In a significant economic move, the Assam Cabinet has sanctioned 24-hour operations for shops and business establishments within the municipal corporation areas of Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Silchar, providing business owners the option to operate every day of the week.

This decision is believed to facilitate vocational opportunities, raise income for small traders, and boost economic activity across the state.

During the announcement Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stressed that shops are allowed to function continuously, however, employees cannot exceed 48 hours of work per week in a single shift, thereby adhering to labour regulations. To enable prolonged operations, business owners are required to staff their establishments in multiple shifts.

“No mandatory weekly closure for shops in the designated cities. Liquor shops in Dibrugarh and Silchar can operate only until midnight. In other parts of Assam, business establishments can remain open until 2 AM. Employees must not exceed 48 work hours per week, and businesses must adopt a shift system,” Sarma said.

“This move will generate more employment opportunities for the state’s youth while ensuring fair work conditions,” Sarma said. He also noted that small traders will see an increase in income due to extended operational hours.

The Cabinet has given the green light for the construction of the MLA and Speaker’s hostel, and the Secretariat building in Dibrugarh is on track for completion within a year.

Additionally, the Cabinet has sanctioned the transformation of two Proposed Reserve Forests (PRFs)—Saraibaha in Kamrup and Pura Gaon in Bongaigaon—into Reserved Forests (RFs), thereby expanding Assam’s forest area by 700 hectares.

 

“The Cabinet gave its nod for relaxation of the upper age limit for National Health Mission (NHM) employees and nurses applying for various state health department posts,” he said.

Moreover, the Cabinet has endorsed the renaming of Goalpara Civil Hospital to honor Swahid Nidhanu Ram Rajbongshi, a freedom fighter active during 1942.

The Cabinet has also approved the implementation of health camps across all rural wellness centers, commencing on March 31.

“Abandoned school campuses resulting from school amalgamation will now be repurposed for government use. District Commissioners can also allow NGOs to utilize these properties, subject to state approval,” he said.

The cabinet also approved the establishment of the initial statues for Pragjyotishpur University and Auniati Viswavidyalaya.

The cabinet sanctioned the formation of a new development block in Semen Sisi Tangoni within the Jonai Legislative Assembly Constituency, located in Dhemaji district.

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The cabinet granted approval for amendments to three Autonomous Council Acts—Kamatapur, Moran, and Matack—permitting the addition of ST, SC, OBC, MOBC, and non-majority villages to their respective councils.