WB asked to take remedial steps to uplift Cooch Behar

New Delhi, Aug 1 (UNI) Demands made in the representations received from Greater Cooch Behar People's Association (GCBPA) for a new State of Greater Cooch Behar were due to the economic backwardness of the region and the West Bengal government has been asked to take remedial steps, the Government informed the Lok Sabha today.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Manikrao Hodlya Gavit in a written reply said the Government had examined the demand made in the representations received from GCBPA.

It appeared that there was nothing illegal or unconstitutional in the Instrument of Accession or the merger Agreement, signed by the Maharaja of Cooch Behar in accordance with the Indian Independence Act, 1947 read with the relevant provision of the Government of India Act, 1935. the merger of the State of Cooch Behar with West Bengal from January one, 1950 under the State merger (West Bengal) Order 1949 also appeared to be legal and valid. Further, no other issue in the Merger Agreement remained unimplemented.

The representations received from GCBPA were also discussed with concerned officials of the Government of West bengal. The present dissatisfaction of the people of Cooch Behar seemed to emanate from economic backwardness of Cooch Behar. The representations were, therefore, forwarded to the Government of West Bengal, with a request to take appropriate action and initiate measures, both in the short term and long term to address the issue of economic backwardness of the area, he added.

UNI BKS RP DS1440