Barak Valley, BTR, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao to be out of purview of clause 6
Guwahati Sept 26: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday announced that the state government would prepare an action plan to implement the recommendations of the Justice (retired) Biplab Sarma Commission for the execution of Clause VI of the Assam Accord across the state.
After a meeting with leaders of the All Assam Students Union (AASU) in Dispur, Sarmaclarified that the Barak Valley and the Sixth Schedule areas of Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, and the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) would be excluded from the scope of the panel’s recommendations.
He also reiterated that the Barak Valley would be excluded from the definition of “Assamese.”
Sarma also announced that the report of the Justice (retired) Biplab Sarma Commission has been made public and will soon be available on the Assam Accord Implementation Department’s official website for public viewing.
Sarma highlighted that the state government has reached a consensus with AASU on implementing 52 recommendations from the Justice Sarma panel,
“40 of the recommendations are under the state’s juridiction, and 12 under both the Centre and the state while 15 recommendations are under the full jurisdiction of the Central government. The state would request the Central government to continue dialogue with AASU to move these forward,” Sarma said.
“The subjects under the state’s jurisdiction focus on rights related to land, language, and culture, while the Central government is responsible for recommendations dealing with political and job reservation, which needs constitutional amendments also,” Sarma also said.
Sarma stated that the state government would prepare an action plan for the recommendations under its jurisdiction within a month, and the plan would be handed over to the All Assam Students Union (AASU) on October 25. He mentioned that the next meeting with AASU would also be held on that date.
Sarma further clarified that the state government aims to implement the 52 recommendations by April, provided that AASU agrees to them. He reiterated that there is no scope for implementing these recommendations in the Barak Valley and Sixth Schedule areas, but if the authorities in the Sixth Schedule areas agree, implementation could proceed, as these are delegated subjects.
Sarma also emphasized the need for AASU to clarify its stand on the implementation of Clause VI of the Assam Accord.
The Chief Minister ruled out discussions with other organizations, emphasizing that the Justice Sarma panel had already consulted all relevant groups while preparing the report.
“When we fully agree with the recommendations, there is no need for further discussions with any organization. However, if any recommendations are rejected, only then will there be a need for additional discussions,” he said.
The Chief Minister explained that there is near-complete consensus between the state government and AASU on the recommendations that fall under the state’s jurisdiction, but the details will be finalized in the next meeting on October 25.
He emphasized that the government is proceeding with a clear timeline for implementation.
Regarding the definition of “Assamese” under Clause VI of the Assam Accord, Sarma highlighted two interpretations: the broader one being those born in Assam who accept its language and culture, and the more specific one, for Clause VI, identifying Assamese as those who were residents in 1951.
He mentioned that AASU also supports the view that the 1951 cut-off defines Assamese under Clause VI.
“The Justice Sarma Commission has divided the state into two parts: Clause VI will be implemented in one part, while it will not apply in the other. The 1951 cut-off would not be applicable in municipal areas but would be in rural areas,” he also said.
Sarma noted that there is no legal obligation on the state regarding these matters.
