Date:02/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/02/stories/2007100261561300.htm

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Nod for Gorkha Hill Council

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Fulfilling a long-held demand of the people of Darjeeling, the Union Cabinet on Monday decided to create an autonomous self-governing Gorkha Hill Council under the sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

Chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Cabinet approved the proposal to amend the Constitution to create the Council. Bills for amending Articles 244 and 332 and the sixth Schedule of the Constitution for the purpose will be introduced in the coming winter session of Parliament. Announcing the decision, Union Minister and Cabinet spokesperson, Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said the decision followed a Memorandum of Settlement between Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council Chairman Subhash Ghising and the West Bengal Govt.