Guwahati, Dec 17 (NationPress) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday launched a scathing critique of the former Congress-led administrations, accusing them of establishing a culture of VIP privileges, wastefulness, and entitlement politics that led the state into persistent power shortages and financial crises.

In a message on X, Sarma stated that his administration has embarked on a firm mission to abolish VIP privileges and enhance accountability in governance, especially in the energy sector.

“No longer will taxpayers cover ministers’ electricity bills; we will eliminate power wastage, significantly reduce power deficits, and transition towards a green future,” the Chief Minister emphasized, highlighting a total shift from prior practices.

Sarma contrasted the previous Congress regime with the current BJP-led government, claiming that Assam used to operate as a “government of entitlements,” where ministers and high-ranking officials received free electricity funded by taxpayers.

He noted that during that era, many government offices were not even equipped with meters, leading to unchecked consumption and a lack of accountability.

According to him, the Assam Secretariat alone incurred electricity costs nearing Rs 30 lakh each month under the former system, while the state grappled with a concerning power deficit of about 15 percent.

“This was the legacy we inherited — privilege for a select few and darkness for the majority,” Sarma remarked, criticizing the Congress for what he termed decades of mismanagement.

Emphasizing reforms initiated since 2016, the Chief Minister declared that his administration has dismantled VIP culture by requiring ministers and bureaucrats to pay their own electricity bills. Metering has now become mandatory in government offices, ensuring transparency and responsible energy usage.

Sarma also mentioned the implementation of an automatic power disconnection system after 8 PM in government offices to prevent unnecessary consumption. In a significant step towards sustainability, the Assam Secretariat is now completely powered by solar energy, saving the state nearly Rs 30 lakh every month.

“These reforms are not mere symbols; they embody our commitment to service, not entitlement,” the Chief Minister stated.

Thanks to these efforts, Assam’s power deficit has been sharply reduced to just 4 percent, he added.

Positioning these reforms within a broader political context, Sarma asserted that the BJP government is dedicated to governance marked by vision and discipline, in stark contrast to the Congress era, which he claimed normalized waste, privilege, and inefficiency at the expense of public welfare.