Nursing homes holding back bodies for not footing bills to face punishment: CABINET

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: In a significant turn of events, the Assam cabinet took a decision to take strict action against nursing homes from August 1 if they hold back bodies for non-payment of bills.

Speaking to the media after the Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister said, "We can't hold a body as hostage. It's against human dignity. Nursing homes can file civil suits against the parties or sign agreements with them for the recovery of their bills. However, they cannot hold a body hostage. From August 1, attendants can dial 104 or call local police if any nursing homes keep bodies for more than four hours. The police will rush to the spot and hand over bodies to the attendants. In such offences, punitive actions like three-to-six-month suspension of licenses and penalties up to Rs 5 lakh are applicable. If any nursing home repeats this offence, it may face closure."

Furthermore, the Cabinet also decided to pay Rs 300 per month to each HSLC candidate from November till the examination is over. Such candidates will have to provide their bank account details while filling in forms for the HSLC examination.

Furthermore, the remuneration of Anganwadi workers and assistants was also decided to be raised. At present, an anganwadi worker gets Rs 4,500 from the Central government and Rs 2,000 from the state government per month. Now, the state government has enhanced its contribution to Rs 3,500.

The Cabinet also hiked the remuneration of gaon burhas from Rs 9,000 to Rs 14,000 per month with effect from October 1, 2025.

It also decided to allot land pattas to over 3,000 naamghars, mandirs, and schools under Mission Basundhara 3.0.

The Assam Cabinet also approved the Gaja Mitra scheme, under which 80 locations in eight districts have been identified as hotspots for man-elephant conflict. The government will form rapid response teams in such locations to mitigate the conflicts. Authorities concerned will sow natural vegetation meant for elephant food in such spots, besides erecting solar fences.

Another important decision that the cabinet took was to rename 'Rabindranath Tagore University,' located at Hojai, as 'Rabindranath Thakur Biswavidyalaya' following an instruction from the UGC.

The Cabinet also decided to create the posts of engineers in municipal boards with over one lakh population and will from now on, reimburse the state GST being paid by the brass artisans of Sarthebari.

It further decided to pay Rs 1,500 per month to Udasin Bhakats (ascetic devotees) and child ascetic devotees of xatras from October 1, 2025.

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