News Desk: It was on June 16 last year that Debasish Sharma (Debasish Sharma Nagaon) took charge as the District Commissioner of Nagaon. Within a year of leading the district administration, he appears to have genuinely earned a place in the hearts of Nagaon’s people. Transferred from Morigaon district, this experienced IAS officer wasted no time after joining — he set about introducing reforms and development programmes across various sectors, drawing widespread appreciation from the public. Under his leadership, Nagaon didn’t just earn a place in the Indian Book of Records, it also set a remarkable example of celebrating its cultural heritage and involving the younger generation in a meaningful and unique way.
In just one year, Debasish Sharma showed the people of Nagaon what he was made of — not just as an administrator, but as a human being. People saw many sides of him: sometimes performing on stage as a singer, often spending time playing with children, displaying a warmth that endeared him to many — and yet, when it came to administration, he could be firmly uncompromising.
Joining and Early Steps
After taking charge on June 16, 2025, Sharma immediately set about making the district administration more active and transparent. One of the first things that struck him was the state of the District Commissioner’s office itself — he found it poorly maintained and launched a cleanliness drive on the spot. It was a small but symbolic step towards making government offices work as they should. He also placed strong emphasis on the work culture of government employees, conducting surprise inspections at various offices as early as ten in the morning, gradually building a more accountable work environment across the district.
Revenue Department Reform: All Lat Mandals Transferred on a Single Day
On August 3, 2025, Sharma made a bold move that got people talking. In one sweeping decision, he transferred all the Lat Mandals of the district — 146 Land Record Assistants and Supervisors were reshuffled across the seven revenue circles of Nagaon. The reasoning was straightforward: officials who stay in the same posting for too long become more susceptible to corruption. The mass transfer was aimed at bringing transparency and accountability to the revenue department. The decision brought fresh momentum to the department and helped make land-related services more transparent and accessible to the public.
Indian Book of Records Achievement
Perhaps one of the most talked-about moments of Sharma’s tenure was getting Nagaon into the Indian Book of Records. On the occasion of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s birth centenary, a remarkable event was organised on September 10, 2025, at Nurul Amin Stadium. Twenty thousand students from 63 educational institutions came together to sing Hazarika’s timeless song “Manuhe Manuhur Babe” — and the record was instantly recognised. Sharma played a central role in organising the event, which carried a powerful message of peace, unity and humanity, while also inspiring an entire generation of young people and giving Assamese culture a proud national moment.
Recovery of Bhupen Hazarika’s Birthplace and Birthday Celebrations
At Sharma’s initiative, the historic residence and surrounding land at Bhupen Hazarika’s birthplace in Kuthori were recovered and handed over to the government. The Assam government acquired approximately seven bighas of land along with the house for around Rs 2.51 crore, making arrangements for its preservation. Following the recovery, a special programme was held at the site on the legendary singer’s birthday, where his immortal songs were performed collectively and tributes were paid at the memorial. It was a meaningful step in protecting the cultural legacy of one of Assam’s greatest sons.
Efforts to Make Nagaon Drug-Free
Fighting the drug menace was among Sharma’s priorities from the very beginning. He organised anti-drug awareness meetings across various parts of the district, reaching out directly to communities and issuing stern warnings to those involved in the drug trade. Working alongside the police, these sustained efforts are believed to have significantly brought down drug activity in the district, according to many observers.
Government Land Reclaimed — Without a Single Bulldozer
At a time when eviction drives elsewhere were being met with protests, clashes and heated confrontations between encroachers and the police, Sharma managed something that few expected — he reclaimed large stretches of government land in Nagaon’s Dhing Revenue Circle entirely peacefully, without using bulldozers. He called awareness meetings and personally appealed to encroachers to vacate voluntarily. Responding to his appeal, hundreds of commercial establishments and many families left the government land on their own. It was a rare instance of an eviction that went smoothly because people were persuaded rather than forced.
Forest Conservation and Eviction Drive
Under Sharma’s watch, a major eviction drive was carried out in the Lutumari Reserve Forest. Illegal occupation on around 5,962 bighas of forest land by approximately 1,700 families was cleared. Sharma personally supervised the operation, which was conducted in coordination with the Forest Department and police, and he appealed to people to cooperate peacefully. The move is expected to reduce human-elephant conflict in the area while helping protect forest resources in the long run.
End to the Batadrava Than Management Controversy
One of the more complex challenges Sharma resolved was the long-standing dispute over the management committee of Batadrava Than — the sacred birthplace of the great saint Srimanta Sankardeva — a matter that had even reached the Supreme Court of India. Following the intervention and directions of the Gauhati High Court in case WP(C) No. 4271/2025 (Batadrava Than Parichalana Samiti vs. Government of Assam and Others), the court authorised the Nagaon District Commissioner to convene a general meeting of the committee.
Acting on this authority, Sharma first formed a 12-member interim management committee in August 2025, which included the Additional District Commissioner, the Circle Officer of Dhing Revenue Circle, the Block Development Officer, and the Satradhikars of Naruwa and Solguri Satras. Subsequently, on November 2, 2025, a general body meeting was held under the chairmanship of Dr. Samudra Gupta Kashyap, Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University, at which a full-fledged committee was finally constituted, bringing an end to a dispute that had dragged on for years. The resolution has ensured greater transparency and order in the management of the Than, while giving fresh momentum to the propagation of Sankardeva’s ideals.
Preventing Road Accidents
Road accidents had long been a persistent problem in Nagaon, and Sharma took it up actively. Working with the District Road Safety Committee, he organised bike rallies and awareness programmes, personally showed up at picnic spots to spread safety messages and took strict action against drunk driving. More recently, he cracked down on illegal roadside vehicle parking along national highways in the district.
Surprise Inspection of Nagaon Central Jail
In August 2025, Sharma made an unannounced visit to Nagaon Central Jail. The inspection, conducted alongside Senior Superintendent of Police Swapnanil Deka, turned up a significant quantity of contraband and exposed multiple irregularities inside the prison. Security guards were arrested and strict action was taken against those responsible. The move sent a clear message about the zero-tolerance approach to misconduct in public institutions.
Beyond all this, Sharma has also been driving a tree plantation initiative across the district in an effort to bring about a green transformation in Nagaon.
Sharma’s brand of leadership — firm yet constructive — has helped position Nagaon as a model district in terms development. What has perhaps stood out most over the past year is his accessibility. Despite a packed schedule, he has consistently made himself available to ordinary people regardless of their religion or background, attending community events and maintaining a genuine public connect that is rare in an officer of his rank. It is this combination of administrative resolve and human touch that has made Debasish Sharma a name Nagaon is unlikely to forget in a hurry.
