Assam Cabinet takes key decisions including merger of analogous departments

* Merger of departments * Online liquor sales

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: State Cabinet has taken a slew of decisions, including the merger of analogous departments, declaration of drought-hit areas, online sales of liquor and streamlining the payment of advertisement bills of the media.

The Cabinet decided to merge the Guwahati Development Department) department and the Urban Development Department to form a new department – Housing and Urban Affairs. The decision is for the proper utilization of central funds.

The Cabinet also decided to merge the SAD (Secretariat Administration Department) with the GAD (General Administration Department) for smooth functioning as the works of the two departments are almost the same.

The Cabinet decided to form the Assam Institute of Research for Tribal and Scheduled Caste. The institute will work under the Department of WPT & BC (Welfare of Plain Tribes and Backward Classes).

To ease the crowd of people in front of wine shops at the time of closure following the COVID protocols, the Cabinet decided to allow liquor sale online on a trial basis for a month only in the Guwahati Municipal Corporation area. The Supreme Court and the Madras High Court issued such an order.

The clearance of advertisement bills of print and electronic media has been a meandering process. However, the Cabinet decided to empower the IPR Minister to directly approve necessary payment against the advertisement dues of print and electronic media houses. The IPR Department won't have to send the advertisement bill files to the Finance Department for the ceiling.

The Cabinet today decided to declare Golaghat and Sorupathar revenue circles as drought-affected areas. Revenue Minister Jogen Mohan, Irrigation Minister Ashok Singal and Finance Minister Ajanta Neog will visit the two revenue circles and fix the relief amounts.

The Cabinet also decided to declare the century-old bungalow of the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court a heritage building. The building will get a facelift soon.

The Cabinet decided provide employment under the MGNREGA during the winter season when tea production is less. The government will provide them works in pond excavation, road construction etc.

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