Assam Politics & Governance

NEHHDC and CML sign MoU to support Assam ’s handloom sector

1 September 2026

The North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) and the Centre of Microfinance and Livelihood (CML) signed an MoU to support Assam’s handloom sector. The planned collaboration covers skills, design, product innovation, entrepreneurship training and market access for weavers.

Key Facts

• The partnership forms part of Tata Trusts’ Antaran initiative for craft-based livelihoods.

Assam transfers ₹25.12 crore in interim flood relief to 16,746 families

1 September 2026

Assam transferred ₹25.12 crore in interim flood relief to 16,746 affected families in Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat districts. Each family received ₹15,000 through direct benefit transfer, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Key Facts

• India’s Direct Benefit Transfer programme began on 1 January 2013, initially transferring cash benefits in 20 districts.

Guwahati airport puts 570-metre approach lighting system into operation

1 September 2026

Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati has put a 570-metre precision approach lighting system into operation. The new system extends the approach lighting from 180 metres and was installed, tested and formally commissioned. It is designed to help pilots identify and align with the runway, including during heavy rain and fog.

Key Facts

• Approach lights help pilots change from instrument-guided flight to visual guidance during landing.

Central Silk Board plans wider market for Assam’s eri and muga silk

1 September 2026

The Central Muga Eri Research and Training Institute at Lahdoigarh opened a training centre and tissue-culture facility during its foundation-day programme. Central Silk Board Member-Secretary P. Shivkumar outlined plans to expand markets for eri and muga silk, including discussions on their use in modern clothing such as jeans. A three-year effort under an Assam–Union government agreement aims to develop the sector and expand production and markets.

Key Facts

• The eri-muga research and training institute at Lahdoigarh was established in 1999.

Supreme Court allows Oil India to file fresh plea on Dibru-Saikhowa proposal

2 September 2026

The Supreme Court allowed Oil India to withdraw an interim application and file a fresh plea concerning the rejection of its proposal linked to hydrocarbon extraction near Dibru-Saikhowa National Park. The company’s plea challenges the refusal of forest-land diversion approval for 0.069 hectares in Tinsukia district. The Court’s permission was procedural and did not approve the proposed drilling.

Key Facts

• Dibru-Saikhowa became a biosphere reserve in 1997; its 340-square-kilometre core was declared a national park in 1999.

Election schedule announced for Silchar Municipal Corporation

2 September 2026

The Assam State Election Commission announced the schedule for the election to the 42-ward Silchar Municipal Corporation. Polling was scheduled for 3 October, from 7:30 am to 4 pm, and counting for 6 October. The nomination deadline was 11 September, scrutiny was scheduled for 14 September, and the last date for withdrawal was 17 September. A re-poll, if required, was scheduled for 5 October.

Key Facts

• Article 243ZA places municipal electoral rolls and the conduct of municipal elections under the State Election Commission.
• Subject to the Constitution, state legislatures can make laws governing municipal elections.

Assam announces anti-narcotics task force and plans two police battalions

3 September 2026

Assam decided to form an anti-narcotics task force at the senior police officers’ conference in Dergaon. It also announced plans for two new police battalions and measures to strengthen forensic capacity and disaster response. The Chief Minister directed that the conference decisions be implemented within six months.

Key Facts

• Assam’s State Disaster Response Force is a specialised police force for rapid relief and rescue during natural or man-made disasters.

Freight train tests repaired track on Lumding–Badarpur line

3 September 2026

A freight train made a trial run on the repaired second track near New Harangajao on the Lumding–Badarpur hill railway line. The track had been damaged by a landslide and remained closed during repairs, while limited passenger services continued on the third track. Passenger services on the repaired track were expected to resume from 5 September if the trial confirmed its stability and safety. Restoration work on the first track was still under way.

Key Facts

• The 210-km Lumding–Silchar section formed Phase I of the gauge-conversion project; its first broad-gauge goods train was flagged off on 27 March 2015.

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