Assam cabinet clears 3% reservation for tea tribes & Adivasis, expands MMUA beneficiaries

Guwahati: In a major pre-poll push, the Assam cabinet on Tuesday approved 3% reservation in Class I and Class II state govt jobs for tea tribes and Adivasi communities within the OBC quota, alongside expanding the Mission for Minority and Underprivileged Areas (MMUA) to cover over 1 lakh more women beneficiaries.A total of 32 lakh women have already received ₹10,000 each under MMUA scheme for self-help group members aimed at promoting women’s entrepreneurship.CM hief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said until now, reservation for tea tribes and Adivasi communities was limited to Grade III and IV posts. “From now, this will be expanded to Grade I and II, covering state civil services, professors, and other posts, which will be applicable from next year. For other jobs advertised from tomorrow, the new rule will come into play immediately,” Sarma said.On MMUA, Sarma highlighted that 32 lakh women have already received ₹10,000 each under the scheme. However, some genuine beneficiaries were left out. To address this, the Cabinet approved 1,07,532 Self-Help Group (SHG) members to be included, aimed at promoting women’s entrepreneurship. “No deserving family should be left behind in accessing welfare schemes,” Sarma said.The twin decisions come weeks before the assembly elections, underscoring BJP’s strategy to consolidate support among tea tribes, Adivasis, and women voters — all crucial constituencies in Assam’s electoral landscape.With elections to the 126-member assembly expected in March-April, the announcements are set to become central campaign talking points, reinforcing BJP’s narrative of inclusion and empowerment while putting rivals on the defensive.