Our Bureau
Guwahati/Dibrugarh: Among a slew of decisions taken today, the Assam Cabinet gave approval for shops in Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Silchar to be kept open round the clock. Business hours of shops in town and rural areas have also been extended. But there will be limitations on the operating times for wine shops.
After the Cabinet meeting in Dibrugarh, Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "The cabinet has taken a decision regarding the business hours of shops in municipal corporation areas in Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Silchar. The shops will remain open 24x7. In town areas, shops will remain open until 2 AM and 11 PM in rural areas. But, in the case of wine shops, there will be restrictions in timings. In Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Silchar, the wine shops may be kept open till 2 AM. There is a condition for shops remaining open 24x7. The employees have to work in three shifts. The decision to extend the business hours of shops is aimed at benefitting small traders. As there will be no official weekly holiday for shops kept open round the clock, the businesses themselves will fix a holiday for their employees."
The CM further said, "There are many people from the Moran community in Arunachal Pradesh. The community has not been provided with PRCs by the Arunachal government. So, today's Cabinet decided that they will be provided PRCs by the Assam government. In doing so, the community will be able to avail itself of the reservation quota while seeking admission in medical colleges and other institutions in Assam. They will also be eligible for reservation in jobs. Side by side, I am taking up the matter with the Arunachal Pradesh government so that the community may be provided PRCs from their side as well."
He also said, "Employees and workers employed under the National Health Mission will not have any age limit for applying in other posts in the Health department."
The Cabinet also decided that a headmaster's post will be created for schools with a minimum of 50 students. The existing norm is 100 students, and this has been reduced to 50.
Today, the cabinet also approved Rs 262 crore for constructing roads in tea garden areas.
A decision was also taken to convert 'proposed reserve forests' to 'reserved forests' in the Kamrup and Bongaigaon districts.
Former Assam chief minister Golap Borbora's 100th birth anniversary will be observed with a year-long programme by the government. This will start from August 29, 2025. A government institution will also be renamed after Golap Borbora.
Moreover, an expert team from the Water Resources Department, PWD and Archaeology Department will examine the flooding at the historical Rang Ghar and work out solutions to the issue.
On the Union Cabinet's approval to the setting up of Namrup IV Fertilizer Project, the Cabinet passed a resolution expressing gratitude towards the Prime Minister and the Union Cabinet for their generosity towards Assam that will contribute immensely to the state's industrialization and economy.
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