Akhil Gogoi, the president of the Raijor Dal and Sivasagar MLA, has publicly condemned the proposal to build a luxury official residence for the Chief Minister in Amingaon, likening it to a five-star hotel. Speaking at a press conference in Guwahati, Gogoi articulated concerns that this initiative is part of a wider strategy to relocate several significant government institutions to the Jalukbari constituency.
The planned construction in Amingaon is set to occupy approximately 25,100 square feet with three stories: 9,800 square feet on the ground floor, 8,500 square feet on the first floor, and 6,800 square feet on the second. Gogoi highlighted that a budget of ₹9.51 crore has been strictly designated for the structural aspects of this building. He warned that additional costs for interior decoration, furnishings, and an air conditioning system could elevate the project to luxury standards akin to five-star facilities.
Gogoi pointed out that the Chief Minister already possesses official residences at three locations: Koinadhora, Kharghuli, and Dispur. He questioned the necessity for yet another opulent residence located nearly 40 kilometers from Dispur, especially given Assam’s financial difficulties, characterized by substantial public debt.
Furthermore, Gogoi criticized the government for prioritizing such grand construction projects while basic services in education and healthcare remain subpar. He is calling for a transparent investigation into this expenditure, underlining that it is inappropriate to allocate public resources for an extravagant lifestyle. In response, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma refuted Gogoi’s claims, clarifying that the new structure is intended as an official government residence, not a personal dwelling. He added that the construction would likely span multiple years before completion.