The Union Budget 2026–27 has earmarked Rs 500 crore as a special package for the rehabilitation and reintegration of surrendered cadres of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).
According to budget documents tabled in Parliament, the allocation has been made under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER). The funding follows the Memorandum of Settlement signed on December 29, 2023, between the Centre, the Assam government and the pro-talks faction of ULFA led by Arabinda Rajkhowa. The agreement was signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The peace accord marked a major step towards resolving Assam’s long-standing insurgency issue, with an emphasis on rehabilitation, economic assistance and sustainable peace.
In the 2026–27 Budget, the DoNER Ministry has been allocated Rs 6,812.3 crore, a significant increase from the revised estimate of Rs 4,479.2 crore in the previous financial year. Key components include Rs 2,500 crore for the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme, Rs 2,300 crore for the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE), and Rs 825 crore for various schemes under the North East Council.
The Budget also announced several Assam-specific allocations, including Rs 200 crore as a special package for Karbi Anglong, Rs 156 crore for the Bodoland Territorial Council, and Rs 70 crore each for special packages targeting Adivasi groups and the Dimasa community.
These enhanced allocations reflect the Centre’s focus on peace-building, rehabilitation of former insurgents and accelerated development across the North Eastern region, particularly in areas affected by ethnic unrest and insurgency.
