Dispur, October 29 (IANS). Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced major decisions of the Assam Cabinet meeting. These decisions focus on strengthening Assam’s cultural heritage, flood management, land rights and rural security.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma posted on social media platform
Cabinet takes important step to promote traditional Raas festivals of Assam. Financial assistance of Rs 25,000 per committee was sanctioned to 2,068 Rashtriya Swayamsevaks across the state and Rs 50,000 each to 67 Rashtriya Samitis of Majuli. The decision is an effort to preserve the cultural heritage of Assam and empower rural communities. The Chief Minister said that Raas Mahotsav is a symbol of the folk faith of Assam, and its support will be the priority of the state government.
A revised estimate of Rs 249 crore was approved for the construction of Lachit Moidam Memorial and Cultural Complex in Jorhat in memory of Ahom warrior Lachit Barphukan. This project will bring alive the glorious history of Assam and promote tourism. Sarma called it part of ‘strengthening our legacy’.
Building on the successful model of Mission Basundhara 2.0, the Cabinet approved amendments to the Assam Land Policy, 2019. This will ensure disposal of hereditary land up to 50 bighas to the Moran and Matak tribal communities. Additionally, 8 tea grant and tea period lands in Dibrugarh and Kamrup (Maharaja) districts will be converted into outright lease under Mission Basundhara 3.0. Ownership rights on urban land were also given to 28 tenant farmers in Kamrup. This step will be helpful in economically empowering the tribal communities and reducing land disputes.
To tackle floods, a chronic problem of Assam, the Cabinet approved additional funding of Rs 2,205.75 crore for the climate-resilient Brahmaputra Integrated Flood and River Erosion Risk Management Project (Phase II). The fund will cover 76 km area, which includes anti-erosion works in 13 districts, 33 km embankment construction and 17.72 km desilting. The Chief Minister described it as important towards making ‘flood-resistant Assam’.
The Cabinet approved the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to make fertilizer distribution transparent and assigned the responsibility to the Assam State Agricultural Marketing Board. With this, farmers will get fertilizers on time and in accurate quantity. As part of police reforms, the Assam Police (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was approved, which includes changes in the state-level Police Accountability Commission and district authority. For rural security, the organizations will be reorganized by amending the Assam Village Defense Organization Rules, 1986.
CM Sarma said that these decisions are focused on the development of Assam, preservation of culture and public welfare. The opposition welcomed the decisions, but demanded more clarity on land amendments.
–IANS
SCH/DKP
