Himanta cabinet makes state’s history, geography must for classes 6-8

Guwahati: Assam cabinet on Sunday approved making the state’s history and geography mandatory subjects for classes 6, 7, and 8, following the recommendations of the Justice (retd) Biplab Kumar Sharma committee.

The committee was formed to suggest ways to implement Clause 6 of the 1985 Assam Accord. These subjects will now be compulsory, not optional.After the cabinet meeting, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said students in these classes will study social science, history, and geography, each carrying 50 marks. He admitted this may increase the academic burden but stressed it would strengthen students’ knowledge of Assam’s geography and history.In another major educational development, the cabinet approved a joint project between the Assam govt and Dassault Systems India Pvt Ltd at Assam Engineering College, Guwahati. Spread across 5,000 sq. ft. and costing Rs 243 crore, the project will offer courses in aerospace & defence, automotive, and electric vehicles. The state govt will contribute Rs 43 crore, while Dassault Systems will invest Rs 200 crore. Sarma said the project is expected to begin around Jan 15.

The cabinet also cleared the establishment of Assam’s second sainik school at Longvaku in Karbi Anglong district near Diphu. The project will cost Rs 335 crore, with 80% funded by the Union defence ministry and 20% by the state govt. “The tender process is complete, and construction will begin in Jan. The Centre has already released Rs 100 crore,” Sarma said. Currently, Assam has only one sainik school, located in Goalpara district.Additionally, the cabinet approved transferring 3,000 bighas of land at Doloo Tea Estate in Silchar to the Airports Authority of India for a greenfield airport project. “This decision will pave the way for Union cabinet approval,” Sarma said.The meeting, chaired by CM Sarma, also approved the Assam Logistics and Warehousing Policy 2025, aimed at transforming Assam into a logistics hub to boost GDP and tackle unemployment.