Kaushik Rai, Krishnendu Paul Assigned Barak Valley Districts as Assam Announces Guardian Ministers

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday (June 7) announced the allocation of Guardian Districts to ministers in the state government through a post on X. Under the new arrangement, Barak Valley ministers Kaushik Rai and Krishnendu Paul have each been assigned two districts. Kaushik Rai has been given charge of Sribhumi and Hailakandi, while Krishnendu Paul has been assigned Cachar and Dima Hasao.

The allocation means that all three districts of Barak Valley will be overseen by ministers from the region. Kaushik Rai, a senior BJP leader from Cachar, has been appointed Guardian Minister for Sribhumi and neighbouring Hailakandi. Krishnendu Paul, another prominent leader from the valley, has been assigned Cachar, the largest district in the region.

Krishnendu Paul’s responsibilities extend beyond Barak Valley. Apart from Cachar, he has also been made the Guardian Minister for Dima Hasao, the hill district in Central Assam. The assignment places him in charge of administrative coordination in both the Barak Valley and the adjoining hill district.

Among other allocations announced by the Chief Minister, Rameswar Teli has been assigned Tinsukia and Jorhat, Atul Bora has received Kamrup Metro and Dhemaji, Charan Boro has been given Kokrajhar, Baksa and Chirang, Ajanta Neog has been assigned Morigaon and Kamrup, Ashwini Ray Sarkar has received Bongaigaon and Barpeta, Ashok Singhal has been given Darrang and Dhubri, Bimal Bora has been assigned Sivasagar and Charaideo, Biswajit Daimary has received Nalbari and Sonitpur, Jayanta Mallabaruah has been given Tamulpur and Goalpara, Keshab Mahanta has been assigned South Salmara-Mankachar and North Lakhimpur, Nilima Devi has received Bajali and Udalguri, Pijush Hazarika has been given Nagaon, Hojai, Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong, Ranoj Pegu has been assigned Biswanath and Golaghat, while Susanta Borgohain has received Majuli and Dibrugarh.

While sharing the list, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote that he was pleased to announce the allocation of Guardian Districts to the ministers of the Government of Assam. He expressed confidence that the ministers would work closely with the district administrations to further accelerate Assam’s development journey.

A Guardian Minister acts as the state government’s representative for a district. The minister is responsible for coordinating with the district administration, reviewing the implementation of government schemes, monitoring development projects, addressing local issues and ensuring effective communication between the district authorities and the state government.