The “tea-tribe” votes are believed to have swung en masse from the Congress to the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is seeking a third consecutive term in Assam. File | Photo credit: Reuters
The Assam Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) approved a proposal to reserve 3% I and II government jobs. classes for the “tea tribes” and the Adivasi community.
The approval, apart from a similar decision for the community in Class III and Class IV government posts, is significant ahead of the 126-member assembly elections expected in April. “Tea tribes”, a term used to mean Adivasis brought from central India by British planters, and “ex-tea tribes” (those no longer associated with tea plantations) make up nearly 20% of Assam’s electorate.
Catching votes
The “tea-tribe” votes are believed to have swung en masse from the Congress to the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is seeking a third consecutive term in Assam.
In another ostensibly poll-oriented decision, the government also approved the release of entrepreneurial fund or seed capital for another 1,07,532 eligible women self-help group members under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan.
Other decisions included approving the construction of a second Sainik school (after the one in western Assam’s Goalpara) at Langvok in Karbi Anglong district. The Ministry of Defense had earlier approved a detailed project report for the establishment of this school.
Focus on social systems
The cabinet also approved the presentation of the budget for the vote on account for the first months of the financial year 2026-27.
Presenting the ₹62,294.78 crore interim budget ahead of the parliamentary polls, Finance Minister Ajanta Neog said major flagship programs involving direct cash benefits would continue in the coming years.
Citing Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, it said that Assam is the fastest growing state in India and that the government will stand by the children of economically weak families in the path of growth. The range of cash schemes, including Nijut Moina (for girls), Nijut Babu (for boys) and Orunodoi (poverty alleviation), has thus expanded, she said.
Ms. Neog said the Orunodoi program has been expanded to 40 thousand families from 19 thousand when it was launched in 2021. “We have included differently abled, transgender persons and other vulnerable groups to make it the largest social assistance program in Assam,” she said.
She also said that Assam is poised to become a ₹10 crore economy by 2028, two years ahead of schedule. “At constant prices, the state’s gross domestic product grew by 45% between the financial years 2019-20 and 2024-25, significantly outstripping the national average growth of 29%,” she said.
Ms. Neog further said that Assam’s per capita income has more than doubled in five years from ₹86,947 in 2020-21 to ₹1,85,429 in 2025-26, a jump of 113%.
Published – 17 Feb 2026 21:56 IST