A shocking transformation has ignited outrage in Assam. A government-funded orphanage, inaugurated with much fanfare by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in 2021. Has re-emerged as a commercial hotel in just four years.
The Rs 3 crore facility, meant to house and educate orphans in Dima Hasao district. Was hailed as a symbol of the state’s commitment to child welfare. Its conversion into a hotel by 2025 has raised serious concerns. Lead to the alleged misuse of public funds and administrative lapses.
Public Funds Under Scrutiny
The project was sanctioned under the Social Welfare Department to provide shelter and education for vulnerable children in the hilly district. Locals now claim that the orphanage was abandoned within two years of inauguration, with no clarity on the status of the children once housed there.
Activists and opposition leaders have demanded a high-level probe. Moreover, to uncover how a government-funded social welfare project was converted into a private business. “This is not just corruption. It’s a betrayal of the children who were supposed to find a home here,” said an opposition MLA from the district.
The incident has fueled debates on accountability in government infrastructure projects, many of which are funded by taxpayers but remain poorly monitored after inauguration ceremonies.
Local Residents Voice Anger
Villagers and local community leaders expressed shock at the transformation. “We saw the CM himself inaugurate the orphanage in 2021. Today, it’s a hotel charging thousands per night. Where did the children go? Who authorized this?” questioned a local resident.
Residents said the building had remained locked for months before undergoing renovation. Signboards mentioning its original purpose were quietly removed. By mid-2025, it began operating as a hotel catering to tourists visiting Dima Hasao’s scenic landscapes.
Demand for Probe and Accountability
Child rights organizations have joined the call for a thorough investigation. The Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights is reportedly preparing to send a fact-finding team to the district.
Legal experts have also raised concerns that the land and funds sanctioned for the orphanage may now be in violation of the law. “If government land and resources were diverted for private profit, it constitutes a serious offense under corruption and misappropriation laws,” said a Guwahati-based lawyer.
Government Yet to Respond
The Assam government has so far remained silent on the matter. Neither the Social Welfare Department nor the Dima Hasao district administration has issued an official statement.
Political observers say that the issue could snowball into a major controversy if the state does not act swiftly. With the 2026 Assam Assembly elections approaching, opposition parties are likely to use the orphanage-to-hotel story. Making as a symbol of governance failure.
Misuse of Public Infrastructure: A Larger Pattern
Experts point out that this incident reflects a larger pattern of public infrastructure being repurposed for private use in remote districts where monitoring is lax.
Several government buildings, including community halls and schools, have reportedly been abandoned or underutilized in the hill districts. The Dima Hasao orphanage scandal may now trigger a wider audit of similar projects to ensure public funds are not misused.
The case also raises serious questions about the fate of the orphaned children who were supposed to benefit from the project. Moreover, child welfare organizations have demanded immediate disclosure of their current status.
Call for Immediate Action
The incident has stirred strong public emotions and highlighted the need for systemic reforms. Also, activists are urging the Chief Minister to personally intervene. Further, order a probe, and ensure that those responsible face strict action.
“If this can happen to an orphanage inaugurated by the CM himself, what about smaller projects in the interiors of the state?” asked a social activist from Haflong.
Nevertheless, the conversion of a public welfare facility into a commercial venture has become a test case for accountability and governance in Assam. Because, citizens now wait for the government’s next move. Meanwhile, hoping that justice will prevail for the children who were promised a home but left behind in the shadows of profit. Reference to National Commission for Protection of Child Rights for child welfare standards.