Guwahati, Jan 13: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday distributed appointment letters to 296 candidates from Tea Tribe and Adivasi communities, selected for reserved posts through the Assam Direct Recruitment Examination (ADRE). The ceremony was held at the GMCH Auditorium, with the new recruits set to join various state government departments.

Of the appointees, 130 have been selected for Grade-IV posts and 166 for Grade-III posts. With these appointments, the total number of government jobs provided by the current administration has reached 1,56,679.

Earlier in 2025, Assam had appointed candidates from these communities to teacher posts on November 12, positions in Assam Police and Home Department directorates on December 8, and technical and non-technical roles in the Health department on December 24.

Addressing the gathering, Sarma highlighted Assam’s implementation of a common examination system for government vacancies across departments, emphasizing the transparent process, free of irregularities or legal challenges.

Recognizing the tea community’s 200-year contribution to Assam’s tea industry, the state government introduced a 3% reservation for eligible youth from Tea Tribe and Adivasi communities in Grade-III and Grade-IV posts last year. Nearly 1,000 candidates have been appointed under this policy so far. Sarma announced that the quota will now be extended to Grade-I and Grade-II posts, allowing community members to aspire to positions such as magistrates, police officers, and professors.

Additional initiatives for the communities include 30 reserved MBBS seats for tea tribe students (with 14 more recently added), construction of 44 hostels, financial assistance through the Shahid Dayal Das Panika Self-Employment Scheme, and approval of land rights for residents of tea garden “lines” in the recent Assembly session.

Sarma urged the appointees to remain connected to their roots, serve tea garden areas with dedication, and maintain high standards of work, particularly for vulnerable populations.

The event was attended by Minister for Tea Tribes and Adivasi Welfare Rupesh Gowala, MPs Rameswar Teli and Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, MLAs Sanjay Kishan and Rupjyoti Kurmi, former APSC member Bhagirath Karan, Additional Chief Secretary J.B. Ekka, and representatives from social organizations.