Guwahati, Nov 26: In a significant move to further support microfinance borrowers, the Assam Cabinet has approved the rollout of AMFIRS Category III Phase 2 Relief under the Assam Microfinance Incentive and Relief Scheme (AMFIRS), 2021. This initiative aims to encompass borrowers with total liabilities between ₹25,001 and ₹50,000 as of March 31, 2021.
Addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting, Education Minister Ranoj Pegu and Transport Minister Keshab Mahanta said: “The relief will provide one-time support to over 78,000 borrowers, with a financial allocation of ₹223.26 crore.
This marks another milestone in fulfilling the government’s flagship electoral promise of easing the financial burden on borrowers who struggled to repay microfinance loans.”
“Since its inception, the AMFIRS scheme has been a transformative effort to restore the creditworthiness of microfinance borrowers by improving their repayment discipline,” Pegu and Mahanta said.
“Three categories of relief have been implemented under the scheme so far. Over ₹2,081 crore in total relief has been extended, benefitting nearly 12 lakh borrowers,” they said. The initiative is seen as a cornerstone of the government’s commitment to financial inclusion and the economic recovery of vulnerable sections of society, they claimed.
Land premium rates in urban areas:
The Cabinet has approved a proposal to rationalize land premium rates for urban areas, including Guwahati, aiming to make land settlements more accessible and affordable for applicants under various government schemes such as Mission Basundhara 2.0.
The settlement premium is now set at 10% of the applicable premium (based on the current zonal value) for obtaining a conditional Patta. The remaining premium will be treated as arrears, to be paid when the landholder applies for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to transfer the land through lease, gift, or sale.
The premium rate in respect of lands with RCC house standing will be 10% of the extant zonal value as down payment for getting such conditional Patta and 40% of the current zonal value as applicable as arrear premium at the time of grant of NOC.
The premium rate for lands where other type of houses is standing will be 3% of extant zonal value as applicable as down payment for getting such conditional Patta and 27% of the current zonal value as applicable as arrear premium at the time of grant of NOC.
However, such conditional settled lands in both cases shall be inheritable and mortgageable to banks. The cases where settlement has been made after payment of 100% applicable premium will not be reopened. The applicants who have already paid 30% of the applicable premium will also be given the benefit of this rationalised dispensation
VRS benefits for ASAMB employees:
The Cabinet has approved a Financial Sanction of ₹110 cr for payment of Voluntary Retirement Benefits/One one-time settlement to regular employees and Gratuity payment to Contingency menial and Fixed Payee employees of ASAMB as the first instalment. The balance amount shall be paid in the next instalment in April / May 2025
Sankardev Nagar renamed:
The cabinet renamed the district headquarters of Hojai from Sankardev Nagar as Srimanta Sankardev Nagar as a tribute to Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev’s invaluable contribution to the state.