CM Himanta Biswa Sarma 100th Cabinet Meeting: Unraveling Assam’s continuous march towards progress!

The Assam Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma accomplished 100 Cabinet Meetings in its term of office since 2021. On 25^th August, 2023, the Government had held its 100^th Cabinet meeting at Brahmaputra State Guest House, Kharghuli, Guwahati, Assam. The Government has successfully completed 100 Cabinet meetings in its ongoing term of past 2 years and 4 months.

100 Cabinet Meeting: Key decisions:

The following are the major decisions implemented under Assam 100th Cabinet Meeting :

• Accelerating Industrial Growth:

 The Cabinet has provided approval to the Assam Electronics (Semiconductor, etc.) Policy,2023. This will establish Assam as a hub of semiconductor manufacturing and electronics production. The key benefits of the policy include the following-

1. Attracting Semi-Conductor Fabrication and Design Investment.
2. Generating employment opportunities. The setting up of these industries will generate wide range of direct and indirect employment and promote socio-economic growth.
3. Ecosystem Development.
4. Market resilience.
5. Export growth.
6. Revenue generation for State.

Eligibility:

The policy benefits will be applicable to all mew units falling under ‘Semi-conductor Manufacturing’ and to eligible industrial units which will be allowed to take up phase wise commissioning of the total approved plan capacity within the overall prescribed time limit of 3 years for MSMEs and 5 years for Large Industries from the date of first fixed capital investment.

• Ensuring Administrative efficiency:

The 100th Cabinet gave nod to amendment of Assam Land and Revenue Services rules, 2015. It laid down provisions to ensure officers of ALRS can be posted both as Circle Officer and Circle Officer (attached) or any other post equivalent to ALRS (Junior Grade) for better service delivery. It also provided approval to Assam Mobility of Employees of State Government and Other Establishment (for Optimum Utilization of Available Manpower for Efficiency) Bill, 2023. This Bill will ensure optimum resource utilization by easing mobility of Government personnel from one department to other.

• Boosting Tourism:

In line with promoting tourism in the State the Assam Cabinet has provided approval to lease agreement with Jenipro Hotels Pvt Ltd- a group entity of Saraf Hotel Enterprises (Hyatt Group of Hotels) to augment tourism potential in Kaziranga National Park and generate employment for local youth.

• Streamlining Teacher Selection:

The Assam Cabinet in its 100^th meeting has also provided approval to amendment of Rule 3 of Schedule-I of the Assam Elementary Education (Provincialisation) Rules 1977 to improve selection criteria of teachers in LP and UP schools.

Selection of teachers for lower primary schools and for Class I to Class V shall be made as per the following proportion:

1. 5% of marks secured in Higher Secondary/ senior Sec or equivalent examination.
2. 10% of marks secured in graduation- in case of candidates having major in any subject, the marks secured in that subject will be taken into consideration.
3. 5% of marks secured in diploma in elementary education (D.EI.Ed) or Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) or Bachelor of elementary education (B.EI.Ed) examination
4. 80% of the marks secured in TET including CTET for lower primary schools.
5. The selection candidates will be equal to the number of vacancies.

Selection of teachers for upper primary school and for teaching in Class VI to Class VIII shall be made as per the following proportion:

1. 5% of marks secured in Higher Secondary/ senior Sec or equivalent examination.
2. 10% of marks secured in graduation- in case of candidates having major in any subject, the marks secured in that subject will be taken into consideration.
3. 5% of marks secured in diploma in elementary education (D.EI.Ed) or Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) or Bachelor of elementary education (B.EI.Ed) examination.
4. 80% of the marks secured in TET including CTET for upper primary schools.
5. The selection candidates will be equal to the number of vacancies.

• Ensuring Public Safety:

The Cabinet has approved the provision of 2000 CCTV cameras across Guwahati to implement holistic, integrated and responsive Intelligent City Surveillance System (ICSS). The project aims to improve safety, enhance productivity, ensure enforcement and effective and preventive policing through integration with existing ITMS, etc.

• Rewarding Cleanliness:

The Assam Cabinet has provided approval to implementation of Most Outstanding District initiative (MODI), a clean district ranking drive to achieve total solid waste management and sanitation in Assam. The Most Outstanding District will be awarded a sum of Rs. 100 crore towards its infrastructural development and the results will be tentatively declared by 1st week of April, 2024.

• Effective Land Utilisation:

Approval has also been given to amendment of Rule-26 of the ALRR, 1886 (Part-II-Rules) for rendering settlement holders ineligible for further settlement of Govt lands, in cases of transfer of settled lands anytime after the date of settlement and ancillary actions.

• Rationalising Factory Administration:

Approval has also been given by the Assam Cabinet to amendment of the Assam Factories (Amendment) Rules, 2023 to ensure delivery of various online services and reduce compliance burden.

• Aid to Widows:

The Assam Government in its 100th Cabinet meeting have given approval to State Contribution of Rs. 950 per month for all beneficiaries under Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme who are outside the purview of Orunodoi. This contribution shall be given over and above Rs.300 per month per beneficiary provided by the Centre. This will ensure universal coverage and equal monthly pension to all widow beneficiaries in the State.

• Streamlining Capital Investment:

The Cabinet approved payment of Mobilisation Advance for implementation of works under Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment for FY 2023-24 wherein 10% of Interest Free Mobilisation Advance can be taken by contractors. This will encourage bidders to submit competitive bids and boost their cash flow.

• Showcasing the Vibrant Culture of Assam:

The Cabinet has approved to conduct Sanskitik Mahasangram in the State to promote its rich culture and heritage. The competition will be held in six categories – Jyoti Sangeet, Rabha Sangeet, Bhupendra Sangeet, Rabindra Sangeet, Tribal Dance and Bihu over a period of four months beginning from 10 October, 2023. The registration portal for LAC level competition will open on 15 September, 2023. The Grand Finale of the event will be held on 7th February, 2024.

• Revamping Administrative Structure:

The 100th Cabinet Meeting has approved to the draft Assam Rules of Executive Business, 2023 and repeal of Assam Rules of Executive Business, 1968. The proposed rules will include the following:

• Detailed functions and responsibilities of departments are clearly delineated and added in a separate schedule.
• Emphasis on specific provisions for sovereign departmental consultation, reducing the consultation time.
• Separate schedule for the cases to be submitted before the Governor, Chief Minister and the Cabinet.
• Adaptation of ratification method along with circulation method for placing urgent matters before the Cabinet.
• Upgradation of involvement of financial implications.
• Nomenclature related to Sixth Schedule areas are specified.
• Updated list of department along with latest nomenclature.
• This will be the first ever comprehensive revamp of Rules of Executive Business after 1968.

• Strengthening Criminal Justice System:

The Assam 100th Cabinet meeting has approved to an MoU between Assam Police and National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, enabling testing of forensic samples from Assam Police to NFSU laboratories. 36 forensic laboratories for each district to be procured under this MoU and forensic experts shall be provided on contractual basis to Assam Police. Placement to interns passed from NFSU for fixed tenures in the Directorate of Forensic Sciences and Regional FSLs shall be provided. Modernization of Assam Police with latest equipment and gadgets is to be undertaken under this MoU.

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