Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader Debabrata Saikia has written a detailed letter to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma raising strong objections to the government’s decision to deduct the salaries of National Health Mission (NHM) contractual employees who recently joined a peaceful protest. In the same letter, he has also demanded similar action against Cabinet Minister Ashok Singhal, alleging that the minister remained absent from Assembly duties for several days.
In his letter, Saikia said that the NHM staff had been protesting for long-pending demands such as equal pay for equal work, job regularisation, and basic service benefits. He noted that these issues had remained unresolved for many years, leaving thousands of workers frustrated. According to him, the new order to cut their salaries for participating in the protest has further demoralised them.
Saikia reminded the Chief Minister that NHM workers played a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic. He wrote that these workers “served the people of Assam at great personal risk” and helped the government manage the crisis. He added that punishing them now for taking part in a democratic protest sends a very unfortunate message. 
The Opposition leader then pointed out that it is widely known in the state that Minister Ashok Singhal remained away from the Assembly for five days during the ongoing session. He alleged that during those days, the minister was busy with unofficial activities outside the Secretariat, instead of fulfilling his legislative duties. Saikia said this was a clear violation of attendance rules and government conduct.
In the letter, he argued that if the government believes it is justified to deduct the salaries of contractual employees for missing duty, then the same principle should apply to ministers as well. Saikia asked the Chief Minister to order the deduction of Singhal’s salary and allowances under Rule 24 of the Salary and Allowances of Members of the Assam Legislative Assembly Act and the Code of Conduct for Ministers.
He also urged the government to assure the public that laws meant for ordinary citizens also apply to ministers and Cabinet members. Saikia further demanded that the NHM salary-cut order be withdrawn immediately and that the government begin talks with the employees to settle their long-standing demands.
The Leader of Opposition said that such steps are necessary to maintain public trust and ensure fairness in administration. He expressed hope that the Chief Minister would take action to protect the integrity of governance in Assam.
