Assam Government Enhances NHM Support, Clears Land Rights for Over 1,300 Families

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday announced a series of major policy decisions after chairing the Assam Cabinet meeting, outlining measures that strengthen support for health workers, streamline university administration, improve pay structures for vocational staff, and expand land rights for indigenous families under Mission Basundhara.

Addressing the media, the Chief Minister said the government has approved a substantial enhancement of ex-gratia compensation for the families of deceased National Health Mission (NHM) employees. The amount has been increased from ₹5 lakh to ₹7.5 lakh, to be funded through the State Support Budget under NHM. Sarma noted that the step reinforces the state’s commitment to providing stronger social security cover to frontline health personnel and their dependents.

The Cabinet also moved to ensure stability in the functioning of North Lakhimpur University. An Ordinance amending Section 58 of the North Lakhimpur University Act, 2023, has been approved, allowing the first Registrar to continue in office for a period of three years or until a regular Registrar is appointed, whichever is earlier. The Chief Minister said this measure would help maintain uninterrupted administrative processes in the nascent university.

In the vocational education sector, the government has cleared a revised pay structure for 170 contractual staff at five mini ITIs located in Dudhnoi, Pathsala, Rangia, Biswanath Chariali and Titabor. Their base remuneration will be recalibrated with a 3% annual increment for the period 2015–2025, with the new structure coming into effect on January 1, 2026 and remaining valid for the following five years.

A major highlight of the announcements was the Cabinet’s approval for large-scale land settlement under Mission Basundhara. A total of 660 indigenous, landless families across Dhubri, Goalpara, Bongaigaon, Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, Golaghat, Nalbari and Barpeta will receive government land under the Mission Basundhara 2.0 review. Additionally, 712 indigenous families in Sonitpur, Barpeta and Golaghat will get settlement of Government Khas and Ceiling Surplus land under the Mission Basundhara Perpetual Services framework.

Chief Minister Sarma emphasised that the decisions reflect the state government’s unwavering focus on welfare, administrative reforms and equitable land distribution, ensuring that development benefits reach vulnerable and underserved communities.

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