Guwahati: In a landmark cabinet meeting held on May 21, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma rolled out a wide range of state initiatives designed to address public safety, cultural revitalisation, and long-term infrastructure growth.
Speaking at a press conference at the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy in Dergaon, Golaghat, Sarma presented the government’s vision across multiple sectors, reinforcing Assam’s intent to lead in both economic innovation and governance.
One of the most notable decisions was the introduction of a paid Personal Security Officer (PSO) system for citizens who believe their lives are at risk. Under the new scheme, individuals may now avail themselves of a government-appointed PSO by paying a monthly fee of ₹75,000. “This system is being introduced for those who genuinely feel threatened and have been requesting security support for a long time,” Sarma explained, indicating the measure aims to offer relief to vulnerable individuals while maintaining resource balance within the police force.
In a move aimed at economic diversification, the cabinet gave a green light to the institutionalisation of the “Concert Economy” policy. To that end, Assam will host major music concerts this December in Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Jorhat. Citing the ₹641 crore impact of Coldplay’s Ahmedabad shows, the Chief Minister stressed the need for Assam to compete with states like Meghalaya, which has rapidly gained prominence on the national music circuit.
Reaffirming the state’s commitment to labour welfare, Sarma announced that the daily wage for tea garden workers will be increased to ₹250 starting October 1, 2025 — a long-standing demand from the state’s tea tribe community. The announcement comes as Assam celebrates 200 years of its globally recognised tea industry.
The cabinet also approved a strategic ₹205 crore investment in the Numaligarh Refinery, where Assam holds a 26% stake, aimed at accelerating ongoing and future development initiatives at the energy hub.
Dibrugarh district emerged as a major focus area in the cabinet’s development blueprint. A ₹284 crore budget was cleared for the construction of a new Assam Legislative Assembly complex in the town, which will include a 1,000-seat Assembly hall and residential quarters for MLAs. Additionally, the historic Khanikar Stadium will be upgraded into the state’s largest stadium with a seating capacity of 35,000 — a step toward making Dibrugarh a key sports destination.
Further strengthening police infrastructure, the cabinet sanctioned an additional ₹229 crore for the second phase of development at the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy. The funds will be used to build residential quarters and new training facilities for cadets, enhancing the state’s law enforcement training capacity.
Together, the announcements underscore Assam’s ambitious agenda to integrate economic growth with cultural vibrancy, citizen security, and robust governance infrastructure.
Read More: Assam Launches Concert Economy Policy, Eyes December Mega Event to Rival Meghalaya’s Music Boom