SALIENT FEATURES The following are the salient features of the 16-page tripartite Memorandum of Agreement on the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration: (a) The Government of India, the Government of West Bengal and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, keeping on record the GJM demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland, agree to form an autonomous body -- the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration -- through direct elections. (b) Although the GJM was keen that the elected House of the Territorial Administration be called 'Assembly,' the Centre and the State Government persuaded the outfit to settle for 'Sabha.' (Both the governments wanted to avoid creating an impression that the new autonomous body was being granted symbol of statehood such as an Assembly.) (c) The Morcha had demanded that the House be headed by a Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Instead...
This Priest is an Atheist