The Assam Cabinet on Thursday approved a range of welfare measures, including a hike in the monthly remuneration of Gaon Pradhans from ₹9,000 to ₹14,000. The revised pay, effective from October 1, will also apply to Gaon Pradhans in forest villages, as part of the Budget 2025–26 commitments.
To address rising incidents of human-elephant conflict, the Cabinet sanctioned the Gaja Mitra Scheme in eight high-conflict districts—Goalpara, Udalguri, Nagaon, Baksa, Sonitpur, Golaghat, Jorhat, and Biswanath. The scheme will establish 80 community-based monitoring and response teams during peak conflict periods aligned with the paddy cultivation season.
In a move to preserve cultural heritage, the Cabinet approved a monthly stipend of ₹1,500 for celibate monks (Udasin Bhakats) residing in Satras.
Additionally, the Cabinet enhanced the honorarium for Anganwadi Workers and Helpers. Effective October 1, Anganwadi Workers will receive ₹8,000 per month, while Helpers will get ₹4,000.
The education sector also saw a boost with the approval of the Prerona Aasoni scheme. Under this initiative, Class X students of ASSEB (Div-1) affiliated schools will receive ₹300 per month from November 1, 2025, until the 2026 HSLC examination.
To support traditional artisans, the government approved the Assam Goods and Services Tax (Reimbursement for Indigenous Bell Metal Industries) Scheme, 2025, allowing reimbursement of SGST paid by indigenous bell metal manufacturers.
The Cabinet also approved the renaming of Rabindranath Tagore University to Rabindranath Thakur Vishwavidyalaya.
