>
Title: Need to allocate more funds in the plan allocation for the year 2003-2004 for the development of North Bengal.
(RAIGANJ): Sir, in spite of my several interactions in Lok Sabha and correspondences with Planning Commission and Government of West Bengal, no tangible results are shown for substantial increase of plan allocation for North Bengal region of West Bengal in the Tenth Plan period so far as the Annual Plan of 2003-2004 is concerned.
The ethnic aspiration of Scheduled Castes, Ranbanshi community, should be honoured within the framework of our Constitution against extremism and secessionist tendencies. “The Uttar Banga Unnan Parishad” cannot marginally serve the developmental needs of North Bengal unless Union and State Governments together consider to bring North Bengal region under article 371 of the Constitution of India. I request once again to the hon. Prime Minister, who is the Chairman of Planning Commission, to respond to this issue immediately in order to solve the regional economic imbalances of this region which is a gateway of North Eastern States of India and international border of Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. These burning issues, if are not taken seriously, will lead to peopleâs unrest especially of the unemployed youth.