Recently, the Gauhati High Court resolved a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the fulfillment of commitments outlined in the Assam Accord, which was signed on August 15, 1985, between various stakeholders and the Prime Minister of India at that time. The PIL argued that certain provisions of the Accord have yet to be implemented.

The division bench, led by Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice Suman Shyam, noted that the matters brought up in the PIL are currently being deliberated upon by the Assam Government.

The petitioner has requested that the State be instructed to allocate 80% of the vacancies within the Government of Assam and State Government undertakings for individuals of Assamese origin.

Furthermore, the petitioner also requested that appropriate measures be taken to reserve 70% of the vacancies emerging in private sector enterprises, including establishments operating under public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements, for individuals of Assamese descent. Additionally, they urged for the implementation of reservation legislation akin to the Andhra Pradesh Employment of Local Candidates in Industries/Factories Act, 2019, and the Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act, 2020.

The State of Assam replied, stating that the matter concerning the execution of the provisions outlined in the Assam Accord is currently being reviewed by the Government. The counsel representing the State of Assam informed the court that a Committee, led by a Cabinet Minister, has already been established to scrutinize the matter of implementing the clauses of the memorandum of settlement (Assam Accord). This Committee is actively reviewing various reports submitted by other Committees formed specifically for the implementation of the Assam Accord.

Case Title: Durlov Talukdar v. The Union of India & 4 Ors.

Case No.: PIL/52/2022