Several key decisions taken in Assam Cabinet meeting held on Monday

way2barak, Dec.19: In the weekly Assam Cabinet on December 19, several key decisions related to development of new township in Jagiroad, improving EoDB indices, granting industry status to Tourism, repealing 9 Acts, improving working conditions, providing social security net to motor transport workers, etc., among others were taken. The Cabinet Meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma.

KEY DECISIONS: 

❖ Towards improving EoDB indices:

To reduce compliance burden & improve State’s ‘Ease of Doing Business’ indices, approval to The Assam Regulated and Licence Warehouses (Amendment) Bill, 2022 that seeks to amend Section 32 going towards decriminalisation

❖ Streamlining compliance process:

• If Removal of the provision of imprisonment in ‘The Factories Act, 1948’ to ensure ease of operations for employers
• Decriminalisation and subsequent provision of strong deterrents with heavy fines will streamline compliance process, which will encourage investment and ensure ease of doing business for employers

❖ New Township to decongest Guwahati:

• For providing affordable housing to citizens while ensuring decongestion of Guwahati, approval to
  Satellite Township in 550-acre land of erstwhile Nagaon Paper Mill, Jagiroad (along with fringe area)
• Notifying GMDA as Special Implementing Agency for development of the proposed township and provide municipal service delivery till municipal organisation is formed.

❖ Improving working condition:

Introduction of ‘The Assam Shops and Establishment (Amendment) Bill, 2022’ in ensuing Assembly session to improve working condition of workers

Aims:

Eliminate licencing bureaucracy, improve working conditions, create more employment opportunities and provide a favourable environment for doing business in Assam.

Objectives:

• Introduction of concept of Facilitator (Inspector to play an advisory/facilitator role)
• Introduction of concept of self-declaration and self-certified documents by employers for registration of shops & establishments
• Issuance of labour identification card number to employer
• Establishments with 5 or more workers to be registered under the Act
• Prohibition of discrimination against women workers with regard to recruitment, promotion, transfer and wage
• Identity card to workers
• Welfare provisions to workers like crèche facilities, first aid, canteen, etc.

❖ Extending social security net:

• Introduction of ‘The Assam Transport Workers’ Social Security Scheme, 2022′ under provisions of sub-section 4 of Section 3 of Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008
• The scheme to provide social security to motor transport workers against injury, physical disability, major diseases, educational help to their children, etc
• Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Board will have a fund to devise and implement welfare measures
• 71 Fund to be created by:
  (i) Grant-in-aid received from the Central and State govts
• (i) All contributions made by beneficiaries
  (iii) All sums received from collection of Cess
• (iv)Contribution from the revenue collected by Assam Transport Authority

❖ Bills to repeal 9 Acts:

Introduction of 9 repealing Bills in ensuing Assembly session to reduce compliance burden and improve ‘Ease of Living’ and ‘Ease of Doing Business’ (EoDB)

1. The Assam Taxation (Procedure for Rounding of Offences) (Repealing) Bill, 2022 [Finance Taxation]
2. The Assam Taxation (Transfer of Reference Application) (Repealing) Bill, 2022 [Finance Taxation]
3. The Assam Taxation Law Validation (Repealing) Bill, 2022 [Finance Taxation]
4. The Assam Rural Development Cess (Repealing) Bill, 2022 [Finance Taxation]
5. The Tinsukia and Dibrugarh Electricity Supply Undertakings (Acquisition) (Repealing) Bill, 2022 [Power Dept]
6. The Assam Local Authorities Grants (Charged) (Repealing) Bill, 2022 [DoHUA]
7. The Assam Protection of Interest of Deposit (in Financial Establishment) (Repealing) Bill, 2022 [Finance (IF)]

Junking obsolescence:

Introduction of Bills to repeal obsolete Acts in ensuing Assam Legislative Assembly session

8) The Assam Darrang and Lakhimpur Districts (Assimilation of Laws on State Subjects) (Repealing) Bill, 2022.

9) The Public Gambling (Extension to Mizo District) (Repealing) Bill, 2022.

❖ Big boost to Tourism:

• Industry status granted to Tourism sector
• Incentives available under State Industrial Policy extended to units in Tourism sector
• This facility will be extended to only investments which are permanent in nature
• Tourism units Hotels/ Motels/ Budget Hotels/ Lodges (3 star & below)
• Heritage Hotels/ Bungalows/ Luxury Eco-lodges
• Camping sites
• Restaurants/ Cafeterias
• Health Clubs/ Spas/ Wellness Centres
• Amusement Parks/ Adventure Parks/ Sports, Water Sports
• Animal Safaris
• Tour Operator Services
• Ropeways
• Museums