Key decisions taken in state cabinet meeting on Tuesday

Dec. 22: A meeting of the State Council of Ministers was held at Janata Bhawan, Guwahati on Tuesday. The meeting was chaired by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. A number of important decisions were taken in this meeting:

• The Cabinet on 22 Dec approved the introduction of Assam Official Language Amendment Bill (which will replace the ordinance) for Bodo Language in Devanagari script as Associate Official Language.
• Approval for land acquisition through direct purchase of state highways and main roads of districts under ‘Assam Mala’ and external aid projects.
• Approval to bifurcate the Social Welfare Directorate was granted. The Social Welfare Department will now comprise of ‘Directorate of Women and Child Development’ and ‘Directorate of Social Justice and Empowerment’.
• Under the Rural Infrastructure Development Capital (RIDF), the Assam government will take a loan of Rs 91 crore from Nabard.
• Approval given for increase in job benefits for employees of National Health Mission (NHM) (increase in service up to 60 years, earned leave etc.).
• The Cabinet decided to introduce a bill for provincialization of the posts of Librarian in Degree Colleges.
• Approved proposal for amendment of Autonomous Council Acts of Kamtapur Autonomous Council, Moran Autonomous Council and Motok Autonomous Council. There will be provision for formation of interim government.
• Approval the formation of Bodo Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council.
• The state government to take over Kokrajhar Music and Fine Arts College in Kokhrajhar and Asom Sattriya Sangeet Mahavidyalaya in Jorhat.
• Even if there are no vacancies in state medical colleges, approval for the promotion of qualified doctors under the aegis of Indian Medical Council to be accorded.