Guwahati: In the weekly Assam Cabinet meeting held under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma some major decisions were taken.
The state cabinet on Sunday did take 3 major decisions – holding combined competitive examinations for all gazetted posts, relaxation in the agroforestry sector and taking ADB loans for Assam Skill University.
The Chief Minister said, “From now, people can fell trees grown in their homestead and arable lands without any permission from the Forest Department. The trees include mango, Jamun, simolu, Chandan, Kadam, bamboo, devdaru, Shirish, agar, guava, etc. We have taken this step to boost the agroforestry sector. Due to restrictions on felling homegrown trees, the plywood industry cannot thrive in the state. We will also set up an agroforestry corporation to benefit the state farmers.
“From now, the APSC will hold the examinations for Grade A and Grade B posts along with the civil service examinations. The Cabinet today entrusted the APSC to recruit 48 types of additional posts. From now, the APSC will hold the combined civil service examinations once a year for all departments. Appointment to different types of posts will depend on the marks secured by the candidates in the combined examinations. It is a major APSC reform.
“We have a skill development university at Mangaldai. To upgrade it, we will take financial assistance to the tune of Rs 1,116 crore from the Asian Development Bank. The Cabinet approved this decision. “The Cabinet also approved the decision to take around Rs 800 crore from the World Bank to take measures to control floods by Buridehing and Beki rivers.”
