TMC MP Criticizes Lack of Public Release of Justice Biplab Sarma Commission Report

Trinamool Congress MP Sushmita Dev has criticized the Assam Government and Union Home Ministry for not publicly releasing the Justice (retd) Biplab Sarma Commission report. Dev questioned whether the report was accepted by the ministry and demanded transparency from both state and central authorities regarding the report's recommendations.

Trinamool Congress MP Sushmita Dev has publicly rebuked both the Assam Government and Union Home Ministry for their failure to release the Justice (retd) Biplab Sarma Commission report. The MP has demanded clarification from the Union Home Ministry about whether the report has been accepted.

'The Biplab Sarma Committee was established by the Central Government's Home Ministry. They submitted a report, but there is no clarity on whether it has been accepted or denied,' she stated. 'Furthermore, the report has not been made available to the public. It's not on the websites of the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Assam government. So, what exactly is in this report? The people of Assam have the right to know,' Dev added.

The MP also slammed the Assam Chief Minister for not disclosing the report for public scrutiny or specifying which recommendations have been accepted by the state cabinet. 'The Chief Minister mentioned implementing 57 out of 67 recommendations, but which ones? The report should be made public. No political entity or public representative has the official copy of this report,' she emphasized. Dev further challenged the Union Government to release the order if it had approved the report.

On Wednesday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the state cabinet had approved the implementation of 57 out of 67 recommendations from the Justice (retd) Biplab Sarma Commission. He declared it a significant move to protect the rights of the people of Assam, in line with Clause 6 of the Assam Accord.

Clause 6 mandates the protection, preservation, and promotion of the Assamese people's cultural, social, linguistic identity, and heritage through constitutional, legislative, and administrative safeguards. However, the recommendations will apply to the state excluding the 6th schedule areas and Barak Valley unless approved by the local authorities and residents.

(With inputs from agencies.)