We will fulfil people’s aspirations: CM

15th BODOLAND DAY CELEBRATIONS

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR, Feb 10: Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal assured the people of BTC that his government will fulfil the aspirations of its people in particular and the State in general.

Sonowal, who attended the 15th Bodoland Day celebrations held at BTC Secretariat field, Bodofa Nwgwr on Friday as chief guest, said before a huge public gathering that his government will ensure peace and development of BTC region for its the all-round development. “The people of BTC have witnessed significant development in the region,” he said, adding, “the development process has gathered new momentum after the BJP-led NDA government came to power.”

The Chief Minister said his government will ensure equal development, rights and privileges of all communities living in Sonkoch to Sadia and Brahmaputra Valley to Barak Valley. He also said the Bodos made immense contributions to tiol movement and their contributions should be recognized.

Sonowal said the BJP-led State government will make Assam free of illegal foreigners. He said corruption is also a big challenge for his government and he will act tough against graft and misrule.

Addressing the gathering, BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary, who is also the president of the BPF, said the Council has been working for the development of the region in all spheres and there will be lot of changes in coming days.

Mohilary said at least 80 per cent of the clauses of the BTC Accord have been implemented and there are some clauses which are still to be implemented. He also demanded that the State government should provide Rs 5 lakh each to the martyrs of the Bodoland movement.

He said the council has been giving maximum stress on development of education, road connectivity, agriculture, medical infrastructure and skills in unemployed youths.

Mohilary said the one-time special assistance of Rs 421.02 crore has been sanctioned for the BTC out of Rs 1,000 crore for areas under the 6th Schedule of the Constitution of India in the fincial year 2015-16.

Altogether 1,385 schemes have been submitted as per the NITI Aayog’s guidelines in regard to identification and prioritization of projects in four districts under BTC, which have already been sanctioned.

The welcome address was given by the Deputy Chief of BTC, Kampa Borgoyary, and was attended and addressed by former Indian Ambassador to Africa and special advisor to the Prime Minister of India, Deepak Vohra, president of AGP and minister Atul Bora, president of BJP Ranjit Dutta, MP Biswajit Daimary, ministers Pramila Rani Brahma, Rihon Daimary and others.

Earlier, as part of the programme, Mohilary paid a rich floral tribute to over 1,600 martyrs of Bodoland at the Bodoland Martyrs’ Cemetery at Debargaon and also paid floral tribute to Bodofa Upendra th Brahma at his statue in front of the BTC Secretariat. Later, he hoisted the tiol flag near the BTC Secretariat.

A colourful cultural programme by artistes and students of educatiol institutions was also held, followed by presentation of two important awards- Promod Chandra Brahma literary, 2017 and Jwhwlao Nileswar Brahma Cultural Award, 2017.