Recommendations of Clause 6 committee does not fulfill judicial scrutiny: CM Assam

Jan 1: On the 1st day of the year 2022, Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma held a special interactive session with Assam’s esteemed journalists at State Guest House, Koinadhora, Guwahati. During the interaction, the Chief Minister apprised the journalists of the achievements of out Govt in 2021, including our fight against COVID-19, excellence in sports & literature, success of Mission Basundhara in resolving land disputes, etc.

On being asked about the action taken by the state government on the poll promise of NRC and Clause 6, the Chief Minister replied that the issue of NRC is pending in Supreme Court, whereas the state government has not been able to proceed further with Clause 6. He said, “The recommendations made by the Committee formed for the purpose of Clause 6 does not fulfill the judicial scrutiny. Supreme Court has specified that reservation cannot exceed 50 percent, whereas the Clause 6 committee recommended for 100 percent reservation. So no regulations can be formed going beyond the criteria laid down by the Supreme Court.” He added that talks are on with AASU as regards the issue of Clause 6.

It needs mention here that Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal submitted the Clause 6 Committee report to Union home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi in March 2020. Earlier, Chairperson of the Clause 6 Committee and former Gauhati High Court judge Biplab Kumar Sarma handed over the report to the then CM Assam. 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.”