Himanta Biswa Sarma ends 'VIP Culture', ministers and officials to pay power bills in Assam

Assam government, in a move to end the 'VIP culture' and promote accountability, has announced that ministers, senior officials, and government officers will have to pay for their electricity consumption from July 1 onwards.

 

Sharing the decision on Twitter on June 16, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "We are ending the #VIPCulture rule of paying electricity bills of Government officials using taxpayer money. My self and the Chief Secretary will set an example and start paying our power bills from July 1 onwards. Beginning July 2024, all public servants will have to pay for their own electricity consumption (s.i.c)."

 

The announcement marks a significant departure from the long-standing practice of providing free electricity to official quarters of ministers, top bureaucrats, and government employees.

 

Addressing the issue, Sarma emphasised the importance of setting an example and leading by example.

 

By requiring ministers and officials to pay for their electricity consumption, the state government aims to instill a sense of responsibility and appreciation for the resources provided by taxpayers.

 

Furthermore, the chief minister highlighted the state's efforts towards energy conservation, stating, "We have undertaken an initiative to implement auto-disconnection of electricity at all Govt offices barring CM Sectt, Home and Finance Deptts at 8PM so that we can save electricity. This measure is already in place at 8,000 Govt offices, schools, etc across the State."

 

The announcement also comes in the wake of the state government's initiatives to promote sustainable energy practices, including the inauguration of a solar power project at the Secretariat, making it India's first green secretariat to run entirely on solar energy.