Guwahati, 19 February (HS): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday asserted that a “transformed Assam” will no longer look back but will now set its sights as high as Mount Everest. Replying to the motion of thanks on the Governor’s Address on the concluding day of the Budget Session of the Fifteenth Assam Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister claimed that the state government has successfully replaced instability and uncertainty with an atmosphere of peace and harmony.
Presenting a detailed account of development initiatives, Sarma said that prudent financial management, progressive policies and sustained efforts to strengthen the state’s own resource mobilisation over the past five years have enabled Assam to achieve significant progress. He maintained that the state has maximised outcomes in education and employment generation while remaining conscious of both its strengths and limitations.
Reflecting on his 25-year journey in the Assam Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister said he first contested elections in 1996 and lost by 17,000 votes, but has since been elected continuously from 2001 with an increasing vote share. He urged young politicians to serve even those who did not vote for them, stating that public representatives must work for all sections of society.
Highlighting economic growth, Sarma said Assam is now regarded as one of India’s fastest-growing states. He noted that the Sixteenth Finance Commission has increased Assam’s share in central taxes to 3.258%, which is expected to result in an unprecedented transfer of over ₹50,000 crore to the state next year. According to the Assam Economic Survey, the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is projected to grow at 16.93% in 2026-27, reaching ₹8.71 lakh crore. If the momentum continues, he said, Assam’s economy could cross ₹10 lakh crore by 2030, and potentially achieve the target by 2028.
The Chief Minister further stated that per capita income in Assam has doubled in five years—from ₹86,947 in 2020-21 to ₹1,85,429 in 2025-26—marking a 113% increase. He added that the state’s own tax revenue has grown at an average rate of over 13% annually, crossing ₹30,000 crore in 2024-25.
On infrastructure and power, Sarma said rural areas are now receiving 22–23 hours of electricity supply daily. The Kapili Hydro Power Project is set to be inaugurated within the next 10 days, and major hydro initiatives in Karbi Anglong are pushing Assam towards becoming a power-surplus state.
Referring to employment, he said the government had promised one lakh jobs and has provided nearly 1.65 lakh appointments in five years with full transparency. He pointed out that there have been no allegations of irregularities in the ADRE examinations. Announcing future plans, he said 55,000 appointments will be made in the Education Department within the first two years of the next term.
Sarma emphasised that government jobs alone cannot resolve unemployment and called for a new industrial roadmap. He said initiatives like Advantage Assam and investments from major corporate groups would generate large-scale employment, reducing migration of youth outside the state.
Touching upon welfare schemes, the Chief Minister highlighted initiatives such as Orunodoi, financial support to self-help groups under the Chief Minister’s Women Entrepreneurship Scheme, and land pattas for tea garden workers. He also underscored improvements in law and order, stating that Assam has not witnessed any bomb blasts in the past decade.
Contrasting the visits of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sarma said while Singh visited Assam only twice during his tenure, Modi has visited the state four to five times annually. He asserted that Assam, once scarred by insurgency and unrest, has now regained its strength and confidence.
“Assam will not look back anymore. It will now aim for Mount Everest,” the Chief Minister declared, pledging to inspire the next generation and safeguard the honour and interests of the state.----------
Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
