BTC passes Rs 1.59 lakh crore budget, major push for education, healthcare and infrastructure

The Bodoland Territorial Council Legislative Assembly (BTCLA) on July 30 passed the BTC Budget for the financial year 2026–27, amounting to Rs 1,58,831.32 lakh, with a major focus on education, healthcare, agriculture, road connectivity and infrastructure development across the Bodoland Territorial Region.

The budget was presented by BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary, who also holds the Finance portfolio, and was passed smoothly by the Assembly. Members of the ruling bench described it as a people-centric, inclusive and development-oriented budget aimed at accelerating socio-economic growth in the region.

The budget includes Rs 90,000 lakh under the Consolidated SOPD Grant to BTC, Rs 20,000 lakh for infrastructure development and implementation of the Bodoland Accord, Rs 20,000 lakh as special assistance for Centrally Sponsored Schemes, and Rs 9,757.25 lakh towards infrastructure grants.

It also provides Rs 2,530.22 lakh as administrative grants, Rs 2,794.44 lakh as special grants to BTC, Rs 1,000 lakh as ex gratia assistance for martyrs and Rs 1,000 lakh for the construction of a BTC Guest House in Chennai.

Addressing the House, Mohilary said the budget accorded the highest priority to education and healthcare while ensuring continued investment in agriculture, roads and public infrastructure.

“The BTC government is committed to creating better educational opportunities and improving public healthcare services throughout the region,” the BTC Chief said.

Announcing major student welfare initiatives, Mohilary said the Bodofa Super-50 programme would be expanded to accommodate more than 100 students and renamed the “UN Brahma Free UPSC, APSC, NEET and JEE Coaching Programme.”

He further announced that students securing 100 per cent marks in MIL subjects in the HSLC examination would receive Rs 3 lakh each, while the top 10 rank holders in the Higher Secondary examination would be awarded Rs 5 lakh each.

The BTC Chief also said several initiatives had been undertaken to strengthen the agriculture sector and improve support for farmers.

During Question Hour, BTC Executive Member for Education Rabiram Narzary informed the House that 554 Science and Mathematics teachers, who were appointed on a contractual basis during the previous UPPL-led Council, would continue in service under the present BPF-led government.

He said the necessary budgetary provisions had already been made and the teachers’ remuneration would be released after the required funds were received.

Narzary added that the incentives of Rs 5 lakh each for the top 10 Higher Secondary rank holders and Rs 3 lakh each for students securing full marks in MIL subjects in the HSLC examination would continue under the Martyr Sujit Narzary Merit Scholarship Scheme.

On the healthcare front, BTC Executive Member for Health Services Derhasat Basumatary said the Council was facing a shortage of around 150 doctors and 400 paramedical personnel.

He said discussions had already been held with the Assam government, and 150 GNM nurses were expected to be appointed in the BTC region after the Independence Day celebrations.

Basumatary also said future appointments of doctors, nurses and paramedical personnel would not be followed by transfers based on personal requests, a measure aimed at ensuring greater workforce stability in healthcare institutions.

During the discussion, MCLA Dhaneswr Goyary raised the issue of compensation and rehabilitation for PTCA activists and members of the ABSU Volunteer Force who participated in the tribal rights movement during the late 1980s.

Responding to the issue, Mohilary said the matter had already been discussed by the Council and assured the House that appropriate steps would be taken to recognise and honour their sacrifices.