Assam Cabinet approves Defence Park near Nellie, five ropeway projects and Rs 2,640 per quintal support for paddy farmers

Key facts

• The Assam Cabinet approved an additional Rs 200 per quintal for paddy farmers for the current Kharif Marketing Season, taking the total to Rs 2,640 per quintal, up from Rs 2,569 per quintal last year.
• The Cabinet allocated about 6,000 bighas (nearly 1,984 acres) of land near Nellie in Nagaon district for a Defence Park to host defence-equipment manufacturing units, to be handed over to the Industries and Commerce Department.
• A Ropeway Development Agreement was approved between the Assam government and National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) for five ropeway projects: Kamakhya Railway Station to Kamakhya Temple (1.43 km), Khanapara to Guwahati Railway Station (11 km), Ganganagar Part-VII to Bhuban Pahar Mahadev Temple (2.80 km), Jatinga Bird Watching Tower to Hempeupet Peak (3.50 km), and Agnigarh to Bhairabi Mandir (1.80 km).
• A joint company with 51% Centre and 49% Assam stakes will implement the ropeway projects; the Kamakhya route has made considerable progress while the other four are at the pre-Detailed Project Report stage.
• The Cabinet approved recommending a CBI probe into the causes of the July 2026 floods in Sivasagar and Charaideo districts.
• The Assam Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1964, were amended to provide dismissal from service for government employees found guilty of polygamy, via a new clause under Rule 9.
• A one-time administrative framework covering vacancy years 2027 and 2028, plus unfilled 2026 vacancies, was approved to speed up promotions and enable fresh recruitment.
• Thirteen State Level Sectoral Councils were approved under the 'Vikshit Assam' vision, each with a chairperson of Minister of State protocol status, a vice-chairperson and seven non-official members.
• The Cabinet approved 154 land proposals across 13 districts, including de-reserving 987 bighas of Village Grazing Reserve land under Dhekiajuli Revenue Circle in Sonitpur for 2,016 landless labourers and SC/ST members.
• Customised incentives under the Industrial and Investment Policy of Assam, 2019, were approved for M/s Progressive Innochem LLP (Rs 501 crore, over 200 jobs) and M/s Satyaratan Hotel (Rs 160 crore, over 400 jobs).
• The Assam Municipal Corporation Election Rules, 2022, were amended to introduce rotational reservation of the Mayor's post in Silchar Municipal Corporation for SCs, STs and women.
• Age relaxation for ex-servicemen applying for Assam government Grade 3 and Grade 4 posts was increased from two to five years beyond the general upper age limit.