Assam Cabinet Announces Collective Visit to Ram Mandir; Approves New State University in Gohpur and Land Settlements

Desk Report, January 23, 2024 – In a significant decision, the Assam cabinet, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, announced today that all cabinet ministers will jointly visit the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on February 22 for the darshan of Ram Lalla. This unanimous decision was made during a cabinet meeting held on the day of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the temple.

Cabinet Minister Jayantamallah Baruah expressed gratitude to the honorable Prime Minister on behalf of the people of Assam, acknowledging the auspicious occasion. Baruah further stated, “On this auspicious day, the Assam cabinet extends thanks to the honourable Prime Minister on behalf of the people of Assam. Along with this, the Assam cabinet has taken a decision that all the cabinet ministers will together go to Ayodhya on February 22 and take darshan of Ram Lalla.”

Additionally, the cabinet approved the establishment of a new state-level university in Gohpur named after freedom fighter Swahid Kanaklata. The Swahid Kanaklata University Bill will be introduced in the upcoming assembly session.

Several other crucial decisions were made during the cabinet meeting, including the de-reservation of VGR/PGR land in Golaghat district, with equivalent land being reserved for VGR/PGR. The cabinet informed that the proposed VGR/PGR land is under the occupation of indigenous landless farmers before January 1, 2011.

Under the Mission Basundhara 2.0, the cabinet announced the settlement of land in favor of landless indigenous families in ten districts, including Sonitpur, Tinsukia, Dhemaji, Nagaon, Biswanath, Kamrup Metro, Kamrup Rural, Bongaigaon, Goalpara, and Dhubri. Land settlement for 418 landless indigenous families across urban and rural areas was approved, with 84% of the total offers for settlement given to applicants from SC/ST/OBC/MOBC categories.

Furthermore, the cabinet approved the release of Rs 400 crore as the second installment to the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) under the SOPD-G fund (Normal works) for the financial year 2023-24, aiming at the all-round development of the BTC.

In a bid to curb unfair practices during exams, the cabinet also approved the Assam Public Examination Measures & Prevention of Unfair Means In Recruitment Bill, 2024.