Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday assigned "guardian districts" to 16 of his cabinet colleagues to accelerate development across the state's districts. As guardian ministers, they are tasked with working closely with district administrations to ensure smooth implementation of all government schemes and programmes.
Key Allocations
Cabinet minister Atul Bora has been given responsibility for Kamrup (Metro) district, which includes the capital Guwahati, and Dhemaji district. The Chief Minister's close aide Pijush Hazarika has been assigned the highest number of four districts: Nagaon, Hojai, Karbi Anglong, and West Karbi Anglong.
All 16 cabinet ministers have been allotted one or more districts. Guardian ministers will coordinate with district administrations to support development, even as portfolios for the 12 new ministers who took oath on Friday are yet to be assigned. Sarma had stated that the new ministers will receive departments within a week.
Ministerial Responsibilities
- Rameswar Teli: Tinsukia and Jorhat
- Charan Boro: Kokrajhar, Baksa, and Chirang
- Ajanta Neog: Morigaon and Kamrup
- Ashwini Ray Sarkar: Bongaigaon and Barpeta
- Ashok Singhal: Darrang and Dhubri
- Bimal Bora: Sivasagar and Charaideo
- Biswajit Daimary: Nalbari and Sonitpur
- Jayanta Mallabaruah: Tamulpur and Goalpara
- Keshab Mahanta: South Salmara-Mankachar and North Lakhimpur
- Nilima Devi: Bajali and Udalguri
- Ranoj Pegu: Biswanath and Golaghat
- Susanta Borgohain: Majuli and Dibrugarh
Barak Valley Ministers
The two ministers from the Barak Valley region have been assigned the three Barak Valley districts. Kaushik Rai will oversee Sribhumi and Hailakandi, while Krishnendu Paul will handle Cachar along with Dima Hasao.
Background
After becoming Chief Minister in 2021, Sarma introduced the concept of "guardian ministers" in Assam to ensure effective implementation of government decisions, welfare schemes, and administrative reforms, and to periodically review centrally sponsored schemes.
"I am pleased to announce the allocations of Guardian Districts to the Hon'ble Ministers of the Govt of Assam," Sarma wrote on social media on Sunday. "I am confident that the Hon'ble Ministers will work closely with the district administrations to further accelerate our journey towards progress and prosperity," he added.
