Assam Cabinet Approves Major Reforms: Modernized Police Service, Ease of Doing Business Bills, and Land Regulations
The Assam Council of Ministers, chaired by Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, met on Sunday at the Lok Sewa Bhawan to greenlight a series of major policy decisions. The approvals span police modernization, industrial growth, administrative easing, and land conservation.
Public Safety & Infrastructure
- ₹97.90 Crore for 112 Emergency Service: The cabinet approved a major overhaul to modernize the Assam Police’s 112 emergency response system.
- 200 vehicles will be converted into 24/7 mobile police stations.
- Citizens can access immediate assistance for law-and-order emergencies, fires, or accidents via a single call.
- Amul Dairy Unit: 33 bighas of land have been allotted in Biswanath Chariali to establish a new Amul dairy processing plant.
Boosting Ease of Doing Business & MSMEs
To cut red tape and accelerate industrial growth, the cabinet approved several new bills and amendments to be introduced in the upcoming Assam Legislative Assembly session:
- Assam MSME Bill, 2026: Small and micro enterprises will now be permitted to start operations without prior government approvals. (Note: This exemption does not apply to large or polluting industries).
- Assam Ease of Doing Business (Amendment) Bill, 2026: Approved for introduction to streamline corporate operations.
- Tourism Registration Simplification: Amendments to the Assam Tourism Development and Registration Act, 2024 will ease the registration process for hotels and homestays.
- Labor Law Alignment: The Assam Shops and Establishments Act will be amended to align seamlessly with central legislation.
Land, Urban Development, & Governance
- Stricter Land Regulations Near Cultural Sites: The cabinet approved an amendment to Chapter XII of the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation Bill. This will enforce stringent checks and increased transparency on the sale and purchase of land within a 5-kilometer radius of designated religious institutions and cultural monuments.
- Guwahati Satellite City Development Authority Bill, 2026: A completely government-driven authority will be created to manage satellite city development. The Chief Minister will serve as Chairman, while the Chief Secretary will head the Executive Committee.
- Assam Jan Vishwas Bill, 2026: This bill relaxes specific state rules concerning town and country planning, firefighting requirements, and land classification to simplify public compliance.
Revenue, Trade, & Agriculture
- Transit Fee on Forest Resources: The Assam Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2013 will be amended to boost state revenue. This includes introducing a transit fee on forest resources entering Assam from other states.
- Cabinet Committee for Agarwood Business: A new ministerial committee—comprising Ministers Pijush Hazarika, Bimal Borah, and Jayanta Malla Baruah—has been formed to streamline the agarwood trade. The Industries, Agriculture, and Forest departments will work together under this committee to maximize benefits for local farmers.
Relaxations for Government Employees
Foreign Travel Ban Lifted: Citing the easing of geopolitical tensions in West Asia, the government has withdrawn its previous austerity-driven ban on foreign travel for state officials. Employees can now travel abroad for personal reasons, official work, or training at their own expense, subject to prior government clearance.
