Guwahati: The Assam government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has announced a landmark decision to celebrate 2025 as the ‘Year of Books’. To kickstart this ambitious initiative, the state cabinet has approved a one-time grant of ₹1,000 as a book allowance for each of its four lakh government employees, entailing a total expenditure of approximately ₹40 crore. The announcement was made by the Chief Minister himself during a press conference in Guwahati following a cabinet meeting.
This move is part of a broader strategy to foster a culture of reading and knowledge among the state’s populace. In a significant shift, the government has mandated that all official gifts at government functions must now be books. The cabinet has also approved financial support for aspiring writers, with a one-time grant of ₹25,000 each to be awarded to 1,000 young writers focusing on creative, scientific, and academic fields. Additionally, to promote local literature and history, the government plans to publish and distribute a book on the legendary Assamese maestro, Bhupen Hazarika, to eminent personalities and institutions across the country.
Further boosting the literary ecosystem, the government will provide financial assistance for organising book fairs. Organisers will now receive a ₹5 lakh grant for district-level fairs and ₹2.5 lakh for those in co-district headquarters, a move approved by the Assam Prakashan Parishad.
In other key decisions, the cabinet has approved several measures aimed at improving the welfare of various employee groups and boosting infrastructure. The upper age limit for the promotion of Anganwadi Helpers to Anganwadi Workers has been increased from 45 to 50 years, enhancing their career progression opportunities. The monthly ration allowance for the Assam Forest Protection Force and Frontline Staff of the Wildlife Wing has also been enhanced from ₹2,000 to ₹2,500.
On the developmental front, the reorganisation of the Bodoland Territorial Council is set to be completed with 23 blocks, including the creation of a new development block, Gobardhana Development Block. The state government will bear the one-time infrastructural costs for this project.
The government has also given its nod to four major investment proposals worth ₹1,843 crore, which are expected to create around 850 new jobs. The companies set to invest in the state are Valley Strong Cements, Star Cement, Maxim Infrastructure and Real Estate, and Varun Beverages. Finally, the cabinet has approved a revised estimate of ₹178.129 crore for the construction of six district science centres-cum-planetariums in Majuli, Diphu, Kaliabar, Silchar, Amingaon, and Bongaigaon, underscoring the government’s commitment to scientific education and infrastructure.
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