Siliguri (West Bengal), Jan 20 (IANS): Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated a branch of the state government secretariat in Jalpaiguri district Monday to serve the people living in the northern part of West Bengal.

"Uttar Kanya should become the pride of north Bengal. Like Kolkata has Nabanna, north Bengal now has Uttar Kanya," Banerjee said at the inaugural function of the two-storey green building near Phulbari on the India-Bangladesh border.

"Even after 66 years of Independence, north Bengal did not have a secretariat. We have set up one in 32 months," she added.

It will house 18 state government departments including agriculture and backward classes welfare, commerce and industry with authority to approve funds and projects for the six districts in north Bengal.

A separate wing for the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) will include chambers for Banerjee and her secretariat staff.

Banerjee will visit the region at least once a month while the ministers of the departments will divide their time between Kolkata and Siliguri.