GUWAHATI, Sept 7: In a significant push towards environmental sustainability, the Assam Cabinet on Monday approved the Assam Green Cess Policy, 2026, paving the way for a new levy on sectors that heavily utilise natural resources or contribute to pollution.
The policy, cleared at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at Lok Sewa Bhawan, provides a comprehensive framework for imposing a “green cess” on identified activities. These include stone-crushing units, brick kilns, imported timber, pollution-index-based industrial units, the transfer of ownership of pre-owned motor vehicles, and the commercial extraction and utilisation of groundwater.
Officials said the revenue generated from the cess will be channelled into priority environmental and infrastructure works, primarily the revamping and repair of embankments across the state and the financing of solar power projects. The move is designed to ensure that industries and activities placing pressure on Assam’s natural resources also contribute to mitigation and conservation efforts.
The Green Cess Policy builds on a proposal first outlined in the state’s 2026-27 budget, which had emphasised the principle that those contributing to environmental degradation should help fund its remediation. At the time, the government had indicated that proceeds would support afforestation, pollution control, biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, green energy and sustainable infrastructure. Monday’s Cabinet decision formalises the framework and brings the levy closer to implementation.
Alongside the green cess, the Cabinet cleared several other key measures. It approved the third edition of Khel Maharan (Khel Maharan 3.0), to be held across all 35 districts beginning in early November 2026. The programme will feature two categories: the main Khel Maharan for participants above 12 years and the newly introduced Shoishab/Sishu Krida Samaroh for children under 12. The junior segment aims at early talent identification, with selected under-12 athletes set to receive monthly scholarships and access to structured training and coaching facilities in disciplines including athletics, yogasana, chess, boxing, aquathlon, football, volleyball and swimming.
Other decisions include free bicycles for Class IX students in the next financial year, relaxation of the qualifying service period for promotion of Computer Operators to Junior Administrative Assistants in the Assam Secretariat (from four years to three), and an increase in the upper age limit for ex-servicemen seeking Grade III and Grade IV government posts (from 42 to 45 years). The Cabinet also approved restructuring of the Commissionerate of Taxes.
Chief Minister Sarma later briefed the media on the decisions, highlighting the government’s dual focus on environmental regulation and youth development. Officials described the green cess as a long-term instrument to create a dedicated resource pool for climate-resilient infrastructure, particularly critical embankment works that protect flood-prone regions of the state.
The policy is expected to be notified in due course, after which detailed rates and operational guidelines will be finalised. Industry stakeholders in the affected sectors are likely to closely monitor the implementation process.
With Monday’s approvals, the Assam government has signalled a stronger linkage between resource use, environmental accountability and public investment in sustainable development.