Assam Cabinet Unveils Comprehensive Measures for Youth and Child Protection
Key Initiatives Announced by Assam Cabinet
Himanta Biswa Sarma with his council of ministers at the cabinet meeting, on Tuesday. (Photo - @CMOfficeAssam / X)
Guwahati, Aug 18: On Tuesday, the Assam Cabinet approved a wide-ranging set of initiatives focused on child protection, labor, education, youth affairs, and governance.
Among the significant decisions were the establishment of a comprehensive child protection framework, the formation of a dedicated Youth Empowerment and Welfare Department, stricter regulations for private coaching centers, and labor reforms.
Additionally, the Cabinet sanctioned the renaming of the Mini Secretariat in Silchar to Assam Secretariat, Barak Valley, which will house 32 departments, along with initiatives aimed at bolstering dairy cooperatives and enhancing governance throughout the state.
Youth Empowerment Department Launch
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the new Youth Empowerment and Welfare Department will consolidate various youth-focused initiatives under a unified administrative structure.
This department will encompass activities related to the Youth Commission, NCC, Scouts and Guides, Youth and Student Welfare, and employment exchanges, prioritizing employment facilitation, career guidance, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and the integration of youth initiatives.
Set to commence operations on September 17, the department will feature a secretariat and directorate, along with zonal offices at the district level.
“Assam will likely be the only state in India with a dedicated department for youth, as most states combine it with sports,” Sarma remarked.
He emphasized that the focus on youth is not a new endeavor but a sustained effort by the government over the last decade.
New Child Protection Framework
The Cabinet also endorsed the Assam State Child Protection Policy, 2026, designed to enhance protections for children and regulate childcare facilities.
“This policy aligns with the directives and observations from the Supreme Court and Gauhati High Court regarding the necessity for a robust child protection framework in Assam,” he stated.
Under this new framework, childcare institutions will be required to meet specific standards, including appointing a child welfare officer, installing CCTV cameras, and adhering to a code of conduct, among other mandated safeguards.
Furthermore, the Cabinet approved the draft Assam Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Rules, 2026, which are expected to facilitate the implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and the POCSO Rules, 2020.
“This will establish a framework for addressing issues related to children in conflict with the law and juvenile justice, including human trafficking concerns,” he added.
Labor Regulations Updated
The Cabinet also approved the notification of the Assam Industrial Relation Rules, 2026, and the Assam Social Security Rules, 2026.
The Industrial Relation Rules will replace three outdated colonial and post-Independence regulations, while the Social Security Rules have been developed in accordance with the Code on Social Security, 2020.
“India previously had 29 labor-related laws, which have now been categorized into four labor codes by the Centre. Assam has now notified rules for two of these codes, with further discussions planned for the remaining rules,” he explained.
Barak Valley Receives New Secretariat
The Cabinet has decided to rename the proposed Mini Secretariat in Barak Valley to Assam Secretariat-Barak Valley, Silchar.
This new secretariat will accommodate 32 major departments out of a total of 59, thereby enhancing the administrative framework in the Barak Valley, according to the Chief Minister.
Land Allocated for Educational Institutions
The Cabinet approved the transfer and allocation of land for the permanent campuses of the Indian Institute of Management, Guwahati, and Azim Premji University.
Previously, Sarma mentioned that 576 bighas of land in Palasbari had been designated for IIM, while 200 bighas were allocated for Azim Premji University.
Digitization of Cooperative Registration
The Cabinet also greenlit the complete digitization and simplification of the registration process for cooperative societies, starting with dairy cooperatives.
The registration process for dairy cooperative societies will transition to an online and paperless format, with the government aiming for completion within one day. Other cooperative societies will have their registrations finalized within a month.
“This initiative will facilitate business operations and streamline cooperative management,” he concluded.