Assam Cabinet Unveils Comprehensive Measures for Youth and Child Protection
Key Initiatives Approved by Assam Cabinet
Himanta Biswa Sarma with his council of ministers at the cabinet meeting, on Tuesday. (Photo - @CMOfficeAssam / X)
Guwahati, Aug 18: The Assam Cabinet convened on Tuesday to endorse a wide-ranging set of initiatives focused on child welfare, labor reforms, education, youth affairs, and governance.
Among the significant resolutions was the establishment of a robust child protection framework, the formation of a dedicated Youth Empowerment and Welfare Department, enhanced oversight of private coaching centers, and reforms in labor regulations.
Additionally, the Cabinet sanctioned the renaming of the Mini Secretariat in Silchar to Assam Secretariat, Barak Valley, which will house 32 departments, and introduced measures to bolster dairy cooperatives and enhance governance throughout the state.
Establishment of Youth Empowerment Department
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the newly formed 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, and employment services, emphasizing career guidance, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and the integration of youth programs.
Set to commence operations on September 17, the department will feature a secretariat and directorate, along with zonal offices at the district level.
Sarma expressed confidence that Assam would be the only state in India with a dedicated youth department, unlike most states that combine it with sports.
He emphasized that the commitment to youth empowerment is not a new endeavor but a sustained effort by the government over the last decade.
New Child Protection Policy
The Cabinet also ratified the Assam State Child Protection Policy, 2026, designed to enhance protections for children and regulate childcare facilities.
This policy aligns with directives from the Supreme Court and Gauhati High Court, highlighting the necessity for a comprehensive child protection framework in Assam.
Under this new policy, childcare institutions will be required to appoint a child welfare officer, install CCTV systems, and adhere to a code of conduct, among other safety measures.
Furthermore, the Cabinet approved the draft Assam Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Rules, 2026, which aims to facilitate the implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and the POCSO Rules, 2020.
This framework will address issues concerning children in conflict with the law and tackle matters related to juvenile justice, including human trafficking.
Labor Regulations Updated
The Cabinet also endorsed 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 laws, 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 consolidated into four labor codes by the central government. Assam has now implemented rules for two of these codes, with further discussions planned for the remaining regulations.
Barak Valley's New Secretariat
The Cabinet resolved to rename the proposed Mini Secretariat in Barak Valley to Assam Secretariat Barak Valley, Silchar.
This new facility will accommodate 32 significant departments out of a total of 59, thereby enhancing the administrative framework in the Barak Valley, according to the Chief Minister.
Land Allocations 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
Additionally, the Cabinet greenlit the complete digitization and simplification of the registration process for cooperative societies, starting with dairy cooperatives.
The registration process for dairy cooperatives will transition to an online and paperless format, with the government aiming for completion within a single day. Other cooperative societies will have their registrations finalized within a month.
This initiative is expected to facilitate business operations and streamline cooperative management.