Guwahati: In a significant move to boost community participation in flood mitigation efforts, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the formation of local embankment monitoring and flood preparedness committees.
The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting and shared with the media during a subsequent press conference. These committees, to be constituted at the district, co-district, and embankment levels, will work closely with local authorities to ensure regular inspections and preventive measures.
Each committee will include water resources department officials and 10 to 15 volunteers who will be equipped with raincoats, gumboots, and torchlights for field duties.
Promoting linguistic inclusivity was another key highlight of the Cabinet decisions. From April 14, marking the first day of the Assamese New Year (Bohag), all government office memorandums will be issued in both Assamese and English. In Barak Valley, Bengali will be used in addition to these languages, while in the Bodoland Territorial Region, Bodo will also be included.
The Cabinet also approved the creation of the Assam Climate Centre for Cities, a dedicated institution aimed at strengthening climate action in urban regions through targeted policy suggestions and interventions.
In an effort to curb social evils, a comprehensive policy to combat human trafficking and eradicate witch-hunting was given the green light, with the women and child development department appointed as the nodal agency.
Addressing the need for secure accommodation for women, the Cabinet sanctioned the construction of a state-of-the-art hostel in Jagiroad for 1,000 working women at an estimated cost of Rs 142 crore. This move is expected to provide a safe and supportive environment for the female workforce.
The tea garden community also saw a major welfare push, with the Cabinet approving the formation of a management committee for the ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath Community Hall-cum-Skill Centre’ project. With an investment of Rs 750 crore, these centres are being built across 500 tea gardens to provide both community and skill development facilities.
Additionally, a sum of Rs 190 crore was sanctioned under the ‘State Government Budget for Free Drugs Services’ scheme, aimed at drastically reducing the healthcare burden on the public by ensuring free access to essential medicines.