Boro Diaspora Forum slams BTC’s land allotment to Adani for power project

A CORRESPONDENT

TANGLA: The Boro Diaspora Forum (BDF) raised strong objections to the Bodoland Territorial Council’s (BTC) recent allotment of government land for a proposed thermal power project in Kokrajhar district. In a detailed memorandum addressed to the Chief Executive Member of BTC, Pramod Boro, the forum termed the move of land allotment unconstitutional and detrimental to the rights of indigenous Boro people.

The forum in its memorandum dated June 16,2025 highlighted that as per BTC letter No. BTC/LR-803/2025/18 dated 19 April 2025, around 3,000 bighas (991 acres) of Khas land under Bagribari Revenue Circle in Kokrajhar district has been allotted to Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) for setting up a power plant project, reportedly to be developed by Adani Power, a private multinational conglomerate. The non-political organization asserted that the allotment violates the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which grants legislative and administrative control over land and natural resources to the autonomous council. The forum noted that the decision infringes upon the BTC’s constitutional jurisdiction.

“The land grant by the state government amounts to constitutional overreach and sets a dangerous precedent,” the forum stated, further questioning the lack of conditions attached to the allotment. The land has been reportedly granted in perpetuity, free of cost, and without a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) involving the council government or consultation with local stakeholders. The forum warned that such a move alienates indigenous communities from their land and resources, and renders their constitutional rights meaningless.

Raising environmental concerns, the forum pointed out that the proposed site lies within a 10-km radius of reserved forests, yet no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or clearance from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) was sought. It warned of serious ecological consequences from the coal-based thermal plant, including increased CO? levels, harmful emissions, and fly-ash contamination that threatens groundwater.

The forum also criticized the government’s claims about employment generation, calling them exaggerated. “Such thermal plants are highly automated and require minimal manpower. The Adani Group, which is reportedly involved, employed only 3,315 persons across nine plants with a total capacity of 17,550 MW as of 2024,” the memorandum said. “The local population lacks the technical skills needed and indirect employment will require resources beyond their reach,” it added.

Further, the forum noted that no public consultation or consent was taken from the affected communities, despite ongoing protests by local residents. “In a democratic system, authorities must listen to the voices of the people,” it asserted. The forum urged the BTC leadership to uphold the constitutional mandate of the Sixth Schedule and protect the long-term interests of the tribal population and the fragile environment of the region. The memorandum was signed by BDF President Pinuel Basumatary, along with Advisors Benudhar Basumatary, Prof Janak Jhankar Narzary, and K Mochahary, IAS (Retd.).

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