Park inauguration held up over dispute

An eco-park at Manipara, near Kulick Bird Sanctuary has not been opened to the public even after three years since the North Dinajpur district administration constructed it for Rs 1 crore.
Reportedly, the park could not be opened to the public all this while as the district administration failed to sort out a tussle between the North Dinajpur zilla prishad and Raiganj panchyat samity over a demand to be the revenue authority of the park. On the other hand the park is losing its beauty and is turning into a haven for anti-socials in absence of proper maintanance.
The park was constructed with funds from Border Area Development Project,NREGS, MP Lad, 10th Finance, Uttar Banga Unnayan Parshad, Rastriya Samavikash Yojona, MLA Lad and funds from North Dinajpur zillaparishad at Manipara of Bahin grampanchayat under Raiganj panchayat samity. A canal was also dug up to offer boating facilities to the visitors.
The problem started when the Raiganj panchayat samity demanded to be the revenue authority of the park as it came under their jurisdiction and North Dinajpur zilla parishad authorities denied to hand over its charge to Raiganj panchayat samity as a bulk amount was spent from the North Dinajpur zilla parisahd funds to construct this park. The inauguration has been held up for the last three years as the district administration has failed to resolve the matter.
The sabhapati of Raiganj Panchayat samity Mr Baren Roy said: “This park was constructed on 12 acre land. A huge amount of Swarna Jayanti Rojgar Yojona was spent for its construction and according to the government guidelines the panchayat samities have much right over this fund. Apart from this, the park was constructed under our jurisdiction. So we demanded to be the revenue authority of the park.”
On the other hand the sabhadhipati of North Dianjpur zillaparishad Mrs Jyotsnarani Singh said: “A bulk amount from the zillaparishad was spent to construct this park.”
The district magistrate of North Dinajpur Mr Sukumar Bhattacharjee said: “At present there is no tussle between the zillaprishad and panchayat samity over the right of the park. However, an attempt has been initiated to open it for the visitors very soon.”

Courtesy: The Statesman

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