The Cabinet approved new tourism accommodation rules, eased regulations for private educational institutions, extended fair price shop licences and cleared land conversion reforms for small businesses and solar projects
Guwahati: The Assam Cabinet approved a series of reforms aimed at boosting industrial growth, education and tourism, including a proposal to allow automatic conversion of agricultural land for micro, khadi and allied enterprises as well as solar power projects.
Announcing the decisions after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Cabinet approved the Assam Regulation of Re-classification and Re-classification-cum-Transfer of Lands (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which will be introduced in the next session of the Assembly.
The proposed amendment seeks to eliminate the requirement for prior approval from district commissioners for converting agricultural land for eligible micro-industries, khadi enterprises and solar energy projects.
The Cabinet also approved amendments to the Assam Private Universities Act, 2007, reducing minimum land and endowment fund requirements to encourage greater private sector participation in higher education.
In addition, certain norms governing private schools were relaxed, including requirements related to land ownership, infrastructure and certification, to facilitate the expansion of educational institutions across the state.
To strengthen tourism infrastructure, the Cabinet approved the Assam Tourism Accommodation (Development and Registration) Rules, 2026. The rules provide a single-window registration mechanism for hotels, resorts, guest houses, homestays and other accommodation facilities, along with an automatic renewal system every three years.
Among other decisions, the Cabinet sanctioned Rs 9.75 crore to Assam Tea Corporation Limited (ATCL) for implementing a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) for executives and extended the validity of all Fair Price Shop licences in the state until December 31, 2026, to ensure uninterrupted distribution of foodgrains under the National Food Security Act.
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