Cabinet eases land norms to boost investment, approves reforms in edu & tourism

Guwahati: The Assam cabinet on Tuesday approved a series of policy reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business, attracting private investment and simplifying regulations across sectors ranging from industry and higher education to school education and tourism.The cabinet cleared the Assam Regulation of Re-classification and Re-classification-cum-Transfer of Lands (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which will be introduced in the coming budget session of the assembly.The proposed legislation seeks to streamline land-use conversion for sectors such as MSMEs, hydrocarbons, solar energy and agriculture-to-non-agriculture projects, a move expected to facilitate industrial and commercial investments.In another significant decision, the cabinet approved amendments to the Assam Private Universities Act, 2007, reducing the minimum land requirement for setting up private universities. The land requirement in rural areas has been lowered from 60 bighas to 35 bighas, while in urban areas it has been reduced from 30 bighas to 21 bighas.The cabinet also approved revised norms for schools, reducing the minimum built-up area requirement to one bigha in urban areas and three bighas in rural areas for LP-to-secondary schools.

However, institutions will be required to comply with mandatory standards relating to sanitation, drinking water, boundary walls, toilets, disaster mitigation measures and facilities for persons with disabilities.To support the tourism sector, the cabinet approved the Assam Tourism Accommodation (Development and Registration) Rules, 2026. The new rules introduce a simplified single-window registration system for homestays and other tourism accommodation units, along with an automatic renewal mechanism every three years.The cabinet further extended the validity of licences of all Fair Price Shops in the state till December 31, 2026, from the earlier deadline of June 30, ensuring uninterrupted distribution of foodgrains to beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act.In a separate decision, the cabinet sanctioned Rs 9.75 crore for Assam Tea Corporation Ltd (ATCL) to facilitate a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) for its executives.