GUWAHATI, March 1?The State Government has no objection to creation of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) with constitutional protection under a modified Sixth schedule of the Constitution of India with specific and adequate safeguards for the protection of rights of the non-Bodos in respect of political, economic and settlement, employment and official languages, said the Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha. In his address before the State Assembly today, Lt Gen Sinha said that the State Government would seek to allay the apprehensions of all sections of people living in the proposed BTC areas in a spirit of constructive cooperation and mutual understanding.
The Governor revealed that the State Government has taken up with the Centre for granting Scheduled Tribe status to the Koch-Rajbongshi,Tea and ex-Tea tribes, Ahom, Chutiya, Motok and Moran communities. The Governor said that the Government would continue to pursue counter-insurgency operations against the militant groups operating in the State. At the same time, the Government will continue its endeavour to persuade the militant outfits to abjure violence and keep the doors open for dialogue to find a satisfactory solution to the problem of insurgency, he added. He also asserted that over the past year, the relentless efforts to bring peace have began to pay dividends. The law and order situation has improved, which was reflected in a decreasing trend of violent incidents and civilian casualties, he said.
Lt Gen Sinha informed the House that the Government has initiated steps for modernising the police force through upgraded weaponry, mobility, communication and technical capabilities. The Government has constituted a committee on police reforms and it is expected to recommend measures to improve the effectiveness of the force. He also referred to the steps taken for improving the police-public ties.
Financial position: The Governor admitted that the financial position of the State represents the biggest challenge before the Government. However, he said that the Government is committed to overcome the problem, to be able to steer the State and its economy on the road of significant growth. He said that the Government took an important step in this regard with the constitution of the Committee on Fiscal Reforms and the recommendations of the committee are under the active consideration of the Government. He also revealed that a number of measures have been initiated to improve the State?s finances. ?We have been encouraged by the increased collection of tax revenues and by the upward trend in small savings deposits. Expenditure rationalisation measures are also being implemented to curtail non-essential expenditure and the purchase policy of the Government is under review,? he said.
The Governor pointed out that the 10th Five Year Plan would become operational in the financial year 2002-2003 and the State Government has already formulated its perspectives and proposals for the Tenth Plan. The Tenth Plan seeks to enhance growth and create employment and the State Government would give stress on development of employment opportunities, advancement of the rural economy, industrial activity and the provision of basic services including health care and education for all, he said.
Assam Accord: The Governor reiterates its commitment to effective implementation of the provisions of the Assam Accord. He said that the Government is committed to check illegal infiltration and to detect and deport illegal migrants under the provisions of the law. At the same time, it will be ensured that there is no harassment to genuine Indian citizens, he asserted. He also said that the first phase of construction of border road cum fencing on the Indo-Bangladesh border is expected to be completed by March 2002. He also said that the State Government would continue interaction with the Government of India for the implementation of the key areas of the Assam Accord including the gas cracker project and expediting the construction of a rail cum road bridge over the river Brahmaputra at Bogibeel.
Agriculture: The Governor today announced the State Government?s move to formulate an agriculture policy covering areas like poverty alleviation, crop diversification, horticulture, mechanisation, induction of integrated farming system etc. He said the increased and sustained production of rice has made it possible for the Government to encourage the diversification of agricultural production with an emphasis on wheat, purses, maize and oil seeds.
Industry: The Governor said that Assam is poised to take full advantage of the industrial policy for the North-East based on the excise duty and income tax concessions and due to the pro-active measures taken by the Government. A number of industrial houses have come forward to set up industries in the State and the last six months alone, brought investment worth Rs 100 crore to the State.