Cabinet approves implementation of 57 recommendations of Clause 6 panel: Himanta Biswa Sarma on Assam Accord

Guwahati: Assam Cabinet held threadbare discussions on the recommendations of Justice (Retd) Biplab Sarma Commission, which was constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, to implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord. Cabinet has accorded approval to implement 57 out of the 67 recommendations made by the Commission. For the remaining 10 recommendations, in-depth discussions will be held with Government of India.

Assam government stated after detailed consideration, Cabinet has accorded approval to implement 57 out of the 67 recommendations made by the Commission. For the remaining 10 recommendations, in-depth discussions will be held with Government of India. These recommendations will be applicable across the State except 6th Schedule areas and Barak Valley. In these regions, the recommendations will be implemented only after concurrence of the authorities and the people in those regions.

The Cabinet further decided to constitute a Group of Ministers, who will engage with the All-Assam Students' Union (AASU) and other organizations to develop a clear roadmap and implementation framework. The recommendations will be implemented by 15th April 2025.


Earlier the Ministry of Home Affairs, Northeast Division, Government of India have constituted a High-Level Committee headed by Justice Biplab Kumar Sarma, former Judge, Gauhati High Court, for speedy implementation of Clause 6 of Assam Accord

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

On August 11 2020, AASU had made public recommendations of the panel in a media conference. AASU had three members in the panel.

The clause 6 panel has recommended that till deportation of post-1971 stream of declared foreigners is completed, they should be resettled in areas outside Assam as an interim measure. The panel also gave a definition of ‘Assamese’. The panel is of the opinion that to give full effect to its recommendations several constitutional and legislative amendments will be necessitated. The existing Article 371-B in the Constitution will need to be amended, it has said.

Assam Accord inked after six yearlong foreigners’ movement (1979-1985) provides foreigners who entered the state after the cut-off date of March 24, 1971, irrespective of their religious affiliation must be deported.