Mr Rohan Kochhar, Director, Public Policy, SKOCH Group

Rohan Kochhar, Director, Public Policy, SKOCH Group

*Some speakers are subject to confirmation

Sarma was elected to the Assam Legislative Assembly from Jalukbari for the first time in 2001 when he defeated Asom Gana Parishad leader Bhrigu Kumar Phukan and was re-elected in 2006 and then for the third consecutive term in 2011 with a record margin of more than 75,000 votes. Sarma held important portfolios (both state and cabinet) as Minister of State for Agriculture, Planning & Development, Finance, Health, Education, and Assam Accord Implementation from 2002 to 2014.

He was made Cabinet Minister for Health in 2006, and in 2011 he was also entrusted with the additional charge of Education. During his tenure, three Medical colleges in Jorhat, Barpeta and Tezpur came up. He also initiated work for five more medical colleges in Diphu, Nagaon, Dhubri, North Lakhimpur and Kokrajhar, which are now in various stages of implementation.

Even the Government of India in its various annual reports had singularly pointed out the achievements of the Health and Education departments of Assam. During his tenure, more than 50,000 teachers were appointed for the first time through TET after he abolished the system of interviews.

Sarma joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on 23 August 2015 at the residence of Amit Shah in New Delhi. He was appointed as the party’s Convener of the Election Management Committee for the upcoming Assembly Elections in the state. Subsequently, he won the Assembly elections and became a Cabinet Minister in the first BJP government in North East India. Previously Sarma has served three terms as an MLA in Assam on Indian National Congress ticket. He was elected from Jalukbari in 2001 and was re-elected in 2006 and 2011. After political differences with former chief minister Tarun Gogoi, Sarma resigned from all portfolios on 21 July 2014. He was the MLA of Jalukbari constituency until his resignation from Assembly on 15 September 2015.

In May 2016, Sarma won Jalukbari constituency for the fourth consecutive term and was sworn in as Cabinet Minister on 24 May and has been allotted portfolios like Finance, Health & Family Welfare, Education, Planning & Development, Tourism, Pension & Public Grievances.

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