West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday proposed the formation of Tamang Development Council in north Bengal for development of the community.
Addressing a programme of the Tamang community, Ms. Banerjee said efforts are being made to convince the Centre to offer tribal status to the hill communities.
She also asked the communities of the region to stay united for its peace, growth and prosperity.
Tamangs are one of the indigenous inhabitants of Nepal. They have their own distinct culture, language and religion.
Ms. Banerjee had announced formation of Lepcha Development Board in September 2013.
She stressed on the spread of education in the hill area and offered to set up three ITIs besides a polytechnic at Mirik.
Ms. Banerjee also emphasised on developing new locations of north Bengal for giving a fillip to tourism.
The chief minister, who is on a four-day visit to the hills, said Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birthday on January 23 would be celebrated in the hills.
