HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Oct 6: The Assam Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at Lok Sewa Bhawan on Monday, approved a series of key decisions aimed at improving infrastructure, education, healthcare, employee welfare, and social security across the state.
One of the major approvals was granted for the construction of an elevated corridor on NH-306 in Silchar to ease traffic congestion in the town.
Related Posts:
The project, titled ‘Construction of Elevated Corridor on NH-306 Section from Trunk Road near Capital Point to Rangirkhari Point in Silchar, Assam (Phase-I) under SOPD-G for the year 2025-26’, has received administrative approval for an amount of ₹564.50 crore, of which ₹100 crore will be earmarked for land acquisition.
The 3.5-km-long elevated corridor will provide uninterrupted, safe, and efficient traffic movement through the heart of Silchar, significantly reducing travel time and vehicular emissions.
The project is expected to improve urban mobility and contribute to a cleaner and greener environment.
The Cabinet also approved amendments to the Medical Colleges and Dental Colleges of Assam (Regulation of Admission into 1st year MBBS/BDS Courses) Rules, 2017 (as amended up to 2025).
The amendment to Rule 3(1) introduces a new provision that allows candidates who are permanent residents of Assam but have studied outside the state to apply for admission under the state quota, provided their last three generations are permanent residents of Assam, as certified by the concerned District Commissioner.
Further, Rule 3(1)(c) — which required candidates to have studied in Classes VII to XII in Assam — has been deleted, as it was found to deprive genuine permanent residents of Assam who had pursued education outside the state.
In a significant inclusion, the Moran community residing in Arunachal Pradesh will also become eligible for admission into MBBS and BDS courses in Assam under the state quota.
The Moran community living in Arunachal Pradesh will be treated at par with the Moran community in Assam from the 2026 academic session.
In another major welfare decision, the Cabinet approved a financial sanction of ₹130 crore for the procurement of bicycles to be distributed among 3,11,614 Class IX students studying in government schools across the state.
The initiative aims to reduce dropout rates, improve school retention, and facilitate smoother transition from secondary to senior secondary levels.
The Cabinet further approved the introduction of a Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) as an option under the National Pension System (NPS) for government employees currently covered under NPS.
The new scheme is designed to provide better old-age security for employees and reduce dependency on market returns.
In addition, approval was granted for granting the minimum of the pay scale to 1,231 muster roll, casual, and fixed pay workers.
The Cabinet also decided to enhance the fixed pay equivalent to the helper allowance of ₹16,400 per month for 99 fixed pay Grade-IV employees engaged under the General Administration Department.
The change will take effect prospectively.
Continuing its flagship welfare initiative, the Cabinet approved the inclusion of 10,186 community cadres of the Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ASRLM), including those from the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) districts, as beneficiaries under the Orunodoi 3.0 scheme.
The additional beneficiaries will start receiving benefits from October 7, 2025, involving an additional expenditure of approximately ₹1.27 crore per month under the scheme.
The Cabinet also decided to extend financial support of ₹5 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the next of kin of nine persons from Assam who lost their lives in Tamil Nadu.
The assistance will be in addition to the compensation provided by the company where they were employed.
With these decisions, the Assam Cabinet has reaffirmed its focus on infrastructure development, inclusive education, social welfare, and employee security, reflecting the state government’s commitment to balanced and people-oriented governance.
