BJP, which as the main opposition had stoutly opposed the bill during the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government, has now revised its stand on the agreement. On Sunday, PM Narendra Modi had declared in Assam that his government would ratify the LBA because it would help curb illegal migration.
Trinamool Congress chief and Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had also proved to be a stumbling block when the UPA II government was closing in on the pact. But this time, Trinamool MP Sugata Bose, a member of the standing committee, has recommended transfer of enclaves and sealing of the deal.
The panel's report, tabled on Monday, had no dissent note from Trinamool and party sources said Bose was able to convince Mamata on agreeing to the deal. On a visit to Delhi just before Parliament opened for the winter session, Mamata had said her party had, in principle, agreed to the LBA but was keen to ensure that rehabilitation package for the people on the Indian side was worked out in consensus with the state government. That is reflected in the report.
The government is now expected to bring a bill to amend the Constitution to make the necessary changes on India's official boundaries with Bangladesh. The Constitution (119th Amendment) Bill, 2013 is aimed at ratifying the LBA under the Indira-Mujib pact of 1974 to exchange areas and people on either side of the border.
READ ALSO: Govt to table bill for border deal with Dhaka in winter session
Shashi Tharoor, who heads the committee, said the decision was unanimous. Sounding confident that the bill would sail through Parliament, he said, "It's important to understand that we are not losing any territory, because we don't actually have access to the enclaves inside Bangladesh. We are merely regularizing the reality on the ground."
In its report presented to Lok Sabha, the panel said coming into force of the pact may result in a "modest" demographic change in bordering areas. It observed that the security dimension due to influx of population should be considered seriously by the government. "Not only would some Indian citizens return to the mainland from previously held enclaves but a number of currently Bangladeshi nationals would also be given Indian citizenship after the area is ceded to India," it said.
The passage of the amendment will give India an unprecedented advantage of a secure boundary and be able to curb illegal migration, smuggling and other criminal activities. India's map will be redrawn as it will get 2777 acres of land and transfer 2267 acres to Bangladesh as a result of adjustment of adverse possessions, while 111 enclaves will go to Bangladesh and 51 enclaves to India. Officials said, "The exchange is notional. The exchange of enclaves will legalize a situation which already exists. The exchange of adverse possessions confirms that each country will legally possess the territories it's already holding."
READ ALSO: Sushma Swaraj hold talks with Bangladesh counterpart, meets Sheikh Hasina
The UPA government tried in vain to bring BJP and AGP on board, which even prevented then external affairs minister Salman Khurshid from tabling the bill in the first place. But local BJP units had signaled their concurrence to the agreement. The Cooch Behar unit of BJP made several representations to the Centre - all 51 of Bangladesh's enclaves lie in this district. The enclaves are located so deep inside each other's territories that neither country has physical access.
The report said it believed the Constitution (119th Amendment) Bill 2013 is in "overall national interest as it would pave the way for broader bilateral ties with one of India's closest neighbours". It said delay in passage of the bill has needlessly contributed to the perpetuation of a huge humanitarian crisis.
The LBA was signed on May 16, 1974 soon after the independence of Bangladesh to find a solution to the complex nature of border demarcation. The pact was ratified by Bangladesh government in 1974. Though the Cabinet had granted approval in 1974, the pact was not ratified by India as it involved cession of territory.
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