Assam govt approves Rs 160 cr rehabilitation package for NDFB cadres

The Assam government has approved a Rs 160 crore package to rehabilitate 4,036 former cadres of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB).

The package was approved by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during a meeting in Guwahati to review implementation of the Bodo Territorial Region (BTR) accord signed in New Delhi in January last year.

The Chief Minister said that the rehabilitation programme for the NDFB cadres would be conceptualized and designed by the BTC in association with the State Institute for Panchayat and Rural Development that would be coordinated by IGP (SB) Hiren Nath.

Under the programming skill, development training would be imparted to the 4,036 NDFB cadres in several parts of the BTR for their socio-economic development.

“The meeting took place in presence of Minister for Welfare of Plain Tribes and Backward Classes (only BTC) Urkhao Gwra Brahma, Chief Executive Member BTC Promod Boro and several executive members also decided to expedite the means for empowering the Council to enable the BTR Accord singed on January 27, 2020 to usher in renewed peace,” a press release said.

Moreover, the identity of the Bodo people, their culture, language and education aspects were also discussed. Chief Minister Sarma in the meeting also advocated to promote and build a social empowerment narrative around Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma’s philosophy for the Bodo people.

Sarma directed to expeditiously complete the construction of the Cultural Complex-cum-Centre of Excellence to be built in the name of Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma along with other development works which are intrinsically associated with the pride and prestige of the Bodo people.

The meeting also decided that the Welfare of Plain Tribes and Backward Classes (BTC) to be reconstituted and renamed as BTC Affairs Department which will work exclusively for the welfare of the Bodos.