BJP-led government goes Congress way: KRNC

ST status to Koch-Rajbongshis

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Koch-Rajbongshi National Convention (KRNC) has accused the BJP-led government at Dispur of going the Congress way in fulfilling its poll promise of according ST status to the Koch-Rajbongshis and five other ethnic groups of the State.

Talking to The Sentinel, KRNC general secretary Biswajit Ray said, "This government has failed to keep its poll promises. In the run-up to the Assembly poll in the State, the BJP assured us of giving ST status within six months of coming to power. However, four years have already elapsed. The issue of ST status to the six ethnic groups of the State is hanging in balance. The Government at the Centre just tabled the Bill on ST status in the Rajya Sabha before the last Lok Sabha poll. The Bill, however, was never placed in the Lok Sabha.

"After that Dispur formed a Cabinet sub-committee with State Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as its chairman for preparing the modalities for according ST status to the six communities. The sub-committee has not been able to submit its report to the government.

"This government did assure the Koch-Rajbongshis of creating an autonomous council for them. The Cabinet decision to this regard was taken, but no tangible measures have been taken towards that end as yet. The State government is following the footsteps of the previous Congress government in the State. If no tangible action is taken now, the BJP will have to face the music in the next Assembly election in the State." 

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