Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma-led Assam cabinet has approved a 12 per cent reservation for Agniveers in constable-level recruitment in several state government departments, besides introducing a Green Tax on the sale and transfer of certain older vehicles.
The cabinet also approved the introduction of a Green Tax of Rs 3,000 on the sale or transfer of eligible vehicles that are more than three years old.
The cabinet also cleared the merger of the PWD (National Highways) wing with PWD (Roads). An additional commissioner-level post will be created to oversee National Highway-related works. For the Jal Jeevan Mission, the government approved three draft MoUs with the Bodoland Territorial Council, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and Dima Hasao Autonomous Council. The councils will be responsible for implementing and managing the mission’s projects in their respective areas. The cabinet amended the Assam Municipal Corporation Election Rules to account for the expansion of the state’s municipal corporation system. The government is also considering a regular donation arrangement for Madhupur Satra similar to the system followed for Bordowa Satra. Sarma also congratulated BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary as the Bodoland Territorial Council government completed one year in office.
Because of his election-related engagements, he said he could not attend the programme. The government has also sanctioned a one-time Rs 10-crore grant for infrastructure development of the Assam Regiment. For Madhupur Satra, the cabinet approved a monthly grant of Rs 1 lakh to meet its regular expenses.
Sarma said the regiment has a close association with Assam and that around half of its personnel are Assamese. Sarma said the decision followed a request from the Satra authorities, who had cited fluctuations in donations as a reason for financial difficulties.
Election-related disputes involving Silchar and Dibrugarh municipal corporations can now be taken up before the District Judge of the respective districts instead of being routed through Guwahati.
