Question : IMPLEMENTATION OF BODO ACCORD

(a) whether the Government has taken steps for the implementation of all the clauses of the Bodoland Territorial Council Accord signed on 10th February, 2003;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has implemented the provisions of the said accord, relating to the inclusion of the Bodo-Kocharis living in Karbi Anglong and in North Cachar Hills in the List of Scheduled Tribes (Hills) and transfer of different line departments including Relief and Rehabilitation;

(d) if so, the steps taken so far in this regard;

(e) if not, the reasons therefor;

(f) whether the Government proposes to implement the non-implemented clauses of Bodo Accord within a time frame;

(g) if so, the details thereof; and

(h) the measures being taken by the Government to maintain law and order in the Bodoland Territorial Council area including allowing it to raise a Territorial Police Battalion?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI MULLAPALLY RAMACHANDRAN)

(a): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 426 FOR 7.7.2009

(a) & (b): A Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) was signed between the Central Government, Government of Assam and the Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT) on 10.2.2003. The main clauses of the MoS interalia includes setting up of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) in the State of Assam under the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India, inclusion of Bodo language in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution, revision of list of Scheduled Tribes for the State of Assam, setting up of Central Institute of Technology, additional development package of Rs.100 crore per annum for 5 years over and above the normal plan assistance to the State of Assam, rehabilitation of BLT cadres, etc. Following action has been taken to implement the MoS:

(i) The Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India was amended for creation of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).

(ii) General Election to the Council was held on 13.5.2005 and Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) took office.

(iii) Scheduled Tribe (list) of Assam has been revised by amending the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes), Order 1950 to protect the interest of Bodo Tribe.

(iv) Bodo language has been included into the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.

(v) Article 332 (6) of the Constitution of India has been amended by enacting Constitution (Ninetieth) Amendment Act, 2003 for ensuring the existing representation of the Scheduled Tribes and non-Scheduled Tribes in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Assam from Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD).

(vi) Rs.57.37 crore have been released during the years 2003-2004 to 2008-09 for development of administrative infrastructure in the BTAD.

(vii) The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER)has sanctioned 42 projects worth Rs. 476.26 crore for creation of socio-economic infrastructure since the year 2004-05 and Rs.437.05 crore has been released to the State Government of Assam.

(ix) Central Institute of Technology (CIT)has started functioning at Kokrajhar since 2006.

(x) 835 ex-BLT cadres have been recruited in the Central Police Forces (CPFs) and approval for appointment of 400 ex-BLT cadres as Special Police Officer (SPOs) has been given to state Government.

(c) to (e): The Government of Assam has informed that the matter of inclusion of Bodo Kacharis living in Karbi Anglong and NC Hills in the list of Schedule Tribes needs wider consultation and consensus. As per the MoS subjects have been transferred to the BTC except Relief and Rehabilitation Department.

(f) & (g): As stated above action has been taken to implement various clauses of Bodo Accord. The Government is committed to implement MoS in letter and spirit. The Implementation of MoS is being reviewed in the Ministry periodically.

(h): The Government of Assam is maintaining Law and Order in the Council area through Superintendent of Police of the districts. One post of Inspector General of Police in Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD) has been created as per Bodo Accord. In addition, Deputy Inspector General of Police have been entrusted with the maintenance of Law and Order in all four district of BTAD.