Guwahati, July 15 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday asserted that the state’s Satra institutions and the broader Vaishnavite tradition are inseparable, while defending his government’s budget commitments, land rights initiatives for tea garden workers, and pension reforms during the Assembly debate.

Participating in the discussion on the state Budget, CM Sarma said some people were yet to understand the close relationship between Satras and the Vaishnavite tradition but expressed confidence that public awareness would grow over time.

“I am happy that people are becoming more aware. It may take some time for them to understand that the Satra and the Vaishnavite tradition are one and the same. Once people realise this, misconceptions will disappear,” he said.

The Chief Minister also reiterated the BJP government’s commitment to granting land rights to tea garden communities, recalling that the promise had been made before the Assembly elections.

“We had promised to provide land pattas to tea garden families. We have already distributed around 30,000 pattas, and this year another 1.5 lakh families will receive them. Within the next two to three years, nearly three lakh families will be covered,” CM Sarma said.

Responding to criticism that the Budget did not specifically mention the scheme, CM Sarma said the welfare of tea garden communities was not merely a political slogan but a long-term commitment of his government.

On the demand for restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), CM Sarma defended the government’s decision to retain the National Pension Scheme (NPS) while introducing the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) as an option.

He argued that over 1.5 lakh youths recruited by the government were already covered under the NPS and claimed the scheme would offer better post-retirement benefits in many cases.

Employees, he said, would have the choice of remaining under the NPS or opting for the UPS.

The Chief Minister also expressed disappointment that the Opposition had not questioned the progress of several flagship announcements made in previous budgets, including the proposed satellite project, proton therapy facility and the state’s OTT platform.

CM Sarma said tenders had already been completed for the satellite project, orders for the proton therapy facility would be issued shortly, and work on the OTT platform was also progressing.

–IANS

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