TNN | Jul 9, 2011, 07.15am IST
KOLKATA: The Telangana fire has led to a thaw in the Hills.
A marathon three-hour meeting between Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) representatives and government officials, followed by an hour's discussion with chief minister Mamata Banerjee, broke the stalemate on many issues on Friday and led to the finalization of the agreement on the autonomous council for Darjeeling.
The council now has a name — Gorkhaland Territorial Administration. If eyebrows were raised on the use of the term 'Gorkhaland,' Mamata came out in defence of Gorkhas. "How is it that we will neither give them a name, nor territory, nor love?" she asked.
Looking pleased after the meeting, Morcha general secretary Roshan Giri said the draft would be sent to Delhi by the state government for central approval.
"We hope the tripartite memorandum will be signed within a week to 10 days' time," he said. The chief minister wants the agreement to be signed in Darjeeling, chief secretary Samar Ghosh said.
Observers say neither the Morcha nor the state government nor the Centre wants to delay the signing of the agreement. No one wants another Telangana on their hands. The issues that had remained unresolved after the signing of the bipartite agreement between GJM and the state government last May were ironed out on Friday.
The chief secretary said the new council would be set up under a state Act. It will not have the power to frame legislation or impose taxes because only an autonomous council constituted under a constitutional provision, like the Sixth Schedule, enjoys such powers.
But Gorkhaland Territorial Administration will have the power to raise resources through fees, say, for renewal of tea garden land lease. It will also get grants-in-aid from the government and will run the 'touji' department dealing with land.
GTA will also have the Regional Transport Authority, except for some statutory functions that will remain with the district magistrate.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/GJM-state-finalize-draft-on-Darjeeling/articleshow/9158258.cms