Why in news
- Ministry of Home Affairs formed a dedicated committee to draft a political solution for the Gorkha demand in West Bengal.
Background of the Issue
- Long-standing demand for statehood or special administrative autonomy for the Darjeeling hills and adjoining areas of West Bengal.
- Governed previously via regional autonomous bodies under Article 244/state acts such as the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).
Current Institutional Step
- Union Home Minister chaired a tripartite meeting between the Centre, West Bengal state representatives, and Gorkha leadership.
- A high-level committee was established to define modalities for a constitutional and administrative solution.
Key terms
Tripartite Talks
Negotiations involving three distinct parties: Central Government, State Government, and local political stakeholders.
Prelims facts
- Autonomous hill councils in West Bengal, such as the GTA, derive authority from state legislation rather than the Sixth Schedule.
Mains discussion
- Examine the effectiveness of autonomous regional councils in fulfilling sub-national political aspirations.
Source: Economic Times