Darjeeling problem solved: Mamata

NEW DELHI: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who was in the capital Tuesday said the long-drawn Gorkhaland statehood problem in north Bengal has been "solved".

"The Darjeeling problem is solved. Whenever the cental government gives the time, we will sign the tripartite agreement," Banerjee told reporters here.

Less than a month after coming to power, Banerjee's government took a major step towards restoring peace in the Darjeeling Hills by finalising a pact with the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha to creat a new hill council with wider powers.

Banerjee further said that plans to visit Darjeeling were being pushed back because of heavy rains in the region.

At the core of the agreement is the formation of a new autonomous elected Hill Council, which is armed with more powers compared to the earlier Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council ( DGHC).

The new council to be formed through enactment of a law would have administrative and financial powers and can frame rules related to the hills.

The council members will later be chosen through election but the body cannot enact any law.