Kalimpong to get new organic training institute

DARJEELING, Nov. 20: An Organic Training Institute will soon be established at Siche in Kalimpong to educate the people on organic production and farming rather than depending on tourism which is considered the backbone of the Darjeeling Hill economy.
The Government of India (Agricultural Department) has sanctioned a fund of approximately Rs 6 lakh for the purpose. “Land has been acquired for the project and work will soon begin under the supervision of the NHPC,” said Darjeeling MP, Mr Dawa Narbula claiming he had taken the initiative to get the project sanctioned.
The MP was speaking at the release of a book, Growth Prospects in Darjeeling: Constraints and Antidotes- a compilation of articles by district administrators which stresses on the need of alternative forms of livelihood in the Hills. “Darjeeling is a mine of wealth if we can make use of the natural resources at our disposal. Organic farming is one such alternative but the knowledge and expertise in the field is lacking,” said ADM (Dev) Mr P K Chettri, Editor of the book. A factory of handmade paper would also be set up in Lava, Mr Narbula further informed. Both the projects would be funded and overseen by the Centre.
Speaking on the Balasun Water Project, Mr Narbula alleged the Left-Front government was intentionally delaying the completion of the project. “The project was mooted in December 2005 and should have been completed by December this year but as the state government released the execution order more than a year later, the completion would be April 2010,” he alleged.
The Rs 48.16 crore project was enhanced to Rs 55 crore and a high level advisory committee was formed in May this year to oversee it.