Gorkha Bill to be tabled in West Bengal State Assembly today

SILIGURI: The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Bill will be tabled in the West Bengal State Assembly on Friday. Though it was expected to put an end to the Darjeeling unrest, yet the bill may trigger fresh rift between the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha ( GJM) and the state government.

The difference in opinion has surfaced over the draft bill which grossly differs from the memorandum of understanding signed between the GJM and the state government in Siliguri on July 18, said GJM spokesman HB Chhetri. GJM leaders also complained of absence of 'adequate' importance on financial power of GTA in the bill.

"Many other operational clauses in the draft bill are also not adequately friendly," they alleged. "We will raise these issues in the Assembly," added Chhetri. Responding to the development, state government officials said: "Debate on any part of any draft bill is part of the system."

But a senior official also said: "The developments may lead to another deadlock in the hills unless the state takes some tactical steps immediately." It is clear that with just four MLAs, GJM will have very little strength on the Assembly floor.

But with a solid support base in the hills, it holds immense strength to stall life there if the bill gets passed despite their opposition. On the other hand, inclusion of foothills into GTA, as demanded by the GJM, is also hanging fire.