Guwahati: Assam government is going to celebrate the 2025 as the ‘Year of Books’. “.

To mark the celebration the state government will provide a one-time book allowance of Rs 1,000 to each government employee in November, entailing an expenditure of around Rs 40 crore, announced Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma after the cabinet meeting.

The state government will provide a one-time book allowance of Rs 1,000 to each government employee in November, entailing an expenditure of around Rs 40 crore.

Addressing the media after a cabinet meeting, Sarma said the initiative is part of the state’s decision to celebrate 2025 as the ‘Year of Books’. “In the November salary of all government employees, an additional grant of Rs 1,000 will be given exclusively for book purchases. With nearly four lakh employees, this will require around Rs 40 crore,” he said.

The cabinet also approved a one-time financial grant of Rs 25,000 each to 1,000 young writers, particularly those contributing to creative, scientific, and academic writing.

Sarma added that all official gifts at government functions will henceforth be in the form of books to promote a culture of knowledge and intellectual enrichment.

Other decisions under the ‘Year of Books’ include publishing a book on music legend Dr Bhupen Hazarika for distribution to eminent personalities and institutions targeting 12 lakh copies and providing financial assistance for organising book fairs approved by the Assam Prakashan Parishad - Rs 5 lakh for district headquarters and Rs 2.5 lakh for co-district headquarters.