New Delhi: In a bid to solve the Gorkhaland
issue in Darjeeling hills of West Bengal, a tripartite meeting
was held here today discussing subjects, departments and
territory which are expected to be handed over to a proposed
interim authority in the area.
The meeting between the officials of Central and West
Bengal governments and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, leading an
agitation for a separate state, discussed the legislative
power to be given to the proposed authority and the tea
gardens to be included there, sources said.
They also discussed whether the authority would have all
nominated members or elected and how many members would
comprise the interim body.
Sources said the proposed Darjeeling Regional Authority
is likely to be put in place for the Gorkhas in Darjeeling
ahead of next year`s assembly polls in West Bengal.
Top government sources said the central and West Bengal
governments were working on the subjects and departments which
are expected to be handed over to the interim authority.
Another round of talks will take place next month.
The term of the current West Bengal Assembly ends in May
2011.
Sources said both the central and the state governments
favoured limiting the proposed Darjeeling Regional Authority
to just the hill sub-divisions of Darjeeling, Kurseong and
Kalimpong.
Since its inception in 2007, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha
has been demanding a separate Gorkhaland state that includes
the Siliguri subdivision of Darjeeling district in the plains
and contiguous areas in neighbouring Jalpaiguri district.
-PTI
