Cabinet nod to five new districts

By Our staff Reporter

Guwahati, Sept 7: The State cabinet today okayed the proposal to set up five new districts in the State - Biswath Chariali, Hojai, South Salmara-Mankachar, Charaideo and West Karbi Anglong.

The cabinet formed a sub-committee to survey the inter-district border areas of two of the five new districts - Biswath Chariali and South Salmara-Mankachar. The committee will conduct public hearings and demarcate the border of these two new districts on the basis of the opinion of local people.

The cabinet also approved the enhancement of the daily wage of home guards to Rs 200. The number of home guards will also be increased from 11,200 to 30,907. The maximum age limit of the home guards have been increased from 50 to 55.

"Normally, the tenure of a home guard is four years. From now on, if any home guard wishes, the service term will be extended by another three years," said a government spokesman.

In another decision, the cabinet approved setting up of the SC Development Council which will comprise of 25 members. It also approved pension for Guwahati Municipal Corporation employees. The cabinet also decided to appoint a senior civil service officer as a secretary in 30 departments to ensure transparency in functioning and to expedite the execution of schemes. In addition, the government also decided to reserve 137 joint secretary posts for ACS officers.