CM directs State departments to settle pending issues of BTAD

GUWAHATI, Sept 1: With a view to facilitate faster development in BTAD, Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal on Friday directed all State government departments to settle all pending issues in a time bound manner. Chief Minister Sonowal directed this while chairing a review meeting on issues related to BTAD in the presence of public representatives and officers of State government and BTC administration, which was held at Assam Administrative Staff College, Khapara in the city.

Stating that the Bodoland Territorial Districts have witnessed remarkable progress under the leadership of BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary, Chief Minister Sonowal emphasised on creating a conducive environment for development to ensure peaceful and dignified life for the BTAD people. Sonowal also laid stress on improving infrastructure of the BTAD to pave the way for optimum utilization of its potentiality and resources. 

Chief Minister Sonowal further stressed on implementation of the Bodoland Village Council Act, 2012 before the forthcoming panchayat election. Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia informed that already a cabinet sub-committee under the leadership of State Industry & Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary has been constituted which will submit its report soon. Besides, a high level committee headed by Additiol Chief Secretary Rajib Bora was also constituted by the State government to study the 23 Acts submitted by BTAD administration to state government with three months’ time to submit the report.

Chief Minister also directed the Staff Inspection Unit of Fince Department to submit its report regarding creation of new posts for BTC administration within next six months. In view of the implementation of GST, Sonowal also instructed the Fince Department to study the revenue sharing mechanism of Excise and Transport department between the state government and the BTC administration and submit report early.

Further to ensure early settlement of issues regarding transferring the roles & responsibilities of the Relief & Rehabilitation department, Chief Minister directed the WPT&BC department to submit report within one month. He also directed the department to take steps for early relocation of ITDC office to BTAD.

Further, revival of Rupsi Airport was also discussed in the meeting and the Chief Minister asked the Forest department to settle the land allotment issue at reserved forest within two months. He also directed to P&RD department to bring out an early solution to setting up of new BDO offices in BTAD.

Chief Secretary Pipersenia informed during the meeting that the state government has already constituted a committee to study the issue regarding releasing share of the State government on all central government schemes and central government sponsored schemes and on the basis of the report of the committee, necessary action would be taken.

Pipersenia also said that Revenue department has already been directed to settle the issues raised by BTC administration regarding launching of Maujadari system in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts and a committee has been constituted headed by Principal Secretary Fince to look into the matter regarding setting up of Treasury Office in BTAD. Chief Minister Sonowal directed the committee to submit its report within two months. Sonowal also directed all state government departments to set up their offices in BTAD which are yet to be established.

Expressing his gratitude to the Chief Minister for his pragmatic steps for solving all pending issues of BTAD, BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary said that early solution of the issues would lead to seamless development in the Bodoland districts.

Forest & Environment Minister Pramila Rani Brahma, Water Resources Minister Keshav Mahanta, Food & Civil Supplies Minister Rihon Daimary and several senior officials of state government and BTAD were present in the meeting. This was stated in a press  release.