On Monday, Gogoi told Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia that Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram had less number of people than that of Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao and the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts in Assam.
"All these districts are home to various ethnic tribal groups. Yet, they get less funds than what received by Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram, the three states that were once carved out of Assam. As a result, the rate of development is slower in these districts. Besides, the locals have been supporting extremist activities and demands for states within the state," the CM said.
"Despite all this, a record number of underground outfits have shunned the path of violence and come to the talks table. There has also been a remarkable change in the situation in the hills. The government has to arrange specific welfare schemes for all the youth who have given up arms and joined the mainstream. They should get some assistance to become law-abiding citizens," he added.
In his submission to the Planning Commission, Gogoi said the population of the two hill districts of Assam was 10 lakh and the number of people living in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts stood at 29.21 lakh. In comparison, the 2001 Census put Meghalaya and Nagaland's population at 23 lakh and 20 lakh respectively.
"The 2008-09 plan allocation fixed by the Normal Central Assistance (NCA) for Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao, and the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) areas is comparatively less than the assistance received by Meghalaya (Rs 1014 crore) Nagaland (Rs 991 crore) and Mizoram (Rs 950 crore)," he added.
Expressing concern over the remoteness and difficult terrain of the hill districs, Gogoi said, "There's an urgent need to explore the natural resources of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao. Both the districts are rich in mineral resources and forest products. But there has not been much utilization of them. Besides, sectors such as surface transport, agriculture, irrigation, power, education, health and tourism should be developed. There's enough scope for infrastructure development."