Guwahati, September 24, 2026: The Assam Cabinet has cleared a wide range of proposals aimed at strengthening agriculture and fisheries, supporting industries, improving access to essential commodities and expanding infrastructure across the state.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the decisions were taken at the Cabinet meeting on Thursday and highlighted several measures, including a ₹796.88-crore wetland and fisheries transformation project, financial assistance for farmers and agripreneurs, subsidised essential food items and land allocation for an agriculture college in Patharkandi.
A major decision was the approval of the Assam Sustainable Wetland and Integrated Fisheries Transformation (SWIFT) Project, estimated at ₹796.88 crore. The initiative will focus on restoring degraded community wetlands and strengthening fisheries-related infrastructure. The project is expected to cover restoration and rehabilitation of 102 derelict community beels, along with activities related to fish stocking, infrastructure development, equipment support, livelihood generation and entrepreneurship.
The Cabinet also approved subsidised distribution of sugar and masur dal at ₹100 through Fair Price Shops for October. The measure is among the decisions taken ahead of the festive season.
Support for farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs was another significant part of the Cabinet decisions. The government approved guidelines for providing assistance towards the mandatory promoter’s contribution under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF). For collective organisations such as Farmer Producer Organisations, Farmer Producer Companies, Primary Agricultural Credit Societies and cooperatives, the state government will bear the full 10 per cent promoter contribution. In the case of individual beneficiaries, the government will contribute 5 per cent, with the beneficiary responsible for the remaining 5 per cent.
The Cabinet also approved the allocation of land for establishing a College of Agriculture at Patharkandi. A total of 256 bighas of land at Pratapgarh has been earmarked for the proposed institution, which is expected to expand agricultural education opportunities in the region.
Industrial development also featured prominently in the Cabinet’s decisions. The government approved customised incentives for JK Lakshmi Cement Limited under the Industrial and Investment Policy of Assam, 2019. The company has proposed an investment of around ₹11,000 crore for a clinker manufacturing unit and associated cement grinding facilities.
Another industrial infrastructure decision involved the allocation of 504 bighas of land in Hajo Revenue Circle for the establishment of an industrial estate in Kamrup district.
To strengthen Assam’s spice sector, the Cabinet approved a Spice Laboratory of the Spices Board in Guwahati. The facility is intended to provide testing and certification services for spices, helping producers and exporters access such facilities within Assam rather than sending samples outside the state.
The Cabinet also approved the Assam Muslim Marriage Registration (Compulsory) Rules, 2026, under the Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, 2024. The rules are intended to provide a uniform procedure for compulsory registration of Muslim marriages across the state.
In another decision concerning self-help groups, the government approved a one-time exemption for women SHG members who have not yet enrolled for Aadhaar. Eligible beneficiaries will be allowed to complete their Aadhaar enrolment until March 31, 2027.
The Cabinet further approved a State Capital Investment Subsidy for eligible manufacturing units covered by the substantive provisions of the Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialization Scheme (UNNATI), 2024, but which could not obtain registration under the scheme within the prescribed period.
The decisions also included measures concerning tea garden workers and the Orunodoi scheme ahead of Durga Puja. The government approved a 20 per cent bonus for Assam Tea Corporation Limited gardens and increased the October Orunodoi payment to ₹1,500 from ₹1,250. October 17 has also been declared an additional holiday in connection with the festival.
The Cabinet’s latest decisions cover multiple sectors, with the government focusing on wetland restoration, fisheries, agricultural infrastructure, industrial investment, food distribution, social welfare and education as part of its broader development agenda for Assam.
