The Assam Cabinet had approved a one-time book allowance of ₹1,000 for all state government employees, which was disbursed with their November 2025 salaries, as part of the state’s ‘Year of Books 2025’ celebration. This initiative aimed to foster a culture of reading and intellectual enrichment among the workforce.
The decision, announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on August 8, 2025, after a cabinet meeting in Guwahati, involved an estimated expenditure of around ₹40 crore. The move impacted approximately four lakh government employees across Assam, providing them with financial support specifically for purchasing books.
What was announced
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on August 8, 2025, that the Assam Cabinet had approved a one-time book allowance of ₹1,000 for each state government employee. This allowance was slated to be included with the November 2025 salaries of all eligible employees. The announcement followed a cabinet meeting held in Guwahati, where several initiatives under the ‘Year of Books 2025’ celebration were formalised.
Sarma said the government had also approved other measures to promote reading and literature, including financial support for young writers and book fairs. The cabinet decided that all official gifts presented at government functions would henceforth be in the form of books, to encourage a culture of knowledge.
Why it matters
The one-time book allowance of ₹1,000 directly benefited approximately four lakh Assam government employees, providing them with an incentive to engage with literature and enhance their personal libraries. This initiative, costing the state exchequer around ₹40 crore, aimed to strengthen the reading culture within the public service and, by extension, across the state.
Beyond the direct financial aid, the ‘Year of Books 2025’ initiative sought to create a vibrant literary ecosystem. Officials believe that a well-read society is better equipped to address societal challenges and contribute to sustainable development. The policy underscored the government’s commitment to intellectual enrichment and cultural preservation.
Background
The Assam Cabinet had initially approved the celebration of 2025 as the ‘Year of Reading’ on December 23, 2024, with a focus on promoting reading habits, especially among the youth. This broader initiative included plans for district-level book fairs throughout the year, the distribution of books as New Year gifts, and the development of libraries for government employees.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had highlighted the decision to promote reading as a means of intellectual development and personal growth. The announcement of the book allowance on August 8, 2025, was a key component of this larger vision, aiming to directly involve government employees in the literary movement.
Other welfare measures for government employees in Assam have been implemented in recent years. In September 2024, the state government introduced zero-premium insurance coverage for its employees, offering substantial financial protection. Furthermore, in November 2024, the cabinet approved a three percent hike in dearness allowance for state government employees and pensioners. In November 2025, the zero-cost insurance scheme was extended to contractual and PSU employees. The government has also approved special casual leave under the Matri Pitri Vandana initiative to encourage employees to spend time with their parents.
Key details
The one-time book allowance of ₹1,000 was provided to all state government employees. The disbursement occurred with the employees’ salaries in November 2025. This initiative covered approximately four lakh government employees, leading to a total expenditure of around ₹40 crore from the state exchequer.
As part of the ‘Year of Books 2025’ celebration, the cabinet also approved a one-time financial support of ₹25,000 each for one thousand young writers, with a focus on those contributing to creative, scientific, and academic writing. Additionally, financial assistance for organising book fairs approved by the Assam Prakashan Parishad was sanctioned, with ₹5 lakh for district headquarters and ₹2.5 lakh for co-district headquarters.
What’s next
The ‘Year of Books 2025’ initiatives, including the book allowance, were designed to have a lasting impact on promoting a reading culture in Assam. The government’s emphasis on books as official gifts at functions is expected to continue reinforcing this cultural shift. The various programmes, such as support for young writers and book fairs, aim to sustain a vibrant literary environment beyond 2025.