"State did not delay the Darjeeling issue" says Mamata

In the backdrop of threats issued by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJB) to re-launch its agitation, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sought to put the ball in the Centre's court by saying that the State had not been delaying the implementation of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) pact and the resentment of the GJM was justified.

Talking to reporters after a meeting with GJM leaders in Siliguri, Ms. Banerjee said the State government had not delayed the implementation of the tripartite agreement.

“We have not delayed matters. The agreement was checked clause by clause. I don't know why the Centre is delaying things. We have given all the clarifications that were asked for. I have myself contacted the Prime Minister's Office on this, and the Chief Secretary also took a meeting. I have sought time around February 23 and 24 for meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss this issue and some others.”

Ms. Banerjee said that besides the GTA implementation, development issues, including drinking water projects, tea-tourism schemes were also discussed at the meeting with GJM.

GJM leader Roshan Giri said while they were not budging from their earlier stand of re-launching the agitation if the GTA pact was not implemented by March 27, the issue of expediting the matter was discussed with the Chief Minister on Saturday.

He said Ms. Banerjee would be visiting Darjeeling on February 27 after meeting the Prime Minister.

“She told us she will help implement the GTA accord at the earliest.”

Earlier this week, GJM president Bimal Gurung had announced that copies of the memorandum of agreement for the setting up of the GTA in the Hills would be burnt at a public rally on April 17, if the proposed body was not put in place.

The people of the hills were disappointed that despite an assurance from the government that the GTA would be set up within six months of signing the agreement (on July 18), there were few signs of its implementation.

They are also unhappy about the extension of the term of the high-power committee set up to explore the inclusion of some Gorkha-dominated areas in the Terai and Dooars within the territorial jurisdiction of the GTA.

Source: The Hindu