Guwahati, July 5: Hindi will be used as an official working language in the Assam Legislative Assembly from the Budget Session beginning on Monday, joining Assamese, English and Bodo in a move announced by Speaker Ranjeet Kumar Dass.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Assembly’s General Purpose Committee on Saturday, Dass said, adding that members will now be able to use Hindi during Assembly proceedings alongside the three existing official languages.

Explaining the move, the Speaker said Hindi was being introduced as a mark of respect for the language. He also announced that ALA TV, the channel that livestreams Assembly proceedings, will be renamed Assam Bidhan Sabha TV.

The announcement sparked speculation over the status of Bodo, prompting Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to clarify that there was no proposal to discontinue or downgrade Bodo in the Assembly.

“Bodo is an inseparable part of Assam’s rich cultural heritage and identity. It carries the history, traditions and aspirations of the Bodo community and enriches the vibrant diversity that defines our state,” Sarma said in a statement.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the state government remains committed to preserving and promoting Bodo, which became an Associate Official Language of the Assam Legislative Assembly under the Assam Official Language (Amendment) Act, 2020.

The announcement comes on the eve of the Assembly’s 21-day Budget Session, during which the government is expected to unveil its economic roadmap for the next five years and introduce several key legislations, including bills aimed at boosting ease of doing business, supporting MSMEs, reforming tourism regulations and creating the Guwahati Satellite City Development Authority.