BackPOLITICS
Assam’s land, identity and future non-negotiable, says Himanta ahead of oath-taking
Ahead of taking oath as Assam's chief minister on May 12, Himanta Biswa Sarma declares land, identity and future as non-negotiable priorities. He outlines policies on land reclamation, farmer support, youth entrepreneurship, and tea-worker wages, while noting high-profile attendance at the oath ceremony.
Why It Matters
Sarma’s stated priorities frame the policy agenda for Assam’s next government and signal the NDA’s coalition priorities. The planned attendance by national leaders and the timetable for cabinet formation underline the scale of the transition.
Timeline
4 Events
Oath-taking ceremony logistics and attendees outlined
May 11, 2026
After inspecting the Khanapara venue in Guwahati, Sarma said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would reach Guwahati on Monday night to attend Tuesday’s oath-taking. Union ministers, chief ministers and deputy chief ministers from NDA-ruled states, industrialists, and heads of satras were invited to attend. He noted a first cabinet meeting would follow the oath, and that names of ministers would be announced by 7am on Tuesday. He did not disclose who else would take the oath with him; Nitin Nabin was expected to arrive in Guwahati at 10pm on Monday, with ministerial appointments to be announced by morning.
Entrepreneurship and tea-wage uplift promises
May 11, 2026
He pledged ₹5 lakh entrepreneurship support to 1 million youths to create jobs and proposed raising daily wages for tea-garden workers to ₹500 (from ₹280 in the Brahmaputra Valley and ₹258 in the Barak Valley).
Farm support measures announced for next term
May 11, 2026
Sarma outlined next-term measures including ₹11,000 as financial support for small and marginal farmers, ₹3 lakh assistance to 10,000 farmers to buy tractors, and additional MSP backing for paddy procurement, highlighting enhanced support for marginal farmers and the ‘annadatas’ in his post.
Sarma emphasizes priority: land, identity and future non-negotiable
May 11, 2026
In a post on X, Sarma said Assam’s land, identity and future are non-negotiable. He referenced freeing 1.5 lakh bighas (about 49,500 acres) from encroachment and stated NDA 3.0 aims to reclaim 5 lakh (165,000 acres) for the people, framing the motto ‘Jati, Mati, Bheti’ as foremost.