In a Cabinet meeting held today at Lok Sewa Bhawan, the Assam government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, approved a series of transformative decisions aimed at welfare, healthcare, education, and rural development across the state.
A key highlight of the meeting was the approval of ₹342 crore under the “Eti Koli Duti Paat” scheme. Approximately seven lakh tea garden workers and employers will receive a one-time grant of ₹5,000 each, as a tribute to the 200-year legacy of Assam’s tea industry. The Chief Minister called the initiative a gesture of gratitude toward a community that has played a foundational role in shaping Assam’s cultural and economic identity.
The Cabinet also gave the green light to the establishment of a Central University for Disability Studies in the Kamrup district. This institution will focus on research, education, and healthcare related to disability and inclusion. Land for the university has already been identified at Deosar under Bongaon Mouza, streamlining the setup without requiring acquisition.
On the healthcare front, a ₹800 crore investment by Medanta Group was approved for setting up a 500-bed hospital in Guwahati. The project will include a 100-bed maternity center and a five-star Lemon Tree Hotel to support medical tourism. The development is expected to create around 2,700 direct jobs and position Assam as a hub for advanced healthcare services.
The Cabinet also cleared the issuance of land pattas to approximately 4,000 historical institutions—such as schools and religious organizations—under Mission Basundhara 3. About 13,000 pending land-related cases are expected to be resolved by the end of July, with formal patta distribution planned in August.
In a significant rehabilitation measure, eleven families evicted from government land in Lakhimpur district will be resettled with free land allotments of 1 katha 5 lessa each.
The Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh will undergo a major infrastructure expansion with an investment of ₹357 crore. This will include new hostels, staff housing, nurses’ quarters, and a community hall. Construction is scheduled to begin within the next two weeks.
In response to a nearly 40 percent rainfall deficit in several districts, the Cabinet authorized the Revenue Department to declare drought relief measures in Baksa, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Dhubri, and Kokrajhar. Dibrugarh and Tinsukia are also facing similar conditions and may receive aid soon.
The Cabinet further extended medical reimbursement benefits to employees of state power utilities and Adarsha Vidyalayas, bringing them in line with regular government staff. Additionally, it was decided that future land access for industrial and oil exploration projects must be negotiated directly with landowners, with the government stepping in only to resolve disputes, streamlining the land acquisition process.
Today’s Cabinet decisions reflect a comprehensive approach to social welfare, economic development, and infrastructure growth, reinforcing the Assam government’s commitment to inclusive progress.
