AASU criticizes govt on Accord

Guwahati, July 30: The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) today questioned the sincerity of the state government in implementing the Assam Accord of 1985.

Addressing a press meet here, AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharyya alleged that the state was not taking steps to ensure the speedy implementation of the Accord.

He appreciated the Centre's 'positive response' in yesterday's tripartite talks on review of the Accord's implementation between the AASU, Union Ministry of Home Affairs and state government.

Dr Bhattacharyya said, ''The very fact that state Chief Secretary S Kabilan left yesterday's meeting mid-way after failing to satisfactorily answer several questions proves the state's insincerity.'' He informed that yesterday's meeting resolved to set a time frame for implementation of the Assam Accord after discussions between the state government and the AASU within a month.

The AASU advisor demanded the attachment of the Assam Accord Implementation department to the Political and Home departments and close monitoring of the Chief Minister in the works of the department.

Giving details about yesterday's meeting, Dr Bhattacharyya said the state Home department assured that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) would be complied within September next year. The state government had already released Rs 2.5 crore for the purpose and the entire funding would be done by the Central government.

The AASU demanded the revocation of the Foreigners (Tribunal) Order, 1968, from the state in yesterday's meeting to which the Union Home Ministry Secretary (Border Management) B S Lalli said a decision would be taken as per the orders of the Supreme Court, before which the case was pending.

The students' body demanded immediate sanction of benefits for the state after the state's flood was declared a national calamity last year. It also criticized the functioning of the Brahmaputra Board.

It also demanded the immediate release of funds for completion of the Bogibeel bridge by recognizing it as a national project.

Dr Bhattacharyya further informed that the AASU demanded special employment package for the North east region in all government undertakings in the region.

It also demanded the setting of an Indian Institute of management in the state, AIIMS-like hospitals and elevation the Science College at Jorhat to the status of an Indian Institute of Science and Research.

He said the students' body also demanded that Rs 2 lakh should be paid to all martyrs' families of the Assam Agitation.

Dr Bhattacharyya said the Centre's response in the meeting was satisfactory but the state's government left much to be desired.

He informed that the Union Home Ministry officials who attended the meeting directed the state government departments to expedite work in implementing the Accord.

UNI