Assam Cabinet Approves New Awards and Industrial Investment
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a new national music award, a 303.69-crore industrial project, and the 2025 state civilian honor recipients.
The Assam Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, approved a series of cultural, industrial, and regulatory measures during a meeting at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Dispur. To mark the centenary of musician Bhupen Hazarika, the government instituted the Dr Bhupen Hazarika Rashtriya Award. Veteran singer Usha Mangeshkar is the first recipient of the honor, which includes a 10 lakh rupee cash prize. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will present the award on November 29 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
In addition to the new national award, the Cabinet finalized the 2025 state civilian honors to be presented in December. Dr Harsha Bhattacharyya was named the recipient of the Assam Baibhav, the state's highest civilian honor. The government also increased the cash prize for the Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev Award to 15 lakh rupees and named several recipients for the Assam Saurav and Assam Gaurav awards.
On the economic front, the Cabinet approved a 303.69-crore investment by Weetek Plastic Pvt Ltd, a Welspun Group subsidiary, to build a manufacturing unit in Rangia, Kamrup district, which is expected to create 300 jobs. Regulatory changes include the Assam Mineral Regulation and Dealers (Amendment) Rules 2026, which replaces uniform limestone royalty rates with a graded classification system. Finally, the government approved election rules for the Mising and Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Councils, directing the State Election Commission to hold polls by November.
