Guwahati: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday announced a special development package of Rs 1,000 crore for roads and bridges in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) and financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to 15,000 youths, as part of a series of initiatives unveiled during the central programme of the 24th Bodoland Day in Kokrajhar.Addressing the gathering organised by the BTC, Sarma said the grant would be released over the next two to three years to improve connectivity across the four districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri.
He added that the youth assistance scheme, requiring no collateral or bank guarantee, would help young people become self-reliant through entrepreneurship and business ventures.Extending greetings on the occasion, the CM paid tributes to Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma and Bodofa Upendranath Brahma, architects of the Bodo movement. He recalled the signing of the historic BTC Accord in 2003 under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Union home minister LK Advani, which led to the creation of BTC, and noted the subsequent transformation in education and healthcare with institutions like Bodoland University, CIT and Kokrajhar Medical College.Sarma also highlighted the 2020 Bodo Peace Accord signed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah, which accelerated development in the region, including the creation of Tamulpur district and plans for a mini secretariat.Referring to recent incidents in Kokrajhar, he praised the people of BTR for maintaining peace through dialogue and thanked Hagrama Mohilary for his leadership. He further announced plans for a Bodoland Guest House in Chennai to assist patients seeking medical treatment there.Calling Bodoland a confluence of diverse communities, Sarma urged unity and cultural pride, noting that Bagurumba’s mass performance in Guwahati had won global acclaim. He said a grand Silver Jubilee celebration of the BTC Accord would be organised next year with Prime Minister Modi in attendance.
