Assam Accord: 21 months elapsed; report not yet ready

Framework of Assam Accord implementation

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The subcommittee formed for the examination and preparation of the framework for the implementation of all clauses of the Assam Accord has not yet finalized the report, even though 21 months have already elapsed since the expiry of the stipulated time.

The state government formed the eight-member subcommittee in October 2021 to prepare the framework for the implementation of all clauses of the Assam Accord. According to the notification, the government gave a timeframe of three months to the subcommittee to submit its report. The stipulated timeframe expired way back in January 2022. So far, the subcommittee has held five meetings since its formation, yet it has not submitted the report.

The subcommittee comprises three cabinet ministers-Atul Bora, Pijush Hazarika, and Ajanta Neog-and five office-bearers of the AASU (All Assam Students' Union). Expressing concern over the delay in the preparation of the framework, the AASU said that the government lacks goodwill in implementing the Assam Accord.

Speaking to The Sentinel, AASU general secretary Sankor Jyoti Baruah said, "The government formed the subcommittee. However, we are sad that even 21 months after the expiration of the stipulated time period, the government side has not yet prepared the draft report. We have already made our opinions on every clause of the Assam Accord known to the government side (the ministers) in writing. We have enclosed the report of the high-power committee on clause VI of the Assam Accord under the chairmanship of Justice (retd.) Biplab Kumar Sharma with our opinion. The three ministers told us at the meetings that they would take the opinions of the state government as well and prepare the draft report. The report was to get its final shape after a joint meeting with us. However, the cause of concern is that the government side has not yet prepared the draft."

The AASU leader further said, "With the government refraining from extending the three-month term of the subcommittee, it legally stands invalid. We did request the government side to extend the term of the subcommittee and got an assurance as well. However, the government has not extended the term of the subcommittee even now. The ministers also assured us of completing the draft report within a month at the last meeting."

The last meeting (fifth) of the subcommittee took place in July 2023.

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