GUWAHATI: The Assam health department has stated that there is no possibility to hold the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections amid the rising COVID19 cases in the state.
"The health department has already cleared there is no atmosphere to hold BTC elections," said Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Sarma took stock of the matter regarding the BTC. "There will be an implementation of the accord and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has raised the matter," he said.
The normal usage of Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District (BTAD) consisting of four districts namely Kokrajhar, Baksa, Chirang, and Udalguri will be replaced with Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) as previously mentioned in the accord.
Himanta Biswa Sarma further commented on the issue of inclusion and exclusion.
"Bodo villages near BTAD with more than 50% Bodo population can apply to be part of BTAD. Non-Bodo villages can also apply to opt-out of BTAD," said Sarma. However, all the villages have to be near the border.
Along with that, the government is set to promote Bodo language to act as an official language. Non-Bodo villagers can also apply for excluding out of Bodo, added the Minister.
