GUWAHATI: The Assam government has announced financial assistance for young writers and proposed book-gifting in government functions. These initiatives were announced in the state budget for 2025-26 presented by Finance Minister Ajanta Neog on Monday, March 10.
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To nurture literary talent, the government will provide financial support to 1,000 young writers, with each receiving ₹25,000. This initiative will focus on authors contributing to creative, scientific, and academic writing, ensuring that emerging voices receive the necessary encouragement to pursue their work.
The government has also allocated funds to support book fairs. Under this scheme, district headquarters will receive ₹5 lakh, while co-district headquarters will receive ₹2.5 lakh for hosting Granth Melas (book fairs) approved by the Assam Prakashan Parishad.
Additionally, the government has proposed that all official gifts presented at government functions now be in the form of books. This step has been intended to foster a culture of reading among officials and the general public.
As part of the literary push, the government will also provide a one-time grant of ₹1,000 to each government employee for the purchase of books.
