Guwahati: In Assam’s biggest peace and reconciliation push, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed in Budget 2026-27 an unprecedented special development package of Rs 500 crore for United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa).The proposals stem from the landmark tripartite peace accord signed with Ulfa in 2023 — signalling a historic shift from insurgency to integration and marking a decisive turning point for the northeast.
The proposed package, to be implemented under the DoNER ministry, is among seven special allocations worth Rs 1,046 crore. These include ₹156 crore for the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), ₹200 crore for the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council (KAATC), ₹100 crore for the Dima Hasao Autonomous Territorial Council (DHATC), ₹70 crore for the Dimasa people, ₹50 crore for the tribals of Tripura and Rs 70 crore for Adivasi groups.Ulfa general secretary Anup Chetia, speaking to TOI, hailed the Budget proposal as “a positive way forward” in implementing the peace accord signed two years ago.“This is the first instalment of a total package of ₹5,000 crore to be disbursed over five years. We have already submitted the projects for the fund to the state govt,” Chetia said, underscoring the group’s commitment to channel the allocation into development initiatives.On Dec 29, 2023, the Govt of India, the Government of Assam and representatives of Ulfa signed a historic MoU in the presence of Union home minister Amit Shah. As part of the accord, a special development package of ₹5,000 crore will be rolled out over five years, with matching contributions from the Centre and the state govt.More than 9,000 Ulfa cadres have surrendered and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has been lifted from 85 per cent of Assam, marking a dramatic transformation in the state’s security landscape. Yet, a small faction — Ulfa (Independent) led by Paresh Baruah — continues to remain outside the peace process, standing apart from the mainstream reconciliation.
