The Assam State Cabinet has announced a series of welfare, ecological, administrative, and economic initiatives aimed at addressing social needs, ecological preservation, infrastructure, and inclusive growth.
Key Cabinet Approvals:
1. ‘Shraddhanjali’ Scheme
- Purpose: Facilitate legal, coordinated transportation of deceased persons who die outside the state while working or studying.
- Target group: Primarily low-income youth; also covers deaths due to accidents or murder.
- Exclusion: Deaths during medical treatment outside Assam are not covered.
- Nodal Agency: Assam Police Special Branch.
- Nodal Officer: DIG-level officer to oversee implementation.
- Reporting Mechanism: Family members can report via local administration, police, or by calling 112.
2. Environmental Conservation Initiatives
- Urpad Beel (1,256 Ha), Goalpara: Approved for notification as a Proposed Reserve Forest (PRF) under Section 5 of Assam Forest Regulation, 1891.
- Hasila Beel (245 Ha): Approved as PRF; public allowed one month to file claims and objections.
- Significance: Enhances protection of wetlands, biodiversity and ecological sensitivity in Assam.
3. Rabha Development Council
- Purpose: Welfare of Rabha community residing outside the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC)
4. Anganwadi Supervisor Recruitment Reform
- Reservation: 50% of Supervisor posts to be filled from eligible serving Anganwadi workers with:
- Minimum 10 years of experience.
- Graduation degree (Arts, Science, Commerce or allied).
- Remaining 50%: Through direct recruitment via State Level Recruitment Commission (Class III).
5. Transgender Inclusion
- Status Granted: Declared Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) in Assam.
- In line with: Supreme Court directives.
- Identity Verification: District Commissioners to issue Transgender ID Cards based on proof of being original residents of Assam.
6. PM POSHAN Honorarium Hike
- Beneficiaries: Cook-cum-Helpers under PM POSHAN scheme.
- Revised Honorarium: Increased from ₹500 to ₹1,000/month (additional), effective Oct 2025.
- Total Monthly Amount: Now ₹2,000/month, for 10 months per year.
7. Extension of “Apon Ghar” and “Apon Bahan” Schemes
- Eligible Employees:
- Regular and contractual employees (till age 60) of:
- National Health Mission (NHM)
- Samagra Shiksha Axom
- Three state power utilities.
- Regular and contractual employees (till age 60) of:
8. Hinduja Renewables Energy Project
- Approval for: Allotment of land for 900 MW off-stream Pumped Storage Project (PSP).
- Location: West Karbi Anglong district.
- Investment: Approx. ₹5,400 crore.
9. Assam Industrial and Green Growth Fund
- Nature: SEBI-registered Alternate Investment Fund (AIF).
- Total Size: ₹3,000 crore.
- Anchor Investment: ₹500 crore, to be infused in phases.
- Objectives:
- Mobilize long-term capital.
- Promote sectors like:
- Renewable energy
- Green infrastructure
- Agro-tech, MSMEs, tourism
- Priority startups.
Significance
- These decisions reflect Assam’s multidimensional focus on:
- Social equity and inclusion (transgenders, low-income migrants).
- Environmental sustainability (wetland conservation).
- Welfare administration (Anganwadi reforms, cook honorarium).
- Economic growth (renewable energy, infrastructure funding).
- Community development (Rabha Council).