Gauhati High Court disposes of PIL seeking implementation of Assam Accord, reservation for Assamese people

The Gauhati High Court disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed essentially with the grievances that despite a memorandum of settlement (the Assam Accord) executed between the stakeholders and the then  Prime Minister of India, on 15th August, 1985, certain promises made in that memorandum of settlement have not been complied with till date.

The petitioner has prayed that the respondent State be directed to make provision for reservation of 80% of the vacancies under the Government of Assam, State Government undertakings for Assamese people. 

It is also prayed that suitable provision be made for reserving 70% of the vacancies arising in the private sector undertakings including the establishments under the PPP mode for Assamese people. 

It is further prayed for introduction of reservation laws on the line of Andhra Pradesh Employment of Local candidates in the Industries/Factories Act, 2019 and the Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act, 2020.

Response to the petition is filed on behalf of the State, wherein it is mentioned that the issue regarding the implementation of the terms of Assam Accord is under consideration of the Government.  

It is submitted by D.K. Sarma, Additional Senior Government Advocate, Assam appearing for the respondent State that a Committee headed by a Cabinet Minister is already constituted, which is examining the issue of implementation of the Clauses of the memorandum of settlement (Assam Accord) and is also considering the various reports submitted by the Committees constituted for implementation of the Assam Accord.   

Having considered the submissions made on behalf of the respondent State and taking into consideration the fact that the issues raised by the petitioner in this PIL petition are under consideration of the State Government, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice Suman Shyam opined that in such circumstances, no further order(s) is required to be passed in this PIL petition.

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