.
rt
HIGH POWER COMMITTEE
FOR
DETERMINATION OF TERRITORIAL
JURISDICTION
OF
GTA
REPORT
8™ JUNE 2012
ELLA LLfide
Pride std
LETT TSA
PREFACE
Siliguri Terai being foot-hills of Himalayas and Dooars known as
‘Door to Bhutan’ have always attracted from ancient days sages, saints,
philosophers and poets and also common people including tourists from
different parts of the world. Forests, hills, rivers and waterfalls create a
totally different ambience. A thing of beauty is a joy forever though out of
sight it is never lost.
| was also attracted by beauty of nature and its serene atmosphere of
Siliguri Terai and Dooars on different occasions. | fondly cherish happy
memories of my visits to the aforesaid area.
This time, however, duty assigned to me kept myself busy with
records, documents, maps, papers and files involving work of different type
though serious in nature.
| am happy that it has become possible for me to complete the work
assigned to me as requested by parties i.e. Government of West Bengal
and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha within early June, 2012 which is prior to due
time.
Before proceeding with the formalities of submission of report on
behalf of the High Power Committee that has been constituted to look into
the question of identification of additional areas in Siliguri Terai and Dooars
that may be transferred to GTA, | must record my deep sense of
appreciation and gratitude to Government of India, Government of West
Bengal, all official members representing Government of West Bengal,
Government of India and the representatives of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha in
the High Power Committee and to all who appeared on different occasions
before Chairman and HPC for their co-operation and assistance, but for
which it would have been difficult to complete the report much earlier than
the time schedule. It may be mentioned in this connection that Dr. R.C.
Sethi, Addl. Registrar General, Census has taken initiative and endeavour
to assist HPC by preparing coloured maps preparing mouza level data
which was strictly confidential and was meant only for the purpose of
identification of Mouzas. | must acknowledge deep sense of appreciation for
the very useful services rendered by officials and staff of my office.
Shyamal Kumar SenPEELE LEE EEL LE
On 18" July, 2011 a Tripartite Agreement (hereinafter referred to as
the ‘said agreement’) was signed and executed between the Government of
India, Government of West Bengal and Gorkha Janamukti Morcha
(hereinafter referred to GJM).
It was, inter alia, provided in the said agreement that an autonomous
body by the name of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (hereinafter
referred to as the ‘New Body’) be constituted for administration of the areas
referred to in the said agreement and whereas it was further provided in the
said agreement that a High Power Committee (hereinafter referred to as
HPC) for determination of territorial area of New Body) would be formed
comprising four representatives of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM). three
representatives of the State Government (one from the Home Department;
the District Magistrate, Darjeeling; the District Magistrate, Jalpaiguri); the
Director of Census Operations representing Government of India, apart from
the Chairman of the Committee to be appointed by the State Government.
The Chairperson of the Board of Administrators, DGHC will be the convenor
of this Committee.
The Committee would look into the question of identification of
additional areas in Siliguri Terai and Dooars that may be transferred to the
New Body, having regard to their compactness, contiguity, homogeneity,
ground level situation and other relevant factors.
The Committee would be expected to give its recommendations within
a short period, preferably within six months of its constitution.
A copy of the aforesaid Agreement is annexed hereto and
marked ‘A’,