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Gorkhaland - Constitutional innovation

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June 29, 2017

Why in news?

The agitation for a separate Gorkhaland state has been going on in West Bengal.

What is need for addressing the Gorkhaland?

  • The Nepalese and Lepchas living in Darjeeling and the adjoining areas have a more distinct culture and history than the Bengalis in rest of the state.
  • But since 1835 Darjeeling has been administered by the authorities in Kolkata.
  • The agitations are also becoming costly for West Bengal and the country, economically and for other reasons.

How this conflict can be solved without bifurcation?

  • Article 244 A provides for an autonomous state for certain tribal areas in Assam with its own legislature and council of ministers.
  • By a small constitutional amendment, the applicability of this article can be extended to West Bengal even other states.
  • This will enable the establishment of an Autonomous State of Gorkhaland, with a legislature and council of ministers within the existing state of West Bengal without bifurcating it.

What will be advantages of such decision?

  • This solution will enable West Bengal to return to the path of development and welfare.
  • The Autonomous State can concentrate on the aspirations and welfare of the people of the region.
  • It can be an opportunity to secure all-round advancement of the STs, Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Socially and Educationally Backward Classes and the poor.
  • This solution can be extended to other states where there is a demand for the formation of new states.
  • But  a massive drive to build public opinion, both among Nepali-speaking and Bengali-speaking people, has to be undertaken.
  • The Nepali-speaking people must be told that an autonomous state will enable them to assume control over their future and development.
  • Similarly, Bengalis should be assured that they will not lose Darjeeling, which will continue to be part of West Bengal while being the capital of the Autonomous State of Gorkhaland.

 

Source: The Indian Express

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