News
- The Bill to operationalise the Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh was today cleared by theUnion Cabinet and now includes territories in Assam along with those in West Bengal, Tripura and Meghalaya.
- Bill is likely to come up in Rajya Sabha tomorrow.
- The inclusion of Assam territories in the Bill indicates government’s resolve to get the legislation cleared after bringing all parties on board.
- Government will bring the Constitutional Amendment Bill for ratification of the Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh. It would require ratification of at least 50 per cent of the state legislatures before it comes into effect.
Bill
- It provides for exchange of territories.
- India will get 510 acres while Bangladesh will get 10,000 acres. “But these are notional figures as these areas are deep inside territories of the two countries. Our borders are not getting contracted,” Sushma Swaraj said, while responding to members’ questions whether India will lose some territory.
- She also announced a package of Rs 3,008 crore to West Bengal for rehabilitation Indian nationals who will come from Bangladesh, with their numbers estimated to go up to 30,000.