Assam govt to receive report of panel on Clause 6 of Assam Accord on February 25

Assam finance minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma said that chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal along with the full cabinet will receive the recommendation of High Level Committee (HLC) on Clause 6 of Assam Accord on February 25.

Sarma also announced government schools in Assam using Maktab in its name will have to drop the word Maktab with immediate effect. There are 63 such schools in Assam.

Sarma also announced Rs 710 crore worth Assam Darshan scheme which will provide assistance to temple, mosque, church and devalaya will be launched on February 24.

The minister said that the term of clause 6 panel was till February 15. “The committee though completed its work by February 10 however with signature of all the members the committee on February 17 and 18 intimated that report is ready.”

He added, “We had discussed this with Union Home minister, Amit Shah while he was in Assam on February 20. Shah has stated Centre will examine the report and will call the members if required, he asked the chief minister to receive the report.”

Justice B. K. Sarma, former Judge and Chairman of High Level Committee on Clause 6 of Assam Accord, earlier stated that no team or member including the Chairman of the HLC had ever visited New Delhi after February 10 for the purpose of apprising or handing over the report to the MHA.

Sarma completed the task entrusted to the Committee with the final report signed on February 10, 2020. All the copies, thereof, are under sealed cover in the custody of the Implementation of Assam Accord Department, Joint Secretary of which was liaising in the affairs of the Committee with all concerned.

He added, “The fact of the matter is that the HLC after completing its task on 10 February, 2020 has duly intimated the MHA of the same for necessary follow up action.”

All Assam Students Union (Aasu) chief advisers Samujjal Bhattacharya, who is member of the committee, told media persons on last Wednesday, “Government of India has constituted a 14 member committee to examine and suggest the ways to implement the clause 6. Before time the committee completed its work on February 10 last, the committee has sent three letters to the MHA stating that committee is ready with the report.”

He added, “Under the seal cover the report is available with the Assam Accord implementation department (and) from there the Centre can take it.”

In 1985 Assam Accord was inked after six year-long anti foreigners’ movement. As per the accord, foreigners who entered the state after the cut-off date of March 24, 1971, irrespective of their religious affiliation, will be deported. The six month term of the committee had ended on January 15 and it was given one month extension.

Clause 6 provides for constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to protect the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people.

The finance minister stated under the Assam Darshan scheme 915 religious places will be upgraded. “Around 74 devalaya will receive annual annuity of Rs 2 lakh each.”

He added, “458 temples, 186 Satra (monastery), 123 Namgarh, 47 mosque/ shrine and 26 churches will receive Rs 10 lakh for infrastructure upgradation. On February 24 around 10,000 people will converge in Guwahati where this scheme will be launched. Government will also develop the roads on way to these religious sites to promote religious tourism.”