It will have 50 members; a Bill will be moved in Assembly
A tripartite agreement paving the way for the setting up of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), an elected body for the Darjeeling hills, was signed at Pintail village here on Monday.
“The task ahead of you is stupendous. You have to rebuild brick by brick, and when you do so, the West Bengal government and the government of India will stand by you,” Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram told the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leadership, terming the occasion “historic.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and GJM president Bimal Gurung, among others, took part in the function.
Joint Secretary in the Union Home Ministry, K. K. Pathak; West Bengal Home Secretary G.D. Gautama; and GJM general secretary Roshan Giri signed the accord. The contents of the agreement were not made public although Mr. Chidambaram and Ms. Banerjee did refer to certain provisions.
The new set-up will have 50 members: 45 of them will be elected and the rest nominated. A Bill for this will be moved in the Assembly and, on adoption, it will be sent to the President for assent.
Elections to the new body would be held within six months, Ms. Banerjee said.
Resentment on plains
As large numbers of Gorkhas sang and danced at the site to celebrate the signing of the accord, there was a complete shutdown in the nearby town of Siliguri and parts of the Dooars and Terai regions on the plains of north Bengal.
A two-day general strike called by the Bangla O Banglabhasha Bachao Committee evoked a spontaneous response in Siliguri and adjoining areas. The organisation claimed that the treaty was “only a step away from the conspiracy to eventually divide West Bengal.”
However, Ms. Banerjee ruled out any division of the State — a comment that was met with a subdued applause. The GJM leadership maintained that the formation of the GTA was not a compromise on its demand for a separate State and was, in fact, a step in that direction.
Mr. Gurung reiterated the demand for the inclusion, under the GTA, of the Terai and Dooars regions. “Now, a committee will be set up for the inclusion of areas in the Dooars and the Terai. The government will also have to pay attention to this and ensure that it works out.”
Promising all help to the GTA, Ms. Banerjee said “a complete economic package” would be given to Darjeeling.
Keywords: tripartite accord, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, GJM, P. Chidambaram, Mamata Banerjee, Gorkhaland
Since I too belong to the same community. I always appreciate positive steps towards GTA.
I am not a political analyst. Peaceful understanding is always welcome. Will it stop the demand of separate Gorkha Land??? Why several part of our country is under develop and why they are neglected?? These neglect has brought a revolution in their mind either for a separate state or a territorial administration. Will this formula work in case of Telengana or Vidarbha???
Well, even though whole exercise has it's own merits and commendable on the face of it, it's appalling the way our Honorable Union Home Minister spoke about GJM and the People. How in the world he can utter that West Bengal and Indian Govt will stand by the people there when they are very part of this Country and the Union Govt, blood and flesh. I simply don't understand the logic behind his words, for his stature! Similar insensitive action in the case of Telangana left whole Andhra Pradesh bleeding for past many months! We the people wonder whether we deserve such Ministers. Guess, only Mr. Chidambaram can do such sectarian talk! But India definitely needs some sensible words from our Union Home Minister, in tandem with responsible actions.
solution through understanding is a welcome step.
This is indeed a positive step. Hope the GTA will work closely with Border Roads Organisation to work on Infrastructure. The road conditions in West Bengal and Sikkim tell the difference and reflect the apathy and neglect. One just needs to cross the bridge to feel the difference. It is only with better infrastructure that Darjelling, Kalimpong and Kurseong can attract the local economy sustainers: money blowing Tourists. High time the WB State Highway from Darjeeling to Gangtok which runs thru the Tea Gardens is also upgraded. Drinking water and Education for young children is another critical issue. GTA may pick clues from Sikkim where all children below class V are given free education and clothes to attend the school. Only with awareness will a sense of belonging to WB come. Hope Mamta Bannerjee will use the Rs 600 Cr grant judiciously. Local admin will join hands with BRO, NHAI to handle road and bridge upgradation esp. in view of China proximity and need to be always on
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