By Our Kokrajhar Web Desk
Kokrajhar(Assam) ,Jan 7: Assam Health and Education minister and NEDA convenor Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said the process for granting Scheduled Tribe(ST) status to the six ethnic communities including Koch Rajbongshis has been prepared by the state government and the ethnic communities are going to get the ST status within short span of time .
Dr Sarma while addressing the 20th martyr’s day of All Koch Rajbongshi Students Union(AKRSU) on Thursday held at Serfanguri Kalabari here said that state government has initiated necessary procedure for granting Scheduled Tribe(ST) status to the six ethnic communities in the state.
He said that the state government is taking up on priority to accord Scheduled Tribe status to the indigenous communities who are residing in the state for long time .
“We are committed to grant ST status to the ethnic communities and are in consultation with various social organisations who demanding ST status .We hope that the granting of ST status to the ethnic communities would be come up in a positive way and very soon “, Dr Sarma said.
” I pay my tributes to the 14 martyrs of the AKRSU on this day.We must respect the contribution of the martyrs who have dedicated their lives for the cause of the Koch Rajbongshi community”,Dr Sarma said adding that the Koch Rajbongshi community is an indigenous community in the state.
Dr Sarma announced that the Kamatapur Autonomous Council(KAC) would be formed within 30 days from today as per government procedures .
He has asserted BJP led state government was working for the welfare and development of the citizen since it’s inception.
He has announced that the martyrs family members of the Koch Rajbongshi community would be given 5 lakh each .
He also assured to set up Chilaray University at Galakganj in Dhubri district to pave the way higher education in the area .
Dr . Sarma said that the UPPL-BJP-GSP combine coalition government in BTC is committed to work for the welfare and development in the state and necessary developmental initiatives have been initiated for bringing massive welfare to the the common masses.
Dr Sarma said that citizens should not be worried about the village inclusion or exclusion as BTR commission is having serious consultations on the issue.
He said that the village inclusion or exclusion is part of the BTR accord and the government has formed a commission to look after the matter.
“Those who are want to be out of BTR, can apply for the village inclusion or exclusion through the BTR commission”,he said.
The All Koch Rajbongshi Students Union(AKRSU) has been slamming the state government for not initiating any steps to grant the Scheduled Tribe(ST) status to the Koch Rajbongshis , and reconstruction of Kamatapur state curving several parts of the Assam and West Bengal .
AKRSU president Karmeswar Roy has demanded early granting of ST status to the Koch Rajbongshi community without any further delay.
He has warned to start mass agitation against the government in support of reconstruction of Kamatapur state and ST status to the Koch Rajbongshi community in days to come.
During the martyr’s day ,AKRSU president Karmeswar Roy hoisted union flag followed by homage to the martyrs.
Earlier , AKRSU adviser Hiteswar Barman unveiled the martyrs tomb at Serfanguri anchalik AKRSU office in the morning.
Barman has urged upon the state government for early solution to the issues and demands of the Koch Rajbongshi community .
