additional areas in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has recommended incorporation of 5 new Mauzas in the region. Announcing this in Kolkata this afternoon the State Chief Secretary Mr. Samar Ghosh said that the committee led by the retired Justice Mr. Shymal Kumar Sen has recommended inclusion of 3 Mauzas from Darjeeling and 2 Mauzas from Jalpaiguri districts in the territory of the GTA.

Mr. Ghosh informed that the committee took the decision for expansion of GTA areas after assessing the ground situation, population of Gorkhas in the region. The high power committee submitted its report to the Government Friday.

The Government constituted the committee on July last year following demand of the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha for inclusion of 398 Mauzas from Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts. The Chief Secretary said that the report of the high power committee will pave the way for elections to the GTA.

The West Bengal Chief Minister Miss Mamata Banerjee appealed to the all concerned to abide by the recommendations of the committee to expedite development in Darjeeling. Our Kolkata Correspondent reports that the tripartite agreement on formation of GTA in Darjeeling was signed in presence of Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram, Chief Minister Miss Mamata Banerjee on 18th of July last year to give more autonomy to the hill people. The GTA replaced the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council.

Meanwhile, the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha has expressed its unhappiness over the report of the Sen Committee. They said that the party will decided its next course of action soon.