Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on May 26, 2026, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to generating two lakh jobs and fostering a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem, with a particular focus on rural growth and enhanced economic participation by women. The Chief Minister emphasized a shift beyond solely public sector recruitment, aiming to cultivate a self-reliant generation through strategic initiatives in agriculture and optimal resource utilization.
The announcement, made during the third day of the Assam Assembly session, signals the government’s comprehensive vision for employment and economic development over the next five years. This approach seeks to empower youth to become job creators rather than job seekers, addressing long-standing unemployment challenges and promoting inclusive growth across the state.
What was announced
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reiterated the government’s pledge to provide two lakh government jobs to the youth of Assam. Speaking in the Assam Assembly, Sarma underscored that this electoral promise remains a key responsibility of his administration.
Beyond public sector recruitment, the Chief Minister highlighted a broader strategy focused on creating a self-reliant and enterprising generation. He stated that the government would work towards this objective through advancements in agriculture and more effective utilisation of Assam’s natural resources. Sarma stressed the importance of nurturing youth who can establish businesses and generate employment opportunities for others.
A significant component of this vision is the emphasis on stronger economic participation by women. Sarma noted that self-help groups (SHGs) have ignited a new sense of aspiration among women in Assam, who now seek to contribute actively to their families’ economic well-being beyond traditional household duties. He urged the Assembly to support the expansion and strengthening of the SHG movement across the state.
Why it matters
The government’s renewed focus on employment generation and entrepreneurship is crucial for Assam’s economic trajectory, aiming to reduce dependency on government jobs and foster a more dynamic private sector. The commitment to two lakh government jobs addresses a significant demand among the state’s youth, while the push for entrepreneurship seeks to create sustainable, long-term employment opportunities.
By promoting a self-reliant generation, the government aims to transform job seekers into job creators, a paradigm shift that could significantly impact the state’s economy. Initiatives in agriculture are particularly vital, as the sector provides the main source of occupation and livelihood for 70 percent of the rural population in Assam.
The emphasis on women-led growth is expected to enhance gender equality and economic empowerment. Women in Assam, even after fulfilling household responsibilities, increasingly desire to contribute to their families’ financial prosperity. Strengthening self-help groups and providing entrepreneurial support can unlock significant economic potential, contributing to the overall Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
Assam’s GSDP is projected to reach Rs 8.71 lakh crore this year, with an aim to become a Rs 10 lakh crore economy by 2028, reflecting robust economic growth in recent years.
Background
The Assam government has consistently prioritised employment generation and economic empowerment. Chief Minister Sarma’s administration has previously aimed to provide one lakh government jobs, a target it has largely met and is now poised to surpass. In August 2024, Sarma announced that 99,097 jobs had been created over three years, nearing the one lakh target.
The focus on entrepreneurship is not new. The state government launched the Swami Vivekananda Assam Youth Empowerment (SVAYEM) Scheme in 2017, which was later renewed in 2020. This flagship programme provides financial support to youth for income-generating activities in manufacturing, trading, and services, aiming to create employment opportunities in both rural and urban areas. Under the renewed SVAYEM Yojana, Rs 50,000 is provided as seed money to individual beneficiaries, with groups receiving up to Rs 5 lakh.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Asom Abhiyan (CM-AAA), launched in September 2023, has supported over 25,000 youths in its first phase. The CM-AAA 2.0 aims to support 74,036 prospective entrepreneurs with a total outlay of Rs 1,482 crore, providing Rs 2 lakh to general category beneficiaries and Rs 5 lakh to professionals.
Women’s economic participation has also been a key policy area. Schemes like Orunodoi, Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan (MMUA), and Lakhpati Baideo have been instrumental. The MMUA, launched in April 2025, targets around 30 lakh women entrepreneurs, primarily members of Self-Help Groups, providing seed capital and subsidised loans. The Lakhpati Baideo Scheme aims to create one lakh rural women entrepreneurs through interest-free loans and mentorship.
The government has also focused on skill development, with the cabinet approving a Rs 600-crore project in August 2025 to establish skill education centres across the state in collaboration with Tata Group firm Nelco.
Key details
Chief Minister Sarma’s announcement on May 26, 2026, in the Assam Assembly, highlighted several key aspects of the government’s strategy:
- Employment Target: A commitment to provide two lakh government jobs.
- Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: Emphasis on fostering a generation of entrepreneurs capable of creating jobs for others.
- Rural Growth: Focus on economic development in rural areas, leveraging agriculture and local resources.
- Women-led Development: Strengthening the role of women in the economy, particularly through self-help groups.
- Resource Utilisation: Better and more efficient utilisation of Assam’s resources to drive self-reliance.
The government plans to achieve these goals by not solely relying on public sector recruitment but by creating avenues for self-employment and private sector growth. This includes promoting agri-entrepreneurship and integrating modern technology with traditional agricultural knowledge to strengthen the rural economy.
Reactions
“Our government is committed to providing two lakh government jobs in the state. At the same time, we must nurture a generation of youth who can create job opportunities for others by building a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem in the state,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in the Assam Assembly.
“The women of Assam, even after fulfilling their household responsibilities, no longer wish to remain confined only to kitchen duties; they also want to take responsibility for the economic well-being of their families,” Sarma said, highlighting the changing aspirations of women in the state.
Opposition legislators, however, contested the government’s claims on economic progress and employment generation during the Assembly discussion, according to reports.
What’s next
The Assam government is expected to roll out further policy details and schemes to implement this comprehensive employment and entrepreneurship vision. The focus will likely be on strengthening existing initiatives like SVAYEM and CM-AAA, along with new programmes to boost agriculture and women-led enterprises. The expansion of self-help group activities and skill development initiatives will be key areas to watch. The government aims to continue its trajectory of economic growth and poverty reduction, with further updates expected in subsequent Assembly sessions and public addresses.
Sources & References
Source: Assam to focus on jobs, entrepreneurship and women-led growth: Himanta – India Today NE