Clause 6 of the Assam Accord

Why It’s in the News?

Following a meeting with the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), Assam’s Chief Minister has initiated the process to implement 52 recommendations from the Justice Biplab Sarma Committee regarding Clause 6 of the Assam Accord.

This move comes after the committee’s report was finalized in February 2020. However, 15 significant recommendations requiring Constitutional amendments will not be implemented at this time, with the Chief Minister indicating these will be discussed with the Centre at a suitable time.

What’s Covered in Today’s Article?

• Overview of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord
• Biplab Sarma committee report
• Recommendations from the report to be enacted
• Recommendations not included by the government

Clause 6 of the Assam Accord

Background: Assam Accord (1985)

The Assam Accord is a Memorandum of Settlement signed in 1985 between the Rajiv Gandhi-led Union government and the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU). This accord concluded a six-year agitation against the influx of Bangladeshi migrants into Assam, marking the end of the Assam Movement.

Clause 6 of the Assam Accord

Clause 6 promises Constitutional, legislative, and administrative safeguards to protect, preserve, and promote the cultural, social, and linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people. These safeguards aim to address concerns about the state’s demographic and cultural integrity in light of migration.

Biplab Sarma Committee

Formation of the Committee

In July 2019, the Union Home Ministry established a 14-member committee chaired by retired Assam High Court Justice Biplab Kumar Sarma to recommend ways to implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord. A primary focus of the committee was to define “the Assamese people” eligible for these safeguards.

Submission of the Report

The committee finalized its report in February 2020, which was delivered to then Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal rather than being presented to the Union Home Ministry.

In August 2020, four committee members publicly disclosed the confidential report.

Key Recommendations

• Definition of Assamese People: The committee proposed that “Assamese people” should encompass:
  • Indigenous Tribals
  • Other Indigenous Communities of Assam
  • Indian citizens residing in Assam before January 1, 1951, and their descendants
  • Indigenous Assamese People
• Safeguards: Based on this definition, the committee recommended reservations for “Assamese people” in Parliament, the State Assembly, local bodies, and jobs.

Recommendations of the Report to Be Implemented

Classification of Recommendations
The committee’s 67 recommendations are categorized into three groups:

• 40 recommendations were made under the state government’s jurisdiction
• 12 requiring the Centre’s concurrence
• 15 exclusively within the Centre’s domain

The implementation of the 52 recommendations from the first two categories is set to be completed by April 2025, and a roadmap will be provided to the AASU by October 25, 2024.

Acceptance of the 1951 Cut-off Date

The Assam government has accepted the 1951 cut-off date for specific recommendations from the Justice Biplab Sarma Committee report. However, the definition of “Assamese people” is confined to the context of these recommendations.

Land Safeguards

• Special Revenue Circles: Areas designated for land ownership and transfer exclusively by Assamese people.
• Land Titles: A three-year initiative to grant land titles to Assamese people who have occupied land for an extended period without proper documentation.
• Char Areas Survey: Surveying char areas (riverine regions) to classify newly formed chars as government land, prioritizing allocation to individuals affected by river erosion.

Language Safeguards

• Assamese as Official Language: Maintaining Assamese as the official language per the 1960 Assam Official Language Act, with provisions for local languages in specific regions.
• Bilingual Government Documents: The state government will release its acts, rules, and orders in a bilingual format, featuring both Assamese and English.
• Autonomous Language Council: An Autonomous Language Council will be created to focus on the conservation and promotion of the indigenous languages of Assam.
• Assamese in Schools: All English medium schools will be required to include Assamese as a compulsory subject up to Class VIII or Class X.

Cultural Heritage Preservation

• Sattras (Neo-Vaishnavite Monasteries): Establishing an independent organization to manage and provide financial assistance for the development of sattras.
• Cultural Complexes: Constructing multipurpose cultural complexes in each district to preserve the cultural heritage of all ethnic groups.

Sixth Schedule Areas

The autonomous councils in Assam’s Sixth Schedule Areas, including the Bodoland Territorial Council, the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, will determine the implementation of the 52 recommendations. These councils possess certain legislative and judicial autonomy under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

Recommendations Not Included by the Government

Inner Line Permit (ILP)
A proposal to implement an ILP for entry into Assam, similar to existing regulations in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Mizoram.

Reservations for Assamese People

• Parliament and State Assembly: Proposals for 80-100% reservation of seats for Assamese individuals in both Parliament and the State Assembly, along with local bodies.
• Government Jobs: Proposals for 80-100% reservation in Assam government jobs.
• Private Sector Collaborations: There will be a reservation of 70-100% for job openings created through partnerships between the Assam government and private companies.
• Creation of an Upper House: A proposal to establish a Legislative Council in Assam, exclusively reserved for Assamese people.

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