Guwahati, Dec 5: The Assam Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has approved several key initiatives aimed at promoting holistic development in the state. The decisions, made during a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, focus on infrastructure improvement, education, and recognizing literary contributions.

One of the key decisions is the ban on the serving and consumption of beef in public places, including restaurants and hotels, aligning with the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, passed in 2021. The government aims to build upon the success of the Act, which has curtailed cattle slaughter, by extending the prohibition on beef consumption in public spaces.

In terms of infrastructure, the Cabinet approved the conversion of the four-lane road leading to Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport into a six-lane road. The project, with a total cost of Rs. 474 crore, will receive Rs. 116 crore in funding from the state budget.

Additionally, the Cabinet decided to institute a literary award in honor of renowned Assamese writer Homen Borgohain. The award will be granted to pensioners, with a one-time financial assistance of Rs. 50,000 provided to those already receiving pensions. The monthly literary pension will also be extended to individuals outside the government sector.

The Cabinet also approved the transfer of Sanskrit and Pali Tols from the Directorate of Higher Education to the Directorate of Secondary Education for better management and oversight.

Chief Minister Sarma also highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to announce development projects worth Rs. 1 lakh crore during the Advantage Assam Summit in February 2024. These projects include the expansion of Bongaigaon Refinery, Namruo Fertiliser Plant, new road corridors, and a railway link to Bhutan.

Finally, the Cabinet announced that an expansion of Assam’s Cabinet will take place on December 7, 2024, further advancing the state’s development agenda.