OUR CORRESPONDENT
KOKRAJHAR: Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday attended one-year celebrations of the BJP-UPPL government of the Bodoland Territorial Region at Kokrajhar and said in this one year BTR has taken a new momentum towards development.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr.Sarma said that the new government in BTR has completed a glorious one year- the year which was full of challenges. However, notwithstanding the challenges, the government with its commitment has gained a new momentum towards progress. He, therefore, on the occasion congratulated the people of BTR, BTC Chief Promod Boro and his colleagues.
Stating that the historic Bodo Peace Accord signed in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, Dr Sarma said that the accord ushered in a new era of peace in the BTR. He said that the accord increased the scope and power of BTC, resolved issues related to Bodo people and promoted and protected their social, cultural, linguistic identities besides taking bold steps to rehabilitate the members of the NDFB factions. He also said that the government with its initiatives has already rehabilitated 2,774 ex-cadres of the NDFB.
He also said that the Government College of Kokrajhar will be transformed into a full-fledged university in three years. He also shared the government's decision of setting up of a Bodoland University campus at Udalguri. He said that the under-construction Kokrajhar Medical College would be dedicated to the public on 15 August, 2023. He said that processes are on to upgrade Tamulpur Sub-Division into a district. He said that the construction work of Tamulpur Medical College is going on in full swing.
Commenting on the laying down of arms by 500 poachers as a good omen, Dr.Sarma said, "This would augur well in promoting wild lives in BTR. He also said that declaration of Raimona Reserve Forest as National Park is also a good development for BTR. Setting out his plan for making health care facilities more accessible in BTR, the Chief Minister said that two more model hospitals would be established in Chirang and Baksa. He also said that in BTR 4,949 landless families would be given land pattas as he requested BTC Chief Promod Boro to create and launch a portal in line with Basundhara for ensuring exclusive land rights to indigenous people in the BTR. He said that his government has already executed its plan of making the Bodo language an associate official language in Assam.
Speaking on the challenges and their manifestations all around, Chief Minister Dr.Sarma urged the people of BTR to work for Atmanirbhar BTR.
The Chief Minister along with Union Minister inaugurated Bodoland Textile Mission and Bodoland Milk Mission. Union Minister of State for Textiles Darshana Jardosh, Minister of Health and Family Welfare Keshab Mahanta, BTC Chief Promod Boro also spoke on the occasion. Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Ashok Singhal, Minister for WPT&BC U.G. Brahma, Deputy Chief BTC Gobinda Basumatary and a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion. Earlier in the meeting, a one minute silence was observed in memory of recently died Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat and others. Chief Minister Dr.Sarma also paid floral tributes to Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma.
Also Watch: