New Delhi, Aug. 6: The long-delayed Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) today cleared a big hurdle with the Lok Sabha giving its assent to a series of amendments to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

The delicately-balanced legislative step concedes the Bodo tribe’s dominance in the administration of the BTC, at the same time “adequately safeguarding” the rights, including those on land, at present enjoyed by the non-tribal people living in the area.

Replying to the debate on the amendment bill this evening, minister of state for home Swami Chinmayanand allayed the apprehension of some members that the interests of the non-Bodo community have been ignored.

The minister said the BTC territory had not been demarcated in accordance with the Bodo population in specific areas, but enough safeguards had been provided to the non-Bodo people based there.

The amendments provide for 46 members in the BTC, of which 40 will be elected. Thirty posts will be reserved for the Bodo tribes and five for representatives of non-tribal communities. The remaining five seats will be open to all communities.

The governor will nominate six members, at least two of them women. All 46 members will have equal rights and privileges.

The BTC will have legislative and executive competence over 40 subjects, as listed under the amendment bill. These include land, revenue, health, education, forests, tribal welfare, transport, tourism, panchayat and municipal administration, and planning and development.

However, all laws made by the BTC require the assent of the governor before enforcement. The governor may refer a law to the President, who may send it back for reconsideration by the BTC.

The amendment bill will now go to the Rajya Sabha. As soon as the bill becomes an Act, there is a provision for setting up an interim executive council for administration of the Bodo-inhabited areas. It will remain in place for a maximum period of six months, before which elections have to be held to constitute the first BTC.

The amendment bill, Chinmayanand said, was a corollary to the tripartite memorandum of settlement signed by Delhi, Dispur and the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) on February 10. The pact had become necessary because of the failure of the Bodo accord of 1993 to restore peace in Assam’s Bodo heartland, he added.

The BLT said last week that its members would not lay down arms until the Bodos based in Karbi Anglong and the areas administered by the Tiwa, Rabha-Hasong and Mising autonomous councils were given the rights and privileges enjoyed by other communities there.

BLT chairman Hagrama Basumatary said he had conveyed his organisation’s stand to deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani. “I told him our members would not lay down arms until the Bodos living in the council areas were extended the rights enjoyed by other communities. I will advise them not to give up arms until this demand is met.”