Guwahati | The Assam Cabinet has approved Rs 2,100 crore for the Aerotropolis Satellite City Project in Guwahati and sanctioned Rs 450 crore for the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) as the first instalment of its State-Owned Priority Development (SOPD-G) fund for 2026-27.

The decisions were taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday, with several other measures approved covering infrastructure, welfare, employment and administration.

For the Aerotropolis Satellite City Project, the Cabinet granted administrative approval for Rs 2,100 crore, primarily for land acquisition and development. The project is aimed at supporting planned urban expansion and strengthening infrastructure around Guwahati.

The Cabinet also approved Rs 450 crore for the BTC as the first instalment of its SOPD-G allocation for the 2026-27 financial year. Among the welfare measures, the government allocated Rs 118.58 crore for the Chief Minister’s Jibon Prerana scheme during 2026-27.

The Cabinet also approved a measure allowing six communities included in Assam’s state Other Backward Classes (OBC) list but not in the Central OBC list for the state to obtain OBC Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificates in the format prescribed by the state government.

In another decision, candidates selected for government jobs will be required to undergo police verification covering their character, antecedents, nationality and the authenticity of documents submitted during the recruitment process.

The police will have up to six months to complete the verification. Candidates, meanwhile, will continue to be required to submit notarised affidavits, a measure aimed at preventing delays in the appointment process. The Cabinet also revised the payment structure for Foreign Language Training-cum-Implementation Partners (FLTIP) under the CM-FLIGHT programme.

Under the revised system, Rs 30,000 will be paid after three months of training and another Rs 30,000 after six months. A further Rs 40,000 will be released after completion of the training and submission of a foreign language proficiency certificate. Candidates will also receive Rs 50,000 as post-placement assistance.

The Cabinet approved a draft lease agreement between the Assam Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (AIDC) and Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) for the proposed development of a Taj Gateway hotel at the former HPCL premises in Jagiroad.

The agreement is expected to facilitate the development of the hospitality project at the industrial site.

The Cabinet also granted a temporary relaxation to the Moran and Matak communities from Assam’s restriction on new Aadhaar enrolment for people aged 18 years and above. The relaxation will remain in force until March 31, 2027.

In another significant decision, farmers with net agricultural income of up to Rs 10 lakh will be exempt from agriculture tax. The measure is expected to benefit a large number of small farmers, including most small tea growers.

The Cabinet decisions come as the state government continues to focus on urban infrastructure, employment-linked programmes, welfare measures and development initiatives across Assam.