Bengal cabinet okays boards for Namasudra & Matua communities

The West Bengal government will form two welfare boards for those belonging to the Namasudra and Matua communities - two backward groups in the state, a minister said Monday.

The cabinet took an unanimous decision on it and decided to form the two separate boards for their socio economic development, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Chandrima Bhattacharya told reporters after a meeting at the state secretariat.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had earlier assured the Namasudra community about formation of a separate board for their welfare during her recent visit to Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri districts in north Bengal.

Bhattacharya said the government has also decided to introduce a bill for giving land rights to those residing in the enclaves in Coochbehar district in the next session of state assembly.

During her recent visit to Cooch Behar, the chief minister also asked the officials to be serious about their works for development in the area and welfare of the people of the enclaves.

Bhattacharya said in another important decision at the cabinet meeting 41.11 acres of vested land at Pirachandi and Pirabani mouzas in Salboni area of West Midnapore district will be given to West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd for setting up a 10 MW solar power grid in the area.