Guwahati: The Assam Cabinet has approved several key projects aimed at enhancing infrastructure, boosting public welfare, and streamlining administrative processes across the state.
The Cabinet approved a Rs 357.28 crore project for the “Construction of Teachers Quarters and Students Hostels of Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH), Dibrugarh.”
This initiative will redevelop and expand facilities at AMCH, including new residences for faculty, staff, and the Principal, as well as hostels for MBBS, PG, and G.N.M. students, and a community hall.
In a move to support national welfare initiatives, the Cabinet approved the waiver of the transfer premium for 150 bighas of government land in Deochar, Chhaygaon Revenue Circle. This land will be provided to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, for the establishment of a National University for Disability Studies. A Rs 8.63 crore premium waiver was also sanctioned to expedite this prestigious project, reflecting Assam’s commitment to inclusive development.
Furthermore, the Cabinet approved the digitalized allotment of government land to non-individual juridical entities under the Mission Basundhara 3.0 service.
To streamline land availability and promote ease of doing business in the energy sector, the Cabinet approved exempting hydrocarbon exploration and production activities from “The Assam Regulation of Reclassification and Reclassification cum Transfer of Lands Act, 2015,” subject to applicable premium payments. This decision aims to expedite strategic hydrocarbon projects, generate revenue, and enhance national energy security.
Significantly, the State Government will no longer automatically acquire land for oil exploration projects. Companies like Oil India Limited (OIL), ONGC, and other authorized entities are now permitted to purchase or lease land directly from landowners through negotiated settlements at prevailing market rates. An online portal will be developed by the Revenue Department to facilitate auto-reclassification and premium payments for hydrocarbon companies.
In a major welfare announcement, the Cabinet approved the release of Rs 342 crore for the “Mukhya Mantri Eti Koli Duti Paat (Assam Tea Garden Workers’ Financial Assistance Scheme-2025).”
This flagship scheme, part of the Budget 2025-26 and commemorating the 200th year of Assam Tea, will provide a one-time financial assistance of Rs 5,000 per eligible beneficiary to approximately 7 lakh temporary and permanent tea garden workers and employees (excluding management). The initiative aims to promote financial inclusion by ensuring all beneficiaries have active, Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.
The Mukhya Mantri Lok Sevak Arogya Yojana (MMLSAY), under Ayushman Asom, will now voluntarily include willing employees and their dependents from Assam Power Distribution Corporation Ltd., Assam Electricity Grid Corporation Ltd., Assam Power Generation Corporation Ltd., and Adarsh Vidyalaya. Employees will be eligible for medical reimbursement upon subscription payment and portal registration, with a cashless module to follow after the first year.
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To further enhance healthcare and hospitality infrastructure, the Cabinet approved long-term land leases for several private projects committed under Advantage Assam 2.0:
- Global Health Ltd. (Medanta): 3.5 acres for advanced healthcare infrastructure.
- Lineage Healthcare Ltd.: 1 acre for women and child healthcare infrastructure.
- RJ Corp Ltd.: 1.75 acres for hotel projects, along with other incentives under the Investment and Industrial Policy (IIPA 2019).
In response to the prevailing severe drought-like situation across Assam, the Cabinet declared it a state-specific disaster. This in-principle approval will facilitate the extension of compensation benefits to affected beneficiaries in selected districts as per the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms.
