilities, and worker housing. He also promised to implement a more transparent recruitment process and modernize the plantation management system to benefit the local workforce.

Future Plans for the Region

The Minister presented a long-term vision to develop the Mangpoo and Cinchona areas into a national center for medicinal plants and research. The plan includes promoting eco-tourism and adding value to Himalayan products to boost the regional economy. These steps are intended to foster sustainable growth and development for the communities living in the region.