Assam

Guwahati, Oct 10: The Assam Cabinet, during its weekly meeting made several significant decisions aimed at enhancing rural infrastructure and overall development in the state. One of the key decisions is to raise a loan of up to Rs 950.43 crore from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for various projects, including the upgrade of 90 rural roads and four rural bridges under the Public Works Department (PWD – Roads).

In addition to this loan, the state government has given in-principle approval for a new 1,000-kilometer road project known as the “High Speed Economic Corridor.” This ambitious project, falling under the Asom Mala initiative, is estimated to cost around Rs 3,000 crore. It aims to improve connectivity and infrastructure in Assam, fostering economic growth and development.

Here are some other key decisions made by the Assam Cabinet during the meeting:

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  1. Funds for Sipajhar Municipal Board: The Cabinet approved the provision of funds to the Sipajhar Municipal Board for initiating projects under the 6th Assam State Finance Commission (ASFC) and the 15th Central Finance Commission (CFC). This move is expected to promote holistic urban growth and development in Sipajhar town.
  2. Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of Bherjan-Borajan-Padumoni Wildlife Sanctuary: The Cabinet approved a revised draft notification for declaring an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the Bherjan-Borajan-Padumoni Wildlife Sanctuary in Tinsukia. This decision aligns with a Supreme Court directive and aims to protect the sanctuary’s natural habitat.
  3. New Office Building: The Cabinet gave the go-ahead to complete the construction of a new office building under the Commissioner of Taxes. An additional estimate of Rs 11.91 crore for additional works was approved. This modern 10-storey building will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including upgraded LAN, an auditorium, and a conference hall.
  4. Judicial Guest House in Kaziranga National Park: Land measuring 7 bigha, 2 katha, 10 lessa at Halowagaon revenue village under Kaziranga Mouza of Bokakhat Revenue Circle will be allotted for the construction of a Judicial Guest House in Kaziranga National Park. This guest house aims to boost tourism and provide top-class hospitality to state guests and visitors of the Gauhati High Court in Kaziranga.

In addition to these decisions, the Assam Cabinet also planned to convene its upcoming meetings for November, December 2023, and January 2024 in various districts of the state. These meetings are intended to bring governance closer to the people and address local issues effectively.

For these district-level cabinet meetings, the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) have been advised to limit expenditure to Rs. 5 lakh and have been instructed not to undertake new repair works of Circuit Houses and Inspection Bungalows to ensure cost-effective proceedings.