Have Darjeeling Hill Council Bill passed in Parliament: Acharia

New Delhi, Nov 23 (UNI) Mr Basudeb Acharia (CPI-M) today demanded in the Lok Sabha that the government introduce and have the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council Bill passed in the ongoing winter session itself in view of the 104-day bandh announced by a front on the issue.

The bandh sponsored by the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) of Mr Subhas Ghising at the peak tourist season would badly hit the economy of Darjeeling which was heavily dependent on tourism, Mr Acharya said, raising the issue during zero hour.

The Bill seeks to grant Constitutional status to the Council by placing it under the sixth schedule.

Such status was envisaged in the tripartite agreement reached between West Bengal, Centre and the GNLF.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs B K Handique assured the member that he would bring the demand to the notice of the Minister concerned.

UNI