Assam Tea Completes 200 Years: Govt Grants 3-Year Agri Tax Break

GUWAHATI: The state government of Assam has made several significant announcements during a cabinet meeting held in Guwahati. To commemorate the 200-year milestone of the Assam tea industry, the government has decided to grant tax exemption on agricultural income for a period of three years starting from April 1. This move aims to support and celebrate the tea industry's contribution to the state.

Additionally, the cabinet has approved the implementation of the Olympic Values Education Programme in 250 government and private schools across Guwahati. The program, to be carried out in collaboration with the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust, will receive a budget of Rs 6 crore from 2024 to 2027. Its primary focus will be addressing challenges such as sedentary lifestyles, lack of concentration, and school dropouts among adolescents.

"Olympic Values Education Programme to be implemented in 250 government and private schools across Guwahati in association with Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust for Rs 6 crore in 2024-27 and in this regard, the state cabinet approved for the signing of MoU with International Olympic Committee and Abhinav Bindra Foundation. The programme will address the challenges of a prevalent sedentary lifestyle, lack of concentration, and adolescents dropping out of school," Jayanta Malla Baruah said.

Furthermore, the cabinet has given the green light to the Assam Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, aligning it with the recommendations of the GST council. In line with this, the state will establish a State Bench of GST Appellate Tribunal with its headquarters in Guwahati.

"State Bench of GST Appellate Tribunal will be set up with headquarters at Guwahati. The Assam Right to Public Services (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 to be promulgated for amending Sections 8A and 8B of the Assam Right to Public Services Act, 2012 to improve the delivery of notified RTPS services and strengthen the RTPS appeal mechanism. The proposed amendments will ensure the setting up of an independent 3-member commission - Assam State Commission for Right to Public Services with a Chief Commissioner and two Commissioners - empowered to function as a quasi-judicial body," he added.

To enhance public service delivery, the Assam Right to Public Services (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 will be promulgated. This amendment aims to strengthen the Right to Public Services Act by amending Sections 8A and 8B. It proposes the formation of an independent 3-member commission, the Assam State Commission for Right to Public Services, empowered to function as a quasi-judicial body.

In the healthcare sector, the Assam ESI Doctors' Service Rules, 2000 will be amended to ensure the smooth administration of the Employees' State Insurance Doctors Service of Assam.

The cabinet has also approved the framework for the Digital Infrastructure for the DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) Schemes platform. This platform aims to streamline the disbursal of welfare benefits to citizens. Initially, an Integrated Social Registry will be established, incorporating the database of the Orunodoi and National Food Security Act (NFSA) schemes, including Aadhaar data. Subsequently, beneficiaries from other schemes will also be added to the registry, and the onboarding process for all DBT schemes of the state government will be carried out according to the timeline specified by the State Level Advisory Committee.

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