BTR VISION DOCUMENT
Power to the People: A Roadmap for a Peaceful, Prosperous, and Progressive
Bodoland Territorial Region
1.
Preface:
For the last 11 years, the people of Bodoland have been betrayed. The promises
of the BTR Accord remain unfulfilled, autonomy has been systematically crushed,
and development hijacked by corruption. UPPL and BPF have both failed the
people, turning the Council into a tool for power, not empowerment, all under
the protection of the BJP.
2.
Preamble
The Indian National Congress, with its historic commitment to democracy,
inclusivity, and equitable development, presents this Vision Document for the
Bodoland Territorial Region. Our aim is to build a Bodoland that is peaceful,
prosperous, and progressive - rooted in the constitutional autonomy of the
Sixth Schedule, respectful of all communities, and responsive to the
aspirations of every citizen. We believe that true empowerment of the BTR lies
in inclusive governance, equitable resource sharing, strong social justice, and
sustainable growth, ensuring dignity, identity, and opportunity for every
community.
3. Core
Commitments
i) Strengthen Autonomy and Ensure Good Governance: We commit to
enhancing BTC’s constitutional powers under the Sixth Schedule through
transparent, accountable, and participatory governance. This includes achieving
full financial autonomy by bringing the 125th amendment to Article 280 of the
Constitution.
ii) First Right for Locals on Land and Resources: We will legally uphold
land rights for everyone who has been residing in BTR before 2003, implement
the Forest Rights Act, and provide universal access to quality education,
healthcare, and modern infrastructure.
iii) Prioritise Peace and Social Justice: We will fully implement the
Accord to ensure lasting harmony. Our policies will guarantee equitable
development and socio-economic upliftment for all communities, ensuring no one
is left behind.
iv) BTR as Tourism Hub: We will transform BTR into a top tourist place
by developing eco-tourism circuits, hosting cultural festivals, promoting
homestays and adventure tourism, and providing modern infrastructure that creates
jobs and global recognition.
v) Empower Youth, Mitigate ‘Out-Migration’: We will implement a
local-first employment policy in BTR institutions and industries through
transparent recruitment, reserving development tenders below ₹5 crore for local
entrepreneurs, and supporting apprenticeships, startup funds, and new
investments.
4.
District-Specific Vision
- Kokrajhar: Regional Growth
Hub
Establish as the economic capital with agro-industries, IT parks, and border trade centres. Upgrade Rupsi Airport, Trade Centre, and establish a world-class sports academy. Launch urban renewal programmes and youth incubation centres for start-ups. - Chirang: A Zone of Peace and
Prosperity
Launch peace and harmony councils for inter-community confidence building. Construct flood-resilient infrastructure and strengthen the district hospital with telemedicine facilities. Promote community-based eco-tourism, fisheries, and dairy cooperatives. - Baksa: Green and Sustainable
Development
Ensure all-weather connectivity and establish organic farming hubs with cold storage facilities. Develop eco-tourism livelihoods around Manas National Park. Establish vocational training institutes and promote renewable energy projects. - Udalguri: Education and Agro-Industry
Hub
Establish a Central University or a cluster of autonomous colleges. Promote agro-processing industries (tea, ginger, turmeric, horticulture). Empower women’s cooperatives in weaving and handicrafts and expand digital education. - Tamulpur: Model
Administrative District
Build a state-of-the-art district administration complex with digital governance. Create an industrial estate near the Bhutan border for cross-border trade. Generate employment through bamboo-based industries and ensure universal piped drinking water.
5.
Comprehensive Sector-Wise Agenda
5.1. Infrastructure & Connectivity
- All-weather roads, reliable
internet, and upgraded bridges for every village.
- Model border towns (near
Bhutan/Bengal) with smart trade hubs, logistics parks, and customs
facilities, to make BTR a trade gateway.
- Universal rural
electrification, clean water, and sanitation.
- Ensure a sustainable and
clean water supply.
5.2.
Economy, Employment & Livelihoods
- Goal: Increase per capita income
fivefold.
- Annual BTR Summit: Attract investments and
employment opportunities (both domestic and foreign).
- Agro-Industry: Promote agro-based
industries (bamboo, dairy, fishery, horticulture, handloom) with
guaranteed MSP for all local produce.
- Local First Policy: Reserve tenders below ₹5
crore for locals. Ensure a local-first employment policy in all
BTR-administered institutions.
- Entrepreneurship: Launch the Bodoland
Start-up Fund with low-interest loans, subsidies, and incubation support
for MSMEs.
5.3. Land
Rights & Security
- Enact a new land policy to
safeguard residents’ rights.
- Digitise land records &
establish Block-level Land Tribunals to resolve disputes.
- Secure land exclusively for
pastoralists and livestock rearers.
- Reserve homestead plots for
teachers, healthcare workers, ex-servicemen, and peace accord signatories.
5.4.
Health & Education
- Health: Launch a Special Insurance
Health Scheme for Bodoland. Establish super-speciality district hospitals
and mobile medical units in every block.
- Education: Launch the BTR Education
Equity Mission to achieve a zero-dropout rate by 2030 through
scholarships, upgraded mid-day meals, and hostels.
- Skills: Integrate vocational
training into school curricula and provide free upskilling classes and
paid internships.
5.5.
Women & Child Development
- Reserve 33% BTR-specific
tender/projects for women entrepreneurs.
- Empower women’s cooperatives
and self-help groups with financial and market support.
- Ensure political empowerment
of women through fair representation.
- Launch comprehensive
nutritional schemes for women and children.
5.6.
Youth Empowerment
- Establish a Youth Employment
Mission for skill training and innovation.
- Ensure local-first
employment policy in BTR-administered institutions and industries.
- Setting up a Bodoland
Start-up Fund to fast-track start-up culture.
- Promote sports through
modern stadiums, academies, and scholarships.
- Institutionalise youth
councils and provide internship quotas in BTC administration.
5.7.
Culture & Identity
- Preserve and promote Bodo and
other indigenous languages and dialects.
- Establish the Guru
Kalicharan Brahma Cultural Centre and a Cultural Research and Heritage
Centre in memory of Late Rupnath Brahma.
- Subsidies and support to the
local artisans, weavers, and craftsmen.
5.8. Good
Governance & Finance
- Push for ‘Right to Call Out’
- Empower locals to demand accountability from the government.
- Secure BTR’s inclusion under
Article 280 for enhanced central financial devolution.
- Ensure transparent budgeting
and establish BTC e-Seva centres in every block.
- Make BTC sessions
transparent, with live streaming and public consultation.
5.9.
Environment & Disaster Management
- Implement scientific
human-elephant conflict mitigation strategies.
- Launch a BTR Disaster
Resilience Mission for flood forecasting, embankment repair, and crop
insurance for farmers.
5.10.
Tourism & Trade
- Develop a Bodoland Tourism
Circuit focused on eco-tourism, homestays, and cultural experiences.
- Establish model border towns
with smart trade hubs to position BTR as a trade gateway to Bhutan.
5.11.
Animal Husbandry
- Incentivised system for
animal husbandry households for buying high-yield cattle, goats, pigs, and
poultry.
- Livestock insurance schemes
with a government-paid premium.
6. Our
Pledge
The Indian National Congress pledges to rebuild the Bodoland Territorial Region
as a land of peace, prosperity, and dignity. Our vision integrates economic
modernisation with social justice, infrastructure with sustainability, and
cultural pride with inclusive governance. We envision a Bodoland that does not
lag but leads Assam and the Northeast in development, harmony, and progress.
Assam
Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC)
