Darjeeling, Aug. 17 -- West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) has announced a series of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives covering education, rural roads, street lighting and community welfare in the Darjeeling and Kalimpong Hills.
Darjeeling BJP MP Raju Bista joined West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari virtually for the inauguration of CSR projects at Jholung under Gorubathan Block in Kalimpong.
Under the initiatives, WBSEDCL has provided a school bus to Jaldhaka Higher Secondary School and a monthly welfare grant of Rs 15,000 to Jaldhaka Basic School at Jhalong. "The measures will support efforts to improve access to education for children in remote and rural areas," stated Bista. Among the projects announced for 2026-27 is the installation of 100 solar-powered street lights at strategic locations along the Maneybhanjang-Gorkhey-Somanden road and in 27 adjoining villages under the Rimbick-Lodhama constituency.
WBSEDCL will also develop and improve around 2.13 km of rural village road at Chewribotay under Rimbick Gram Panchayat. In addition, repair work will be undertaken on a 3.80-km stretch of bituminous road between Relling Bazar and Dangia Intake in Bijanbari Block. Bista welcomed Adhikari's direction to WBSEDCL to shift electricity billing from the existing quarterly cycle to monthly billing from January 2027. He said the move would make billing more transparent and help consumers manage their electricity expenses.
Adhikari has further directed WBSEDCL to utilise surplus CSR funds for strengthening ASHA, ICDS and Anganwadi centres, including improvements to kitchens, child nutrition, and the health, safety and welfare of girl children.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.