‘We are keen to understand how the people of Barak Valley and Sixth Schedule areas will react to this proposal’
Guwahati, Sept 7: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that 52 recommendations made by Justice Biplab Kumar Sarma Commission for the implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord will be acted upon before April 15. Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, signed in 1985, aims to safeguard the cultural, social, and linguistic identity of the Assamese people. The Justice Biplab Sarma Commission was tasked by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) with recommending ways to implement this clause effectively.
“The cabinet meeting held in Lakhimpur has conducted a point-by-point analysis of the panel’s suggestions. His 67 recommendations have been categorized into three distinct groups. 15 recommendations fall under the jurisdiction of the Central government, 52 are within the authority of the state government, while 5 other recommendations are procedural,” Sarma said while addressing a press conference in Guwahati on Saturday.
Sarma clarified that some of the recommendations fall under the joint authority of both the Central and state governments. For the effective implementation of these recommendations, constitutional amendments may be required.
Sarma further said that a significant portion of the recommendations pertains to language and land rights, which are crucial for protecting the cultural and demographic identity of the Assamese people. Additionally, some recommendations are aimed at providing safeguards to Assamese culture, ensuring that the traditions and heritage of indigenous communities are preserved amidst changing social and demographic conditions.
“Before implementing the recommendations, consultations will be held with the people of Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), and Barak Valley,”he said.
Sarma indicated that if it is deemed unsuitable to implement certain recommendations in these Sixth Schedule areas or the Barak Valley, the government will proceed with implementing them in the Brahmaputra Valley, where the majority of the Assamese population resides.
The Chief Minister arma emphasized the need for monthly discussions with leaders of the All Assam Students Union (AASU) to ensure that the recommendations of the Justice Biplab Sarma Commission reach the implementation stage before any notification, guidelines, or legal acts are published by April 15.
“A key point of concern is the 80 per cent reservation of seats for Assamese people in panchayat, Vidhan Sabha, and Lok Sabha elections. We are keen to understand how the people of Barak Valley and Sixth Schedule areas (like Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao and BTR) will react to this proposal,” the Chief Minister said.
“We may proceed with the implementation of the recommendations with the Central government, excluding the Sixth Schedule areas and Barak Valley districts,” he also said.
Sarma stated that 15 specific recommendations will be taken up with the Central government. These could involve subjects under the jurisdiction of the Union government or recommendations that require more significant constitutional or legislative changes, including those related to safeguarding Assamese cultural, linguistic, and land rights.
