Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday (May 18) chaired a weekly cabinet meeting in Guwahati where several key decisions were taken on initiating emergency flights between Silchar and Guwahati at subsidized rate, online medical reimbursement for Government employees, purchase of power to meet growing demand, framing of Assam State Food Security Rules, etc.
The following decisions were taken in the meeting of the Assam Council of Ministers:
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1. Emergency Guwahati-Silchar Flight:
– To mitigate communication crisis due to floods and landslides in Dima Hasao and Barak Valley, emergency flight service to be introduced between Silchar and Guwahati at a subsidised rate of Rs 3,000.
– Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) to sign MoU with Fly Big Airlines in this regard.
– Tickets to be available at special counters at DC Office, Cachar and ATDC’s head office at Paltan Bazar, Guwahati.
– For booking, contact: 8135902973/8638023921
– Pay online through UPI to 8135902973
2. Ensuring Promotion:
– One-time relaxation of educational qualification for Stenographers of Grade III & II for promotion to the post of Stenographers of Grade II & I of Assam Secretariat.
– Will ensure promotion benefits for eligible Stenographers, especially 14 Stenographers who have already completed more than 25 years of continuous service and will retire in the next 1-3 years without any promotion during their entire service tenure.
3. Employment Exchange: Register Without Aadhaar:
– Approval to non-Aadhaar based online registration in Employment Exchanges to alleviate the problems faced by individuals without Aadhaar cards.
– Will help numerous applicants who were unable to register in Employment Exchanges due to unavailability of Aadhar cards that have been kept on hold due to NRC-related issues.
4. Boosting Dairy Sector:
– Formation of a Joint Venture company between Govt of Assam and National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) approved.
– The JV company will be formed in line with the MoU signed on 7 January 2022 and with 50:50 share between GOA and NDDB as well as an initial share capital of 5 crore.
Objectives:
• Implement a comprehensive Assam Dairy Development Plan (ADDP) to achieve the target of handling 10 lakh litres per day (LLPD) of milk within a span of 7 years through cluster unions – ADDP to be implemented through Cluster Cooperative Unions and shall be selling milk and milk products under a common brand name.
• Set up modern dairy plants at 6 locations across the state with total capacity to handle 10 LLPD of milk.
• Strengthen the organised dairy sector through dairy farmers’ cooperatives (Cluster Unions) and help in doubling farmers’ income.
5. Boost to Forensic Science:
– In principle approval to establishment of Assam Campus of National Forensic Science University (NFSU).
– Transit campus to be established at GMCH till construction of permanent NFSU Assam campus.
– Benefits:
• Contribute to capacity building in Forensic Science.
• Create a pool of skilled Forensic experts.
6. Online Medical Reimbursement:
– Online Medical Reimbursement Module for government employees and their dependents, government pensioners and their spouses.
– Claim reimbursements to be done through dedicated IT portal to be managed by Atal Amrit Abhiyan Society.
– Benefits:
• To benefit around 30 lakh Govt employees, pensioners and their dependents.
• To reduce delay in medical reimbursement.
7. Meeting Power Demand:
– Approval to procurement of 495 MW from 3 x 660 MW coal-based power plant at Ghatampur, Uttar Pradesh from Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Limited from March 2023 at the rate of 4.52 per unit.
• Will ensure energy security in the coming years and enhance reliability of power
• A big step towards ensuring 24×7 power supply
8. Extension of Biotechnology Policy:
– Biotechnology Policy extended for a period of five years w.e.f. 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2027 to tap biotechnology sector’s potentials.
9. For Food Security:
– Assam State Food Security Rules, 2022 to be framed as per provisions of National Food Security Act, 2013.
– Benefits:
• Setting up of Internal Grievance Redressal Mechanism.
• State Govt to be empowered to constitute a State Food Commission with headquarters at Guwahati.
• Social Audit on functioning of Fair Price Shops under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
• Formation of Vigilance & Monitoring Committees at 4 levels – State level, District level, Block level & FPS level.
10. Relaxation in Renewal of Societies:
– Approval to State Amendment Bill for amendment to Societies Registration Act, 1860 to enable renewal beyond 1 year for a payment of Rs 2,000 per year as penalty.
11. Fillip to Recruitment of Engineers:
– Assam Technical Education Service Rules, 1981 to be amended to simplify direct recruitment of cadres through Assam Engineering Service Recruitment Board.
