Assam Cabinet Approves Financial Assistance for Class 10 Students, Strict Rules for Hospitals

The amount is intended to help students purchase essential academic and nutritional items.

In a Cabinet meeting held on July 10, chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Assam Government approved a series of welfare-oriented decisions focused on student support, healthcare regulation, and community development.

A major decision of the meeting was the approval of Prerona Asoni, a financial assistance scheme for Class 10 students studying in all ASSEB-affiliated schools. Under this initiative, students will receive Rs. 300 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) from November 1, 2025, until the HSLC examination in February 2026. The amount is intended to help students purchase essential academic and nutritional items. The application form fill-up for the scheme will be held from September 1 to October 31.

In a move to address complaints of coercive practices in private healthcare, the Cabinet approved a Draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and Regulatory Guidelines for nursing homes and hospitals. As per the new rules, hospitals must release the body of a deceased person within two hours of death certification, regardless of any pending payments. Failure to do so will invite penal action, and hospitals must report delays to the police and district health authorities within four hours. A toll-free 24×7 helpline (104) will be available for families to report such incidents.

Upon receiving a complaint, the designated authority must visit the site, ensure the release of the body if held wrongfully, and initiate legal action. Hospitals found guilty may face license suspension (for 3–6 months), a penalty of up to Rs. 5 lakh, blacklisting, or permanent deregistration in case of repeated violations.

To support traditional industries, the Cabinet approved the Assam Goods and Services Tax (Reimbursement for Indigenous Bell Metal Industries) Scheme, 2025. The scheme will reimburse 100% of the SGST paid by bell metal manufacturers, providing financial assistance to sustain and grow Assam’s indigenous craftsmanship.Under Mission Basundhara 3.0, the Cabinet has approved the allotment of government land for 127 State Government infrastructure projects in urban areas.

Additionally, land will be allotted to 2,329 non-governmental educational, religious, and socio-cultural institutions to support community-based development.The Cabinet has also increased financial assistance for Anganwadi functionaries. From October 1, 2025, the monthly state incentive for Anganwadi Workers will rise by Rs. 1,500, bringing the total to Rs. 8,000. Anganwadi Helpers will receive Rs. 4,000 per month after a Rs. 750 increase.

In a similar move, the monthly remuneration of Gaon Pradhans has been increased from Rs. 9,000 to Rs. 14,000, a change that also applies to Pradhans serving in forest villages.To mitigate human-elephant conflict, the Cabinet approved the launch of the Gaja Mitra Scheme in eight high-conflict districts, Goalpara, Udalguri, Nagaon, Baksa, Sonitpur, Golaghat, Jorhat, and Biswanath.

The scheme aims to promote coexistence and prevent wildlife-related damages through local engagement and rapid response mechanisms.In a culturally significant decision, the Cabinet approved renaming Rabindranath Tagore University to Rabindranath Thakur Vishwavidyalaya, aligning the name more closely with the original pronunciation of the Nobel laureate’s name.

Additionally, the Cabinet approved monthly financial assistance of Rs. 1,500 to eligible Udasin Bhakats, celibate monks residing in Satras across Assam. This initiative aims to support their spiritual responsibilities.

Also Read:

COMMENTS

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment *

Name *

Email *

Website

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment *

Name *

Email *

Website