Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika on Monday asserted that meritorious students are securing government jobs under the current administration, stating that corruption in the recruitment process prevalent during the previous government’s tenure has been completely eradicated. The minister made the remarks while distributing Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan (MMUA) cheques to beneficiaries in Dhing, Nagaon.

This declaration underscores the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government’s consistent emphasis on fostering a transparent and merit-based system for public employment, a stark contrast to the alleged irregularities that marred recruitment drives in the past. The administration has repeatedly highlighted its efforts to restore public faith in the state’s job selection mechanisms, which are crucial for the aspirations of thousands of young job seekers across Assam.

What was announced

Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation, and Parliamentary Affairs, Pijush Hazarika, announced the government’s commitment to clean recruitment practices on Monday, July 21, 2026, in Dhing, Nagaon. During an event where MMUA cheques were distributed to 22,818 beneficiaries, Hazarika said that only deserving candidates were now securing government positions.

He explicitly stated that the corruption previously associated with the recruitment process under the earlier government had been entirely eliminated. This statement was part of a broader address where the minister also discussed agricultural development and land patta distribution.

Why it matters

The minister’s statement is significant as it reinforces the current government’s narrative of clean governance and meritocracy in public employment. For years, government job recruitment in Assam was plagued by allegations of corruption and favouritism, leading to widespread public disillusionment.

The current administration, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has made transparent recruitment a cornerstone of its policy. Chief Minister Sarma has frequently highlighted that recent recruitment drives have been “litigation-free” with “zero high court cases,” a testament to their credibility.

Such assurances aim to rebuild trust among the youth, ensuring that hard work and academic performance, rather than connections or bribes, are the sole determinants for securing a government job. This shift is vital for fostering a sense of fairness and equal opportunity among job aspirants in the state.

Background

The issue of corruption in government job recruitment in Assam gained significant notoriety with the unearthing of the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) cash-for-jobs scam. This scandal, which came to light in 2016, involved widespread irregularities in competitive examinations conducted by the APSC, particularly during the tenure of its former chairman, Rakesh Kumar Paul.

Investigations revealed a massive network of manipulated examinations, forged answer sheets, and inflated marks, impacting the Combined Competitive Examinations (CCE) of 2013 and 2014. The Justice (Retd) B.K. Sarma One-Man Inquiry Commission was set up to probe these allegations.

The commission’s reports, which were made public, pointed out “glaring anomalies and malpractices” and named Rakesh Kumar Paul as the “mastermind” of the scam. Paul was arrested in November 2016 and later convicted along with two former APSC members and 29 candidates in July 2024 for their involvement in the fraudulent recruitment of Agriculture Development Officers (ADOs).

The BJP government, since coming to power in 2016, has consistently targeted the previous Congress regime over the alleged large-scale corruption under Paul’s chairmanship, asserting that an entire generation of students was deprived of opportunities.

Key details

The current Assam government has undertaken significant recruitment drives, aiming to fill a large number of vacant posts transparently. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced in January 2026 that the state had recruited 1.56 lakh youth to various departments over the preceding five years. He further promised that the total number would reach 1.60 lakh by February 10, 2026.

In March 2026, the state reached a milestone of 1.64 lakh government jobs, exceeding the BJP’s initial electoral promise of one lakh positions. The government introduced a unified recruitment system, including the Assam Direct Recruitment Examination (ADRE), to ensure fairness and transparency. These examinations were conducted on a single day across 28 districts, with over 9.12 lakh candidates appearing. Internet services were also suspended during the examinations to prevent irregularities.

Looking ahead, Minister Hazarika indicated in April 2026 that the government aims to generate between 2 lakh and 2.5 lakh government jobs if re-elected. Chief Minister Sarma also announced the formation of a high-level task force in May 2026 to prepare a roadmap for providing two lakh government jobs over the next five years under the “Mission 2 Lakh Govt Jobs” initiative.

This task force, operating under the Chief Secretary of Assam, is mandated to assess requirements, vacancies, and recruitment mechanisms to achieve the government’s employment target.

Reactions

“Every appointment made through ADRE is purely on merit. The entire recruitment exercise has remained litigation-free with zero cases in the High Court, which itself speaks volumes about its credibility,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in January 2026.

“There was a time when jobs were allegedly sold to the highest bidders, recruitment processes were opaque, accountability was missing, and the entire system was time-consuming and unfair to honest aspirants,” Chief Minister Sarma said in December 2025, referring to past recruitment processes. “Today, there are zero court cases related to government recruitment and no allegations of corruption. There are no middlemen and no bribery. Only transparency, accountability and equal opportunity for Assam’s youth.”

Minister Pijush Hazarika himself reiterated the government’s stance on social media in December 2023, responding to a user requesting a government job. He stated that jobs could only be secured by merit, adding, “Days when Minister’s & MLA’s could recommend jobs are history.”

He further highlighted the government’s dedication to eradicating corruption, contrasting it with past practices where he alleged jobs were distributed based on wealth, connections, and bribery under the previous Congress regime.

What’s next

The Assam government remains committed to its goal of creating substantial employment opportunities for the state’s youth through transparent and merit-based systems. The “Mission 2 Lakh Govt Jobs” task force is expected to submit its detailed report within three months, outlining the strategy for recruitment and implementation across various government departments.

The government’s focus will continue to be on accelerating industrialisation, expanding opportunities, and strengthening welfare delivery across Assam, with employment generation remaining a top priority.

Sources & References