In a pivotal cabinet meeting, the Assam State Cabinet has formally approved the creation of the 10th Assam Police battalion. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that this new security force would be stationed in Sonapur, near Guwahati, with an allocated budget of ₹260 crore to ensure its robust establishment.
The meeting, which took place on Sunday, September 21, 2025, also brought welcome news for the state’s tea industry. A 20% bonus was sanctioned for workers in tea gardens operating under the Assam Tea Corporation, to be disbursed just in time for the festive celebrations of Durga Puja.
Addressing concerns about accessibility in public service recruitment, the cabinet made a landmark decision regarding the Combined Competitive (Preliminary) Examination (CCE) conducted by the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC). Moving forward, question papers for the CCE will be provided in both English and Assamese. This initiative aims to dismantle existing language barriers, particularly benefiting candidates from rural and vernacular backgrounds. However, a specific clarification was issued: the ‘Comprehension’ section of the General Studies Paper-II will continue to be set exclusively in English.
Furthering the state’s cultural infrastructure, the Council of Ministers also approved the operational entrustment of the impressive 5,000-capacity ‘Jyoti Bishnu Auditorium’ in Guwahati to the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra Society. This move is expected to bolster the region’s cultural activities.
Rounding off the key approvals, the cabinet also gave its nod to enhancing remuneration, improving leave entitlements, and introducing an annual appraisal format for the 65 dedicated Science and Mathematics Facilitators working under the Assam Science, Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC). These measures underscore the government’s commitment to supporting educators vital for the state’s scientific and mathematical development.