Guwahati: On the eve of taking oath as the CM for a second consecutive term, chief minister-designate Himanta Biswa Sarma said Assam’s land, identity and future would remain non-negotiable for his govt, while pledging to free 5 lakh bighas of land from encroachment by stepping up eviction drives to more than three times the scale seen during his first term.On Monday, Himanta used social media to announce a stronger push against illegal land encroachment in Assam. “Assam’s land, identity and future are non-negotiable. After freeing 1.5 lakh bighas of land from encroachment, #NDA3.0 moves ahead with a firm resolve to reclaim 5 lakh more bighas for the people of Assam. Because for us, Jati, Mati, Bheti comes first,” he wrote on X.Along with the planned large-scale anti-encroachment drives, the NDA 3.0 agenda also prioritises youth entrepreneurship, welfare measures for tea tribes, and greater support for farmers, including additional MSP backing.After the BJP secured a strong mandate in Assam’s tea-growing belt, Himanta said tea garden workers’ wages would be increased in phases to Rs 500 per day. The long-pending demand has been for a minimum wage of Rs 351 per day.“For the last 10 years, the NDA govt has worked for the holistic development of Assam’s Cha Shramiks, who are the backbone of our 200-year-old tea legacy. In #NDA3.0, we will further strengthen the lives and livelihoods of every Cha Shramiks with a phased wage increase to Rs 500,” Sarma wrote on X.The CM’s Office also said 100 additional tea garden model schools would be set up in tea garden areas across the state between 2026 and 2031.Sarma said the NDA 3.0 govt would pursue an Atmanirbhar Assam by extending Rs 5 lakh in entrepreneurship support to 10 lakh youths. “A Better Future is not a promise, it is our mission. NDA 3.0 will fuel Atmanirbhar Assam with Rs 5 lakh entrepreneurship support to 10 lakh youths. Which means more jobs, stronger local growth and unstoppable support for dreamers and job creators,” he wrote.He also highlighted need for farmers’ welfare, saying, “Assam’s farmers have always remained at the heart of our development journey.”“With enhanced support for marginal farmers, additional MSP backing and major assistance for modern farm infrastructure, the next five years will further strengthen the backbone of our annadatas,” he wrote.
