Guwahati, June 4: The Assam Cabinet on Wednesday greenlit a series of major development projects, including the establishment of a cutting-edge university, massive infrastructure upgrades, and significant welfare schemes.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that Rs 400 crore has been approved for the construction of Swahid Kanaklata University at the Bholaguri Tea Estate in Gohpur.
“This will be Assam’s first university focused on Industry 4.0 and 5.0 technologies like AI, robotics, and quantum computing,” Sarma said.
Experts from IIT Guwahati and JNU will develop the curriculum, aligning it with global academic and industrial standards. The initiative also fulfils an electoral promise made by the ruling party.
Land for the university will be acquired from nearby tea labourers, who will be resettled on the campus and given priority in third and fourth-grade jobs. “I’ve personally spoken to them, and they’ve agreed,” Sarma added.
In a record investment, the Cabinet approved Rs 3,875 crore to upgrade 348 km of roads in Dima Hasao to national highway standards.
“This is the single largest investment ever made by the state in the hill district,” Sarma said, citing tourism potential as a key driver. The World Bank will fund 80% of the project through a loan, with the state covering the remaining 20%. Work will begin post-monsoon.
The Cabinet also approved CM’s Utkarsha Scheme, a one-time financial aid of Rs 15 lakh will be provided to each of the 300 Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
The Cabinet gave its nod for CM’s Jiban Onuprerona Scheme to provide financial assistance for research scholars- Rs 25,000 for scholars in government universities and Rs 40,000 for PwD researchers.
Scholars employed in government departments are ineligible under this scheme which will be available year-round, with Rs 1,450 crore sanctioned.
The cabinet also approved granting Rs 10,000 for each women’s Self Help Group (SHG) under CM’s Mahila Udyamita scheme, Rs 2 lakh for unemployed youth under Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan The schedule for distribution of grants to be released on June 9. Combined funds raised to Rs 4,500 crore, up from Rs 3,000 crore last year for the implementation of the scheme.
The cabinet also approved Rs 843 crore in a single instalment for better planning in the Bodoland Territorial Council.
The cabinet also decided to rename all SPs, as SSPs across the state.
“All Superintendents of Police (SPs) across Assam will now be officially designated as Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), with uniforms updated to include two stars and an Ashoka Chakra,” Sarma added.
