The move is being considered politically significant in the run up to 2019 Lok Sabha elections keeping Assam in mind, where BJP is hard pressed to improve its tally of seven out of 14 seats.
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved setting up of a high level committee to suggest constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards as envisaged in Clause 6 of the Assam Accord and in the Memorandum of Settlement, 2003 provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people.
The move is being considered politically significant in the run up to 2019 Lok Sabha elections keeping Assam in mind, where BJP is hard pressed to improve its tally of seven out of 14 seats. Putting the National Register for Citizens (NRC) on fast track as per the directions of the Supreme Court, it has already detected 40 lakh "illegal" immigrants who would soon be put under scrutiny as per the last updation received till December 31.
Announcing the cabinet decision, union home minister Rajnath Singh said, "It has been felt that Clause 6 of the Assam Accord has not been fully implemented even almost 35 years after it was signed. With this decision, the process of full implementation of the Assam Accord will start. The committee will also examine how effective the implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord has been."
The Assam Accord was signed between All Assam Students Union (AASU), Assam government and the Government of India on August 15, 1985, following a six-year violent agitation to evict illegal immigrants from the state.
The committee, Rajnath Singh said, will have representation of Assamese intelligentsia and will also look at the measures envisaged in the Memorandum of Settlement, 2003.
The Committee will hold discussions with all stakeholders and assess the required quantum of reservation of seats in Assam Legislative Assembly and local bodies for Assamese people.
The Committee will also assess the requirement of measures to be taken to protect Assamese and other indigenous languages of Assam, quantum of reservation in employment under the government of Assam and other measures. "The composition and terms of reference of the committee will be issued separately in a few days. We expect it to pave the way for the implementation of the Assam Accord in letter and spirit and help fulfil longstanding expectations of the Assamese people," said Singh.
In addition, the Cabinet also approved the establishment of a Bodo Museum-cum-language and cultural study centre, modernisation of the existing All India Radio station and Doordarshan Kendra at Kokrajhar and naming a superfast train passing through Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District (BTAD) as ARONAI Express meaning "lifeline".
"These were some of the outstanding issues under schedule VI of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC)," said Singh.
The Assam government will also take necessary measures related to appropriate land policy and land laws, besides setting up of Institutions for Research and Documentation of Customs, Traditions and Languages of indigenous communities, the union home minister said.
Recording Culture
The Assam government will also take necessary measures related to appropriate land policy and land laws, besides setting up of Institutions for Research and Documentation of Customs, Traditions and Languages of indigenous communities, union home minister Rajnath Singh said
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