The Assam Assembly passed a bill to protect Tangible Heritage that is not currently covered by the state and national law. According to the Assam Government the passage of the Assam Heritage (Tangible) Protection, Preservation, Conservation, and Maintenance Bill, 2020 is a historic step towards implementing Clause 6 of the Assam Accord.

Highlights

The Tangible Heritage bill seeks to include museum objects such as sculptures, coins, manuscripts, epigraphs and other works of cultural artifacts and craftsmanship. The bill seeks to protect except the tangible heritage that are covered in Assam Ancient Monuments and Record Act, 1959.

Tangible Heritage refers to material traces such as historical monuments, archaeological sites, artifacts and objects significant to community, nation and humanity. The Assam Assembly house also passed the Assam College Employees (Provincialisation)(Amendment) Bill, 2020. The bill extends the period to refund government share of contributory provident fund to retired or expired employees.

Along with these bills, the Assam assembly also passed the bill to set up unitary, residential, state university Sati Sadhani Rajyik Vaishwavidyalaya in Golaghat district.

Assam Ancient Monuments and Record Act

The act was enacted by the Parliament. Under the act, the state government shall notify any of the ancient monument as protected.

Clause 6 of Assam Accord

The Clause 6 of the Assam Accord says that the constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards may be provided to protect, promote, and preserve social, cultural and linguistic identities and heritage of Assamese people.

Assam Accord

Assam Accord was signed by Government of India, leaders of Assam Movement in 1985 and State Government of Assam in 1985. It was signed to conclude six-year agitation that was launched by the All Assam Students Union in 1979. The students protested on detection and deportation of migrants who had illegally entered Assam in 1951.

Biplab Kumar Sharma Committee

The committee was formed to define Assamese people and institute the safeguards for them.