Wednesday, September 7, 2011

GJM unhappy with GTA Bill circulated in assembly

TNN Aug 30, 2011, 03.35am IST

KOLKATA: The West Bengal government on Monday circulated in the assembly the bill paving the way for formation of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) in Darjeeling with the intention of passing it on September 2, but Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) appears to be unhappy with it and wants amendments in it.

Titled The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Bill 2011, it is slated for discussion in the assembly on Friday. One and a half hours were allotted for discussion by the business advisory committee. which met after circulation of the bill among members.

But, senior GJM member Harka Bahadur Chhetri told TOI after a quick reading of the bill that there were many "grey areas" and it would be difficult for GJM to accept it without some changes.

"A number of government controls have been introduced through the backdoor," he said. "Where is the element of autonomy in it?"

Chhetri made it clear that GJM was not in a hurry to get the bill passed in the assembly in any form. " Our responsibility is high.

It is our duty to ensure that the aspirations of the people of the hills are fulfilled through the GTA," said Chettri. He mentioned that GJM leaders would scrutinize the provisions of the bill before suggesting changes.

However, that GJM leaders would now have to scrutinize the provisions of the bill before suggesting to the government the necessary changes. changes neccesary.

Parliamentary affairs minister Partha Chatterjee however discounted the possibility of GJM seeking amendments to the bill. Though GJM would like to discuss with the government the provisions of the bill and where changes were necessary, he pointed out that there was not enough time as the discussion was slated in the assembly at the end of the wek. "In that case, we may move our amendments to the bill during the discussion." He hinted that in case of disagreement GJM could prefer more discussions over its provisions before its adoption. Parliamentary affairs minister Partha Chatterjee discounted the possibility of GJM seeking any amendment to the bill and said the plan was to pass it in its present form.

Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-30/kolkata/29944989_1_gjm-leaders-harka-bahadur-chhetri-gorkha-janmukti-morcha