Silchar: Assam Minister Kaushik Rai on Monday chaired the District Planning Committee (DPC) meeting in Cachar to approve welfare and infrastructure projects under the 15th Finance Commission for the financial year 2025-26.

The meeting reviewed development proposals aimed at strengthening public infrastructure and welfare schemes across the district. Rai said the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, remains committed to ensuring the transparent and timely implementation of grassroots development projects.

The meeting was attended by Cachar Zila Parishad Chairman Kankan Narayan Sikdar, Cachar District Commissioner Rahul Kumar Gupta, IAS, MLAs Dr. Rajdeep Roy, Kishore Nath, Amiyo Kanti Das and Aminul Hoque Laskar, Cachar Zila Parishad CEO Dorothy Suchiang, ACS, Zila Parishad members and district officials.

Later in the day, the minister visited the office of Silchar Wholesale Cooperative Stores Ltd., where he reviewed the institution’s functioning, infrastructure and public service initiatives. During an interaction with office bearers and employees, he discussed the challenges faced by the cooperative and explored measures to strengthen the cooperative sector and make it more efficient and people-friendly.

Rai said the Assam Government is working to modernise cooperative institutions, improve transparency and enhance public confidence in the sector. The visit was attended by the cooperative’s President Binoy Bhushan Sharma, Vice-President Basudev Sharma, MLAs Kishore Nath and Amiyo Kanti Das, and BJP Cachar district president Rupam Saha.

The minister also attended the ceremonial distribution of Grant-in-Aid financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) at Ashirwad Bhawan in Silchar. The programme was organised by the District Mission Management Unit, Cachar, under the Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission.

Addressing the gathering, Rai said the scheme reflects the government’s commitment to promoting sustainable livelihood opportunities and inclusive development for beneficiaries. The event was attended by District Commissioner Rahul Kumar Gupta, IAS, Cachar Zila Parishad Chairman Kankan Narayan Sikdar, CEO Dorothy Suchiang, ACS, BJP district president Rupam Saha and other dignitaries.