Assam’s next Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who will be sworn in on May 12, said on Monday that the state’s “land, identity and future” are the priorities of his second term in office.
“The land, identity and future of Assam are non-negotiable. After freeing 1.5 lakh bighas (about 49,500 acres) of land from encroachment, NDA 3.0 is moving forward with a firm determination to restore 5 lakh bighas (165,000 acres) to the people of Assam. Because for us ‘jati, mate, bhiti’ (race, land, institution) comes first,” he said.
Sarma also indicated the measures that the next government will take in the coming days, including $11,000 financial support for small and marginal farmers, $3 lakh assistance to 10,000 farmers to purchase tractors and additional minimum support price (MSP) for purchasing paddy.
“Assam’s farmers have always remained at the heart of our development journey. With enhanced support to marginal farmers, additional MSP support and significant assistance to modern agricultural infrastructure, the next five years will strengthen the backbone of our food providers,” he posted on X.
In another post, he said that the new government would be presented $5 lakh to support entrepreneurship for one million youth to create more employment opportunities. He also promised to increase the daily wages of tea garden workers from the present $280 in the Brahmaputra Valley and $258 in the Barak Valley to $500.
Read also:Himanta factor behind BJP’s imminent victory in Assam
After inspecting the swearing-in venue at Khanapara in Guwahati Sarma said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Guwahati on Monday evening to participate in the swearing-in ceremony of the new government on Tuesday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and BJP national president Nitin Nabin will also be there.”
Sarma informed that several other Union ministers, chief ministers and deputy chief ministers of the BJP and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ruling the states will also arrive in Guwahati to be part of the function. Prominent industrialists and heads of ‘satras’ (Vaishnavite monasteries) will also attend the event.
“It will be a big event in which members of our party, from workers to leaders, will participate. Once the swearing-in is over, we will hold the first cabinet meeting. Our statement is before the public and its implementation will be our goal,” he said.
Sarma did not reveal the other party that would take the oath with him.
“Our party’s national president Nitin Nabin will arrive in Guwahati at 10 pm on Monday. I will hold a meeting with him after that regarding the appointment of ministers. Those who will be part of the new government will be informed about it by 7 am on Tuesday,” he said.
There was speculation that three ministers, one each from the BJP and its allies, the Asom Gana Parishad and the Bodoland People’s Front, may take oath with him on Tuesday.
