Approval by Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma’s Cabinet to Rename Dibrugarh Airport after Dr. Bhupen Hazarika

M. Hashim Ali,Dibrugarh,Rongili Barta-  On May 10, marking the fourth anniversary of the government led by Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, several important decisions were taken during the weekly cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister. On this special day, one of the key decisions taken was the renaming of the Dibrugarh Airport to “Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Airport”. Additionally, several other significant initiatives were approved, including the launch of a financial assistance scheme for tea garden workers in Assam, the approval of guidelines for the Jeevan Prerana scheme, and the expansion of benefits under the Apon Ghar and Apon Bahan schemes. The meeting was held at the Janata Bhawan in Dispur. After the meeting, the Chief Minister briefed the media about the cabinet decisions. As announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the cabinet approved the proposal to rename the Dibrugarh Airport after Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. A one-day session of the Legislative Assembly will be held next month to formally approve the proposal, following which it will be forwarded to the central government.In the same cabinet meeting, approval was also given to the “Eti Kali Duti Paat” scheme, under which each permanent and temporary tea worker will receive a one-time financial aid of ₹5,000. Moreover, the benefits of the Apon Ghar and Apon Bahan schemes, previously meant for government employees, will now be extended to employees of NHM (National Health Mission), SSA (Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan), Samagra Shiksha, three departments under the Power Department, and profit-making corporations and boards.The cabinet also approved a 50% increase in housing rent allowance for master roll workers and casual employees, which will benefit 13,822 workers. Additionally, the cabinet approved the Chief Minister’s Jeevan Prerana Scheme, under which candidates appearing for various interviews will receive ₹2,500 per month for a year. However, students from private educational institutions will not be eligible.Research scholars from universities will receive a one-time grant of ₹20,000, while differently-abled research scholars will be provided ₹40,000. To promote electronics manufacturing, the central government has launched an Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme, which Assam has supplemented with its Assam Electronics Component Manufacturing Top-up Scheme. This has also been approved by the cabinet.Furthermore, under the Assam Cooperative Societies Act, 2007, the cabinet approved a proposal to reduce the registration fee for cooperative societies from 1% of authorized share capital to 0.5%. This will apply to both new cooperatives and existing ones that seek to revise their authorized share capital. In another decision aimed at promoting pumped storage solutions, the cabinet approved the Assam Pumped Storage Energy Policy 2025. The goal is to establish Assam as a hub for pumped hydro storage energy. The policy includes favorable incentives, a dedicated single-window clearance cell, and other benefits.This decision to rename the airport is part of the government’s broader efforts to commemorate the birth centenary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, a move widely welcomed by various organizations and institutions.