Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday announced the allocation of “guardian districts” to 16 cabinet ministers, assigning them responsibility for coordinating development and administrative oversight across the state’s 35 districts. Under the new arrangement, each minister will act as a nodal point for development activities in their assigned districts, working in coordination with various government departments.
The ministers will also serve as first responders during emergencies and natural disasters, helping streamline communication between district administrations and the state government. Sarma said in a post on social media platform X that the initiative is aimed at accelerating development and improving governance at the grassroots level.
He expressed confidence that the ministers would work closely with district authorities to strengthen the state’s progress and ensure more efficient implementation of welfare and infrastructure projects. Several ministers have been assigned multiple districts under the new system. Rameswar Teli has been given responsibility for Tinsukia and Jorhat, while Atul Bora will oversee Kamrup (Metropolitan) and Dhemaji. Charan Boro has been assigned Kokrajhar, Baksa and Chirang, and Ajanta Neog will look after Morigaon and Kamrup.
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Among other allocations, Ashwini Ray Sarkar will be responsible for Bongaigaon and Barpeta, Ashok Singhal for Darrang and Dhubri, Bimal Borah for Sivasagar and Charaideo, and Biswajit Daimary for Nalbari and Sonitpur. Jayanta Malla Baruah has been assigned Tamulpur and Goalpara, while Kaushik Rai will oversee Sreebhumi and Hailakandi.
Further allocations include Keshav Mahanta for South Salmara-Mankachar and North Lakhimpur, Krishnendu Paul for Dima Hasao and Cachar, Nilima Devi for Bajali and Udalguri, Pijush Hazarika for Nagaon, Hojai, Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong, Ranoj Pegu for Biswanath and Golaghat, and Sushanta Borgohain for Dibrugarh and Majuli.
The move follows a recent cabinet expansion in the state, with the Chief Minister indicating that portfolio allocations for newly inducted ministers will be finalised within a week. Officials said the “guardian district” system is intended to enhance accountability and bring governance closer to local communities.
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