The Bengal government has received approval from the judiciary in setting up the new Dhupguri subdivision in Jalpaiguri district, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday.

Mamata, speaking to newspersons on the sidelines of the Calcutta Book Fair that was inaugurated on Thursday, asserted that the state government would soon come up with a notification on the issue.

“She (Mamata) said that the state government was ready with its plans to set up the new subdivision. However, there were certain legal complications for which she had approached the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court. Her intervention has helped in clearing the hurdle and the judiciary has given necessary approval to upgrade Dhupguri as a subdivision in Jalpaiguri district,” said a source.

A clear assertion from the chief minister brought fresh cheer to the residents of Dhupguri. During the past fortnight, several of them had expressed disappointment over the delay in upgrading Dhupguri to a subdivision.

“The state cabinet had passed the proposal as per the chief minister’s announcement. The state was waiting for the approval from the judiciary and now, it has come. We believe there is no other deterrence in meeting the demand and hope the state will take the task of developing necessary infrastructure soon,” said Mahua Gope, the Jalpaiguri district Trinamul president.

In September last year, Trinamul’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee promised Dhupguri residents that they would meet the demand for a new subdivision. He was speaking at a public meeting ahead of the bypoll in Dhupguri Assembly seat necessitated by the death of BJP MLA Bishnupada Roy.

“We will ensure that Dhupguri turns into a new sub-division by December 31, 2023,” Abhishek had said.

The promise worked and Nirmal Chandra Roy, the Trinamul candidate, won.

After the bypoll, Mamata confirmed that the state is working on the issue.

However, as the state couldn’t come up with a notification by December 31, citizens' forum Dhupguri Nagarik Mancha resorted to protests.

Earlier this month, they held a silent protest in front of the house of MLA Roy. They also observed a two-day relay hunger strike.

Roy sounded elated on Thursday. “I have spoken with the state law minister and he told me the wait is over," he said.

Abhishek posted on his X handle: “Ami Bhebe Katha Di, Jokhon Kotha Di, Kotha Rakhi (I make promises after giving a thought to the issue. When I make a promise, I keep it).