The Assam cabinet approved the recruitment of approximately 10,000 government employees on Wednesday, according to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
It also cleared a reservation in top government positions for retired officers of the armed forces in order to improve work culture, he said.
Sarma told reporters after chairing a cabinet meeting at the Gandhi Mandap here that the recruitment decision was in line with the state’s promise to provide one lakh government jobs.
“The cabinet has today approved the third Assam Forest Battalion, with an intake of 1,100 personnel and based in Lakhimpur. Another 1,700 vacant posts in the Forest Department will also be filled up,” He stated.
He stated that approximately 6,000-7,000 appointments in the Education Department, both regular and contractual, have been cleared, and that advertisements for these positions will be published by December 31.
He added that the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) will soon advertise for around 700 positions.
“We have already recruited 40,000 people. Another 30,000 are in the process — like some awaiting results. For the remaining 30,000, we want to at least publish the advertisements by January 30. We are committed to keeping our promise of one lakh jobs,” According to the chief minister.
Sarma stated that the cabinet meeting was held at the Gandhi Mandap to encourage people to visit the site more frequently and be inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals.
He stated that the Cabinet has approved a 2% reservation for ex-servicemen in grade 1 and 2 posts in order to improve the work culture in government offices.
He also stated that it was decided to provide one government job to families of police personnel killed in counter-insurgency operations in the state since 1985, which will benefit over 400 families.
“This was a long overdue moral obligation that we are trying to fulfil now,” he explained.
According to Sarma, more than Rs 500 crore has been approved for the construction and renovation of 162 police stations. The one in Palashbari, Kamrup district, will be developed as an integrated police station, with living quarters for all staff on the top floors of the new building.
According to Sarma, the cabinet also approved renaming the Assam Police Training Academy in Dergaon after legendary Ahom general Lachit Borphukan.
The chief minister stated that the cabinet has decided to discontinue the ‘Adoroni’ scheme, which provided new mothers with transportation back home from hospitals after delivery.
“Most women make their own transportation arrangements. Hence, from now on, we will transfer Rs 700 directly to the bank accounts of the new mothers who come for delivery at government facilities. It will benefit around 5 lakh women, whereas only about 1.5 lakh women were availing the ‘Adoroni’ scheme,” he said.
According to Sarma, it was also decided to provide ration cards to an additional 40 lakh people, who will be able to obtain free rice through it.
In addition, the cabinet approved a joint venture between Assam Power Distribution Corporation Ltd (APDCL) and ONGC to build a 250 MW solar power plant.
The cabinet also approved the first instalment of annual grants for the Bodoland Territorial Region, as well as funds for APDCL to cover the subsidy it provides to various categories of consumers under government schemes.