Guwahati, 22nd August: In a significant legislative move, the Assam government has introduced a bill aimed at waiving application fees for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates seeking government jobs. The Assam Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Vacancies in Services and Posts) (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was tabled in the Assembly on August 22 by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika, representing Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Currently, SC and ST candidates benefit from a reduced application fee compared to their general category counterparts. The proposed amendment seeks to eliminate these fees entirely, providing a complete waiver for SC and ST applicants. Chief Minister Sarma emphasized that this move aims to further equalize opportunities for SC and ST candidates, highlighting the financial impact of such a policy shift, which will reduce the total fees collected from these applicants.
In a separate legislative action, the Assam government has introduced The Assam Repealing Bill, 2024. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Jogen Mohan tabled this bill to repeal The Assam Moslem Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935, citing concerns that the existing law could facilitate underage marriages. The bill seeks to abolish outdated provisions and address issues related to the registration of marriages and divorces within the Muslim community.
These legislative efforts reflect the Assam government’s commitment to addressing both socio-economic and legal issues within the state, aiming to improve the inclusivity and efficacy of its policies.