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.
Chief government whip Sovandeb Chattopadhyay said there was little scope for GJM moving amendments on its own, without a prior discussion with the government. GJM should discuss their points with the government in the intervening three days. If the amendments were acceptable, the government could move them on its own during discussion or accept those moved by GJM members. Though new bills were customarily sent to the assembly standing committee, there was no plan to do so for the GTA bill as it would delay its passage till the next winter session, September 2 being the last day of the current session.
The bill appears to have been drawn based on the tripartite agreement signed on July 18, leaving scope for transfer of additional areas from Siliguri, Terai and Dooars to GTA, listing 57 departments to be brought under GTA and allowing some powers to levy taxes and tolls. It seeks to transfer the tauzi department to GTA, but not reserve forests, seeks to set up a regional transport authority for GTA, but says GTA will not undertake registration of any vehicle nor levy fees on vehicles already registered by any other authority. It lays down in detail the ground rules for the GTA election, and also empowers the government to remove an elected member from office under some situations.
The state government had earlier drawn up the GTA Bill and sent it to the Centre for scrutiny. Delhi has now cleared it. But the delay involved in the process had irked GJM leader Bimal Gurung who had commented that the government should expedite the process of formation of GTA. Meanwhile, the high power committee for transfer of additional areas to GTA will have its first meeting on Tuesday.
-TOI
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.
Chief government whip Sovandeb Chattopadhyay said there was little scope for GJM moving amendments on its own, without a prior discussion with the government. GJM should discuss their points with the government in the intervening three days. If the amendments were acceptable, the government could move them on its own during discussion or accept those moved by GJM members. Though new bills were customarily sent to the assembly standing committee, there was no plan to do so for the GTA bill as it would delay its passage till the next winter session, September 2 being the last day of the current session.
The bill appears to have been drawn based on the tripartite agreement signed on July 18, leaving scope for transfer of additional areas from Siliguri, Terai and Dooars to GTA, listing 57 departments to be brought under GTA and allowing some powers to levy taxes and tolls. It seeks to transfer the tauzi department to GTA, but not reserve forests, seeks to set up a regional transport authority for GTA, but says GTA will not undertake registration of any vehicle nor levy fees on vehicles already registered by any other authority. It lays down in detail the ground rules for the GTA election, and also empowers the government to remove an elected member from office under some situations.
The state government had earlier drawn up the GTA Bill and sent it to the Centre for scrutiny. Delhi has now cleared it. But the delay involved in the process had irked GJM leader Bimal Gurung who had commented that the government should expedite the process of formation of GTA. Meanwhile, the high power committee for transfer of additional areas to GTA will have its first meeting on Tuesday.
-TOI
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