October 7, 2020: The Assam Cabinet on Tuesday decided to make Bodo the associate official language for the state and create a Bodo Kachari Autonomous Welfare Council outside sixth schedule area for the Bodo community.

“The state cabinet has taken two important decisions - 1.Bodo will be the Associate official language for the state of Assam. 2. Bodo Kachari autonomous welfare Council outside 6th schedule area for welfare of Bodo community,” tweeted Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The Cabinet has asked the BTR authority to extensively use Assamese along with Bodo and English on signboards. The number of members on the Development Council has been increased to 45, from 25.

The Cabinet has also approved an ordinance to form Bodo Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council outside sixth schedule areas within Bodo dominated villages. In addition, remuneration of Gaon Burhas (village headmen) has been increased to Rs 9,000 from Rs 6,500.

The Cabinet has decided to request the State Election Commission to schedule Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) election to December 2020.

The term of the sixth schedule erstwhile Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) ended on April 27. Election to the Council - which was slated for April 4 - was deferred following the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Jagdish Mukhi took over administration of the sixth schedule council.

However, different political parties are holding rallies and there is a huge turnout. It has been alleged that COVID-19 protocols have been violated.