Barak Valley’s Growth A Mission, Not Just A Vision: Minister Kaushik Rai Inaugurates New Development Department Office In Silchar
In a major step toward accelerating development in southern Assam, Minister Kaushik Rai on Tuesday (July 1) inaugurated the newly formed Barak Valley Development Department Office at the historic Old Circuit House in Silchar. The Minister, who also holds the portfolio of Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, called the occasion “the beginning of a mission to bring visible and real change to the lives of the people of Barak Valley.”
“This is not just the opening of an office. It is the start of a new chapter in our government’s commitment to the holistic development of Barak Valley,” Rai said while addressing the media after the inauguration.
The temporary office will function from the Circuit House for the next six months and is scheduled to shift to a permanent Secretariat building in Srikona from January 2026, once construction is complete.
The inauguration was attended by Rajya Sabha MP Kanad Purkayastha, MLAs Dipayan Chakraborty, Mihir Kanti Shome, Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, Nihar Ranjan Das, Bijoy Malakar, Siddique Ahmed Laskar, Khalil Uddin Mazumder, Suzam Uddin Laskar, and several senior government officials including IAS officer Adil Khan, Secretary of the Department, and ACS officer Ranjit Kumar Laskar, Additional Secretary.
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Earlier in the day, a high-level review meeting was held at the new conference hall of the District Commissioner’s Office in Silchar. The meeting saw participation from administrative heads and elected representatives of Cachar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi districts. Minister Rai highlighted that the Assam Government under Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma is committed to transforming Barak Valley into a dynamic growth corridor.
He emphasised that the funds allocated for Barak Valley in the 2025–26 financial year reflect this commitment and must translate into “visible and result-oriented transformation on the ground.” He urged for mission-mode execution of all development projects, removing administrative bottlenecks and ensuring transparency and accountability at every step.
“Barak Valley’s development is a top priority for our government. We must move beyond paperwork and deliver real outcomes,” Rai stressed.
The Minister reviewed the status of various Central and State schemes and discussed key issues such as fund utilisation, inter-agency coordination, and project implementation challenges. He called for urgent focus on critical areas like rural roads, healthcare, drinking water, education infrastructure, and sustainable livelihood programmes.
The meeting also explored two major cultural initiatives to promote the region’s rich heritage. A mega Dhamail Dance Festival is being proposed in Silchar, tentatively on December 16, 2025, with 8,000 to 10,000 performers expected. Another proposal is for a three-day Barak Festival in Guwahati on January 6–8, 2026. Both events await final approval.
Secretary Adil Khan, IAS, confirmed that the newly opened department office will serve as the operational hub to fast-track development across the three districts—Cachar, Sribhumi (earlier referred to as Karimganj), and Hailakandi. “This department must act as a catalyst of socio-economic transformation, not just an administrative body,” Rai concluded.
With inputs from the press release issued by the Regional Office of Information & Public Relations, Barak Valley Zone, Silchar, Assam.
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