Demand for Bodoland

A Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) was signed between the Central Government, Government of Assam and the Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT) on 10.2.2003. The main clauses of the MoS interalia includes setting up of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) in the State of Assam under the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India. In order to protect the interest of the tribals, thirty (30) seats out of forty six (46) are reserved for the Scheduled Tribes in the council. Legislative, financial, executive and administrative powers have been devolved for thirty nine (39) subjects transferred to the council. Besides, inclusion of Bodo language in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution, revision of list of Scheduled Tribes for the State of Assam, setting up of a Central Institute of Technology, additional development package of Rs.100 crore per annum for 5 years over and above the normal plan assistance to the State of Assam, rehabilitation of BLT cadres, etc. have been agreed to in the MoS.

Following action has been taken to implement the MoS:¬

(i) The Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India was amended for creation of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).

(ii) General Election to the Council was held on 13.5.2005 and Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) took office. Further election to the council was held in the year 2010.

(iii) Scheduled Tribe (list) of Assam has been revised by amending the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes), Order 1950 to protect the interest of Bodo Tribe.

(iv) Bodo language has been included into the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.

(v) Article 332 (6) of the Constitution of India has been amended by enacting Constitution (Ninetieth) Amendment Act, 2003 for ensuring the existing representation of the Scheduled Tribes and non-Scheduled Tribes in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Assam from Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD).

(vi) The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has sanctioned 52 projects worth Rs.585.24 crore for creation of socio-economic infrastructure since the year 2004-05 and Rs.505.29 crore has been released to the State Government of Assam for BTC. In addition to above, Rs.67.37 crore were released during the years 2003-2004 to 2008-09 for development of administrative infrastructure in the BTAD.

(vii) Central Institute of Technology (CIT) has started functioning at Kokrajhar since 2006.

(viii) 846 ex-BLT cadres have been recruited in the Central Police Forces (CPFs) and approval for appointment of 400 ex-BLT cadres as Special Police Officer (SPOs) has been given to State Government.

The Government is committed to implement MoS in letter and spirit. The Implementation of MoS is being reviewed in the Ministry periodically.

This was stated by Shri Mullappally Ramachandran, Minister of State of Home Affairs in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today

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IJ/samir
(Release ID :84353)