Guwahati, 05 June (HS): Several important resolutions were adopted during the first Cabinet meeting of the expanded Assam Council of Ministers held on Friday. Briefing the media after the meeting, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a series of decisions concerning government employees, development projects and welfare schemes.

The Cabinet approved a two percent increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees. In another major decision, Grade-IV employees working in schools will receive benefits related to career advancement, while eligible employees will also be considered for promotion to Grade-III posts.

The state government further decided to enhance the MLA Local Area Development Fund. The allocation, which currently stands at ₹1 crore per legislator, will be increased to ₹1.5 crore. The fund is proposed to be raised further to ₹2 crore from April next year to accelerate development works in constituencies.

The Cabinet also announced that benefits under several government schemes will be made available to the public from August 1. Development-related schemes have remained pending due to the non-passage of the budget, but implementation is expected to begin after the upcoming Budget Session.

In a significant move, the government approved an expenditure of ₹500 crore over the next five years for the development of Dibrugarh as Assam’s second capital. State minister Prasanta Phukan will serve as the chairman of the authority overseeing the second capital region project.

The Chief Minister further informed that portfolios of ministers inducted into the expanded Cabinet are expected to be finalized within the next seven days. Responsibilities of district guardian ministers are likely to be assigned on Saturday.

The decisions are aimed at strengthening governance, improving employee welfare and accelerating infrastructure and development initiatives across the state.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash