How to track election promises and hold the Assam CM accountable

1. The Hook

You have seen the viral clips of the swearing-in ceremony, the massive rallies, and the victory speeches on your feed. With the 2026 Assam Assembly elections concluded and a new government taking charge with a record mandate, the air is thick with promises of new flyovers, 1 lakh more government jobs, and ₹2,500 monthly transfers. But once the victory motorcades stop and the news cycle moves on, how do you make sure these aren't just empty captions?

In a democracy, your job does not end at the polling booth. When a government has a massive majority, the responsibility on you—the citizen—to keep them accountable actually increases. Whether you are waiting for a bridge in your district or a scholarship for your degree, you need to know how to look at the "receipts" of governance. This guide shows you how to move from being a spectator to an active stakeholder in Assam’s progress.

2. What the law actually says

The Chief Minister (CM) is not just a political leader; they are a constitutional functionary. Under Article 164 of the Constitution of India, the CM is appointed by the Governor, but they are collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly. This means every decision the CM’s cabinet makes must be answerable to the people’s representatives.

More importantly, Article 167 mandates that it is the duty of the CM to furnish all information relating to the administration of the affairs of the State and proposals for legislation as the Governor may call for. While this is a link between the CM and the Governor, the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, specifically Section 4(1)(b), requires the state government to proactively disclose details of its functioning, budgets, and projects so that you don't even have to ask for them.

In Assam, we have a specific tool called the Assam Right to Public Services Act (ARTPS), 2012. This law gives you the legal right to get government services (like driving licences, caste certificates, or land records) within a fixed timeframe. If the government fails to deliver these services on time, the designated official can be fined up to ₹5,000, which is deducted from their salary. This is your primary weapon against administrative "ghosting."

Furthermore, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India regularly audits the Assam government’s spending. Under Article 151, these reports are laid before the State Legislature. These reports are public documents and are the ultimate "fact-check" on whether the money meant for your local school was actually spent there or vanished into a "leakage."

3. Step-by-step playbook

Step 1: Archive the "Contract" (The Manifesto)

Before the government can break a promise, you need a record of what that promise was.

• What to do: Go to the official website of the winning party and download their 2026 Election Manifesto. Save it as a PDF.
• Why: Manifestos often disappear from websites a year into the term. This is your benchmark for accountability.
• Action: Create a simple spreadsheet. Column A: Promise (e.g., "Free Wi-Fi in colleges"), Column B: Deadline mentioned, Column C: Current status.

Step 2: Track the Money (The State Budget)

Promises are just words until they have a budget code attached to them.

• What to do: Every year (usually in March), the Finance Minister presents the Assam Budget. Visit the Assam Finance Department portal (finance.assam.gov.in).
• What to look for: Search for "Budget at a Glance." Look for the specific allocation for departments like Education, Health, or the "Orunodoi" scheme.
• Pro-tip: If the CM promised a new medical college in your district, check the "Capital Outlay" section. If there is no money allocated, the promise is currently on hold.

Step 3: Use the RTPS Portal for Service Delivery

If you are facing delays in basic services, do not just complain on X (formerly Twitter). Use the legal route.

• What to do: Visit the Sewa Setu portal (rtps.assam.gov.in).
• Action: Log in using your mobile number. Select the service you need (e.g., Permanent Resident Certificate).
• The Timeline: Every service has a "Timeline" (e.g., 15 days). Once you apply, you get an acknowledgment receipt with a date.
• If it fails: If the date passes and you don't have your document, use the portal to file an "Appeal" under the ARTPS Act. The Appellate Authority is legally bound to respond.

Step 4: Monitor Assembly Questions

Your MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) is your voice in Dispur. They can ask the CM direct questions that the CM must answer.

• What to do: Visit the Assam Legislative Assembly website (assamassembly.gov.in).
• Action: Look for the "Questions & Answers" section. You can search by your MLA’s name or by subject (e.g., "Flood protection in Majuli").
• Why: These answers are official records. If a Minister lies in the House, it is a "Breach of Privilege." This is much more reliable than a press conference statement.

Step 5: File a Strategic RTI

If the public portals don't have the data, make them give it to you.

• What to do: Use the online RTI portal or send a physical letter to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the relevant department (e.g., Public Works Department for roads).
• The Script: "Please provide the certified copies of the work order, completion certificate, and total expenditure incurred for the construction of [Name of Road/Bridge] between 2024 and 2026."
• Timeline: You must get a response within 30 days. If you don't, file a First Appeal within 30 days of the deadline.

Step 6: Use the CM’s Grievance Redressal

For personal or community issues that aren't being solved by local officers, escalate to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

• What to do: Use the Assam CM Public Grievance portal (cmo.assam.gov.in) or the central CPGRAMS portal.
• What to bring: Your previous complaint numbers (if any) and clear photos/documents of the issue.
• Expected Timeline: Most grievances are forwarded to the concerned department within 48 hours. You can track the movement of your file online.

For more ways to engage with the government, browse all civic-action guides on our playbook.

Where it usually breaks

The gap between a CM’s announcement and the ground reality is often filled with "administrative friction." Here is where your accountability efforts might hit a wall and how to bypass it.

1. The Missing Acknowledgment (RTPS): When you apply for a service on the Sewa Setu (rtps.assam.gov.in) portal, you are legally entitled to an acknowledgment receipt with a "Date of Delivery." Often, local officials might process applications "offline" or tell you the "server is down" to avoid the clock starting on their deadline.

