GoM will send report to Centre soon: Chandan Brahma

GUWAHATI: State WPT & BC Minister Chandan Brahma has said that the GoM (Group of Ministers) for according ST status to the six ethnic communities of the State is set to meet soon and send its recommendations to the Centre after consultation with all stakeholders.

The State government has inducted two more Cabinet ministers – Atul Bora and Phani Bhushan Choudhury – into the GoM for according ST status to Marans, Mataks, Chutias, Koch-Rajbongshis, Tai Ahoms and Tea Tribes. The induction of the two was necessitated following the election of two former GoM members – Topon Kumar Gogoi and Pallab Lochan Das – as MPs.

Addressing a press meet here on Friday, Brahma said, "The Bills for the setting up Maran Autonomous Council, Matak Autonomous Council and the Kamatapur Autonomous Council will ensure socio-economic development of the three communities. In the next Assembly session, the Bodo Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council Bill will be introduced in the House. This council area will be excluding the areas falling under the BTAD, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao."

On the achievements of the WPT&BC Department in the past two years, Brahma said, "We gave scholarships to 71,231 ST, SC and OBC students. This year 1.16 lakh students have applied for scholarship and those who haven't applied as yet can do so till October this year. In the past two years, 44,760 students were given tablet PCs; 6,55,990 exercise books; 378 paddy reapers and 1,667 diesel pumps to ST, SC and OBC farmers; CI sheets (two bundles each) to 82,462 SC, ST and OBC landless and erosion-affected families and 50 ambulances for rural health centres in tribal areas." Brahma further said that 17 Ekalabya model residential schools will be set up in the State, and each of such schools will cost Rs 24 crore. "The scheme has been sanctioned," he said.

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