Assam Cabinet Clears New Schemes for Villages, Workers, and Students

Assam Cabinet approved several welfare measures to improve rural livelihoods, education, and traditional industries. The decisions include increasing pay for Gaon Pradhans and Anganwadi workers, launching the Gaja Mitra Scheme to prevent human-elephant conflict, and financial support for students and artisans. These steps are part of the state’s broader 2025–26 Budget goals.

Hike in Pay for Gaon Pradhans and Anganwadi Workers

The Cabinet increased the monthly remuneration of Gaon Pradhans from ₹9,000 to ₹14,000, effective October 1, 2025. This increase will also apply to Gaon Pradhans in forest villages.

Similarly, the honorarium for Anganwadi Workers and Helpers was raised. Workers will now receive ₹8,000 per month, and Helpers will get ₹4,000. This move is aimed at improving their livelihood and encouraging better rural service delivery.

Gaja Mitra Scheme to Tackle Human-Elephant Conflicts

To address the growing issue of human-elephant conflict, the Cabinet approved the Gaja Mitra Scheme in eight conflict-prone districts—Goalpara, Udalguri, Nagaon, Baksa, Sonitpur, Golaghat, Jorhat, and Biswanath.

The scheme will set up 80 community-based monitoring and response teams to manage elephant movement during the paddy season, which is when conflicts usually increase. This plan focuses on human safety and wildlife conservation.

Support for Monks and Students

A monthly stipend of ₹1,500 will now be given to celibate monks (Udasin Bhakats) living in Satras (religious monasteries) to help preserve Assam’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.

In education, the Cabinet approved the Prerona Aasoni Scheme, under which Class X students of ASSEB (Div-1) schools will receive ₹300 per month from November 1, 2025 until their HSLC exams in 2026.

Help for Artisans and Renaming of University

To support local artisans, the government launched the Assam GST Reimbursement Scheme for Indigenous Bell Metal Industries, 2025. This scheme will refund SGST paid by traditional bell metal manufacturers, helping them stay competitive.

The Cabinet also approved the renaming of Rabindranath Tagore University to Rabindranath Thakur Vishwavidyalaya to better reflect Assamese pronunciation and cultural identity.