Guwahati: The Bodoland Territorial Council Legislative Assembly (BTCLA) on Thursday passed a Rs 1,588.31-crore Budget for the 2026-27 financial year, with education, healthcare, agriculture, road connectivity and infrastructure emerging as the key focus areas.
The Budget, presented by BTC Chief and Finance portfolio holder Hagrama Mohilary, was passed by the Assembly on Thursday.
The Budget earmarks Rs 900 crore under the Consolidated SOPD Grant to BTC, Rs 200 crore for infrastructure development and implementation of the Bodoland Accord, Rs 200 crore as special assistance for Centrally Sponsored Schemes, and Rs 97.57 crore towards infrastructure grants.
It also allocates Rs 25.30 crore as administrative grants, Rs 27.94 crore as special grants to BTC, Rs 10 crore as ex gratia assistance for martyrs and Rs 10 crore for the construction of a BTC Guest House in Chennai.
Addressing the House, Mohilary said the Budget gives priority to education and healthcare while continuing investments in agriculture, roads and public infrastructure.
He announced that the Bodofa Super-50 programme would be expanded to accommodate more than 100 students and renamed the UN Brahma Free UPSC, APSC, NEET and JEE Coaching Programme.
The BTC Chief also announced that students securing full marks in MIL subjects in the HSLC examination would receive Rs 3 lakh each, while the top 10 rank holders in the Higher Secondary examination would be awarded Rs 5 lakh each.
He said the Council would continue initiatives aimed at strengthening agriculture and supporting farmers.
During Question Hour, BTC Executive Member for Education Rabiram Narzary informed the House that 554 Science and Mathematics teachers appointed on a contractual basis under the previous UPPL-led Council would continue in service under the present BPF-led administration.
He said budgetary provisions had already been made and their remuneration would be released after the required funds were received.
Narzary also said incentives of Rs 5 lakh for the top 10 Higher Secondary rank holders and Rs 3 lakh for students securing full marks in MIL subjects in the HSLC examination would continue under the Martyr Sujit Narzary Merit Scholarship Scheme.
On healthcare, BTC Executive Member for Health Services Derhasat Basumatary said the Council faces a shortage of around 150 doctors and 400 paramedical personnel.
He said discussions had been held with the Assam government and 150 GNM nurses are expected to be appointed in the BTC region after Independence Day.
Basumatary added that future appointments of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff would not be followed by transfers based on personal requests, with the aim of ensuring workforce stability in healthcare institutions.
During the discussion, MCLA Dhaneswr Goyary raised the issue of compensation and rehabilitation for PTCA activists and members of the ABSU Volunteer Force who participated in the tribal rights movement in the late 1980s.
Responding to the issue, Mohilary said the Council had discussed the matter and assured the House that appropriate steps would be taken to recognise and honour their contributions.