Guwahati, July 18: The Assam Cabinet on Friday gave in-principle approval to declare a drought-like situation in five districts of Western Assam—Kokrajhar, Barpeta, Dhubri, Baksa, and Bongaigaon—following a 40 per cent deficit in rainfall.
The decision was based on data provided by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Central Ground Water Commission (CGWC).
Addressing the media after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the revenue department will issue the official notification. “After the declaration, we will be able to extend necessary support to the affected farmers,” he said.
He added that if the dry spell continues through July and August, paddy production in these districts will suffer a significant decline. Farmers who have enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) will be eligible to claim insurance benefits, and the revenue department will verify the number of such beneficiaries.
While rainfall has been adequate in Charaideo, Sivasagar, and Jorhat, Sarma noted that Dibrugarh and Tinsukia are also experiencing shortfalls.
The Cabinet also approved a key policy change to expedite hydrocarbon exploration in the state. It exempted such projects from the provisions of the Assam Regulation of Reclassification and Reclassification cum Transfer of Lands Act, 2015, subject to applicable premiums. This move aims to simplify land access for companies like Oil India Limited (OIL), ONGC, and other entities. These companies will now be allowed to directly purchase or lease land from owners through negotiated settlements. The revenue department will also develop an online portal to facilitate automatic land reclassification and payment processing.
In another major development, the Cabinet approved a ₹357.28 crore infrastructure project for Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh. The project includes the construction of residential quarters for faculty and staff, hostels for undergraduate and postgraduate students, a dining block, and other support facilities, covering a built-up area of 85,509 square metres.
The Cabinet also gave a green light to the establishment of a National University for Disability Studies. For this, 150 bighas of government land in the Chhaygaon Revenue Circle will be transferred to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The state has also waived ₹8.63 crore in premium to ensure the timely execution of the project, which the Chief Minister described as a milestone for inclusive development.
Under Mission Basundhara 3.0, the Cabinet approved digitalised land allotment and settlement for non-individual juridical entities. Separately, it approved land settlements for Dinesh Buragohain and 11 others in North Lakhimpur, waiving the government premium for plots measuring 1 Katha 5 Lechas each.
To mark 200 years of Assam Tea, the Cabinet sanctioned ₹342 crore for a one-time financial assistance scheme targeting tea garden workers. Each eligible worker—around seven lakh in total, excluding garden management—will receive ₹5,000 directly into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts under the “Mukhya Mantri Eti Koli Duti Paat” scheme.
In a move to improve healthcare benefits, employees of Assam’s power utilities and Adarsh Vidyalayas will now have the option to enrol in the Ayushman Asom-Mukhya Mantri Lok Sevak Arogya Yojana (AA-MMLSAY). Reimbursements will begin in the month of registration, and employees will be eligible for cashless treatment after one year of enrollment.
Finally, as part of its Advantage Assam 2.0 initiative, the Cabinet approved long-term land leases to attract private investment in healthcare and hospitality. Global Health Ltd. will receive 3.5 acres for a health infrastructure project, Lineage Healthcare Ltd. will receive 1 acre for women and child health services, and RJ Corp Ltd. will be allotted 1.75 acres for a hotel project. Additional incentives under the state’s Investment and Industrial Policy will also be extended to RJ Corp.
