- Assam Cabinet raises pay for Gaon Pradhans and Anganwadi workers to improve rural livelihoods.
- Launch of Gaja Mitra Scheme with 80 community teams in 8 conflict-prone districts to prevent human-elephant conflicts.
- New social support schemes include Prerona Aasoni stipends for students and GST reimbursements for bell metal artisans.
Assam Cabinet has recently approved important new welfare schemes including the Gaja Mitra Scheme to prevent human-elephant conflicts, along with reforms to improve rural livelihoods and preserve culture. These policies, announced on July 14, 2025, show a strong effort to protect communities, encourage education, and support traditional industries in the state.
Improving Rural Livelihoods: Pay Raises for Gaon Pradhans and Anganwadi Workers
Understanding the important role of village-level officials and workers, the Assam Cabinet has approved an increase in their monthly pay starting October 1, 2025. Monthly pay for Gaon Pradhans has gone up from 2,000 to 14,000, including those in forest villages. This raise aims to improve their living conditions and encourage better service in rural areas.
Similarly, Anganwadi Workers will now get 8,000 per month, and Anganwadi Helpers pay has increased to 4,000. This rise is meant to support these frontline workers and make sure essential services continue smoothly for rural families and children.
Gaja Mitra Scheme: Preventing Human-Elephant Conflicts
Gaja Mitra Scheme is a community-focused effort to lower incidents of human-elephant conflict, a big issue in Assam’s farming areas during the paddy season. It aims to protect both people and wildlife through teamwork.
Target Districts and Details of Gaja Mitra Scheme
This scheme focuses on eight identified conflict-prone districts: Goalpara, Udalguri, Nagaon, Baksa, Sonitpur, Golaghat, Jorhat, and Biswanath. To manage elephant movements and reduce conflicts, 80 community monitoring and response teams are set up across these areas.
These teams will work closely with local people and forest officials to watch elephant movements, raise early warnings, and take steps to reduce crop damage and injury risks during peak conflict times.
Support for Students and Monks
To encourage Assam’s cultural and educational heritage, the Cabinet approved two important support schemes:
Celibate monks (Udasin Bhakats) living in Satras will get a monthly stipend of 1,500. This support helps keep Assam’s rich spiritual traditions alive by assisting those dedicated to religious life.
Under the Prerona Aasoni Scheme, Class X students of Assam Secondary Education Board (ASSEB) Division 1 schools will receive 300 monthly from November 1, 2025, until their High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) exam in 2026. This scheme aims to reduce financial pressure and encourage regular school attendance.
Assam GST Reimbursement Scheme for Indigenous Bell Metal Artisans
Traditional bell metal artisans are a key part of Assam’s cultural economy. To strengthen this sector, the government introduced the Assam GST Reimbursement Scheme for Indigenous Bell Metal Industries, 2025. This scheme refunds the State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) paid by certified manufacturers, helping them stay competitive and keep their heritage craft alive.
Renaming Rabindranath Tagore University: Emphasizing Cultural Identity
To honor Assamese language and culture, the Cabinet approved renaming Rabindranath Tagore University to Rabindranath Thakur Vishwavidyalaya. This change matches the university’s name with Assamese pronunciation, highlighting the state’s rich cultural heritage.
| Scheme | Key Features | Start Date / Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Gaon Pradhan & Anganwadi Workers Pay Raise | 14,000 for Gaon Pradhans, 8,000 Anganwadi Workers, 4,000 Helpers | From October 1, 2025 |
| Gaja Mitra Scheme | 80 community teams in 8 conflict-prone districts to manage elephant conflicts | Launched July 2025 |
| Prerona Aasoni Scheme | 300 monthly stipend to Class X students of ASSEB Div-1 | Nov 1, 2025 to HSLC Exam 2026 |
| Monks Stipend | 1,500 monthly stipend to celibate monks in Satras | Ongoing from 2025 |
| Assam GST Reimbursement Scheme | SGST refund to bell metal manufacturers | Launched 2025 |
| University Renaming | Rabindranath Thakur Vishwavidyalaya to highlight Assamese identity | Approved July 2025 |
These welfare schemes together show Assam’s commitment to improving quality of life, protecting traditional livelihoods, and encouraging cultural pride. You can know more and stay updated by visiting the official Assam government website at https://assam.gov.in.