Darjeeling: MP Raju Bista draws Bengal CM's attention to Nepali and Hindi students' woes

DARJEELING: Darjeeling MP Raju Bista on Thursday sought West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's immediate intervention in "the grave disadvantage being faced by students from Siliguri, Terai and Dooars region" who learn Nepali or Hindi as their main language besides English.

In a letter to the CM, Bista said: “It has been brought to my notice from several concerned citizens that under the current rules, knowledge of Bengali language is compulsory for all candidates in West Bengal government qualifying examinations, except for those who live in the hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling and Kalimpong District.”

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Raju Bista further said that this will put puts the youths from Siliguri, Terai and Dooars region of North Bengal who may be trained in Nepali or Hindi as their first or second language, at a great disadvantage.

“It has also been brought to my notice that Nepali language is not included as an optional subject in WBCS Mains exams whereas languages like Pali, Persian, Arabic are included in the exam. This has deprived a large section of students, who study Nepali for their Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from getting selected as WBCS officers, because their subject choice is not given,” Bista added.