Guwahati (Assam) [India], November 21 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday announced that VFS Global has agreed in principle to establish a centre in Guwahati to cater to visa applications for over 60 countries.

Sharing a post on X on Thursday, the Chief Minister informed that the state and North East residents may soon no longer need to travel to Delhi or Mumbai for visa-related biometrics, as the state gears up to host a dedicated visa facilitation centre.

'Travelling abroad? Need to submit biometrics for you visa application? That meant a long journey to either Delhi or Mumbai. Soon, this will be history for our people from Assam and the North East. Happy to share that @VFSGlobal has agreed in principle to set up a dedicated visa facilitation centre for over 60+ countries in Guwahati,' Sarma wrote.

https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1991566172165403134

The Chief Minister added that further details, including the list of countries and timelines for opening, will be shared soon.

'We will be sharing more details soon - such as countries for which visa application can be made in Guwahati, opening timelines etc.. Do stay tuned,' he added..

Earlier on November 21, the Chief Minister presented appointment letters to 377 TET and TET-cum-Recruitment qualified candidates from the Tea Tribe and Adivasi communities at a programme held at Srimanta Sankaradev Kalakshetra in Guwahati on Thursday.

With this, Assam's tally of government recruitments since 2021 has reached 1,35,376 through a fully transparent, merit-based process.

Moreover, at the same programme, Chief Minister Sarma handed over funds to educational institutions to waive fees for students from BPL families who took admission in Higher Secondary First and Second Year, as well as in the four-year undergraduate courses, for the academic year 2025-26.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sarma said that the government has fulfilled the promises made during the 2021 Assembly election campaign.

'Although the commitment was to appoint one lakh youth to government jobs, as of today, 1,35,376 candidates have been appointed through a completely transparent process,' he said.

He clarified that this figure pertains only to regular posts under the Assam government, and does not include contract-based appointments made under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, National Health Mission, etc.

CM Sarma said that appointment letters have been distributed at public functions to inspire others to work hard and secure government jobs. (ANI)