Guwahati, May 13: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Wednesday that the upcoming assembly session will commence on May 21, with the state government set to present the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill on May 25.
Speaking to the media after the first cabinet meeting of his second term in office, Sarma emphasized that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had committed to implementing the UCC in Assam as part of its election manifesto. He stated that the decision to introduce the UCC bill on May 25 was made during the first cabinet meeting, fulfilling a significant promise from the BJP’s electoral agenda. Notably, the proposed law will exempt tribal communities from its purview.
Sarma further elaborated that the new government’s policy framework and governance priorities will be guided by the BJP’s manifesto. The party’s resolution will serve as the foundation for the government’s policy decisions and implementation roadmap.
He remarked, “Politically, Eastern Bengal has become a crucial area in Indian politics. It will symbolize development. Therefore, we must ensure comprehensive growth and that Eastern Bengal begins contributing to the national GDP. We can no longer say that we cannot act because there is no government in Bengal. The borders are open; how can I help? The public will not accept such responses. They will hold us accountable, and we are ready to respond because we believe that a double-engine government will work diligently and enthusiastically for development.”
The Chief Minister highlighted that the ‘Ang Bang Kalin’ and Kamrup projects present an image of a robust civilization that has historically strengthened India. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, these four states—Odisha, Bengal, Bihar, Assam—and Northeast India will play a vital role in the nation’s development. Sarma stated, “There is only one ideal in India, the Modi ideal, and Assam is no different. We have implemented the Modi ideal in Assam.”
He assured that the government will continue to focus on fulfilling promises made to the public during the assembly elections, emphasizing development, infrastructure expansion, welfare measures, and strengthening law and order.
This cabinet meeting marked the first formal gathering of the new government following Sarma’s swearing-in for a consecutive term earlier this week. The meeting included four cabinet ministers: Rameshwar Teli, Atul Bora, Ajanta Neog, and Charan Bodo.
Officials noted that the cabinet discussed key governance priorities, legislative agendas, and development initiatives to be adopted during the new term of the BJP-led NDA government in Assam.
The announcement regarding the UCC is significant as Assam joins a select group of states, following Uttarakhand, taking steps towards implementing such legislation.
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