Assam Cabinet approves arms licences for indigenous people in vulnerable areas

HORNBILL TV

The Assam Cabinet has approved the granting of arms licences to original inhabitants and indigenous Indian citizens residing in vulnerable, remote, and border areas of the state.

Guwahati (Assam) [India], May 29 (HBTV): The Assam Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has approved the granting of arms licences to original inhabitants and indigenous Indian citizens residing in vulnerable, remote, and border areas of the state.

The decision, taken during a Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati, aims to enhance the security of people living in high-risk regions.

The Cabinet approved a Special Scheme for Grant of Arms Licences to these communities. Speaking on the decision, Chief Minister Sarma said: ‘This scheme will act as a deterrent to unlawful threats and enhance the personal security and confidence of such individuals and communities.’

In another major move, the Cabinet sanctioned an INR 250 crore proposal for upgrading 34 polytechnic institutes and 43 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into Centres of Excellence. The initiative will be carried out in collaboration with Tata Technologies Limited to strengthen skill development and increase employment opportunities across Assam.

To honour notable figures from the state, the Cabinet also approved the renaming of three prominent institutions:

  • Sarusajai Sports Complex will be renamed Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex

  • Mangaldoi Stadium will become Raja Dharma Narayan Stadium

  • State Institute of Panchayat and Rural Development will be renamed Golap Borbora State Institute of Panchayat and Rural Development

In the energy sector, the Cabinet approved land allotment by Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) to Greenko Energies for a 900 MW off-stream Pumped Storage Project in West Karbi Anglong.

Further, to support agricultural expansion, the Cabinet approved relaxations in land category norms for oil palm cultivation under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), enabling more farmers to benefit from the scheme.

Additionally, the state government has announced new incentives for electronics component manufacturers. In an effort to strengthen Assam’s electronic manufacturing ecosystem, CM Sarma said the state will offer additional benefits on top of the central government’s existing schemes. Assam has earmarked INR 25,000 crore as incentives, with plans to provide 60 per cent extra incentives to manufacturers setting up units in the state.

(ANI)