NEW DELHI, June 18 � The Centre today reviewed the implementation of the BTC Accord, with Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Chairman Hagrama Mohilary demanding sanction of an special annual package of Rs 200 crore.
Officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), led by Joint Secretary (North-east), Shambhu Singh, today met a BTC delegation led by its Chairman and deliberated on the execution of the Memorandum of Settlement signed in 2003.
Emerging from the meeting, Mohilary told newsmen that though the meeting took place at official-level they would have preferred a review meeting at the political level. The BPF-led BTC is demanding inclusion of an additional 95 villages into the territory of the Council.
Narrating his list of complaints, he said that according to the Accord, the State government is to release 12.19 per cent to the BTC from its State Plan, but in reality only 3 per cent is being released by Dispur, he said.
Mohilary demanded that funds earmarked for BTC should be released directly by the Centre on the lines of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hill District autonomous councils.
Referring to development projects, the BTC Chairman said that they discussed the detailed project report submitted for a road from Srirampur to Bhairabkunda connecting the Indo-Bhutan National Highway. Revival and operationalization of the Rupsi Airport was also discussed, he added. Mohilary also reiterated the demand for ST status for Bodos living in the Karbi Anglong hill district.
About political issues, the BTC Chairman made it clear that his party has already decided to go alone in the forthcoming Assembly polls. �We hope to win about 12 to 15 seats in the Assembly polls,� he claimed.
Asked about joining an alliance, he clarified that so far they have not discussed this with any political party.
The BPF was part of the ruling Congress alliance before they pulled out last year breaking an eight-year-old tie-up.
NEW DELHI, June 18 � The Centre today reviewed the implementation of the BTC Accord, with Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Chairman Hagrama Mohilary demanding sanction of an special annual package of Rs 200 crore.
Officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), led by Joint Secretary (North-east), Shambhu Singh, today met a BTC delegation led by its Chairman and deliberated on the execution of the Memorandum of Settlement signed in 2003.
Emerging from the meeting, Mohilary told newsmen that though the meeting took place at official-level they would have preferred a review meeting at the political level. The BPF-led BTC is demanding inclusion of an additional 95 villages into the territory of the Council.
Narrating his list of complaints, he said that according to the Accord, the State government is to release 12.19 per cent to the BTC from its State Plan, but in reality only 3 per cent is being released by Dispur, he said.
Mohilary demanded that funds earmarked for BTC should be released directly by the Centre on the lines of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hill District autonomous councils.
Referring to development projects, the BTC Chairman said that they discussed the detailed project report submitted for a road from Srirampur to Bhairabkunda connecting the Indo-Bhutan National Highway. Revival and operationalization of the Rupsi Airport was also discussed, he added. Mohilary also reiterated the demand for ST status for Bodos living in the Karbi Anglong hill district.
About political issues, the BTC Chairman made it clear that his party has already decided to go alone in the forthcoming Assembly polls. �We hope to win about 12 to 15 seats in the Assembly polls,� he claimed.
Asked about joining an alliance, he clarified that so far they have not discussed this with any political party.
The BPF was part of the ruling Congress alliance before they pulled out last year breaking an eight-year-old tie-up.
