Assamese News & English Newspaper

Bodoland Seeks Direct Union Funds for Development under Article 280

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The Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) in Assam is advocating for its inclusion under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution to access direct financial assistance from the Union government.

Guwahati:The Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) in Assam is advocating for its inclusion under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution to access direct financial assistance from the Union government. The move aims to accelerate development in an area that has long been affected by insurgency but is now on the road to peace.Pramod Boro, Chief Executive Member of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), stressed the importance of additional financial resources and policy support to sustain the hard-won peace and bolster infrastructure in the region. Speaking on the fifth anniversary of the Bodo Peace Accord, which was signed on January 27, 2020, Boro reiterated the call for direct funding through Article 280.”Although peace has been restored after decades of instability, we face significant challenges in achieving prosperity for Bodoland. Inclusion under Article 280 will address critical financial shortfalls and support essential development,” Boro, a former president of the All Bodo Students Union, said.The BTR, formed under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, consists of five districts—Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baska, Udalguri, and the newly added Tamulpur. The region covers 8,970 square kilometers and is home to over 3.1 million people, including the Bodo tribe, the largest Scheduled Tribe in Assam.Boro pointed out that the region’s budget allocation of Rs 800 crore represents only 12% of Assam’s total budget, making it challenging to meet the area’s development needs. Direct funding under Article 280, as outlined in the 2020 peace accord, could significantly enhance the BTC’s ability to improve infrastructure and provide basic services for residents.”Decades of insurgency have left the region with underdeveloped infrastructure, banking services, and economic opportunities. We are working hard to rebuild, but we need financial backing from the Union government to achieve our goals,” Boro emphasized.Article 280 of the Constitution involves the Finance Commission, which makes recommendations on the distribution of tax revenues between the Union and states and allocates grants to local bodies. By including BTR under this article, the region could gain more financial independence and resources for development.Additionally, Boro highlighted that the government is working on amending the Sixth Schedule through the 125th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which will enhance the provisions for tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.Boro also presented a vision for promoting tourism in Bodoland, with a focus on eco-tourism, wildlife safaris, and river rafting, pointing out that peace and stability are vital to unlocking the region’s tourism potential.”If we maintain peace for another five years, Bodoland could become a significant tourist destination,” Boro said.The BTC has outlined a vision document for the region’s 26 communities and plans to launch a comprehensive development plan in March to address challenges like unemployment and economic migration.Reflecting on the Bodo movement, Boro expressed appreciation for the peace efforts of both the Centre and Assam governments and called for future demands to be “reasonable and well-founded.”As Bodoland continues its path to stability, the inclusion under Article 280 could play a pivotal role in fostering growth and prosperity in the region.

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