Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today said that has drawn attention across media circles in the state. While speaking to reporters, he said that the government can introduce a scheme for journalists but added that once journalists become beneficiaries of such a scheme, they may not be able to criticise the government in the future.
The Chief Minister said, “A scheme may come for journalists. But later the journalists will not be able to criticise the government as they will become beneficiaries.”
This statement comes after a long year of shifting interactions between the Chief Minister and the media. During the first half of 2025, Sarma often praised the contributions of journalists and writers who played key roles in shaping Assamese society. He paid tributes to Padmanath Gohain Baruah and Homen Borgohain, calling them important cultural figures whose writings continued to guide Assam’s social understanding. 
By mid-2025, his tone had changed. He spoke about concerns related to misinformation during elections and pointed at foreign attempts to influence public opinion through social media. In July, he criticised the All India Trinamool Congress for allegedly twisting his comments on illegal immigration. Later, in September, he accused a section of the Assam media of avoiding difficult questions to opposition leaders, which he described as a form of selective coverage.
The issue of journalists came back to the forefront in November when NKTV PLUS journalist Rana Deka alleged that a retired IAS officer had threatened him over a report. Several journalist bodies demanded immediate action and also urged the Chief Minister to intervene.
When reporters asked Sarma about the matter, his response raised questions among media organisations, who felt the issue needed more serious attention. Political parties, including the Assam Congress, also reacted strongly to the situation.
Amid these developments, the Chief Minister had recently announced that the government will launch a new welfare initiative for journalists, known as the ‘Babu Scheme’, which is expected to start on January 1, 2026. The scheme is expected to include pensions, health-related support and other benefits for journalists working in Assam. For many months, journalist associations have been requesting pension revisions and broader welfare measures. The detailed guidelines of the scheme are yet to be released.
Alongside the discussions on media-related issues, Chief Minister Sarma has continued to promote a wide range of welfare schemes for the people of Assam throughout the year. His administration has pushed for what he describes as “saturation coverage” so that every eligible citizen receives benefits without delay.
During 2025, schemes such as Orunodoi 3.0, Atmanirbhar Assam Abhiyan, Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan, LPG subsidy programmes, youth entrepreneurship schemes, and various health-related benefits were rolled out in different districts. Sarma has repeatedly highlighted the importance of these schemes in empowering communities, especially women, youth and tea garden workers. In recent weeks, he distributed seed capital to thousands of women in Rangapara and reviewed development progress across the state.
