'Don’t make me a VIP': Himanta Biswa Sarma defends his act of publicly scolding DC

With Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma publicly rebuking the deputy commissioner of Nagaon district for blocking the traffic on highway during the chief minister’s visit evoking sharp reaction, Sarma defended his action and said not to make him a VIP.

Sarma is criticised for publicly rebuking an IAS officer Nisarg Hivare . Sarma told media persons, “You can scold a peon for wrong doing, why cannot an IAS or IPS officer be scolded.”

He said, “Stranded people in the highway were scolding me. A woman who was in an ambulance gestured me with folded hands after I asked the Deputy commissioner to allow the movement of the traffic. This type of activity causes problem for the people and if I cause problem to people what is the use of me being the chief minister.”


He added, “The Supreme court has stated such traffic can be stopped for three minutes, I have asked the police to ensure that in Guwahati it is not more than two minutes. People scold us in social media. This is democracy and we have to listen to scolding”

Sarma said, “Don’t make me a VIP”. Assam cabinet meeting recently resolved that former chief ministers will no longer entail a house and existing security post demitting the office. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has decided to bring down his convoy from an existing fleet of 22 vehicles to seven to eight while moving in Guwahati.

The cabinet has decided PSO will be provided on the basis of core security review and constitutional post. Sarma said, “For providing this security around four battalions, 4440 people are deployed as PSO. Annually Assam spends Rs 400 Crore. This cannot continue.”

He added, politicians account for 50 percent of the deployment 2526, while civil persons 854 people are deployed. “Judicial services account for 546 people besides businessmen and youth leaders have 167 personnel. Around 40 personnel are with the tea estate manager and 52 are with former militants. There will be a complete overhaul of this set up and categorisation as “z” depending on threat perception.”

The chief minister said, “While Superintendent of Police will be able to provide PSO for 10 days, DGP and ADGP can do it for 30 days. Beyond that it will require approval of the chief minister. The idea is to bring the size down to 2600 and PSO must not be seen as a status symbol.”