Jalpaiguri circuit bench to open on August 17: Mamata Banerjee

SILIGURI: The long wait seems to be over. The much-awaited circuit bench of Calcutta High Court at Jalpaiguri will be inaugurated on August 17. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee declared this at Uttarkanya on Monday.
It was only on Sunday that a six-member team of the Calcutta High Court, led by Chief Justice Jyotirmoy Bhattacharya, visited the site at the zilla parishad dak bungalow on Station Road, where the bench start working.The state government has acquired 40 acres at Paharpur by the NH 31D where it will develop a permanent building for the circuit bench. The government has already sanctioned Rs 352.24 crore for that.
Initially the circuit bench will serve people of Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling and Kalimpong. Gradually, it will also serve the people of North and South Dinajpur and Malda districts.
"We welcome the CM's declaration. This is a long-standing demand of the people of north Bengal and we are grateful that finally it is happening," said Kamal Banerjee, secretary of Circuit Bench Dabi Aday Samannay Committee.
The officials should concentrate on finishing the projects in time, failing which they would be penalised, the CM said here during an administrative review meeting.
"We must also consider completing projects in time because that will help us in saving money," she said. "But there will not be any compromise on the funds for social security schemes," Banerjee added. She asked the officials to ensure the optimum use of resources. "Why should I treat my office as a five-star hotel? One must treat one's office as home. We must value the government money and spend it accordingly," she added.