Centre asks Assam govt to expedite process of Bodo Accord implementation

The Centre has reportedly asked the Assam government to expedite the process of implementation of the Bodo Accord signed with four factions of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB).

Though the Accord was signed in January this year, its implementation was delayed because of the COVID-19 outbreak, official sources said.

As per the provisions of the Accord, the State Cabinet has already taken a decision to make Bodo an associate language in Assam, and has also decided to constitute a Bodo Kachari Welfare Council for ensuring development of the Bodo people living outside the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).

A separate directorate for Bodo-medium schools has also been set up as part of implementation of the Accord.

As per the provisions of the Accord, the government has constituted a Commission headed by former chief secretary PP Verma to examine the feasibility of inclusion of villages contiguous to the BTR having majority tribal population.

The Commission will also examine the feasibility of exclusion of villages having majority non-tribal population and look into the issue of increasing the number of seats in the BTR from 40 to 60.

The matter of giving more administrative, legislative and financial powers to the BTR is also being examined, reports say.

However, the issue of withdrawal of cases will take some time as all the cases will have to be examined thoroughly.

Sources said that as per the Accord, only those cases which are non-heinous in nature would be withdrawn.

A committee headed by the additional chief secretary of the home department has been constituted to examine the matter and suggest recommendations.

Another committee headed by the Inspector General of Police (BTAD) has started examining the cases against members of four factions of the NDFB but the process will take some time.

The sources said that leaders of the NDFB had submitted inflated lists of cadres and those would have to be thoroughly checked before rehabilitating them.

However, the rehabilitation process has started and 1,279 cadres are getting a grant of Rs 6,000 per month.  They will also get a one-time grant of Rs 4 lakh each.