Assam cabinet approves 3 per cent reservation for tea tribes in govt jobs
Guwahati, Feb 17
The Assam Cabinet on Tuesday approved three per cent reservation for Tea Tribes and Adivasi communities in Class I and Class II state government jobs, marking a significant expansion of affirmative action for one of the state's most marginalised sections, Chief Ministar Hiamanta Biswa Sarma said.
The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting held at the Assam Legislative Assembly complex in Dispur under the chairmanship of CM Sarma.
With this move, the Tea Tribes and Adivasi communities will now get reservation benefits in higher-level government services, in addition to the existing quota in Class III and Class IV posts.
Sarma told reporters here that the decision reflects the government's intent to ensure greater representation of Tea Tribes and Adivasi youth in policy-making and administrative roles.
The community has historically remained underrepresented in senior government positions despite its substantial contribution to Assam's economy, particularly through the tea industry.
The Cabinet noted that extending reservation to Class I and II posts would open new avenues for educated youth from Tea Tribes and Adivasi backgrounds, encourage higher education, and help address long-standing social and economic disparities.
Apart from the reservation decision, the Cabinet also approved the Vote-on-Account Budget statement to be placed before the Assam Legislative Assembly for the initial months of the 2026-27 financial year.
In another major welfare push, the Cabinet cleared the release of entrepreneurship seed capital to an additional 1,07,532 eligible women SHG members under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan (MMUA) scheme.
Infrastructure and development decisions included approval for the construction of a second Sainik School at Langvoku in Karbi Anglong, following the Ministry of Defence's clearance of the project's DPR, and settlement of over 31 bighas of land in Dhemaji district in favour of the Assam Cricket Association for sports infrastructure development.
The Cabinet also sanctioned Rs 20 crore for integrated development of the Borbheti Campus in Jorhat to promote heritage-based tourism, enhanced earned leave for school teachers to 15 days, and amendments to the Assam Agricultural Service Rules to ease promotion norms.
The Chief Minister argued that the Cabinet decisions underscore the government's parallel focus on social justice, employment, infrastructure and inclusive growth across Assam.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good move by the government. Inclusive growth is essential. Along with reservation, I hope they also focus on improving the quality of education and healthcare in the tea garden areas so that youth are actually prepared to compete for these jobs.
While the intent is noble, I have a concern. We must ensure that the existing reservation for other communities isn't diluted. The total pie of government jobs is not increasing. The cabinet should also create more jobs in the private sector.
Finally! My grandfather worked in a tea garden his whole life. This community has given so much but received so little in return. Seeing their youth in Class I & II posts will be a matter of great pride. Hope the implementation is smooth and transparent.
Interesting policy from Assam. As an observer, affirmative action is always a complex balance. The focus on entrepreneurship for women SHGs and infrastructure like the cricket ground shows a broader development approach, which is positive.
A step in the right direction for social justice. But reservation alone is not enough. The article mentions seed capital for women entrepreneurs - that is equally important. Economic empowerment through business can change lives at the grassroots level. 👍
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