Recap on DGHC, result of GTA

Siliguri/Kolkata: Even as the Darjeeling situation became a bit complex with the demand for Gorkhaland back on Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung's lips, he himself had admitted that the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) would extend more power than the previous Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) and ensure less governmental interference.In line with Mr Gurung's admission, official sources informed that in the upcoming GTA, five among the fifty councillors would be nominated by the government while in the DGHC there were fourteen councillors nominated by the previous government.

The sources also said that the role of the DGHC was similar to the Zilla Parishad of the three-tier Panchayet system while the GTA would remain above the Panchayet system.

The sources also stated that there would be 59 portfolios under the GTA compared to 19 under the DGHC.

It also observed that while under the DGHC, the then Union Government and the state government used to allocate financial grants depending upon approved projects, the GTA would enjoy the liberty of independent expenditure.

The sources also pointed out that in the DGHC there were 28 elected councillors compared to 45 councillors to be elected within six months under the GTA.

Moreover, the sources informed that while in the DGHC only the hilly areas were included, there was scope for inclusion of more areas belonging to plains like Terai and Dooars under the GTA.

--UNI