The first cabinet meeting of the BJP-led government in the state held under the chairmanship of chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal in Assam Secretariat on Monday took several key decisions in the interest of all sections of the people of the state.
As per the commitment of the new dispensation, the cabinet has decided to appoint 10 thousand TET qualified teachers in different schools of the state before March 31 next year. Moreover, decks have also been cleared to appoint seven hundred new doctors in government-run hospitals.
The cabinet has decided to upgrade Majuli Sub-Division to a full-fledged district and inaugurate it before August 31, 2016.
Moreover, in line with recommendations of Jahnu Barua Committee, it decided to rationalise entertainment tax and service charge for exhibition of cinema. The cabinet decided to reduce the service charges from Rs 40 per ticket to Rs 8 per ticket for non-AC cinema halls and Rs 12 per ticket for AC cinema halls. This would increase the proportion of proceedings of admission charges due to producers while the owners of cinema halls are duly compensated.
The cabinet decided to constitute “Silpi and Kalakaushali Kalyan Nidhi” for which Rs 1 to be collected from every cine-goer. This has been done to create a welfare fund for the cine-artistes and technicians and increase the share of the producers.
The cabinet approved constitution of district mineral foundation under the chairmanship of deputy commissioner with representatives from PRIs and other stake holders in each district. This foundation will be funded from fees to be paid by the mining lease holders as per central government norms. This fund will be used to relief and rehabilitation for those affected from mining activities.
In a move to perpetuate the memory and highlight the contributions of late Achyut Lahakar, concerted steps will be taken at his native village in Barpeta district. The cabinet has also decided to preserve the house of Swahid Kushal Konwar at Sarupathar in Golaghat district and convert it to a heritage building. The road leading to Swahid Kushal Konwar’s residence will also be repaired and renovated.
The cabinet has also given its nod to develop the house of Dr Bhupen Hazarika at Kuthari in Nagaon district as a unique and priced memorial to the cultural doyen.
As a mark of respect to the contributions made by journalists, the cabinet has decided to grant one time ex-gratia compensation of Rs 3 lakh to the next-of-kin of 45 journalists who lost their lives in various incidents of violence in the state.
The cabinet also approved Human Development Report 2014. The cabinet observed that as per report 77 per cent of the people of the state are not satisfied with the governance provided to them, the new government in the state will prepare “one hundred day action plan” focusing on good governance and ensuring extensive public participation in governance.
The cabinet also gave its nod to convene Budget Session of the Assembly from July 18, 2016 to August 12, 2016.
The cabinet also congratulated Angaraag ‘Papon’ Mahanta on winning the best Playback Singer (Male) Award at IIFA 2016 and conveyed its best wishes for all his future endeavours.
