Guwahati, July 3: Assam’s Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia has urged the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) to intervene in the proposed 1500-acre Barduar satellite township project in Kamrup district’s Palashbari revenue circle, citing serious concerns over indigenous land rights, displacement, and environmental impact.
In a letter to the NCST chairman, Saikia called the project a threat to over 2,100 indigenous families, including the Rabha and Garo tribes, who have lived in the region for generations. Many of these families possess Kacha Khaitan—preliminary landholding documents—and claim legal and historical entitlement to the land.
Saikia emphasized that the area was once part of the historic Rabha Kingdom of Barduar. The land, originally leased to Barduar Tea & Timber Co. Ltd., was reallocated to flood-displaced families, who were later granted periodic pattas (land rights) after paying a premium.
Despite this, the state government has pushed ahead with township plans, including provisions in the 2025–26 State Budget to develop Borduar as a satellite urban centre. Saikia criticized the move, stating that prior promises made to the local communities—such as consultations with MLA-elect Hemanga Thakuria in December 2024—were never fulfilled.
Saikia alleged that the project violates multiple legal safeguards the Assam (Temporary Settled Areas) Tenancy Act, 1971; Schedule VI of the Constitution, which protects tribal land rights and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, specifically Sections 3(1)(f) and 4(3).
He also flagged the absence of a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)—despite the land comprising tea gardens, wetlands, forests, and farmland near the Meghalaya foothills.
Saikia claimed that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma denied the existence of any satellite township plan for the area during a special session of the Assembly. However, an official press release from the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) contradicted this, confirming the Barduar Tea Estate as a township site.
He accused the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs, Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), and others of violating Rule 54 of the Assam Rules of Executive Business, 1968, which governs land settlements and tribal tenancy rights.
Calling the development a direct threat to tribal rights, culture, and livelihood, Saikia urged the NCST to act under Article 338A(5) of the Constitution and prepare a detailed report advising the Assam government.
“The Commission must step in now to ensure the protection of Scheduled Tribe communities whose land, rights, and futures are under immediate threat,” Saikia added.
