SC issues notice to WB govt. over GTA plea challenging transfer of administrative power

The Supreme Court on Thursday issued a notice to the West Bengal Government on petition filed by Gorkhaland Territorial Administration's (GTA) challenging refusal to transfer administrative power to it.

The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration had challenged the petition in the apex court regarding the state government's order in which it had not given the power for discharging its administrative charges.

A bench of the Apex Court headed by Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar issued notice to the West Bengal government and sought a reply from it.

The Supreme Court in September had taken up the petition filed by Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.

The petition filed by GTA member Binay Tamang claimed that the state government's decision was "impinging upon the fundamental rights of the Gorkha people living in the hill areas of the district of Darjeeling".

The bench headed by the then Chief Justice T. S. Thakur asked the 2011 notification issued by the West Bengal government promising transfer of power in terms of a memorandum of agreement (MoU) to be presented before the court.

However, the officials then had said that the petition alleging state government's refusal to transfer administrative power is misleading.

"We are progressing with the matter as in a timely fashion. Of the 59 subjects, 55 have been handed over to GTA," said a senior home official.