Darjeeling pact signed,paves way for creation of the GTA

The agreement will create an elected autonomous body for the administration for the three hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling,Kalimpong and Kurseong.

The GTA will be armed with more powers compared to the older Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council,formed in 1988.

The GTA will have full control over Tourism,Agriculture and Public Health. It will also have full control over the school and college teachers’ commissions which deal with appointments.

The GTA will get a special financial package of Rs. 600 crore from the Centre over three years for development of hill regions.

Earlier,Mamata Banerjee hoped the signing of the pact would usher in peace in the hills and said a few vested interests were spreading a false campaign to disrupt the process. 

A renewed demand for a separate Gorkhaland region,which would include Darjeeling and some contiguous areas of Jalpaiguri District,has created fresh turmoil over the past few months. 

The Gorkha population in West Bengal estimated to be around a million has been demanding a separate state.

We will not budge one step from Gorkhaland : Bimal Gurung

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha was happy with the signing of the tripartite accord for the new hill council,Gorkhaland Territorial Administration,but it would not ‘budge one step’ from its demand for a separate state,the outfit’s chief Bimal Gurung said.

“Gorkhaland is our birthright. We will not budge one step from this demand,” Gurung told reporters shortly after the signing ceremony here attended by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Union Home Minister P Chidambaram.

“There is a difference between the signing of the tripartite agreement and Gorkhaland,” he said.

“In the coming days we will formulate our strategy on Gorkhaland. But,we are happy with the signing of the tripartite agreement.”

Earlier,his wife Asha,the chief of the GJM’s women’s wing,Gorkha Mahila Morcha,spoke in a similar vein.

“The tripartite agreement for formation of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration is just a small step and the ultimate aim is a separate state of Gorkhaland.

“We are happy at the stand taken by Mamata Banerjee. The previous Left Front government did not allow the inclusion of the name Gorkhaland,” she said.

She said those agitating against the inclusion of the Dooars and Terai in the jurisdiction of the GTA comprised only 15 per cent of the population. “They are being enticed by the CPI-M.”