Assam Cabinet Approves Bill to Create Safai Karamchari Commission

The Assam Cabinet led by Chief Minister (CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma approved a bill to establish a Safai Karamchari Commission for the first time in the state’s history, at a meeting held at the historic Gandhi Mandap in Guwahati, Assam.

• Additionally, it has approved decisions directly involving providing maternity benefits, monitoring drug prices, protecting the rights of Safai Karmacharis, and filling open positions in the Forest Department.

Key Cabinet Decisions Made During the Meeting:  

i.The Dergaon Police Academy was renamed as the ‘Lachit Barphukan Police Academy’ by the Assam Cabinet.

ii.The Assam Cabinet has resolved to transfer Rs. 700 to the bank accounts of all pregnant women in the state, benefiting about 5 lakh pregnant women.

iii.As the initial installment under the annual budget, it has approved Rs 361 crore for the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).

iv.The ‘Safai Karmachari Aayog’ will be established for the development of Safai workers with approval from the Assam cabinet.

v.Under the Moitry scheme, the Assam cabinet has approved investing Rs. 525 crore to build 162 new police stations.

vi.The Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) has concluded that there would be no more optional papers in the Combined Competitive Examination.

vii.The state cabinet has approved Rs. 285 crore for the Assam Power Distribution Corporation Ltd. (APDCL) to develop a 250 MW solar power plant in partnership with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC).

Assam CM Launches Projects Worth Rs 680 Crore

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 12 projects worth around Rs. 680 crore in Nalbari district of Assam.

• These projects aim to make Assam’s historic district one of the most progressive in all aspects.

Projects Launched:

• The district sports stadium complex in Sariahtoli at a cost of Rs. 51 crore.
• The beautification projects in Nalbari town at a cost of Rs. 106 crore.
• The integrated Deputy Commissioner’s Office Complex in Bangaigaon District at a cost of around Rs 50 crore.
• The Government Polytechnic Institute and Industrial Training Institute are being modernised at a cost of Rs 5 crore.
• A science centre and planetarium in Assam with the first-ever 3D projection system.
• Additionally, a number of road development projects with an aggregate budget of almost Rs. 200 crore were launched.

Nalbari Gets Assam’s First 3D Planetarium

The Nalbari Science Centre and Planetarium, Assam’s first 3D and fourth planetarium, was formally inaugurated by Himanta Biswa Sarma, CM of Assam. It was constructed in Milanpur, Nalbari, at an estimated cost of Rs. 8 crores and 50 lakhs.

• The foundation stone for the planetarium was laid in 2012.

Key Points:

i.The CM also laid the foundation stone for Tamulpur Medical College, a bridge and various other projects worth Rs. 568 crore, as part of Phase 1 of the development initiatives.

• Notably, a bridge will be constructed at the Kumarikata-Kouli linking route at the Bhutan border in Tamulpur district, after 76 years of independence.

ii.In Assam, infrastructure projects will be inaugurated in Tamulpur, Morigaon, Golaghat, Bishwanath, Majuli, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, and Jorhat.

iii.The second phase will begin on January 5, 2023, with both phases’ projects projected to be completed by the 2026 assembly election.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma launches ‘Bikashar Babe Eta Poshek’ in Bongaigaon

“Bikashar Babe Eta Poshek,” a development initiative of the Assam government, was introduced by Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma during a ceremony held at Bongaigaon, Assam.

• The “Bikashar Babe Eta Poshek” initiative seeks to direct the state’s development process in an organised manner.

Key Points:

i.In the first phase of the programme, which will operate till December 19, 2022, foundation stones will be laid and infrastructure projects worth Rs 15,000 crore would be inaugurated in 11 Assam districts.

ii.The CM set the foundation stone for the 200-bed Bangagaon Medical College and Hospital as part of the programme.

• The project is expected to be completed in 3 months at a cost of Rs. 61,067.41 lakh.

iii.He also dedicated the Rs. 439.56 lakh Srijangram Model Hospital.

Assam Government to Give Stipend to All Female PG Students of Rs 10,000 Each

The Assam government will eventually implement a scheme under which all female students pursuing postgraduate (PG) degrees in the state will receive a yearly stipend of Rs 10,000 each.

• Female students pursuing postgraduate studies can apply for the stipend using a portal set up by the department of education for this purpose.

Recent Related News:

Himanta Biswa Sarma, CM of Assam launched the second phase of the Mission Basundhara (Mission Basundhara 2.0) during the event held at the Srimanta Shankardev Kalakshetra, Guwahati, Assam. The goals of Mission Basundhara 2.0 include, providing land rights to the indigenous people of Assam, especially for the people who do not have any legal claims to land.

About Assam:

Governor – Jagdish Mukhi
Chief Minister – Himanta Biswa Sarma
Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) – Sonai Rupai WLS; Bherjan – Borajan – Padumoni WLS
Zoological Park – Assam State Zoo (Green Lung), Guwahati