Serve Veg Food Only At Govt Events: Assam CM Himanta Biswa to DCs

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has issued a directive to deputy commissioners to serve only vegetarian food to visiting officials, including himself, ministers, and other state personnel, with the exception of state guests.

The order was announced on Monday during the opening day of a two-day conference of deputy commissioners.

Chief Minister Sarma emphasised a preference for simple vegetarian meals, stating, “If you serve me chicken, I feel irritated. People generally do not appreciate such indulgences. We should avoid practices that are not liked by the public.”

He further suggested that those who wish for more varied cuisine should visit local eateries, as he recalled his own experience of dining at a restaurant during a visit to Dibrugarh, noting that promoting local establishments will indirectly benefit the community.

“When there is a display of extravagant food, it creates an impression that ministers are there for the meal only,” the chief minister said as he addressed concerns about the perception of lavish food at official events.

He stressed that, except for state guests, no non-vegetarian food should be served at government functions or meetings.

Further, Chief Minster Sarma indicated that he would prefer to enjoy such ‘lavish’ meals at his party office or the residence of a party worker, underscoring his desire for government events to remain simple and dignified, considering the economic diversity of the state’s population.

In an effort to curb VIP culture, Sarma also set a limit on the number of vehicles in the chief minister’s convoy, restricting it to a maximum of ten, including those of the deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police.

The first day of the DC conference on Monday concluded with deliberations that lasted about 14 hours till midnight.

Chief Minister Sarma sat with the DCs of various districts and got down to the details of administrative issues and policy implementation. Issues from the last six months were taken up during the conference and deliberated upon.

The Assam Chief Minister further said that there will be 50,000 new recruitments in the state government soon.

He said that a clean and transparent recruitment procedure would be followed as before. He said that the matter would be taken up in detail with the DCs.

Speaking about the upcoming semiconductor project in Assam’s Jagiroad, Chief Minister Sarma said that the project will change the face of Assam altogether.

“The work for the project will begin from August 3 and soon a new phase of industrialisation will usher in the state,” Chief Minister Sarma said.

“This is Assam’s project and I do not need any credit for it. Ten years later when people will talk about this project, people should feel proud of it,” Chief Minister Sarma added.

Also Read: Assam: Bhoomi Pujan for Rs 27,000 cr Tata Semiconductor Facility In Jagiroad on Aug 3