NDA govt committed to Assam Accord, mulling to grant ST status: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asserted that the NDA government is committed to the Assam Accord and mulling granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities in the state.

The Assam Accord provides for deportation of all illegal immigrants who entered Assam after March 1971, irrespective of their religion.

The Centre is trying its best to implement the Assam Accord that was suspended by the Congress, Modi said.

"We have made efforts to protect the people of Assam, its culture and interests. The NDA is seriously considering granting ST status to six communities -- Tai Ahom, Muttock, Moran, Chutiya, Koch Rajbongshis and the tea tribes," he said.

Lashing out at opposition Congress, he said Assam, where only 40 per cent homes had power and gas connections till several decades after independence, now has electricity and cooking fuel in almost every home.

"The way you have supported me, blessed me, it has boosted my confidence to do better work for the underprivileged, poor and the tribal population. Barring the Congress and the terrorists, everybody is happy with the BJP government," Modi said.

Listing his government's achievements, he said over 500,000 people in Assam have been given homes by the NDA govt, 27 lakh families have received health insurance of Rs 500,000 each and farmers have been given aid to take care of their regular expenses.

Addressing the tea belt communities, Modi, who used to sell tea at a railway station in his early years, said "only a 'chaiwala' (tea seller) can understand the pain of fellow 'chailwalas'".

"The NDA government has taken initiatives to open bank accounts for tea garden workers. Lakhs of families in the tea belt have received Rs 5,000 as aid in two instalments, the government has also decided to provide free rice and two kilograms of sugar to 400,000 families in the tea belt," he said.

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"This 'chaiwala' is committed to improve the condition of the tea gardens and its people in both Assam and West Bengal," he added.

Modi also asserted that the northeast has the power to become a new India's energy hub and the government is working hard to develop the region to realise this dream.

The prime minister, who paid tribute to legendary musician Bhupen Hazarika prior to his speech, said, "The government is committed to protect the rights, culture and interests of the indigenous people of this region".

Polling for the 14 Lok Sabha seats in Assam will be held in three phases on April 11, 18, 23. The results will be declared on May 23.