Darjeeling likely to be included in Sixth Schedule by March

Kolkata, Feb 18 (UNI) West Bengal Urban Development Minister Ashok Bhattacharjee today said Darjeeling was likely to be included in the Sixth Schedule by March.

'' The term of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC), the autonomous body, is to expire on March 24. By then Darjeeling is expected to be included in the sixth schedule and normalcy will be restored in the area. '' Darjeeling was currently witnessing a volatile situation with an indefinite bandh being observed by Gorkha Janamukti Morcha(GJMM), seeking separate statehood and removal of Subash Ghisingh as the Chairman of DGHC.

Mr Bhattacharjee, however, said once Darjeeling was included in the Sixth Schedule, Mr Ghisingh would automatically cease to be the DGHC head.

He said the current situation in Darjeeling was ''very tense'' and it was severely affecting tourism industry.

UNI KDG SJC/SRC AKJ RS2142