Guwahati, Sep 30 (PTI) - Assam's Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, made headlines this week with strong allegations against the Congress party's tenure, claiming no one received government jobs without paying bribes during their rule. Sarma, addressing young entrepreneurs at a financial assistance event, emphasized his government's commitment to transparency and equitable job opportunities.
During his address, Sarma declared his aim to provide employment to 200,000 youths during his administration. Since assuming office, he stated, 140,000 youths have already secured jobs, surpassing the initial target of 100,000. "The youths during the Congress rule could not believe they would get government jobs without paying bribes. Even for low-paying jobs, they were required to pay Rs 1 crore of bribe," he claimed, painting Congress’s governance as riddled with corruption.
Further bolstering his claims, Sarma critiqued the selection process for the chairmanship of the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) during the Congress era. He alleged these appointments favored individuals capable of “collecting money” from job seekers, implying systemic corruption. "An era full of thorns has passed. Now, we have been able to conduct recruitment tests transparently without any bribe," he added, highlighting his administration's reforms aimed at clean governance.
Despite the BJP's ambitious promise during the 2021 assembly polls to provide 100,000 government jobs annually, Sarma clarified the goal was shifted to fulfill this commitment within the five-year term instead. This has led to some scrutiny, as the opposition questions the feasibility and integrity of such promises.
On the economic front, Sarma's government is also focused on entrepreneurship, launching the Chief Minister's Atmanirbhar Assam Abhijan (CMAAA) initiative with a budget of Rs 510 crores to support budding entrepreneurs. During the same event, he announced the distribution of Rs 75,000 as the first installment to over 25,000 youths to help them kickstart their ventures. "Boosting entrepreneurship in Assam by empowering the youth is a focus area of our government. To encourage our young entrepreneurs, I am distributing grants under the CMAAA," he stated, articulately outlining his vision for economic rejuvenation through job creation.
Sarma’s assertions come at a time when the Narendra Modi government is under pressure to deliver on its promises concerning jobs and economic growth, especially as potential general elections loom on the horizon. Critics of the ruling party often point to job growth as one of the major challenges, with unemployment rates making headlines. The Chief Minister’s remarks suggest not only his desire to differentiate his administration’s approach from Congress's but also to solidify BJP’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
Interestingly, Sarma's statements resonate distinctly as preparations swell for the upcoming Assam Direct Recruitment Examination (ADRE) 2024. This exam is pivotal for Grade III posts and has garnered significant interest, with over 734,080 candidates registered for the test, set to roll out across 822 centers statewide. Amid this backdrop, the government has decided to implement stringent measures to maintain order during the examination process, including suspending mobile internet services on the exam day to avoid any potential cheating or misuse.
With internet services halted from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, authorities aim to diminish any unfair advantages during the exam, albeit making exceptions for voice calls and broadband services to mitigate public inconvenience. This precaution showcases the government’s commitment to conducting the exam transparently and fairly, albeit drawing both praise and criticism from various stakeholders.
Political observers note Sarma's rhetoric serves dual purposes; it seeks to reinforce the BJP’s image as more competent and reformative compared to past administrations, especially as scrutiny of government credentials intensifies. The narrative of cleaning up corruption and creating jobs resonates well with voters, especially the youth, who are often the demographic most affected by job scarcity and economic hardships.
Congress leaders, on the other hand, have been vocal about what they describe as deceptive spin-doctoring surrounding job creation and employment statistics. They assert the statistics cited by Sarma do not paint the full picture and argue employment has dropped overall during the BJP's tenure. This tension continues to simmer, as both parties trade barbs over their records.
To add another layer to the situation, reports have emerged of mobile internet services being disrupted recently across Assam on the same day scheduled for the ADRE exam. This has raised eyebrows among citizens wary of governmental overreach and the potential impact of such regulations on daily life.
The political climate within Assam is charged, with various factions evaluating the economic and employment trajectories promised and delivered by the incumbent government. Sarma’s emphatic stance against bribes and promise of job creation may just be the strategy needed to maintain BJP's foothold as the state gears up for elections.
While the furor continues surrounding employment and governance, the developing story is likely to shape the political landscaping as the election season draws closer, compelling both supporters and opponents to articulate their stances effectively as the electorate watches aimed for transparency and reform.
