Assam Govt, AASU hold meeting to prepare action plan for clause 6 implementation

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 25, 2024

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday announced that the state government would prepare an action plan for the implementation of the Justice (retired) Biplab Sarma Commission’s recommendations on Clause VI of the Assam Accord.

Sarma emphasized that this plan would not apply to Barak Valley, the Sixth Schedule areas of Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, and the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).

After a meeting with the All-Assam Students Union (AASU) in Dispur, Sarma reiterated that the definition of “Assamese” under Clause VI would exclude Barak Valley, and a consensus had been reached with AASU on implementing 52 of the Commission’s recommendations. Forty of these recommendations fall under the state’s jurisdiction, 12 involve both state and Central governments, while 15 are entirely under the Central government’s authority, requiring further dialogue between the Centre and AASU.

Sarma explained that the state would focus on rights related to land, language, and culture, while political and job reservations, which require constitutional amendments, remain under the Central government’s purview. The state government aims to finalize the action plan and present it to AASU by October 25, with the goal of implementing the recommendations by April if AASU agrees.

Sarma also clarified that Clause VI of the Assam Accord would apply only to certain parts of the state, with the 1951 cut-off defining “Assamese” for Clause VI purposes. This cut-off will be applicable in rural areas but not in municipal regions. Sarma ruled out further discussions with other organizations, as the Justice Sarma panel had already consulted all relevant groups.

The next meeting with AASU is scheduled for October 25 to finalize the details of the implementation process.

Sarma reiterated that the Barak Valley will be excluded from the definition of “Assamese” as per the recommendations of the Justice (retired) Biplab Sarma Commission. He announced that the Commission’s report has been made public and will soon be available on the Assam Accord Implementation Department’s official website for public access.

Sarma highlighted a consensus with the AASU regarding the implementation of 52 recommendations from the Justice Sarma panel. Out of these, 40 recommendations fall under the state’s jurisdiction, 12 involve both the Centre and the state, and 15 are solely under the Central government’s jurisdiction. The state government intends to request the Central government to engage in further dialogue with AASU regarding the latter recommendations.

He explained that the subjects under the state’s jurisdiction primarily address rights related to land, language, and culture, while the Central government is responsible for recommendations pertaining to political and constitutional matters, which would require constitutional amendments.

The Chief Minister stated that the state government would prepare an action plan for the recommendations within a month, to be presented to AASU on October 25, coinciding with the next meeting with the organization. He emphasized that the state aims to implement the 52 recommendations by April, assuming AASU is in agreement. However, he reiterated that there is no scope for implementation in the Barak Valley and Sixth Schedule areas unless the authorities in those regions agree, as these are delegated subjects.