Assam Cabinet Approves VAT Amendment Rules, 2025 to Curb Tax Evasion and Regulate Goods Movement

GUWAHATI: In a decisive step to curb tax evasion and regulate the movement of taxable goods, the Assam Cabinet has approved the Assam Value Added Tax (Amendment) Rules, 2025. The amendment strengthens the monitoring of goods entering the state through road, rail, river, or postal services to ensure strict compliance with tax regulations.

Urban Affairs Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah announced that no one can receive goods over 250 liters without proper documentation. The new rules also take strong action against the illegal storage, sale, and resale of petrol and diesel to stop black-market trading.

In its recent meeting, the Assam Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, approved several important policies. One of the main decisions was the Assam Urban Water Bodies (Preservation and Conservation) Rules, 2025, which requires each district to create schedules for maintaining and protecting public water bodies.

The Cabinet passed the Assam Municipal Employees (Provincialisation) Bill, 2025, which secures jobs for 1,044 municipal workers in 71 municipal boards who were employed before September 4, 2013. It also updated the Assam Secondary Education (Provincialized School) Service Rules, 2024, so that Assamese Language Teachers can teach in both Assamese and non-Assamese medium schools.

The Cabinet approved the Bodoland University regulatory rules to improve its management and operation. It also approved a web portal to implement the 25% seat reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in private schools that do not receive government aid, as part of the Right to Education (RTE) Act.

The Cabinet approved the Assam Public Distribution of Articles (Amendment) Order, 2025, which increases the Fair Price Shop (FPS) license renewal period from three to five years, giving ration shop owners more stability. It also approved Rs 42.72 crore for developing small industries, with the goal of supporting local businesses and creating jobs.

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