GUWAHATI, Jan 18 - The committee to suggest measures for implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord is likely to hold discussions with the Attorney General of India before finalising its report. Meanwhile, the Government of India has extended the term of the committee by one month.
It may be mentioned here that as per Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, the government promised to provide constitutional safeguards to the Assamese people.
Official sources told The Assam Tribune that a meeting of the committee, held yesterday, decided that members of the panel, who are legal experts, would hold talks with the Attorney General of India as soon as the recommendations are finalised. Apart from the chairman, Justice (retd) Biplab Sarma, the committee has two other legal experts � Advocate General of Assam Ramesh Barpatragohain and Advocate General of Arunachal Pradesh Niloy Dutta.
Sources said the committee is taking into consideration the suggestions received from prominent persons and different organisations while formulating its recommendations. Issues like reservation of seats in Assembly, Parliament and local bodies for indigenous people of Assam, protection of land rights, protection of language and culture of all the indigenous people of the State, etc., are being discussed.
It is almost final that the committee will recommend reservation of seats. But the percentage of seats to be kept reserved is yet to be finalised. The committee is also likely to recommend introduction of Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the State.
The Union Home Minister recently held talks with the chairman and two other members of the committee and wanted to know the progress of work. �The Home Minister also requested the committee to make recommendations that could be implemented,� sources added.
The term of the committee expired on January 15 and the Centre has extended its term by another month. The committee is confident of submitting its report within the time frame.