   • Workaround: Never submit documents without getting the RTPS Application ID. If an official refuses, record the interaction and file a grievance directly on the CPGRAMS portal or the Assam State Public Grievance Redressal System. Under the Assam Right to Public Services Act, 2012, the lack of an acknowledgment is itself a violation.

2. The "Information Not Available" RTI Trap: If you file an RTI asking, "Why hasn't the flyover been built?", the Public Information Officer (PIO) will reject it because RTIs only cover existing records, not "opinions" or "reasons."

   • Workaround: Rephrase your query. Instead of "Why," ask for "Certified copies of the progress reports, fund utilization certificates, and the correspondence between the PWD and the Finance Department regarding Project X." PIOs cannot legally refuse to provide existing documents.

3. The "Third Party" Excuse: If you ask for details on a private contractor hired by the government for a public project, the PIO might claim it is "confidential third-party information" under Section 8(1)(d) of the RTI Act.

   • Workaround: Cite the Supreme Court judgment in Reserve Bank of India v. Jayantilal N. Mistry (2015). The court ruled that if the information involves public interest or the use of public funds, "fiduciary relationship" or "commercial confidence" excuses do not apply.

4. Budgetary "Re-appropriation": You might see ₹100 crore allocated for a scheme in the March Budget, but by December, the money is moved to another department.

   • Workaround: Check the "Supplementary Demands for Grants" on the Assam Finance Department (finance.assam.gov.in) website. This document tracks where money was actually moved mid-year.

Templates / script

Template 1: RTI to the CM’s Office (CMO) for Promise Tracking

To: The Public Information Officer (PIO),
Office of the Chief Minister, Assam,
CM Block, Janata Bhawan, Dispur, Guwahati - 781006.

Subject: Request for Information under Section 6(1) of the RTI Act, 2005.

Details of Information Sought:

1. Provide a certified copy of the "Action Taken Report" (ATR) or any official memorandum issued by the CMO regarding the implementation of [Insert Promise, e.g., "The creation of 1 lakh government jobs"] as announced in the 2026 Election Manifesto.
2. Provide the total number of vacancies identified across all state departments as of [Current Date].
3. Provide a copy of the communication sent by the CMO to the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) regarding the recruitment schedule for these posts.

Application Fee: I have attached the ₹10 fee (via IPO/Treasury Challan). As per the RTI Act, please provide the information within 30 days.

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Template 2: Script for calling the Sewa Setu Helpline (1800-345-3574)

You: "Namaskar, my name is [Name] and I am calling regarding my application for [Service Name, e.g., Caste Certificate]. My RTPS Application ID is [Number]." Operator: "It is still under process." You: "The 'Designated Timeline' for this service under the Assam RTPS Act is 15 days. That deadline passed on [Date]. Please provide me with the name and designation of the Designated Officer responsible for this delay. I intend to file an appeal with the Appellate Authority and request a penalty of ₹250 per day of delay as per the Act."

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Template 3: Email to your local MLA

Subject: Public Inquiry: Status of [Project/Scheme] in [Your Constituency]

Dear [MLA Name], As a resident of [Your Area], I am writing to track the progress of the [Project Name] promised during the 2026 elections. The Assam Budget 2026-27 (Demand No. [X]) allocated funds for this, but ground-level progress is invisible.

Could you please clarify if you have raised a "Starred Question" regarding this in the Legislative Assembly? If not, I request you to seek a written reply from the concerned Minister in the next session. We are tracking this via the Assam Assembly Journal.

FAQs

Q1: Can I file an RTI to ask the CM why they haven't fulfilled a campaign promise? No. RTI only covers records. You cannot ask "Why" or "When will you." You must ask for "Certified copies of files/minutes of meetings where [Promise X] was discussed." To hold them to the promise itself, you must use the Assam Assembly’s Committee on Government Assurances, which tracks promises made by Ministers on the floor of the House.

Q2: What is the fee for filing an RTI in Assam? As of 2024-25, the application fee is ₹10. You can pay via an Indian Postal Order (IPO) or a Treasury Challan under the Head of Account "0070-Other Administrative Services." If you are from a BPL (Below Poverty Line) household, the fee is waived if you provide a copy of your BPL certificate.

Q3: How do I know if the CM’s "Orunodoi" or scholarship money is being diverted? Every year, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) releases a "State Finances Audit Report" for Assam on cag.gov.in. Look for the "Social Sector" chapter. It explicitly lists "Underutilization of Funds" or "Diversion of Funds" for specific schemes. This is the most credible document to use when questioning the government.

Q4: What if an officer demands a bribe despite the RTPS Act? Do not pay. Report the demand immediately to the Directorate of Vigilance & Anti-Corruption, Assam via their helpline (0361-2462295) or their official X handle. The RTPS Act was specifically designed to reduce human interference; if you use the online Sewa Setu portal and pay fees digitally, the scope for bribery drops significantly.

Q5: Where can I see how my MLA is voting or if they are attending the Assembly? The Assam Legislative Assembly (assamassembly.gov.in) publishes "Resume of Business" and "Verbatim Proceedings." You can check if your MLA is actually participating in debates or just sitting silently. For a simplified version, check PRS Legislative Research (prsindia.org), which tracks state assembly performance metrics.

Q6: Can the CM be sued for not fulfilling an election manifesto promise? Legally, no. The Supreme Court in S. Subramaniam Balaji v. Government of Tamil Nadu (2013) held that manifestos are not "corrupt practices" under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. However, once that promise is converted into a Government Order (GO) or a Budget Allocation, it becomes a legal obligation that you can track and challenge.