HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, June 22: A cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday approved a series of significant policy decisions and welfare initiatives aimed at promoting inclusive growth, infrastructure development, and social justice across the state.
The announcements were made by the Chief Minister following the meeting.
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According to an official statement, one of the major decisions includes the approval of the ‘Shradhanjali’ scheme, which seeks to facilitate the lawful and dignified transportation of the bodies of deceased individuals who are domiciles of Assam but die outside the state.
Set to be implemented from October 1, 2025, the scheme will cover youth engaged in low-paying jobs and cases of death under special circumstances such as accidents or murder.
It will not apply to deaths occurring during medical treatment outside Assam.
The Special Branch of Assam Police has been designated as the nodal agency for the scheme, with a DIG-rank officer assigned as the nodal officer.
Family members will be able to inform authorities via local administration, the police, or the 112 emergency number, and a dedicated social media account will also be set up for communication.
The Cabinet also approved the creation of the Rabha Development Council, which will work for the socio-economic, educational, and cultural upliftment of Rabha communities residing outside the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council area.
This decision is aimed at ensuring equitable development for Rabha people living beyond the jurisdiction of RHAC.
In a move to boost employment opportunities for women, the Cabinet approved a proposal to fill up to 50 per cent of Supervisor posts in the Women and Child Development Department from among serving Anganwadi Workers who have at least 10 years of experience.
The remaining posts will be filled through direct recruitment by the State Level Recruitment Commission for Class III posts.
In a landmark decision, the Cabinet has declared the transgender community as a “Socially and Educationally Backward Class” in Assam, aligning with directions from the Supreme Court.
The District Commissioners will ensure that applicants seeking Transgender Identity Cards provide proof of being original inhabitants of Assam.
Environmental conservation also received a boost as the Cabinet approved the proposal to notify Urpad Beel (1,256 hectares) and Hasila Beel (245 hectares) in Goalpara district as Proposed Reserve Forests under Section 5 of the Assam Forest Regulation, 1891.
While Urpad Beel will be declared immediately, the public will be given a month to register opinions regarding Hasila Beel.
To support the midday meal ecosystem, the cabinet approved the enhancement of the additional honorarium for cook-cum-helpers under the PM POSHAN scheme.
Their monthly honorarium will be increased from ₹500 to ₹1,000, raising the total to ₹2,000 per month for ten months annually, effective from October 2025.
Teachers recruited under the Special Recruitment Drive (SRD) in LP, UP, and Secondary Schools will now receive their first annual increment in July 2025 instead of July 2026, as per the provisions of the ROP Rules 2017.
This move is expected to boost morale and financial security among newly appointed teachers.
The Cabinet extended the benefits of the ‘Apon Ghar’ and ‘Apon Bahan’ schemes to regular and contractual employees (up to the age of 60) of five key public sector undertakings and societies.
These include the National Health Mission, Assam; Samagra Shiksha Axom; Assam Power Generation Corporation Ltd; Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd.; and Assam Electricity Grid Corporation Ltd.
In the minerals sector, the cabinet approved the formulation of the Assam State Mineral Exploration Trust Rules, 2025, to facilitate the creation of the State Mineral Exploration Trust (SMET).
This initiative is intended to promote exploration of minor minerals such as granite, limestone, quartzite, china clay, sand, gravel, and others.
A significant green energy initiative was also cleared, with the Cabinet approving the allocation of a self-identified PSP site to Hinduja Renewables Energy Private Limited for developing a 900 MW off-stream Pumped Storage Project (PSP) in West Karbi Anglong.
With a proposed investment of ₹5,400 crore, this project is expected to enhance Assam’s energy security, grid stability, and renewable energy capacity, aligning with the state’s goal of achieving 2 GW of PSP capacity by 2030.
In the education sector, the cabinet approved the transfer of 40 bighas of government land at Chandrapur Bagicha village in Kamrup (M) to the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti for setting up a new Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV).
The new school is expected to improve educational access and regional equity in learning outcomes.
Finally, the Cabinet gave the green signal to the establishment of a ₹3,000 crore SEBI-registered Assam Industrial and Green Growth Fund, an Alternate Investment Fund aimed at mobilising long-term capital for renewable energy, agro-tech, tourism, start-ups, MSMEs, and other priority sectors.
The state will provide an anchor investment of ₹500 crore in a phased manner to kickstart the fund.
The decisions taken at the Cabinet meeting reflect the state government’s comprehensive approach to governance, combining social welfare, environmental conservation, infrastructure expansion, and inclusive development.
