April 5, 2025: The Assam Cabinet has approved a significant proposal mandating that all government orders and office memorandums be issued in both Assamese and English starting from the 1st day of Bohag, which falls on April 14, 2025. This decision, announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, aims to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in official communications across the state.

In addition to the bilingual policy, specific linguistic provisions have been introduced for certain regions to address Assam’s diverse linguistic landscape. In the Barak Valley, government orders will be issued in Bengali alongside Assamese and English, catering to the region’s predominantly Bengali-speaking population. Similarly, in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Bodo will be used in addition to Assamese and English, recognizing the cultural and linguistic identity of the Bodo community.

The decision aligns with the recommendations of the Justice Biplab Sarma Committee, which was tasked with providing guidelines for implementing the Assam Accord. Chief Minister Sarma highlighted the importance of this move during a press conference on April 4, 2025, stating, “All Government orders, including postings, transfers, scheme guidelines, rules, regulations, notifications, and office memoranda shall be issued in bilingual form—in Assamese and English—starting from 14th April this month. However, in Barak Valley and BTR, Bengali and Bodo languages will be used respectively along with English and Assamese.”

To facilitate the smooth implementation of this policy, government departments have been advised to utilize the Bhashini App for translation support. This AI-based tool is expected to ensure consistency and accuracy in bilingual communications, addressing potential challenges in translating official documents.

The announcement has been widely discussed on social media. While many have welcomed the move as a step toward linguistic inclusivity, some have raised questions about extending similar provisions to other linguistic communities in Assam. As the state prepares for the rollout on April 14, coinciding with the Assamese New Year, officials are working to ensure that the necessary infrastructure and training are in place for a seamless transition.