The Assam government has formally renamed the Mini Secretariat, Barak Valley, designating it as the Assam Secretariat Barak Valley, Silchar. This implementation follows a crucial decision taken by the state Cabinet.
An official notification released by the Governor of Assam confirmed that the decision stems from the Cabinet meeting conducted on August 18. The newly established nomenclature has come into force with immediate effect, officially superseding a prior order issued by the department on February 19, 2021.
Furthermore, the notification outlines the specific departments slated to operate directly from the Secretariat in Silchar. Out of the 59 total departments under the Assam government, as many as 32 will function from this Barak Valley branch of the Secretariat.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had previously announced this policy shift following the August 18 Cabinet meeting. He asserted that the institution should no longer operate under the restricted scope or character of a Mini Secretariat. He emphasized that incorporating 32 major departments would significantly bolster administrative mechanisms and streamline public access to governance in the region.
According to Annexure-A of the official notification, these 32 departments will form the core administrative framework at the Assam Secretariat, Barak Valley, Silchar. This administrative transition is viewed as a major milestone for the Barak Valley, which encompasses the districts of Cachar, Hailakandi, and Sribhumi.
The expanded presence of these governmental departments in Silchar aims to bring core administrative functions closer to local residents. This move is expected to enhance both the delivery and overall accessibility of public services across the region.
Assam Minister for Public Health Engineering, Hill Areas, and Barak Valley Development, Krishnendu Paul, took to social media to hail the decision as a landmark moment for the residents of Barak Valley, expressing sincere gratitude to the Chief Minister for the visionary initiative.
