Assam Cabinet Takes Key Decisions on DA Hike, Assamese in Offices, Community Role in Flood Mitigation

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: The Assam Cabinet took several decisions, including the withdrawal of cases against Koch Rajbongshis in foreigners tribunals (FTs), enhancement of dearness allowances (DA), monitoring committees for embankments, setting up of Assam climate centres for cities, etc.

The Cabinet today approved the enhancement of two per cent DA for government employees and pensioners with effect from January 2025. This will benefit more than 7.38 lakh employees and pensioners in the state. Assam has become the first state in the country to provide 55% DA.

The cabinet decided to write all government communications, like office memorandums, notifications, rules, and transfer and posting orders, in Assamese, besides English. However, communications in the Barak Valley will be in Bengali, Assamese and English. Likewise, all official communications in the BTR will be in Bodo, Assamese and English.

To bring a whole-of-government approach to flood monitoring and mitigation activities, the Cabinet has approved the setting up of Local Embankment Monitoring and Flood Preparedness Committees. A committee each will be formed for an 8-12 km stretch of an embankment during April to October with local youth. If such committees find any leakage or damage of embankments at the initial stage, they will act immediately and keep the higher-ups in the department informed of it. The department will provide all materials to the committees to meet the preliminary preventive measures.

Due to confusion over titles, around 28,000 cases have remained pending in the foreigners tribunals against Koch Rajbongshi people in the state. The Cabinet feels that since Koch Rajbongshis are indigenous people of Assam, it has decided to withdraw all cases against them in FTs.

The state cabinet has approved the sanction of Rs 190 crore under the scheme – State Government Budget for Free Drug Services. This scheme will significantly reduce the out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for the poor people.

The Cabinet approved a new policy to combat human trafficking and end witch-hunting. The Women and Child Development Department will be the nodal agency for this policy. Its aim is to prevent and combat related crimes and to protect and assist victims.

The Cabinet has approved the establishment of the Assam Climate Centres for cities to augment climate action activities in urban areas and to suggest and implement policy intervention. The centres will be funded by the Government of India and the Government of France.

The Cabinet also approved the construction of a state-of-the-art hostel to accommodate 1,000 working women costing Rs 142 crore at Jagiroad.

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