Salient points of tripartite agreement on Darjeeling

PTI: The following are the salient points of the 16 page tripartite Memorandum of Agreement on the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration signed by the Centre, the West Bengal government and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha:

— The Government of India, the Government of West Bengal and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, keeping on record the GJM demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland, agree to form an autonomous body -- the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration -- through direct elections.

— Although the GJM was keen that the elected House of the Territorial Administration be called ‘Assembly,’ the Centre and the State Government persuaded the outfit to settle for ’Sabha.’ (Both the governments wanted to avoid creating an impression that the new autonomous body was being granted symbol of statehood such as an Assembly.)

— The Morcha had demanded that the House be headed by a Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Instead, it has been decided that a chairman and deputy chairman will conduct the business of the House.

— As per the agreement, the GTA Sabha shall constitute of 45 elected members and five to be nominated by the Governor to give representations to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Minority Communities.

— The MPs, MLAs and chairpersons of municipalities shall be ex-officio members of the GTA Sabha.

-- The term of the Sabha will be for five years.

— The Government of India and the Government of West Bengal will provide all assistance to the GTA for all-out development of the region.

— The Government of India will provide financial assistance of Rs 200 crore per annum for three years for projects to develop socio-economic infrastructure in the GTA over and above the normal plan assistance to the state of West Bengal.

— The GTA, once established, will take up the issues of grant of incentives, subsidies, waiver of taxes and tariff and other benefits as appropriate to the region’s backwardness.

— A three-tier panchayat will be constituted in GTA region.

— The GJM agrees to ensure that peace and normalcy will be nominated in the region.

— A review will be done by the state government of all the cases registered against persons involved in the GJM agitation.

— Steps will be taken in the light of the review not to proceed with the prosecution of all cases except those charged with murder.

— Release of persons in custody will follow the withdrawal of cases.

— The youth in the GTA region will be considered for recruitment in the Police, Army and the Para—Military forces subject to their suitability.