Guwahati (Assam) [India], December 5 (HBTV): The Assam Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has approved key measures to enhance the state's infrastructure and education sectors. Among the notable decisions announced on Wednesday, the government has banned the serving and consumption of beef in restaurants, hotels, and public spaces across the state under the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021.
CM Sarma said the act has successfully regulated cattle slaughter and now aims to ensure public decorum regarding beef consumption.
Infrastructure Projects
The Cabinet also approved the expansion of the four-lane road leading to Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport into a six-lane road. The project, with a total estimated cost of INR 474 crore, includes an allocation of INR 116 crore from the state budget.
Education Reforms
The Cabinet decided to:
- Introduce a new literary pension named after renowned author Dr. Homen Borgohain. Individuals already receiving government pensions will get a one-time assistance of INR 50,000, and others will be eligible for a monthly literary pension, excluding government employees.
- Transfer Sanskrit Tols and Pali Tols from the Directorate of Higher Education to the Directorate of Secondary Education to streamline administrative management.
Future Development Initiatives
Chief Minister Sarma disclosed ambitious projects expected to be announced during the Advantage Assam Summit in February 2024. These projects, worth INR 1 lakh crore, include:
- Expansion of Bongaigaon Refinery by 5 million MT.
- Expansion of Namrup Fertilizer Plant (INR 10,000 crore).
- Guwahati Ring Road project and Kaziranga Elevated Corridor.
- Numaligarh-Gohpur road tunnel.
- Expressways from Guwahati to Barapani and Panchgram (INR 25,000 crore).
- A bridge over the Brahmaputra connecting Morigaon and Darrang.
- Satellite townships at Jagiroad and Palasbari (INR 10,000 crore).
- A railway link connecting Guwahati to Gelephu in Bhutan.
The CM also announced that Assam's cabinet expansion is scheduled for December 7.
(ANI)