Assam Cabinet okays inclusion of 16 more villages in BTR

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 9, 2024

The Assam Cabinet on Friday okayed the proposal for the inclusion of 16 more villages in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) as per clause of the Third Bodo peace Accord signed on January 27, 2020.

“I announced in my Independence Day speech last year that 60 villages of Sonitpur and Biswanath district would be included in the BTR. 41 villages have been already included. Now the Cabinet gave its nod for the inclusion of 16 more villages. In the case of three villages, the cabinet authorized me to review the population of the Bodo community in the villages,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

“To provide succour to small traders from challenges faced due to the notices issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Taxes on GST-related matters, the Cabinet has accepted the report of the Cabinet sub-committee set up to deliberate upon this matter,” Sarma said.

“Basis the findings about doubtful algorithms and other parameters, 10,484 cases of 2017-18 and 15,529 cases of 2018-19 can be taken for Suo moto rectification u/s 161 of Assam GST Act 2017 on a case-to-case basis within 3 months under the ambit of the GST law,” he said.

“For cases about 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22, the notices generated based on Big Data Analytics Software (BDAS) shall be dealt with as per guidelines of the new SOP. The threshold for notices to be issued with the assistance of BDAS will be Rs 5 lakh,” the Chief Minister said.

“The issues are expected to be resolved within 3 months judiciously to ensure no harassment to taxpayers/Traders and compliance with the GST framework,” he said.

“To boost the state’s prospects as a preferred destination for setting up manufacturing base of Electronics & Information Technology, the Cabinet has accorded approval to Land & Space Lease Management Policy, 2024 for Information Technology Parks/Electric Manufacturing Clusters in the state,” he also said.

This policy would enable the investors/potential investors to access a defined framework for occupancy of land/built-up space at IT Parks/EMCs in Assam and shall apply to all the lands and built-up spaces, placed at the disposal of Assam Electronics Development Corporation Limited (AMTRON) by the Assam government.

The policy will support Tech City projects in generating 8,000 direct and more than 1,00,000 indirect employment potential.

To ensure that the aspirations of the Moran and Matak communities are fulfilled and they get adequate representation, the Cabinet has approved an amendment to the Moran Autonomous Council Act, 2020 (as amended) and Matak Autonomous Council Act, 2020 (as amended) to enhance the numbers of constituencies from 22 to 27 each in both the Councils for placing before the Assam Legislative Assembly

Upon amendment, both the General Councils will consist of 30 members each of which 27 will be directly elected and 3 will be nominated by Govt in concurrence with the Autonomous Councils from amongst the group of communities residing in the Council areas and not otherwise represented in the General Council

“22 seats each will be reserved for Moran and Matak communities respectively. 4 seats will be reserved for Women in both Councils,” the Chief Minister said.

The Cabinet also accorded approval to The Assam Secondary Education (Provincialised Schools) Service (Third Amendment) Rules, 2024 and The Assam Secondary Education (Government Schools) Service (Third Amendment) Rules, 2024.

These amendments will regulate the conditions of service and shall facilitate the recruitment of Graduate Teachers (Mathematics) in Provincialized and Govt Schools in the State.

“This decision will facilitate the availability of 1,766 Graduate Teachers (Mathematics) across Assam and enhance the quality of maths teaching for secondary students of the State,” Sarma said.

The Cabinet further accorded approval to the engagement of 221 Grade IV posts (on a contractual basis) to ensure smooth working of the 2 Engineering Colleges and 11 Polytechnics.