Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma mandates ‘only vegetarian, satvik food’ at government functions—Here is why | Mint

On Monday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared that his government will serve only vegetarian and satvik food at official meetings. This decision is part of a broader initiative to eliminate VIP culture and reduce the number of vehicles and barricades associated with the chief minister’s security.

At the 2-day District Commissioners’ Conference in Guwahati, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced, “Our government is committed to ending VIP culture. We are reducing the number of vehicles and barricades associated with the Chief Minister’s security. Moving forward, only vegetarian and satvik food will be served at all government functions.”

हमारी सरकार VIP Culture को ख़त्म करेगी। मुख्यमंत्री की सुरक्षा व्यवस्था से जुड़े वाहनों और बैरिकेड्स पर हम कटौती कर रहे हैं।

अब से हर सरकारी कार्यक्रम में सिर्फ शाकाहारी एवम् सात्विक भोजन परोसा जायेगा। #DCConference pic.twitter.com/fDtEQ50NrW

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 29, 2024

Notably, the new directive on vegetarian food came after the Chief Minister reprimanded the Nalbari District Commissioner for ignoring instructions to provide a simple vegetarian meal at a cabinet meeting instead of serving a lavish spread. Chief Minister Sarma had previously expressed his dissatisfaction in a formal letter to Varnali Deka, the District Commissioner of Nalbari, for failing to follow the directive.

Assam CM’s new diktat: No unnecessary splurge for government functions

On X, he emphasized to the District Commissioners that government events should have no unnecessary extravagance.

We need to phase out outdated VIP protocols, says Assam CM

He added that the state government would phase out existing VIP protocols in favour of practices that resonate with the public, and only simple vegetarian meals will be provided at official meetings, though this will not apply to state guests.

“My directive to all officials is clear—no unnecessary splurges at government functions. We must phase out outdated VIP protocols and align our governance with public expectations. Simple vegetarian meals are to be served at all official meetings, with exceptions for state guests,” he stated.

HCM Dr @himantabiswa is currently chairing the 2-day District Commissioners’ Conference in Guwahati.

Here are highlights from his opening remarks to the DCs#DCConference pic.twitter.com/bcfXnMx0Fz

— Chief Minister Assam (@CMOfficeAssam) July 29, 2024

During the meeting, Sarma also announced that foundation stones for the permanent offices of sub-districts will be laid on October 2, with the offices set to begin operations the same day.

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