New Delhi, December 16: An understanding has been arrived that the tripartite talks on Gorkhaland will take place on December 21 at Darjeeling and the Government had appointed an interlocutor to carry forward the discussions in the three rounds of talks, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.
Answering questions on the demand for creation of Gorkhaland Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Maken said in written replies that the tripartite talks between representatives of the Centre, West Bengal Government and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) were held in August this year where it was agreed to drop the proposal for establishment of Hill Council under the 6th Schedule of the Constitution and it was agreed to repeal the Darjeeling Hill Council Act, 1988.
The repeal of the Act would be processed by the WB Government as soon as an alternative administrative set up/framework was finalised between them and the GJM. The Interlocutor appointed would hold talks with all stakeholders.
The Centre had agreed to send a team to Darjeeling to review the development works in the District and a team had visited the region in September and October this year to review development in the area. As an interim measure to restore democratic process, the elections to Panchayat Samities and Gram Panchayats and Municipalities would be held.
–Agencies