Allow BTC Administration to Release Funds for Corona: BPF's Biswajit Daimary to Election Commission

Guwahati, March 29, 2020:

Rajya Sabha MP from Assam and Bodoland People's Front (BPF) leader Biswajit Daimary has urged the Assam Election Commission to allow the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) authority to work and extend their financial aid to the needy despite the model code of conduct of BTC election.

The Rajya Sabha MP, as a public representative belonging to the BTC area, said, "I request you to kindly take this matter seriously and allow specially the BTC authority including DC, SP, Deaprtmental Officers of all the districts under BTC area to grant the special power to work despite the model code of conduct of BTC elction which issues are related with coronavirus/COVID-19," in a letter addressed to the Election Commissioner, Assam Election Commission, Alok Nath.

Biswajit Daimary observed that the model code of conduct was standing tall on the way of the BTC authority from performing its duty towards the people amid lockdown. "...compared to other districts of Assam, the emergency works related to this crisis situation like the healthcare system are not bring able to do in four districts of BTC because of election code of conduct," said the Rajya Sabha MP, adding that the ones in power could not take any decision regarding the security of the people from the virus, which involves financial assistance out of the discretionary funds.

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Daimary's letter comes two days after United People's Party Liberal (UPPL) leader Pramod Boro wrote to the State Election Commissioner accusing current BTC Chief and BPF leader Hagrama Mohilary of violating the Election Model Code of Conduct by openly announcing relief packages for the daily wage laborers, including hand sanitizers, which have become an essential item amid COVID-19.

It needs mention here that Hagrama, on March 25 had announced that the BTC administration would provide essential materials like Dal, mustard oil, etc. to the daily wage earners of the Bodoland Territorial Areas District (BTAD). He said that a total of 5.5 lakh families would receive the essentials from the administration during the lockdown period of 21 days amid COVID-19.

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As per Mohilary's announcement, each of the 5.5 lakh families from BTAD would receive about 25 kg rice, two kilos of Dal and 500 ml of mustard oil. He had also informed that about 10 lakh face masks would be distributed and sanitizing steps were being taken to keep the BTC area and its people coronavirus-free.

Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary, signaling at the confusion at a health emergency state, reasoned, "In BTC about 15,000 migrant workers and people living outside home from BTC areas have been coming back to home since March 2020. So, there is a possibility of transmission of a virus from an already infected person." He therefore requested the Election Commissioner to allow the authorities to take charge.

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