Assam Cabinet Rolls Out Gaja Mitra Scheme
Guwahati: In a decisive cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Assam Government on Thursday approved several important initiatives aimed at strengthening community welfare, public service delivery, and administrative reforms. Among the major announcements was the launch of the Gaja Mitra Scheme to address the growing human-elephant conflict in eight high-risk districts—Goalpara, Udalguri, Nagaon, Baksa, Sonitpur, Golaghat, Jorhat, and Biswanath. The scheme envisions the formation of community-based voluntary monitoring and rapid response teams, comprising local youth who will assist forest officials during the peak conflict season coinciding with paddy cultivation.
In a significant move toward curbing unethical practices in private healthcare, the Cabinet approved the Standard Operating Procedure and regulatory guidelines for private nursing homes and hospitals. The new rules mandate the release of deceased patients’ bodies within two hours of death certification, irrespective of pending payments, and introduce strict penalties for non-compliance. A 24x7 helpline will be established to allow the public to report coercion, triggering immediate government and police intervention if necessary.
The Cabinet also sanctioned an increase in monthly honorariums for Gaon Pradhans from ₹9,000 to ₹14,000 starting October 1, 2025, extending the benefit to those in forest villages. In recognition of cultural custodians, celibate monks (Udasin Bhakats) residing in Assam’s Satras will receive a monthly stipend of ₹1,500. Students of Class X appearing for the 2026 HSLC examination under ASSEB-affiliated schools will receive ₹300 per month under the newly introduced Prerona Aasoni scheme, beginning November 1.
To support traditional artisans, a new scheme was approved to reimburse SGST paid by indigenous bell metal manufacturers, offering much-needed financial relief. Anganwadi Workers and Helpers will now receive increased monthly incentives of ₹8,000 and ₹4,000 respectively from October. The Cabinet also cleared the proposal to rename Rabindranath Tagore University as Rabindranath Thakur Vishwavidyalaya and de-notified two villages in Lakhimpur district where the protected tribal population has fallen below five percent.
These wide-ranging decisions reflect the government’s focused approach to inclusive development, traditional heritage, and accountability in public services.
