Guwahati, Nov 10 (PTI) The Assam government on Tuesday allocated Rs 200 crore for implementation of the Ayushman Asom health insurance scheme, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
Addressing a press conference after chairing a cabinet meeting, he said the step will ensure uninterrupted healthcare cover to more than 40 lakh families across the state.
"The Cabinet approved an allocation of Rs 200 crore for the implementation of the Ayushman Asom scheme. The initiative aims to ensure continuity of healthcare benefits and strengthen the state's healthcare protection framework," Sarma said.
Besides, he said, the Cabinet enhanced the ex-gratia assistance for the families of deceased employees of the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, an integrated programme for school education launched by the Union Education Ministry.
"The Cabinet approved an enhancement of the one-time ex-gratia assistance payable to the families of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan employees in the event of their unfortunate death," Sarma said.
The assistance has been increased from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7.5 lakh, providing greater financial support to bereaved families, he added.
The CM further said that with the larger interest of students and the promotion of traditional learning in focus, the Cabinet approved the integration of Krishna Kanta Handiqui Government Sanskrit College in Guwahati with Kumar Bhaskar Varma Sanskrit and Ancient Studies University in Nalbari.
"The move is expected to strengthen Sanskrit education and provide greater academic opportunities to students," he added.
Sarma said that Rs 108.81 crore was also approved for free college admissions for students.
"Under the Pragyan Bharati Scheme for the academic year 2026–27, the Cabinet approved Rs 108.81 crore as compensation to colleges for extending free admission benefits to more than 1.5 lakh first-year undergraduate students," he added.
The decision will support participating colleges while ensuring that financial constraints do not impede students' access to higher education, he said.
The CM also said that to strengthen the quality and effectiveness of school education, the Cabinet approved the development and procurement of Teaching-Learning Material (TLM) kits through IIT Guwahati's Research Park.
"The initiative seeks to reform the existing procurement mechanism and make learning materials more student-friendly, interactive and conducive to holistic learning," he added.
(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)