Clause 6 committee of Assam Accord submits final report, what’s next?

February 19: The high level committee formed for taking a call on the implementation of the Clause 6 of the Assam Accord formed by the centre had completed its report on 10 February. However, the committee submitted its final report to the Chief Secretary of Assam on 19 February for onward transmission to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The final call on the report will be taken by the MHA.

As per reports, the nearly-150 page report has the definition of “Assamese people” and has a number of recommendations for effective implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord. The recommendations have triggered a wave of criticism in the state over the 1951 cut-off date to make one eligible for benefits under Clause 6.

Clause 6 of the Accord Accord states that “Assamese people” would be granted “constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards, as may be appropriate” to “protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage.”

The committee was given the responsibility to assess the appropriate level of reservation of seats in Assam Legislative Assembly and local bodies for the Assamese people and will also suggest measures to be taken to protect Assamese and other indigenous languages of Assam.

The 14-member committee was formed by the MHA on July 15, 2019 with respect to Clause 6 of the Assam Accord with retired Justice Biplap Kumar Sarma as its Chairman.

The committee headed by former Gauhati High Court judge, Justice Biplab Kumar Sarma also include Subhash Das, IAS (Retd), Pallav Bhattacharya, IPS (Retd), Niloy Dutta,-Advocate General of Arunachal Pradesh, Ramesh Borpatragohain-Advocate General of Assam, Wasbir Hussain-Senior Journalist, Prof. Srishtidhar Dutta (Retd), Prof. Jaikanta Sharma, Sumanta Chaliha-author, Samujjal Bhattacharya, Chief Adviser, All Assam Students Union (AASU), President & Secretary of AASU. Joint Secretary (North East) in the Ministry of Home Affairs will be the Member Secretary. However, not a single person from Barak Valley was included in this high level committee.