GUWAHATI, Oct 10 - The government has started expediting the process of implementing the Accord signed with four factions of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB). However, withdrawal of cases and rehabilitation of cadres will take some time as all the cases will have to be examined thoroughly.
Highly placed official sources told The Assam Tribune that the Centre has asked the State government to expedite the process of implementation of the Accord. Several key points of the Accord have already been implemented in recent time. Though the Accord was signed in January this year, its implementation was delayed because of the COVID-19 outbreak. The sources pointed out that as per the provisions of the Accord, the State Cabinet has already taken a decision to make Bodo an associate language in Assam, and has also decided to constitute a Bodo Kachari Welfare Council for ensuring development of the Bodo people living outside the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). A separate directorate for Bodo-medium schools has also been set up as part of implementation of the Accord.
As per the provisions of the Accord, the government has constituted a Commission headed by former Chief Secretary PP Verma to examine the feasibility of inclusion of villages contiguous to the BTR having majority tribal population. The Commission will also examine the feasibility of exclusion of villages having majority non-tribal population and look into the issue of increasing the number of seats in the BTR from 40 to 60. The matter of giving more administrative, legislative and financial powers to the BTR is also being examined.
However, the issue of withdrawal of cases will take some time. Sources said that as per the Accord, only those cases which are non-heinous in nature would be withdrawn. A committee headed by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department has been constituted to examine the matter and suggest recommendations. Another committee headed by the Inspector General of Police (BTAD) has started examining the cases against members of four factions of the NDFB but the process will take some time.
Same is the case with rehabilitation of cadres. The sources said that leaders of the NDFB had submitted inflated lists of cadres and those would have to be thoroughly checked before rehabilitating them. However, the rehabilitation process has started and 1,279 cadres are getting a grant of Rs 6,000 per month. They will also get a one-time grant of Rs 4 lakh each. The money will be put in fixed deposit accounts for a period of three years and they would be able to withdraw it only if they maintain good conduct during this period. However, they would be able to take loans against the fixed deposits to start their own business.
