GUWAHATI : Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the Assam government has set an ambitious goal of bringing the state’s Below Poverty Line (BPL) population down to less than three per cent over the next five years, asserting that the vision of a “Viksit Assam” can only be realised through inclusive and sustained economic growth.

Sharing his views in a post on X, the Chief Minister said development must move beyond announcements and policy promises and should translate into meaningful improvements in the lives of ordinary people across the state.

“Our vision is clear to reduce Assam’s BPL population to below 3% in the next five years by expanding opportunities and ensuring growth touches every family across the state,” Sarma wrote.

The Chief Minister emphasised that Assam’s development journey must be people-centric, with economic progress reaching both urban and rural households. He said the idea of a developed Assam depends not only on infrastructure growth but also on improving income levels, access to employment, social welfare coverage and quality of life for citizens.

Sarma’s remarks come at a time when the state government has been intensifying its focus on poverty alleviation measures, employment generation, welfare delivery and large-scale infrastructure expansion under various flagship schemes.

Over the past few years, the Assam government has launched and expanded several welfare initiatives related to housing assistance, healthcare, women’s empowerment, education support, rural connectivity and livelihood generation. The administration has also prioritised investments in roads, bridges, industrial development and digital infrastructure as part of its broader economic agenda.

The Chief Minister has repeatedly stressed that Assam’s long-term growth strategy aims to create employment opportunities for youth, strengthen rural economies and ensure that government benefits reach vulnerable and economically weaker sections of society.

Officials have also highlighted improvements in social indicators in recent years, including healthcare access, maternal and infant welfare, and financial inclusion, as part of the government’s efforts to reduce poverty levels across Assam.

The latest statement by Sarma is being viewed as part of the government’s larger “Viksit Assam” roadmap, which seeks to position the state as a key economic and development hub in the Northeast while ensuring that growth remains inclusive and socially balanced.

The Assam government has maintained that continued investment in welfare programmes, infrastructure development and job creation will be crucial in achieving the target of sharply reducing the BPL population over the coming years.