Assam Cabinet Approves 57 Recommendations of Biplab Sarma Commission

September 5, 2024

The Assam Cabinet has approved the implementation of 57 out of 67 recommendations made by the Justice (Retd) Biplab Sarma Commission. This commission was formed by the Ministry of Home Affairs to implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord. The Cabinet’s approval is a big step toward protecting the rights and identity of the Assamese people.

What is the Assam Accord?

The Assam Accord was signed in 1985 after long protests against illegal immigration into Assam. The Accord says that all foreigners who came to Assam after March 24, 1971, should be deported, no matter their religion. Clause 6 of the Accord focuses on protecting the rights and identity of the people of Assam by giving them constitutional, legislative, and administrative safeguards.

What is the Biplab Sarma Commission?

The Biplab Sarma Commission, led by Justice Biplab Kumar Sarma, was set up to speed up the implementation of Clause 6. The commission looked at ways to change laws and policies to ensure that the culture and identity of the Assamese people are protected.

Key Recommendations Approved

The Cabinet approved 57 recommendations from the commission, which will be applied across the state. However, some areas, like those under the 6th Schedule and the Barak Valley, will need to approve these recommendations locally.

The other 10 recommendations are still being discussed with the Government of India. These recommendations will take more time to finalize.

Implementation Strategy

A Group of Ministers will be formed to talk with important groups like the All-Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and other stakeholders. Together, they will make a detailed plan to implement the approved recommendations by April 15, 2025.

The commission also recommended constitutional amendments for the full implementation of Clause 6. This could include changes to Article 371-B, which deals with special provisions for Assam. These changes would help protect the Assamese identity even more.

About the Justice Biplab Sarma Commission

The Justice Biplab Sarma Commission was set up in Assam in 2019 to look into issues like corruption and misconduct in the state’s police force. It aimed to make law enforcement more accountable. Justice Sarma, a retired High Court judge, has worked in various important judicial roles. The commission’s findings emphasized problems like poor training and supervision in the police force. The report also sparked conversations about the need for police reforms to improve transparency and public trust in Assam’s law enforcement agencies.

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