The West Bengal government is likely to introduce a bill for the constitution of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) in the coming session of the Assembly which will commence on August 10. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on July 18 had announced that the GTA, the new administrative authority for the three Hills’ sub-divisions namely Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong, would be formed in six months. The bill will have to be introduced and passed in the House in the coming session of the Assembly to ensure that the GTA which would replace Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC), be constituted in six months’ time.
According to sources at the Writers’ Buildings, the state administration informed a Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) delegation that the draft of the bill was being prepared.
“The state chief secretary told the GJM delegation on August 3 that the bill would be tabled in the coming session of the Assembly,” sources added.
The state administration, however, has ruled out sharing of the draft of the bill with the GJM before its introduction in the House.
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Security firms to benefit from move
Namrata Biji Ahuja
New Delhi
Aug 7: The Centre is all set to allow private security agencies to buy weapons “directly’’ to arm their guards deployed at sensitive locations.
The fresh move is expected to benefit “cash in transit’’ companies, ATMs and rural banks who are heavily dependant on private armed guards since they require a gunman’s protection 24/7.
As per the changes, the private security agencies ,registered under the Private Security Agencies (Regulations) Act, 2005, will be able to secure bulk licences after they enter into an agreement with companies who require security and approach the local licencing authority mentioning the minimum number of guardmen required and threat perception.
The local licencing authority will verify the genuiness before issuing bulk licences. Further, the local superintendent of police would be empowered to assess the antecedents of the private security guards, sources said.
The Private Security Agencies (Regulations) Act, 2005, may further be updated to clearly define the eligibility and role of a private security personnel.