NEW DELHI, July 1 ? While reiterating its commitment for creation of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), the Assam government is likely to propose the enactment of a separate provision in the Constitution on the lines of the Sixth Schedule for the creation of the new council. The Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, who is here to attend a meeting on the Bodo tangle with the Deputy Prime Minister, L K Advani, told this newspaper here today. The meeting itself was postponed to a later date because of the political developments in the NDA government. Gogoi who arrived here last evening to attend what is described as a crucial deliberation to save the Bodo peace process, said he has requested North Block for an early meeting. The Chief Minister, meanwhile, said that amendment of the Sixth Schedule may not serve the purpose and the Central government may have to enact a separate legislation to pave the way for creation of BTC. But the basic principles of Sixth Schedule would be there. ?We have decided to ask for a modified Sixth Schedule-type provisions for the proposed BTC,? he added.
The Chief Minister made the statement to silence the growing voice of dissent among the non-Bodo organisations by providing for constitutional safeguards, The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution that is in effect in Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills districts of the State denies basic rights including political and right to own lands to non-tribals. Gogoi said that while State government would reiterate it support for creation of BTC, its would advocate constitutional safeguards for the non-Bodos, who would enjoy all rights including right to vote and own lands among other. Incorporation of these safeguards by way of enactment of a provision in the Constitution would be the best guarantee for the non-Bodos. At the same time Bodo people would also be assured that the State government cannot fiddle with the rules governing the BTC, Gogoi argued. That way there would be no misgiving between the two communities and it would benefit both, the Chief Minister further added. The Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC) as it exists today has no provision specifying protection of the non-Bodos, but the proposed BTC would ensure constitutional safeguards for protection of their rights.
The Assam government would also convey the decision of the all-party meeting held last week on the issue. In all, 126 additional villages would be included in the BTC. But the State government is yet to decide on the demand for inclusion of couple of towns like Bijni and a few villages in Srirampur area, he added. On the issue of reservation of seats for non-Bodos, the Chief Minister confirmed that it would support the existing BAC reservation pattern, where 30 seats are reserved for Bodos and 10 for non-Bodos. It may be mentioned here that the Central government has mooted the proposals for amending the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and has been holding consultations with the Assam government to frame the amendments proposing the safeguards for the non-Bodos. But the Assam government?s suggestion of enact a separate Sixth Schedule like provision may complicate matters leading to further delays.
Meanwhile, the Manifesto Review Committee of the Congress party for Assam is meeting here tomorrow. The committee headed by Dr Manmohan Singh includes Oscar Fernandes, Mohsina Kidwai and P R Kyndiah. Gogoi said that the Congress-ruled Assam government has fulfilled several of the election promises. As promised in our election manifesto we have conducted Panchayat elections, introduced Right to Information Bill, create promised number of man-days to ease the unemployment situation, he contended. ?Our performance has been good and that is what we intend to convey to the committee tomorrow,? he asserted.