Assam government comes up with concept of guardian ministers

The Assam government has come up with the concept of guardian ministers where a minister is allocated two or three districts.The will be responsible for the implementation of state government and central government schemes in the district, and will resolve issues pertaining to the district.According to the state government, 13 ministers will be responsible for the implementation of government’s policy decision, Administrative reforms and other welfare schemes for the public in the district. The ministers will review implementation of all centrally-sponsored schemes & the state’s own priority programmes, besides delivering decision making in a quick manner on the applications received from general public of the district.

The Guardian Minister will visit the district headquarters once in a month. Apart from mandatory visits, they will also visit the district (specified) during emergency situations, conduct extensive tour during disaster (Urban and Rural areas), and visit/inspect at least one circle office during their visit.They will review the implementation of various schemes in the district & submit a report to Chief Minister.“If there are any problems/obstacles in the implementation of particular scheme where policy decision is required from Government /Cabinet, they will make recommendations to Government for consideration. They will recommend for award for best practices in the district. They will prepare a “Vision Document” for the district with the help of District Administration and other line departments. Will prepare a plan for infrastructural development in the district. Will study the resources available in the district and submit a plan to provide employment to unemployed youths in the district. They will recommend district specific matter where Budget provision required,” the government communique added.Assam has 33 districts. The cabinet meeting held on Wednesday decided that no file will be sent to Finance Department seeking ceiling for Kushal Konwar Universal Old Age Pension, Indira Miri Universal Widow Pension and Deen Dayal Dibyang Yojna. The senior most secretary of the concerned department will be empowered to release through DBT to the beneficiaries. Moreover, beneficiaries of these three schemes will receive their dues within 10th of every monthA new separate department named Welfare of Bodoland Department has been created. Earlier it was under Department of Welfare of Plain Tribes & Backward Classes (WPTBC).