March 7, 2012
GTA Bill gets the nod from President, feather in the cap of Ma-Mati-Manush Government
President Ms. Pratibha Devi Singh Patil on Wednesday gave her assent to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Bill (GTA). The bill is the result of the hard work and an initiative taken by the West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee who held numerous meetings with Gorkha Janmukti Morcha President Mr. Bimal Gurung and other leaders on various occasions. The initiative finally paid off today when the President gave her assent to the GTA Bill. The Chief Minister who was aggrieved over the delay over the GTA met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on February 22 at 7, Race Course Road (7, RCR) when she expressed her anguish over the delay and the Prime Minister assured her of full cooperation.
Earlier, Ms. Mamata Banerjee reached Kalimpong on Thursday evening on a three-day-tour after returning from New Delhi.She called a meeting of tourism department on Friday morning and in the later half GJM President, General Secretary along with the others Hill MLAs will meet her. Ms. Banerjee was warmly welcomed by the Sub Divisional officer of Kalimpong and the local MLA at Teesta bazaar. Students of Teesta Bridge High school gathered aside on the road to receive the lady CM. She talked to the student and the teacher of the school. She was informed about the poor infrastructure and the scarcity of teacher in the school and the structure of the primary health centre located at outskirts of Teesta bazaar.
Ms. Mamata Banerjee expressed her happiness over the talk she had with the Prime Minister over the GTA Bill and said that she was hopeful that the bill will be passed in a couple of days, “I have come to Darjeeling six times in nine months. I will come again. Darjeeling is not only our dream, but also of the world. GTA will be a reality. What I have promised, I will keep. Once the Bill gets presidential assent there will be election to GTA. GTA will be a reality. What I have promised, I will keep. Once the Bill gets presidential assent there will be election to GTA”, said Ms. Banerjee.
Chief Minister’s convoy received warm welcome from the students of St. Philomena, St .Josephs Convent and Rockvale Academy. She boarded off the car and welcomed the gesture. Ms. Banerjee walked on foot from Thana Dhara to Bara Dure as she was surrounded by thousands of people. Then her convoy moved straight to Dr. Graham homes where a small cultural program was organized by the school. The program was attended by North Bengal Development Minister Gautam Dev and others.
In her short speech the CM told that Dr. Graham Homes School is famous not only in India but all over the world. She told that the student of this school is posted in high ranks all over the world. She appreciated the choir group and the cultural group who performed a short program. After having tea at school her convoy moved straight to Delo tourist lodge.
