Guwahati, Aug 15: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday unveiled an ambitious five-year development roadmap, announcing Rs 1.5 lakh crore in capital expenditure between 2026 and 2031, while outlining measures on infrastructure, land rights, youth, agriculture, healthcare and governance.Addressing the 80th Independence Day celebrations in Khanapara, Sarma said that from 2026 to 2031, Assam would seek to mobilise Rs 1.5 lakh crore from the Centre for infrastructure development. The funds, he said, would be used for roads, schools, villages and other infrastructure.He said Assam’s economy had nearly tripled in less than a decade, giving the state greater capacity to invest in transformative infrastructure. Assam, he added, was no longer dependent primarily on its traditional tea and natural-resource economy and was emerging as a destination for advanced industries.The Chief Minister also paid tribute to families affected by the recent upper Assam floods and said the government would work towards faster rehabilitation and the creation of a more flood-resilient Assam.“During this difficult time, the government has not limited itself merely to providing relief. We have stood beside every flood-affected family and are working with urgency to help them return to normal life,” he said.Asom Mala 4.0 to improve 6,000 km of roadsSarma announced that the next five years would mark a new phase in Assam’s infrastructure development through Asom Mala 4.0, under which 6,000 km of roads would be improved.“The next five years will mark a new chapter in Assam’s infrastructure development. Through Asom Mala 4.0, 6,000 kilometres of roads will be improved, strengthening connectivity and accelerating growth across the state,” he said.Land rights and indigenous protectionThe government will work over the next five years to provide legal ownership rights to 3.5 lakh tea garden families, Sarma announced.He also said that in 40 revenue circles, land transactions would be restricted to people belonging to three generations of the same lineage. “This will strengthen the rights of indigenous inhabitants and protect the land rights of Assam,” he said.Mission Basundhara 4.0 will begin in December, he added. Youth and agricultureCalling for an Atmanirbhar Assam in line with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Sarma urged young people to take the mission forward.“Mor Asom, Mor Dayitwo. We must build an Atmanirbhar Assam, making the state self-reliant across every sector,” he said.He announced a new Department of Youth Empowerment and Development, bringing together NCC, NSS, Nehru Yuva Kendra, skill development, financial assistance and global-standard skilling opportunities.Assam will also seek to attract educated youth towards agriculture. 1,000 progressive and educated farmers will receive the Chief Minister’s Agriculture Excellence Award this year, carrying Rs 1 lakh each, while 10,000 farmers will be recognised over the next five years.Sarma said Assam would also emerge as a leading centre of the creative digital economy, connecting its young people with opportunities worldwide.“Our goal is an Assam where people do not have to go outside the state to develop their talents and where people from across the world come to Assam in search of opportunities,” he said.Protection for abandoned first wivesSarma announced a measure aimed at protecting women whose husbands abandon them without legally ending their first marriage.He said that if a government employee abandoned his first wife without obtaining a legal divorce and entered into an informal marriage with another woman, 20 per cent of his salary would be deducted and deposited directly into the first wife’s bank account, provided she applied to the government for the benefit.The Chief Minister said the government would also propose legislation to extend similar protection to women whose husbands in the private sector abandon them without legally divorcing them.“I interacted with many women whose husbands disowned them. Many were government employees who entered into informal relationships without divorcing their first wives. We have decided that, on the first wife’s complaint, 20% of the employee’s salary will be transferred to her so that she can live with dignity,” he said.Child marriage crackdown Sarma said Assam’s campaign against child marriage would continue with renewed intensity, describing the practice as one that robs children of their childhood, education and opportunities.He directed the Assam Police to conduct a strict crackdown on child marriage for 30 days beginning November 1.“Child marriage robs children of their childhood, education and opportunities. Our fight against it must continue with greater determination to protect the future of Assam’s daughters and sons,” he said. Sarma said the government had received 12,196 complaints of child marriage and arrested 11,099 persons in such cases.Mission Sadbhavana, Khel Maharan, Rs 100 cr for Cotton CollegeUnder Mission Sadbhavana, a committee will work from October 2 to January 31 to clear pending files, applications and documentation in the Secretariat, directorates and other government offices.Sarma also said Khel Maharan would be transformed from a regular programme into a broader sports-development platform, with talent search as a key focus. Marking 125 years of Cotton College, Sarma announced Rs 100 crore for its development. he said. Free treatment for childrenThe government will identify more than 50 critical diseases and provide free treatment to children below 18 suffering from these diseases, Sarma announced. Eight new co-districtsSarma announced eight new co-districts on Independence Day. These districts are Kamalpur, Barhampur, Ranganadi, Sissibargaon, Chabua-Lahowal, Khumtai, Katigorah and Barkhola.Sukapha’s 800th anniversaryAssam will mark 800 years since Swargadeo Chao Lung Sukapha’s arrival in the Brahmaputra Valley in 2028 with a grand programme, Sarma said.He described Sukapha’s arrival as the beginning of a lasting journey of integration, coexistence and unity that shaped Assamese society, and sought public suggestions on how the milestone should be commemorated. ‘Assam Model’ of developmentSarma said Assam was developing a model based on “peace, infrastructure, industry, investment, reforms and technology”.“The Assam Model goes beyond welfare. It is about dignity, empowerment and creating opportunities for people to become economically stronger. Development must not remain confined to files. People must see it, feel it and benefit from it,” he said.“Our goal is an Assam where every citizen has dignity, every young person has opportunities, every woman has economic strength, every village has connectivity and every family has hope.”He also mentioned measures taken during the government’s first three months, including increased MLA Area Development funds, the proposed Satellite City near Guwahati airport and round-the-clock vehicles under the Assam Police’s 112 service.Sarma appealed to people from different parts of India who have settled in Assam and assimilated into its culture to mention ‘Assamese’ as their mother tongue during Census data collection. People in Barak Valley and tribal communities, he said, could mention their respective languages.“Patriotism is an inseparable part of Indian civilisation. Our future generations are the carriers of this civilisational message,” Sarma said.Independence Day celebrations across Assam The 80th Independence Day was celebrated across Assam with flag hoisting, parades, tributes and cultural programmes.In Jorhat, Minister Atul Bora hoisted the National Flag at the Jorhat District Sports Association parade ground and paid tribute to freedom fighters and martyrs of the Assam Movement.In Chirang, executive member Jamse Basumatary hoisted the National Flag at Kajalgaon and highlighted the district’s development. The programme featured police and student parades, departmental tableaux and awards.In Bijni, executive member Dhiraj Borgoyary hoisted the National Flag at the central programme at the Bijni Sports Association playground. Students and police personnel participated in the parade, followed by patriotic and cultural performances.In Nalbari, Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah hoisted the National Flag, while in Biswanath, District Commissioner Karabi Saikia Karan hoisted it at the Bishwanath Court Ground.