Assam cabinet approves Rs 3,284 crore to tackle low-voltage problems

CABINET DECISIONS

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The state Cabinet today took a slew of decisions, including some crucial ones to make power distribution flawless and measures to check the leakage of Excise Department's revenue.

To update the power distribution system in the state, the Cabinet today approved Rs 3,284 crore for the APDCL (Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd) to tackle low-voltage problems. The APDCL will spend the amount for the augmentation of the power distribution system through the installation of 196 new sub-stations, 2674 high-voltage transformers, 2605-km new 33-KV lines, 3018-km 11-KV lines, 40,000 new transformer meters and 1.80-lakh prepaid (smart) meters.

Secondly, to plug the leakage of Excise revenue, the Cabinet took some measures today. The Department will install electronic devices to minimize the leakage of revenue at manufacturing and distilling levels. IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor) consignments meant for Arunachal Pradesh mostly get sold in Assam, and this practice deprives the State government of Excise revenue. The Cabinet decided to issue transit passes to all liquor passing through the state, especially that coming to and from the neighbouring states.

To minimize the sale of 'sulai' and maximize the sale of country spirit liquor in the state, the Cabinet today reduced all fees meant for country liquor by 50 per cent. This move will make the country liquor cheaper. While 'sulai' is notorious for hooch tragedies, the country liquor is less illicit.

The award given away in memory of Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi was very irregular over the years. The Cabinet today decided to make the ward scrupulously a biennial affair. This award carries a citation and Rs 5 lakh. This year Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu will give away the award on October 3.

The other decisions of the Cabinet are –

(1) The names of all state civilian awards got changed from – Assam Ratna to Asom Baibhab, Assam Vibhushan to Asom Saurav and Assam Bhushan and Assam Shree to Asom Gaurav.

(2) Each LAC is to have an Adharsha Vidyalaya.

(3) The ex-gratia amount to the next of kin of Army/CAPF personnel martyred in the line of duty, within and outside Assam, got enhanced from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 50 lakh. This decision is also applicable to Assam Police, Home Guard and VDP personnel.

Also Read: Assam: APDCL Offers Surcharge Waiver Options To Customers In New One-Time Settlement Scheme

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