GUWAHATI, Aug 11 - The Committee formed by the Government of India for suggesting measures for implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord has recommended reservation of seats in Assembly, Parliament and local bodies for indigenous people of the State. However, there was difference of opinion among the members of the committee on the quantum of seats to be kept reserved. The Report on Clause 6 was released by AASU today.
The Committee, headed by Justice (Retd) Biplab Sarma also gave a wide ranging recommendations including protection of land rights, introduction of inner line permit system, creation of Upper House, measures for protection of languages and culture etc.
There was difference of opinion among the members of the Committee on the quantum of seats to be kept reserved. The Committee recommended that 80 per cent of seats in Parliament, Assembly and local bodies including the existing reservations should be reserved for Assamese people. But the three All Assam Students� Union (AASU) members in the Committee expressed the view that there should be 100 per cent reservation of seats for Assamese people. Interestingly, both the views were incorporated in the report submitted to the Government of India through Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
The Committee gave its recommendations on the vexed issue of definition of Assamese people for giving Constitutional protection and said that the citizens of India who were �parts of Assamese community of Assam on or before January 1, 1951, any indigenous tribal community of Assam residing in the territory of Assam on or before January 1, 1951, any other indigenous community of Assam residing in the territory of Assam on or before January 1, 1951 , all other Indian citizens residing in the territory of Assam on or before the same date and their descendants should be treated as Assamese people.�
The Committee recommended creation of an Upper House in the State and said that the seats of the same should be kept reserved for Assamese people. It also suggested introduction of Inner Line Permit system in the State.
In the matter of employment, the Committee recommended that 80 per cent of the jobs in group C and D level posts in Central Government, Semi Central Government, Central PSUs and private sector should be kept reserved for Assamese people. However, on this issue also, the AASU members in the Committee demanded 100 per cent reservation.
The Committee expressed its dismay over the failure of the government in implementing the key points of the Assam Accord even after 35 years of signing of the Accord and said that implementation of the Accord is essential for providing Constitutional protection to Assamese people. �We are at a loss to understand why after 73 years of Independence, the eastern border is left porous. We have been reliably informed that the entire Western border with Pakistan, is not only properly fenced but properly manned,� the Committee observed.
The Committee said that the Central Government should take up the issue of deportation of the foreigners who came to Assam after the midnight of March 24, 1971 with the Government of Bangladesh. Till such deportation is completed, as an interim measure, the post 1971 migrants should be resettled outside Assam. The Committee further said that prompt and adequate measures should be adopted to completely seal the international border with Bangladesh within a specific time frame.
The Committee further said that the Assam Official Language Act, 1960 should be implemented strictly and necessary amendments should be made to insert penal provisions for violation of the Act. An autonomous Language and Literature Academy or Council should be created and it should be given statutory status to protect, preserve and promote all indigenous languages of Assam. It should be headed by a distinguished literary person, the Committee said. The Committee further said that in all English medium schools, both under the State and Central Boards, Assamese subject should be made compulsory up to Class VIII or Class X level.
