Guwahati: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma meant it when he said the second term would be different. His first Cabinet meeting proved it.
The inaugural Cabinet meeting of the Sarma 2.0 government — held on 13th May at State Guest House in Guwahati — wasted no time. Two decisions stood out above the rest: the approval of the draft Uniform Civil Code Bill for Assam, and the formal adoption of the BJP’s Sankalpa Patra 2026 as the guiding framework for governance over the next five years.
UCC: Assam moves ahead
The Cabinet cleared the draft Uniform Civil Code Bill, which will be introduced on the final day of the upcoming Assembly session scheduled for May 21, 22, 25 and 26.
The UCC, however, will not apply universally. Scheduled Tribes — both Hills and Plains — have been kept outside its purview. Traditional religious customs, practices and rituals will also remain unaffected, said CM Sarma after the cabinet meeting.
Within its scope, the UCC will cover four specific areas: the minimum age of marriage, prohibition of polygamy, equal property rights for daughters, and matters relating to live-in relationships.
The move makes Assam one of the few states in the country to push ahead with a UCC — a long-standing BJP electoral commitment — translating a promise into legislation within 24 hours of the new Cabinet taking charge.
BJP’s Sankalpa Patra
In a significant institutional decision, the Cabinet formally resolved to treat the BJP’s Sankalpa Patra 2026 — the party’s election manifesto — as a guiding framework, not merely a political document.
The Cabinet noted that the massive mandate received by the BJP-led NDA in the 2026 Assam Assembly elections is a direct public endorsement of the Sankalpa Patra, which commits the government to deliver 31 specific Sankalpas over the 2026–2031 term.
The Cabinet cleared the convening of the first Assembly session under the new government from May 21 to 26. Newly elected MLAs will take their oath during this session.
The Cabinet approved two significant decisions relating to Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. The closing ceremony of his birth centenary celebrations will be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 8. Additionally, a museum dedicated to the legendary singer will be constructed at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati at a cost of Rs. 32 crore.
Two lakh jobs — task force
To deliver on its promise of government employment for two lakh youth within five years, the Cabinet constituted a task force under the Chief Secretary. The task force has been given three months to examine all aspects and submit a report.
In response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to conserve foreign exchange, the Assam government announced a series of austerity measures effective immediately. No new vehicles will be purchased for six months. Government officials cannot travel abroad — personally or officially — except for medical treatment. Convoy sizes for the Governor, Chief Minister, Ministers, and officials will be trimmed. Fuel expenditure will be cut by 20 per cent compared to the previous year. No foreign-made goods will be procured by the state government for six months. Seminars and workshops will shift entirely to video conferencing. And where vehicles must be hired, only electric vehicles will be used.
