Council of Ministers take slew of decisions; School academic year from April to March

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: With disruptions due to COVID19, the Council of Ministers (CoM) on Monday decided to change the academic year of schools from January-December to April-March. This is one among the several other important decisions taken by the Council of Ministers on Monday.

Chandra Mohan Patowary, State Minister for Industry, Commerce, Transport and Parliamentary Affairs told the media here after the meeting, "The Council of Ministers took the decision to change the academic year for the schools as per the recommendation of the Assam Education. The department had drafted the proposal after collecting opinions from the public on the issue."

However, the Minister did not clarify as to whether the change in the annual academic roster would be for this year only.

The other key decisions are as follows:

* In a major decision to boost 'Aatma Nirbhar Assam', the CoM passed the 'MSME (Micro Small Medium Enterprises) Ordinance' and put an end to the process of taking multiple permissions for setting up MSMEs in the State for the next three years.

Interested entrepreneurs in the sector will have to apply to the Commissioner, Industries Department giving details of the proposed industry. Once the Commissioner gives his acknowledgement to the proposal, it will be deemed as 'licence' for three years. After the expiry of the initial three years, the entrepreneur will be given six more months to regularize his papers pertaining to the industry. However, within two months after setting up the industry, the entrepreneur will have to take permissions from the Power and also the Fire departments.

Minister Patowary said that this step has been taken to facilitate the establishment of industries in the sector during the pandemic period.

* Paving the way for new investments, employment and trade, the CoM allocated 200 bighas of land of 'Ashok Paper Mill' at Jogighopa for India's first 'International Multi-Modal Logistic Hub'. The Government of India has approved Rs 693 crore for this project. The State government will have equity share of Rs 48 crores. The hub will have air cargo, rail link, and many other facilities, the Minister added.

* Loan of Rs 338.28 crore from NABARD was approved for development works in various sectors.

* In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CoM passed an ordinance for extension of the dates of GST return.

* The 15th Finance Commission Grant was approved in the following ratio: 70% for Gaon Panchayats; 15% for Anchalik Panchayats; and 15% for Zila Parishads.

* Decision was taken for reduction in the 'Earnest Money Deposits' (EMDs) for mines auction to 0.5% for general category and 0.25% for SCs/STs.

* From now onwards, employees of Assam Bhawans will be transferable.

* The 'Assam College Employees Provincialisation Act-2005' was amended to enable retired employees to receive pension in return of their CPF (Contributory Provident Fund).

* The 'Bengal-Agra-Assam Civil Court Act-1887' was amended by which financial limit of cases has been increased in lower Courts from Rs 50,000 to Rs 10 lakh.

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