PM Modi promises development of Bodoland, but does not announce financial package

GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at a rally in Kokrajhar that he will work for the overall development of Bodoland but refrained from announcing a financial package for the region.

Bodoland People’s Front has set fiscal assistance as one of the prime conditions for supporting the BJP in the Assam polls slated for spring this year. BPF had sought a Rs 100 crore package.

“The Central Institute of technology will be upgraded into deemed university. The Registrar General of India and National Commission of Scheduled Tribes has recommended ST status for Karbi-Mikri tribe and Bodo-kachari. The recommendation will be taken up by the Cabinet shortly and bill placed in Parliament,” the PM said on January 19.

Taking a dig at the Congress and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Modi said that Bodoland and Assam are besieged with so many problems. “I thought being represented by Prime Minister for 10 years and ruled by Congress for 15 years there should not any problems here,” he said.

He said, “Those who ruled Assam for 15 years are yet to submit accounts of the work and they are asking accounts of my 15 months’ work. The airport in Rupsi will be developed for civilian facility. The state government is yet to give land for the same and land issue will be resolved.”

The Prime Minister said the Assam government is worried because the ministry for development of north eastern region is seeking details of money spent. “This is the reason they dislike me. However, do not care about it,” he said.