Dispur: The new BTC chief Pramod Boro took oath at a programme held at Bodofa Nagar in Kokrajhar today where in Chief Secretary Jishnu Baruah administered him oath of office.
The Chief Secretary also administered Gobinda Basumatary as the Deputy Chief
and Gautam Das, Ghanashyam Das and Diganta Baruah as members of the Council in presence of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sonowal exuded confidence that the Pramod Boro led new Council would script never before successes in catapulting socio-economic development of the BTR areas.
Paying rich tributes to Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma, chief minister Sonowal said that this great personality discovered the hidden potential of the Bodos. Because of the vision drafted by this great personality in the fields of socio, cultural, academic and political landscape, the BTR is in a position to make a strong statement in its prosperity.
Chief Minister Sonowal on the occasion expressed his gratitude to all sections of the voters for electing the new members for a new Council. He also said that the new Council led by Pramod Boro would take all the people belonging to Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri on board towards development. He said that Pramod Boro took oath to make a BTR free from insurgency and corruption and strengthen the harmonious co-existence of all the people in BTR.
Attributing the Bodo Accord 2020 to the contributions of Prime Minister Narendra
Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Sonowal also expressed confidence that the new accord would bolster peace and development in the region by strengthening the social, economic, academic landscape of the people.
Sonowal said that in the 21st century, the BJP led government took a resolution to make Assam stronger on all fields. Responding to a call by the Prime Minister to make an Atma Nirbhar Bharat, Sonowal said that Government of Assam has also taken steps for making Assam self-reliant as the government is pursuing the mission very dedicatedly. Chief Minister Sonowal said that the new Council should strive to give respect, identity and dignity to all sections of the people of the BTR. He also said that the voters of BTR have strengthened the hands of Prime Minister Modi to bring about positive changes in the region.
He, further said that the time has come to bring about tangible development in the BTR as he requested the new Council led by Pramod Boro to work with dedication to create a robust development narrative in the region.
Stating that development of a region depends on cooperation of all stake holders,
Sonowal requested the UPPL, BJP, GSP to work unitedly for peace and prosperity of the BTR. He even requested BPF supremo Hagrama Mohilary to extend all cooperation. Sonowal said that the development of all districts namely Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri is possible only through harmony. Chief Miniser Sonowal also attributed the ‘change of guard’ in the BTR to the end of intimidating days in the region. He also said that the four districts of the BTR are full of natural resources, as the new dispensation needs to create a broad roadmap for transforming BTR into a potential tourist destination.
He at the same time assured all government help to the new Council to expedite development of the region. He also observed that from now onwards there will not be any impediment for the indigenous people to sell or purchase lands. He said that the members of the proscribed organizations NDFB understanding the futility of violence gave up extremism and returned to the main stream of the society.
He said that all the cadres of NDFD who came to the main stream would be adequatelyrehabilitated. He also said that a package worth Rs. 60 crore would soon be announced. He also said that the cadres belonging to Adivasi, Santhal etc who would come over ground and give up violence would also be rehabilitated.
Speaking on the occasion, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa
Sarma said that peace brings prosperity and development creates new horizon of possibilites. Thanking the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister for Bodo Accord, Dr. Sarma said that the new accord would be conducive to fulfil the aims and aspirations of the people of Bodo areas.
He also emphasised that by bringing about equal development of all people living in the BTR, the dream of Bodofa will be made successful. By giving the Bodo language an official status, giving development councils for all the Bodos living out side BTR areas, giving relaxations to provincialization rules of the schools located at BTR, the present State government has taken a series of steps for the development of BTR.
He also announced that in the coming days, steps will be taken to set up new educational institutions, new stadium, campus of Bodoland University at Udalguri, Medical College at Tamulpur and setting up
colleges in each of all the 40 constituencies in the BTR.
He also said that from 2021, Kokrajhar Medical College would start functioning.
While delivering his address Chief Executive Member Pramod Boro thanked Prime
Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Sarbananda
Sonowal, Health Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and said that the Bodo Accord would spell an end to the era of fear psychosis in the region and usher in an era of peace and tranquillity. Stating that the violence had taken several lives in the BTR, the new Chief said that from now onwards there will exist an ambience of peace and prosperity, friendship, camaraderie and brotherhood.
He also said that the 2.40 lakh homeless people living in the BTR would be given houses, besides drinking water and good quality roads in all areas of the region.
Minister of State for Irrigation Bhabesh Kalita, MPs Naba Sarania, Pallab Lochan Das, Dilip Saikia, Chairman Housefed Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Chief Executive Members of Karbi, Dimasa, Mising Autonomous Councils and a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
